LeavesTonifyingBulbus Lilii

Bai He (Lily Bulb)

Q: What is Bai He, and is it the same as ornamental or grocery lily bulbs?

Bai He (百合) is the dried fleshy scale leaf of the bulb of Lilium lancifolium , Lilium brownii var. viridulum , or Lilium pumilum . The pharmacopoeial name is Lilii Bulbus . Ornamental lilies are floral cultivars and are not used as medicine. Grocery “sweet lily bulbs” are mainly culinary; official decoction pieces must match the legal species and processing. Do not treat every supermarket bulb as a medicinal slice.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bai He?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bai He is sweet and cold , enters the Heart and Lung channels, and acts to nourish Yin, moisten the Lungs, clear the Heart and calm the spirit . It is used for chronic dry cough from Yin deficiency, blood-streaked sputum, restlessness with palpitations, insomnia with dreaming, and a vague, unsettled mental state. First recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing , it is a gentle food-grade Yin tonic, usually combined with other herbs.

Q: What is the difference between fresh, dried and honey-fried Bai He?

Fresh Bai He is richer in mucilage and better as food for moistening dryness. Dried Bai He is the usual decoction piece for soups and formulas. Honey-fried Bai He (Mi Bai He) is stronger for moistening the Lungs and stopping dry cough. For clearing Heart heat and calming the spirit after a febrile illness, the raw/unhoneyed form is preferred. Fresh and dried share a direction of action but differ in dose, taste and setting.

Q: What is the usual dosage of Bai He?

The standard decoction dose is 6–12 g ; it may also be used in pills, powders, steamed dishes or congee. Culinary use is often about 10–15 g dried or 15–30 g fresh, cooked until soft. Reduce the amount for children, older adults and those with weak digestion. External use of the fresh bulb should be guided by a clinician. Long-term high-dose self-use is not advised.

Q: Is Bai He both a food and a medicine? How is it commonly eaten?

Yes. In China it is listed as a substance that is both a food and a Chinese medicinal , within defined scope and dose. Common dishes include lily-and-lotus-seed congee, lily and white fungus soup, lily with snow pear, lily chicken soup, and rock-sugar lily. Soak dried scales, rinse off debris, then simmer until tender. It suits dry Yin-deficiency cough and restless insomnia; it is a poor daily “lung tonic” during Wind-Cold colds or loose stools.

Q: Can Bai He stop cough and moisten the Lungs? Which coughs fit?

It targets Yin-deficiency dry cough, lingering cough, scant sputum or blood-streaked sputum , not every cough. Wind-Cold (chills, clear runny nose, thin white phlegm) or Phlegm-Damp excess is the wrong pattern. Chronic dry cough is often paired with Fritillaria, Ophiopogon, Scrophularia or Coltsfoot. Formulas require pattern differentiation and do not replace evaluation of respiratory infection.

Q: Can Bai He calm the spirit and help sleep? What is “lily disease”?

It can clear Heart heat and calm the spirit in restlessness, palpitations, dream-disturbed sleep and a vague, unsettled mind, especially after febrile illness or with Heart-Lung Yin deficiency. Zhang Zhongjing’s Bai He Bing (lily disease) in the Jin Gui Yao Lue describes wanting to eat yet not eating, wanting to lie down yet not resting, and a spirit-like disorientation; classic formulas include Bai He Di Huang Tang, Bai He Zhi Mu Tang and Bai He Ji Zi Huang Tang. It is not a substitute for hypnotics or for assessment of persistent insomnia or mood disorders.

Q: How do you choose and store Bai He?

Choose dried scales that are fleshy, white to pale yellow, with clear veins, no mold or insects, and a faint sweet-bitter smell . Fresh bulbs should be firm and clean, without black rot. Store dried material in a ventilated dry place, sealed after opening; refrigerate fresh bulbs and use them soon. Discard moldy, blackened or sour pieces. Buy official decoction pieces from a regulated channel and distinguish raw Bai He from honey-fried Bai He.

