Lily Bulb refers to the fleshy scale leaves of the lily plant (Lilium brownii). It is used both medicinally and as food. It is produced throughout China. Typically harvested in autumn, the scales are cleaned, separated, briefly scalded in boiling water or lightly steamed, then dried in the sun or by baking for medicinal use.
I. Efficacy and Applications
- •
Shen Nong's Herbal Classic (Ben Jing): "Manages abdominal distension from pathogenic factors, heart pain, promotes urination and defecation, tonifies the Middle Jiao and boosts Qi." - •
Da Ming Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao: "Calms the Heart, stabilizes the Gallbladder, sharpens the intellect, and nourishes the five Zang organs." - •
Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi): "Clears phlegm-fire and tonifies deficiency and debility." - •
Chang Sha Yao Jie: "Lily Bulb cools the Metal (Lung) and moistens dryness, drains heat and dispels stagnation; it is a superior herb for clearing and descending the Qi level. Its various applications include stopping nasal discharge and tears, relieving grief, opening throat obstruction, dispersing lung abscesses, clearing lung heat, treating vomiting of blood, promoting urination, lubricating the large intestine, regulating deafness and ear pain, and managing hypochondriac abscess, breast abscess, and sores on the back." - •
Ben Cao Bei Yao: "Moistens the Lungs and calms the Heart, clears heat and stops cough, boosts Qi and regulates the Middle Jiao, stops nasal discharge and tears, promotes urination and defecation. Treats edema and distension, fullness and alternating chills-fever, sores and swellings including breast abscess, and Lily Disease (Bai He Bing) in febrile disease." 
II. Combination and Application
- 1.
For cough due to Lung heat or consumptive cough with blood: Lily Bulb, sweet and cold, is excellent for clearing and moistening the Lungs to stop cough. For chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum due to Lung heat, it is often combined with Coltsfoot Flower (Kuan Dong Hua), as in the formula Bai Hua Gao. For consumptive heat with cough, sore throat, and coughing of blood, it is commonly combined with Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen), and Fritillaria (Bei Mu), as in the formula Bai He Gu Jin Tang. This formula is now frequently used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis with hemoptysis, and chronic pharyngitis presenting with patterns of Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency with deficiency fire flaring upward. - •
Ben Cao Cong Xin: "Zhu Er Yun said: 'Those with chronic cough must have deficient Lung Qi; deficiency should be treated with astringency. The sweet astringency of Lily Bulb is even stronger than the sour constriction of Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi).'"
- •
- 2.
For symptoms like restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, and vivid dreams: Lily Bulb has the function of clearing the Heart and calming the Spirit. In Treatise on Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun), it is used to treat Lily Disease (Bai He Bing). - •
Combined with Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), as in Bai He Zhi Mu Tang, it clears deficiency heat, quenches thirst, and eliminates irritability. - •
Combined with Rehmannia (Sheng Di), as in Bai He Di Huang Tang, it clears heat and cools the blood, eliminating heat and restlessness. - •
Combined with Talc (Hua Shi), as in Bai He Hua Shi San, it clears heat and promotes diuresis, mildly promoting urination and defecation. - •
Combined with Egg Yolk (Ji Zi Huang), as in Bai He Ji Zi Huang Tang, it nourishes Yin, harmonizes the Stomach, clears heat, and tonifies deficiency.
Regarding Lily Disease, Hu Xishu stated: "In modern terms, Lily Disease is a pattern of blood deficiency with heat in the interior affecting the spirit, such as seen in schizophrenia or neurosis. The disease is named after its primary herb, Lily Bulb. Lily Bulb, sweet and cold, tonifies deficiency and clears deficiency heat. Its sweet taste can ease tense or urgent conditions in the body. Taken in large doses, it promotes urination and defecation, and is especially suitable for cases with scanty, dark urine." - •
III. Dosage and Administration
IV. Precautions
- •
Ben Cao Zheng Yi: "Lily Bulb is a sweet, cold, and slimy substance. Although the Ben Jingdescribes it as sweet and neutral, its applications throughout history, aimed at clearing heat and directing downward, reveal its nature."
