Coptis

Coptis chinensis

Chinese Gold Thread Coptidis Coptis Coptis Rhizome Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Side effects and cautions Considerations

Coptis, a low-growing relative of the peony, is native to the mountains of China. Herbal medicine uses the root, which is dug up in the autumn and sliced.
Coptis species are perennial herbs with long leaf stalks that arise directly from the ground, lobed and finely dissected leaves and small, greenish-white flowers. The brownish rhizomes are yellow or orange inside. In addition to Coptis chinensis, several other species are used in Oriental and in North American traditional medicine. These include Coptis trifolia (North America), Coptis japonica (Japan) , Coptis. teeta (India) and Coptis deltoides (China).

PARTS USED

Dried rhizomes.

USES

Coptis is an east Asian relative of the American herb goldenseal. The best known of the herb's active constituents is berberine, a chemical coptis shares with barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape root.

Benefits of coptis for specific health conditions include the following:

• Atherosclerosis. In laboratory experiments, coptis reduced blood-cholesterol levels and induced the production of chemicals that hinder the development of atherosclerosis. Other studies have found that berberine can lower blood sugar levels in diabetic animals.
• Cancer. When added to bath water, coptis increases the skin's ability to absorb 5-fluorouracil, a medication used to treat both actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition, and basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. In addition, berberine stops the multiplication of human colorectal and liver cancer cells.
• Eye disorders, osteomyelitis, and parasitic infection. Coptis kills the organisms that cause giardiasis and trichmoniasis infections of the urinary tract, and treats both eye disorders and osteomyelitis, a bone infection of the fingers.
• Tuberculosis. In one study, thirty people with tuberculosis who were spitting blood with cough and fever took coptis capsules for three months. All saw their symptoms disappear.

Other medical uses - Colorectal cancer, Strep throat.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Coptis is cultivated in China.

CONSTITUENTS

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is present in the dried rhizomes at a level of about 5 - 7 %, together with other so-called proto-berberine alkaloids (including palmatine, coptisine and berberastine). The other species listed above also contain these alkaloids and they seem to differ quantitatively only.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

The recommended daily dose of the crude product is 1.5 - 6 g.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Berberine and Coptis rhizomes might be mutagenic, so these products should be avoided during pregnancy and used with caution.

CONSIDERATIONS

Coptis is available in capsules, ointments, powders, and tinctures. It can be used to make compresses and poultices.

When using coptis, it is very important to pay close attention to dosage. Small amounts of coptis stimulate the brain and result in alertness, while the use of large amounts result in drowsiness. Similarly, small doses of coptis increase blood pressure, but large doses lower it.

Coptis has several relatively uncommon side effects. There is some evidence that the berberine in coptis can interfere with the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics. It may also lower blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and have not used this herb before, you should use it with caution. The tannins in coptis tinctures may cause stomach irritation, so tinctures of the herb should be avoided if you have diarrhea or chronic heartburn. People with Raynaud's disease who use relatively high dosages of coptis may find that it aggravates numbness and tingling. This effect is minor and temporary.