Huang Qin (Zi/Young Roots)

In modern times the distinction between Zi Huang Qin and Ku Huang Qin has been lost and most companies just sell the Zi Huang Qin as Huang Qin.

Zi Huang qin is the younger root and its center is not hollow. The center of the root hollows out as the root gets older and larger (Ku Huang Qin). In classical Chinese medicine, it was thought that the mature root is lighter and goes to the upper burner. Thus it was used to treat lung heat and such conditions. The young root was used to treat lower and middle burner issues such as damp-heat diarrhea (as in Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang).