"Kidney Jing is the basis for Kidney Qi"

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Herb Documents

Properties & Channels

Drug Interactions

Incompatible Herbs

Toxic or Endangered

Latin Name Notes

Bai He (Lily Bulb)

Herb 1 of 15 in Herbs that Tonify Yin

Channels:
HT, LU

Properties:
Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Cold

Latin Name:
Bulbus Lilii

Bai He means "Hundred Meetings"

Actions

Moistens the Lung, Stops Cough, and Clear Heat
For Lung Qi and Yin Deficiency causing consumptive cough with symptoms such as consumptive, dry, chronic cough, shortness of breath, and white, yellow, or bloody sputum that is difficult to expectorate. Also for heat signs accompanying Lung Yin Deficiency such as night sweats, tidal fever, and an absence of sputum.
Clears Heat and Calms the Spirit (Shen)
For Lung Yin Deficiency directly affecting the Heart with symptoms such as physical or speech disorientation, trouble with concentration, sensory impairment, bitter taste in the mouth, dark yellow urine, and a rapid thready pulse.
Nourishes the Yin and Harmonizes the Middle Jiao
For dull pain associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency.

Contraindications and Cautions

As this herb it is moistening and cold, it should not be used in patients with Middle Jiao Deficiency, diarrhea, or loose stools.
Do not use in cases of Wind-Cold or Phlegm cough.
Bai He may also cause sedation and drowsiness, and may impair a person's ability to drive and operate machinery.

Herb-Drug Interactions

This section is being researched, and is not completed.

Toxicity and Overdose

This section is being researched, and is not completed.

Dosage

10-30 grams

Notes

This herb is often used as a food.

Combinations:

Bai He (Bulbus Lilii)
Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis)

Combined Actions:

Nourish Yin and Clear Heat

Combined Indications:

Mental agitation, insomnia, vertigo
Dry cough

Preparation:

Honey fry Bai He for dry cough and use raw Bai He for agitation and insomnia.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

Bai He Gu Jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction to Preserve the Metal)
Formulas that Enrich the Yin and Moisten Dryness

References

Herbs

13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
- Dan Bensky

25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
- Fugh-Berman A.

17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
- John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen

26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
- Max Wichtl

Formulas

15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
- Dan Bensky

18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
- Qiao Yi

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.