[The vicissitude of the historically famous medicinal herb Xuan Huanglian (Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala)].

"Xuan Huanglian" is particularly referring to the Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala W. T. Wang et Hsiao distributed in the Southern Anhui mountainous regions adjacent to Xuan Cheng and its adjoining northwest Zhejiang mountainous regions. This herb produced here is of perfect qualities used as an authentic medicinal herb from Ben cao jing ji zhu (Variorum of Classic of Materia Medica) of 536 A. D to Ben cao gang mu shi yi (Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) of 1803 A. D. It was recorded successively as an authentic medicinal herb in herbal literature for a period as long as 1200 years. It is declined gradually because of prolonged and unlimitedly gathering, leading to the shortage of its resources.