Gong Lao Mu (Mahonia bealei) — Dried Chinese Mahonia Stem for Herbal Decoction

Gong Lao Mu (Mahonia bealei), also known as Chinese Mahonia Stem and referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Gōng Láo Mù (功劳木), is the dried stem of a bitter, cooling herb long valued in folk practice as a heat-clearing and dampness-drying botanical. Sometimes called Tǔ Huáng Bǎi (土黄柏) for its resemblance to Phellodendron in traditional use, it has been prized as a bitter, cold-natured herb used to clear heat, dry dampness, and support the body's natural balance. Its nature is bitter and cold, making it a focused herb for addressing patterns of excess heat and damp-heat in TCM theory.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional bitter-cold heat-clearing herb
• Dried Chinese Mahonia stem (Mahonia bealei)
• Known in TCM as Gong Lao Mu and Tu Huang Bai
• Sun-dried processing for stable quality
• 500g bulk pack for decoction and blending

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is sun-dried to preserve its pale yellow-brown color, firm fibrous texture, and mild woody aroma. When decocted, the stem pieces yield a deeply bitter, slightly astringent infusion with an earthy, dry finish, characteristic of bitter-cold herbs used in traditional formulas.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoction
• Blended with other heat-clearing herbs
• Folk herbal formulas
• Seasonal damp-heat wellness routines
• Herbal ingredient for custom blends

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Gong Lao Mu is decocted alone or in combination with other bitter-cold herbs to clear heat and dry dampness. It is often paired with ingredients like Huang Qin, Huang Lian, or Bai Zhu in traditional formulas, and appears in regional folk recipes for daily wellness during humid seasons. As a decoction, it is simmered slowly to extract its bitter principles, then consumed as part of a broader herbal regimen.

FAQ Q&A