A practical guide to Bai He: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

View Herb Profile →

Last reviewed Oct 03, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Bulbus Lilii
Chinese Name & Pinyin	百合 · Bai He
Medicinal Part	Leaves
The herb	Bai He is the dried scale-leaf of three Lilium species. It is not the ornamental lily flower. It is not every “Lanzhou lily” sold in shops. The flower (Bai He Hua) is cooler and weaker. Use it raw or honey-fried.
Nature and channels	Sweet and cold. Enters the Heart and Lung. Sweetness moistens. Coldness clears deficiency heat.
Pharmacopoeia line	Nourishes yin and moistens the Lung. Clears the Heart and calms the spirit. Used for dry cough, blood-streaked sputum, restlessness, palpitations, and poor sleep. Honey-fried Bai He is used for chronic dry cough and cough with blood.
Pattern cues	Dry cough. Cough with blood. Palpitations. Vivid dreams. Dry or hoarse throat. Night sweats. Red tongue with little coating.
In this article	When to use raw or honey-fried Bai He. How it differs from Mai Dong, Bei Sha Shen, Suan Zao Ren, and fresh versus dried bulb. How to cook it, how much to use, and who should skip it.

What Is Bai He?

Bai He (百合; Bǎi Hé; Latin: Lilii Bulbus; English: lily bulb) is the dried fleshy scale-leaf of Lilium lancifolium, Lilium brownii var. viridulum, or Lilium pumilum. In Chinese medicine it is a yin-nourishing herb that is also eaten as food. It is sweet and cold, enters the Heart and Lung channels, and its core actions are to nourish yin and moisten the Lung, and to clear the Heart and calm the spirit.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Yin-deficiency dry cough — dry cough with little sputum, dry or hoarse throat, sometimes blood-streaked phlegm
Deficiency vexation and poor sleep — restlessness, palpitations, insomnia with vivid dreams
Yin damage after heat illness / Bai He disease — lingering low-grade heat, feeling “not quite oneself,” bitter taste, moods that will not settle

Raw Bai He is better for clearing the Heart and calming the spirit. Honey-fried Bai He is better for moistening the Lung and stopping cough. The usual decoction dose is 6–12 g. Fresh bulbs contain colchicine-type compounds and must be thoroughly cooked—do not eat them raw. Wind-cold cough, a cold weak spleen and stomach, or loose stools are not a match.

In cities humid outdoors, dry from air-conditioning indoors—dampness and dryness often sit together. Bai He does not drain external dampness; it nourishes Heart and Lung yin. That is why it appears in autumn and winter, after febrile illness or late nights, and in formulas such as Bai He Gu Jin Tang, Bai He Di Huang Tang, and Bai He Zhi Mu Tang. Under guidance, it can also go into sweet soups or congee.

Bai He is not a catch-all for cough or insomnia. In wind-cold with clear thin mucus, or middle-cold with loose stools, using it alone or in large amounts can burden the spleen. Whether it suits you should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Bai He: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Bulbus Lilii

Botanical Origin

The dried fleshy bulb of Lilium lancifolium Thunb., Lilium brownii F. E. Brown var. viridulum Baker, or Lilium pumilum DC. (Liliaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has evenly thick flesh, yellowish-white, hard texture, few veins.

Macroscopic Features

Lilium lancifolium Thunb.: Bulb is 2~3.5cm long, 1.5~3cm wide, 1~3cm thick; externally milky white to pale yellowish-brown; 3~8 longitudinal lines, hard and brittle texture; when broken apart, it presents with a flat fractured surface, horn-like; faint odor; taste slightly bitter.
Lilium brownii F. E. Brown var. viridulum Baker: Bulb is long oval, with pointed apex and relatively wide base; wavy pieces that slightly curve inward; 1.5~3cm long, 0.5~1cm wide, about 4mm thick; 3~5 veins, some not obvious; externally white to pale yellow, translucent and smooth, hard and brittle texture; easily broken, with flat fractured surface, horn-like; faint odor; bitter taste.
Lilium pumilum DC.: Bulb is about 5.5cm long, 2.5cm wide, 3.5mm thick; relatively dark; vein is not obvious.

