Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus
Aliases：Da Bei, Zhe Bei, Xiang Bei, Xiang Bei Mu, Da Bei Mu, Yuan Bao Bei, Zhu Bei
Zhebeimu (Chekiang Fritillary Bulb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried bulb of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., a plant belonging to the Liliaceae family. As the foremost of the “Eight Famous Herbs of Zhejiang” (Zhe Ba Wei), its name derives from its primary production area in Zhejiang Province.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, resolves phlegm, stops cough; detoxifies, resolves masses, and reduces abscess.
Indications
Used for wind-heat cough, phlegm-fire cough, lung abscess (feiyong), acute mastitis (ruyong), scrofula (luoli), and sores. Modern applications include conditions such as acute/chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory infection, acute mastitis, goiter, and breast hyperplasia, where patterns are characterized by heat-phlegm or phlegm-fire stagnation.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic effects: Components such as peimine and peiminine inhibit the cough center, dilute sputum, and relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasm. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: By downregulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, Zhebeimu inhibits common pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antitumor effect: Its alkaloids induce tumor cell apoptosis and reverse drug resistance, showing inhibitory effects on lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, etc., and serve as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. Immunomodulation and antioxidant effects: Zhebeimu and its polysaccharides activate macrophages to enhance immunity and scavenge free radicals. Regulation of cardiovascular function: High doses may moderately lower blood pressure and cause respiratory depression, indicating certain regulatory effects on the cardiovascular system.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: The main active components. They primarily include peimine (zhebeimu jiasu, verticine), peiminine (zhebeimu yisu, verticinone), zhebeinone, peimisine, and izobeimine. Other Constituents: The herb also contains flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, saccharides, and various sterols.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 5-10g daily for adults; or prepared in pills or powder. Powdered form can be taken at 1-2g per dose. Topical Administration: An appropriate amount, ground into powder for direct application or mixing.
Contraindications
18-Incompatibilities: Contraindicated with Aconite herbs (e.g., Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Fu Zi). Caution for Cold and Deficiency Patterns: As Zhebeimu is cold in nature, it should be used with caution or avoided in cases of wind-cold cough, cold-phlegm cough, damp-phlegm conditions, or spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Special Populations: Use with caution in pregnant women, children, individuals with allergies, and those with low blood pressure, under the guidance of a physician. Dietary Precautions: Avoid spicy and cold foods during treatment. Avoid consuming foods like shellfish and other high-protein items that are difficult to digest. Overdose: Overdose can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, tremor, and respiratory difficulty. The dosage must be strictly controlled. Drug Interactions: When combined with certain medications, dosage adjustment is required. It may also interact with alkaline Western drugs, potentially reducing efficacy or increasing toxicity.
Selected Formulas
For Wind-Heat Cough: 9g each of Zhebeimu, anemarrhena rhizome (Zhi Mu), mulberry leaf (Sang Ye), and apricot seed (Xing Ren); 6g of perilla leaf (Zi Su). Decoct in water and take warm. For Boils, Swellings, and Pain: 9g each of Zhebeimu and forsythia (Lian Qiao); 18g of honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua); 24g of dandelion (Pu Gong Ying). Decoct in water and take warm. Xiao Luo Wan (Scrofula-Relieving Pill): 120g each of Zhebeimu, figwort root (Xuan Shen), and oyster shell (Mu Li). Grind into a fine powder and form into pills with honey for treating scrofula and phlegm nodules. For Inflammatory Acne: 9g each of Zhebeimu and forsythia (Lian Qiao); 15g each of honeysuckle flower (Jin Yin Hua) and dandelion (Pu Gong Ying). Decoct in water and take warm.
Daily Consumption
Zhebeimu and Pear Soup: Grind Zhebeimu into a powder. Core a pear and stew it with the herb powder and rock sugar to moisten dryness and resolve phlegm, suitable for autumn dry-heat cough. Simple Decoction: Crush 5-10g of dried herb and decoct in water for 20-30 minutes. Strain and drink to clear heat and resolve phlegm. Powdered Oral Preparation: Grind the dried herb into a fine powder and take 1-3g with warm water or yellow wine.
Medicinal Parts
Dried bulb.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture, mold, insects, and rodent damage.