Bai He
Lilium brownii F.E.Brown var. viridulum Baker
☯ TCM Properties
Nourishes Lung Yin; Clears the Heart and calms the spirit; Stops Cough; Clears Heat
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Lilium brownii var. viridulum is a herbaceous perennial bulbous plant in the Liliaceae, native to central and southern China where it grows on grassy slopes, in scrub and on rocky cliffs. The white, fleshy, scaly bulb is ovoid to globose, 2 to 4.5 cm in diameter, composed of overlapping, lanceolate scales that are the medicinal portion known in Chinese medicine as Bai He. From the bulb arises an erect, unbranched stem reaching 0.7 to 2 meters in height, bearing scattered, linear-lanceolate, glabrous leaves 7 to 15 cm long. The flowers are solitary or in small terminal umbel-like clusters, large and showy, broadly funnel-form, 13 to 18 cm long, fragrant, with white tepals flushed purplish-brown or greenish on the outside and recurved at the tips. Six prominent stamens bear yellow-orange anthers around a long greenish style. Closely related varieties such as Lilium lancifolium and Lilium pumilum are also harvested as Bai He.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai He (lily bulb) is a cool, sweet, moistening herb used in Chinese medicine to nourish Lung and Heart Yin, clear mild Heart Heat, and calm the Spirit. It is used for dry, unproductive cough from Lung dryness and Yin deficiency, and for restlessness, insomnia, and mild emotional disturbance from Heart Yin deficiency. As a food-grade herb commonly eaten in soups and desserts, it is one of the gentlest and most pleasant-tasting Yin-nourishing herbs — appropriate for long-term daily use in those with dry, deficient constitutions.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.