Authentic Producing Regions & Quality Identification

Primary Regions: Traditionally, the best quality comes from Longshan in Hunan, Yixing in Jiangsu, and Lanzhou in Gansu.
Quality Markers: Premium Bai He (Lily Bulb) features large, thick scales that are white, hard in texture, and have very few veins.
Appearance: The raw herb is long and oval-shaped, appearing whitish or pale yellow (sometimes with a purple tint). Processed versions are darker and crispier. Be careful not to confuse it with similar lily species like Juan Dan or Shan Dan, which have slightly different properties.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet; ColdHeartLung

1. Ancient Herbal Records

Ancient TCM texts have long praised this herb:

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: Notes it helps with abdominal bloating, heart pain, and tonifies the body's core Qi.
Ming Yi Bie Lu: Mentions its use for swelling, fullness, chills, fevers, and body aches.
Ben Cao Gang Mu: Explains that its name (Bai He, meaning "hundred united") comes from its bulb being made of many overlapping petals. It confirms its sweet, slightly cold, and non-toxic nature, entering the Heart and Lung meridians.

2. Evolution of TCM Understanding

Over the centuries, TCM practitioners have highlighted different strengths of Bai He (Lily Bulb):

Some doctors focus on its lung-moistening and cough-relieving effects, finding it highly effective for dry, hacking coughs.
Others emphasize its ability to clear the heart and calm the spirit, using it to treat insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
Caution: Because of its slightly cold nature, physicians consistently warn that people with a weak, cold spleen and stomach (poor digestion) should use it cautiously to avoid upsetting their stomach.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Nourishes yin, moistens the lung, clears the heart, calms the spirit. Apply to lingering cough induced by yin deficiency, bloody sputum, deficient restlessness and terror, insomnia and dreaminess, absent-mindedness.

1. Primary Focus: Moistening the Lungs & Relieving Cough

Traditional Efficacy: Moistens the lungs and stops coughing.
Target Symptoms: Dry cough caused by lung dryness, typically presenting as a hacking cough with little to no sticky phlegm, accompanied by a dry mouth and throat.
Common Combinations: Frequently paired with herbs like Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) and Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) to boost its lung-moistening and cough-relieving powers.
Caution: Do not use if you have a cold and weak spleen and stomach or suffer from loose stools, as it may burden your digestive system and worsen your condition.

2. Secondary Focus: Clearing the Heart & Calming the Spirit

Traditional Efficacy: Clears the heart, calms the mind, and improves sleep.
Target Symptoms: Restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, and frequent dreams caused by heart yin deficiency and internal heat.
Common Combinations: Often used alongside Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Sheng Di (Rehmannia Root) to enhance its calming effects.
Caution: Not recommended for those with excess heat syndromes, as it is not suited for clearing aggressive, "excess" fire.

3. Common Herb Pairs

Bai He + Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome): Bai He (Lily Bulb) moistens the lungs and calms the spirit, while Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) clears heat, purges fire, and nourishes yin. Together, they are highly effective for restlessness and insomnia caused by yin deficiency and floating fire. (Consult a TCM practitioner for proper diagnosis before using this combination).

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Key Chemical Components & Focus

Modern analysis shows that Bai He (Lily Bulb) contains alkaloids (such as colchicine), starch, proteins, fats, and various vitamins.

Potential Benefits: Lab and animal studies suggest it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-regulating properties.
Current Focus: Modern pharmacological research mainly explores its effects on the respiratory system (like easing coughs and asthma) and the nervous system (like improving sleep quality).

2. Limitations of Modern Research

Lab vs. Real Life: Animal and test-tube studies do not automatically guarantee the same results in the human body.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Isolated chemical extracts or single compounds do not work the same way as traditional whole-herb preparations, which rely on synergy.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use varying dosages and preparation methods, making it hard to compare results directly.
Holistic View: The therapeutic effect of Bai He (Lily Bulb) comes from all its natural compounds working together, not just one single active ingredient.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Common Ground

Both Bai He (Lily Bulb) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) can moisten the lungs and are used for dry coughs.
They often appear in similar dietary recipes or formulas.
Both require you to consider your body constitution and dosage.
They are both used to treat specific traditional syndromes, like restlessness and insomnia.

2. Core Differences: Bai He vs. Mai Dong

Properties: Both are slightly cold and sweet, but Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) can be slightly bitter and has a stronger yin-nourishing effect.
Core Strengths: Bai He (Lily Bulb) excels at moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, and calming the spirit. Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) is better at nourishing yin, benefiting the stomach, and generating body fluids.
Target Symptoms: Choose Bai He (Lily Bulb) for a dry cough paired with restlessness and insomnia. Choose Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) for a dry cough paired with stomach yin deficiency (like extreme thirst or a very dry mouth).
Contraindications: Both should be avoided or used with great caution if you have a cold/weak digestive system with diarrhea.

