Long Dan vs Stephanandra Incisa

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Long Dan

Gentiana scabra

Liver Support

Stephanandra incisa

Liver Support

Long Dan

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Stephanandra Incisa

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Perennial of Chinese mountains; root used in TCM to clear heat and dampness from liver and gallbladder channels — one of the bitterest herbs in TCM.

Japanese ornamental shrub used in traditional Japanese folk medicine for liver conditions and as an anti-inflammatory.

Active Compounds

gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, loganic acid, sweroside, xanthones

tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, sterols

Traditional Uses

Liver and gallbladder damp-heat in TCM, Acute eye conditions with heat, Genital conditions from damp-heat, Used in Long Dan Xie Gan Wan formula

liver conditions, inflammation, digestive tonic, wound healing

Modern Uses

Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive bitter

hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

Adult Dosage

3–6 g dried root as decoction; 200–400 mg extract 2x daily

Leaf or bark decoction 200ml 2x daily

Contraindications

Cold conditions, Spleen qi deficiency, Pregnancy, Long-term use

pregnancy, allergy to Rosaceae

Side Effects

GI irritation, Nausea in excess, Hypoglycemia, Cold constitution worsening

mild digestive upset

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E