Gold Thread (Coptis Trifolia)

March 23rd, 2008

Botanical Name: Coptis trifolia (SALIS.)
Family: N.O. Ranunculaceae
Synonyms: Helleborus triflius or trilobus. Helleborus pumilus. Coptis. Anemone grcenlandica. Coptide. Mouthroot. Vegetable Gold. Chrusa borealis.Coptis groenlandica ((Oeder.)Fernald.)
Other Common Names:( From various places around the Web, may not be 100% correct.)
Canker-root [H], Coptide [H], Coptis [H], Gold Thread [H,S], Goldthread [H], Mouthroot [H], Three-leaf Goldthread [B], Threeleaf Goldthread [P], Vegetable Gold [H],

Parts Used: The dried rhizome, with roots, stems, and leaves.
Range: N. America, E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Northern America and Asia. Greenland and Iceland.

Description: An evergreen perennial growing to 0.15m by 0.5m . It is hardy to zone 2. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.Flower color is white and size: 1/2 inch across.

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The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

The name of the genus Coptis is suggested by the form of the leaflets, and means ‘to cut.’ The popular name is derived from the thin, creeping, gold-coloured rhizome, which yields a yellow dye. The solitary, yellowish flowers, and obovate, evergreen leaves grow in tufts with yellow scales surrounding the base. The herb is a small perennial, usually found creeping in swamps or damp, sandy places. In commerce, the dried herb is found in loose masses, odourless, and with a pure, bitter taste. The powder is yellowish-green. It resembles gentian and quassia in its properties.
The Coptis family is closely linked to that of the Hellebores.

Cultivation details:
Requires a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade. A very ornamental plant.
The sub-species C. trifolia groenlandica (Syn C. groenlandica) is the form used medicinally in N. America.
Propagation:
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10Â°c. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring.

Edible Uses
Condiment; Leaves.
The whole plant is said to be eaten, or it can be mixed with sassafras-root bark and Irish moss and brewed into a kind of herbal root beer. This plant contributes a bitter flavour and a yellow colour to the beverage. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Constituents: Its bitterness is imparted to both water and alcohol, but more readily to the latter. As there is neither tannic nor gallic acid, the activity is due to berberia or berberine, which is associated with another alkaloid called Coptine or Coptina, resembling hydrastia. It also contains albumen, fixed oil, colouring matter, lignin, extractive, and sugar. Authorities differ as to the presence of resin.

Medicinal Uses:
Antibacterial; Antiinflammatory; Antiphlogistic; Astringent; Sedative; Skin; Stomachic; Tonic.

Goldenthread is a very bitter tasting herb that was formerly highly valued and widely used in North America by the native Indians and white settlers alike, though it is little used in modern herbalism. It was employed mainly to treat any soreness in the mouth.

The dried roots, stems and leaves are antiphlogistic, highly astringent, sedative, stomachic, tonic. The plant is valued as a local application in the treatment of thrush in children. It is also used in the treatment of ulcerated mouths and as a gargle for sore throats or mouths. It is said to be useful in the treatment of dyspepsia and helpful in combating the drink habit.

The plant contains the alkaloid ‘berberine’, which is a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. The root is collected in the autumn and dried for later use.

It may be used as other pure bitters. In New England it is valued as a local application in thrush, for children.

It is stated to be good for dyspepsia, and combined with other drugs is regarded as helpful in combating the drink habit.

Dosage: Of powder, 10 to 30 grains. Of tincture of 1 OZ. of root to a pint of diluted alcohol, 1 fluid drachm. Of fluid extract, 30 minims.

Other Uses:
Dye; Ground cover.
A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems.

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden

Other Species and Substitutes:
Statice monopetala, used as an astringentin the United States, sometimes used to adulterate C. trifolia.

Coptis Teeta, or Coptidis Rhizoma, Coptidis Radix, Mahmira, Tita, Mishmi Bitter, Mishmi Tita, Hwang-lien, Honglane, Chuen-lien, Chonlin, Mu-lien, is official in the Pharmacopoeia of India. It grows in the Mishmi Mountains, East Assam, is imported into Bengal in little rattan bags, and is thus sold in the Indian bazaars. Large quantities have been sold in London. It contains a higher percentage of berberia than any other drug, and is much used as a tonic in India and China, especially for the stomach, and in Scind for inflammation of the eyes.

The Chinese and Japanese variations (var. chinensis and C. anemonaefolia) imported into Bombay are thinner and duller than the Assam rhizomes. In Japan, the last variety is used for intestinal catarrh.

Known Hazards: Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/golthr25.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Coptis+trifolia

http://search.myway.com/search/GGimage.jhtml?searchfor=Coptis%20trifolia