Herbarium of the Ancients — Detailed Record

Pseudolarix amabilis

Read before use: the information below describes traditional and informational uses — it does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. In case of doubt, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment, or use in children, seek advice before use.

Enhanced precautions for this plant: Toxic plant by internal route: never ingest the bark or its preparations without supervision by a qualified professional. Use reserved exclusively for external application in tradition; all internal use is strongly discouraged. Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and in young children, even for prolonged external application. Do not apply on broken skin, mucous membranes, or over large areas without advice from a healthcare professional or qualified herbalist.

External Decoction — Dried Root Bark

Bark Lotion for Skin Use

The dried bark, reduced to pieces, is traditionally decocted at length in water or rice vinegar, then the filtered liquid is applied as a compress or wash on the affected area. This preparation remains strictly for external use and must be prepared under the guidance of a professional trained in Chinese pharmacopoeias. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Powder — Dried Root Bark

Bark Powder for Local Application

The finely pulverized bark was sometimes mixed with a fatty substance or vinegar to form a paste applied locally to affected areas. This traditional practice requires the advice of a qualified practitioner before any use. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to Find It

Obtaining the Plant

This bark is found primarily at herbalist shops specializing in Chinese pharmacopoeia (Ben Cao), rarely in cultivation or wild harvesting outside its mountainous native range in China.

Harvest Season

When to Harvest It

The bark of roots and trunk is traditionally harvested in autumn, once the sap has descended into the tree.

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