Bai He - Lily Bulb
TCM Materia Medica
Bai He TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "bai he" which in english is 
"lily bulb", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify yin" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart and lung channels and exhibits bitter (ku), cold (han) and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-30g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Moisten the lungs, clear heat, and stop coughing - cough from dry lungs or lung heat, sore throat.
- Clear heat and calm the spirit - low fever, insomnia, restlessness, irritability in the aftermath of a febrile disease, palpitations from qi and/or yin deficiency.
A single herb is not often thought of as an empirical way to influence a TCM diagnostic pattern. Bai He, however, is a strong candidate to be considered when needing to influence lung yin deficiency.
Bai He may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: cough, insomnia and/or sore throat
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, bai he is generally included in the following 2 formulas:
ViewBai He Gu Jin Wan (Lily Bulb to Preserve the Metal)
General yin deficiency signs may present as night sweats, heat in the soles and palms, and flusing. Cough/wheezing, possible blood in the sputum, dry and sore throat may present from lung yin and qi…
ViewXin Yi Qing Fei Wan (Magnolia Flower Drink To Clear The Lungs)
Colds and/or allergies with heat signs (yellow mucus and/or fever, etc.). Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell. Nasal polyps with the right underly…
As noted above, bai he is within the herbs that tonify yin functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... yin tonics are generally sweet, cold, enriching and cloying. they are inappropriate for spleen or stomach deficiency, internal dampness or phlegm, abdominal distension, and/or diarrhea. general symptoms by system: lung yin defic…)".
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