3. Summary of Differences

In short, Bai He (Lily Bulb) focuses more on moistening the lungs and calming the mind. Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) focuses more on deeply nourishing yin and stomach fluids. Although both treat lung dryness, they are not completely interchangeable.

Classical Formulas Containing Bai He

Bai He Gu Jin Tang

百合固金湯Sovereign

Formula CategoryYin-Tonifying FormulasPrimary PatternYin DeficiencyPrimary FunctionNourish Lung-Kidney Yin, moisten Lungs, stop coughRelated ConditionsDry Cough·Yin Deficiency Constitution·Night Sweats

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A traditional formula works because multiple herbs collaborate. You cannot replicate a full formula's effects by taking a single herb.
Avoid DIY: Just because Bai He (Lily Bulb) works beautifully in Bai He Gu Jin Tang does not mean eating the herb alone will give you the exact same medicinal result. Always follow a practitioner's prescribed balance and dosage rather than relying on internet recipes.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Recipes & Teas

Bai He Yin Er Geng (Lily Bulb & Snow Fungus Soup): A classic, soothing dessert made by simmering soaked Bai He (Lily Bulb), snow fungus, and a little rock sugar until soft.
Best For: Easing dry coughs and calming the mind for better sleep.
Usage Tips: Eat in moderation, about 2 to 3 times a week. Avoid this recipe if you have a cold or weak digestive system. Remember, medicinal herbs should not be eaten in massive quantities like regular vegetables.

2. Preparation & Brewing Differences

Raw vs. Processed: Raw Bai He (Lily Bulb) is slightly better for moistening the lungs and stopping coughs, while processed versions offer a milder effect.
Simple Brewing: No special techniques are needed. Simply wash the herb, bring it to a boil with water, and simmer gently.
Form Matters: Dosages for teas, pills, and powders are entirely different and cannot be directly swapped.

3. Dosage & Usage Cycle

Standard Range: Traditional prescriptions typically use 6 to 12 grams.
Food vs. Medicine: Culinary doses in soups are much smaller than medicinal doses.
Duration: Do not use it continuously for long periods, as it may strain your body. Pregnant women, children, and seniors must consult a professional before regular use.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Weak Digestion: Avoid if you have a cold spleen and stomach or frequently experience loose stools.
Special Populations: Pregnant and nursing women should only use it under medical guidance. Children and the elderly require carefully adjusted doses.
Underlying Conditions: People with liver or kidney dysfunctions, or those with known allergies to lilies, should strictly avoid self-medicating.

2. Drug Interactions & Dietary Notes

Medication Clashes: Bai He (Lily Bulb) may interfere with how your body metabolizes certain drugs. For instance, mixing it with anticoagulants (blood thinners) might increase bleeding risks, and it can also alter the effects of blood pressure or diabetes medications.
Consult First: If you are currently taking prescription drugs, always ask your doctor or pharmacist to ensure there are no harmful interactions.

3. Adverse Reactions & Overdose Risks

Common Side Effects: Mild gastrointestinal discomfort is the most common issue.
When to Seek Help: If you experience significant discomfort, continuous vomiting, breathing difficulties, unusual mental confusion, or sudden allergic reactions, stop use immediately and seek emergency medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bai He

What is Bai He, and is it the same as ornamental or grocery lily bulbs?

Bai He (百合) is the dried fleshy scale leaf of the bulb of Lilium lancifolium, Lilium brownii var. viridulum, or Lilium pumilum. The pharmacopoeial name is Lilii Bulbus. Ornamental lilies are floral cultivars and are not used as medicine. Grocery “sweet lily bulbs” are mainly culinary; official decoction pieces must match the legal species and processing. Do not treat every supermarket bulb as a medicinal slice.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bai He?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bai He is sweet and cold, enters the Heart and Lung channels, and acts to nourish Yin, moisten the Lungs, clear the Heart and calm the spirit. It is used for chronic dry cough from Yin deficiency, blood-streaked sputum, restlessness with palpitations, insomnia with dreaming, and a vague, unsettled mental state. First recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, it is a gentle food-grade Yin tonic, usually combined with other herbs.

What is the difference between fresh, dried and honey-fried Bai He?

Fresh Bai He is richer in mucilage and better as food for moistening dryness. Dried Bai He is the usual decoction piece for soups and formulas. Honey-fried Bai He (Mi Bai He) is stronger for moistening the Lungs and stopping dry cough. For clearing Heart heat and calming the spirit after a febrile illness, the raw/unhoneyed form is preferred. Fresh and dried share a direction of action but differ in dose, taste and setting.

What is the usual dosage of Bai He?

The standard decoction dose is 6–12 g; it may also be used in pills, powders, steamed dishes or congee. Culinary use is often about 10–15 g dried or 15–30 g fresh, cooked until soft. Reduce the amount for children, older adults and those with weak digestion. External use of the fresh bulb should be guided by a clinician. Long-term high-dose self-use is not advised.

What are the side effects and who should avoid Bai He?

Avoid or use caution in Wind-Cold cough, Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, and loose stools. Its cold, moistening nature can worsen chills, thin white phlegm or diarrhea. Stop if allergy occurs. Do not use it at the very onset of an external cough. Pregnant or breastfeeding people, children and those with chronic illness should consult a clinician. Overeating raw fresh bulbs may cause nausea or diarrhea; do not snack on large amounts uncooked.

Is Bai He both a food and a medicine? How is it commonly eaten?

Yes. In China it is listed as a substance that is both a food and a Chinese medicinal, within defined scope and dose. Common dishes include lily-and-lotus-seed congee, lily and white fungus soup, lily with snow pear, lily chicken soup, and rock-sugar lily. Soak dried scales, rinse off debris, then simmer until tender. It suits dry Yin-deficiency cough and restless insomnia; it is a poor daily “lung tonic” during Wind-Cold colds or loose stools.

Can Bai He stop cough and moisten the Lungs? Which coughs fit?

It targets Yin-deficiency dry cough, lingering cough, scant sputum or blood-streaked sputum, not every cough. Wind-Cold (chills, clear runny nose, thin white phlegm) or Phlegm-Damp excess is the wrong pattern. Chronic dry cough is often paired with Fritillaria, Ophiopogon, Scrophularia or Coltsfoot. Formulas require pattern differentiation and do not replace evaluation of respiratory infection.

Can Bai He calm the spirit and help sleep? What is “lily disease”?

It can clear Heart heat and calm the spirit in restlessness, palpitations, dream-disturbed sleep and a vague, unsettled mind, especially after febrile illness or with Heart-Lung Yin deficiency. Zhang Zhongjing’s Bai He Bing (lily disease) in the Jin Gui Yao Lue describes wanting to eat yet not eating, wanting to lie down yet not resting, and a spirit-like disorientation; classic formulas include Bai He Di Huang Tang, Bai He Zhi Mu Tang and Bai He Ji Zi Huang Tang. It is not a substitute for hypnotics or for assessment of persistent insomnia or mood disorders.

Which herbs is Bai He commonly combined with? What are the representative formulas?

For dry cough it is paired with Ophiopogon, Rehmannia, Scrophularia and Fritillaria; the representative formula is Bai He Gu Jin Tang for Lung-Kidney Yin deficiency. For calming the spirit it is paired with raw Rehmannia and Anemarrhena in Bai He Di Huang Tang and Bai He Zhi Mu Tang. Culinary partners include lotus seed, tremella, sour jujube seed and Polygonatum odoratum. Prepared medicines such as Bai He Gu Jin Wan also contain it. Formulas should be designed by a qualified practitioner.

How do you choose and store Bai He?

Choose dried scales that are fleshy, white to pale yellow, with clear veins, no mold or insects, and a faint sweet-bitter smell. Fresh bulbs should be firm and clean, without black rot. Store dried material in a ventilated dry place, sealed after opening; refrigerate fresh bulbs and use them soon. Discard moldy, blackened or sour pieces. Buy official decoction pieces from a regulated channel and distinguish raw Bai He from honey-fried Bai He.

Related Products

Nong's Bai He Gu Jin Tang Extract Granules

Nong's Bai He Gu Jin Tang (Lily Decoction to Preserve the Lungs) 5:1 Concentrated Granules $125.08

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.