Stemona, Bai Bu 百部
Bai Bu (TCM)
Stemona tuberosaRoxburgh, W., Plants of the coast of Coromandel (1795) |
Stemona tuberosaKerner, J.S., Hortus sempervirens, vol. 47 (1819) |
Stemona tuberosa(Photo by Yercaud-elango) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Stemona spp.
Several species are used:
- S. sessifolia
- S. japonica
- S. tuberosa
Parts used:
Root, Prepared Root
Temperature & Taste:
Slightly Warm, Dry. Sweet, Bitter
Classification:
Q. Stop Cough & Wheezing
Uses:
1. Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-acute and chronic Cough, especially for Chronic Cough from Lung weakness
-strengthens the Lungs, and is best suited to chronic cases, or Cough from Lung weakness.
-‘Hectic Fever due to Yin deficiency’. (Da Ming)
2. Kills Worms:
-strong decoction or tincture for Lice and Fleas
-as a retention enema for Pinworm
-as a wash for Bacterial Vaginosis
-‘kills Roundworm, Tapeworm and Pinworm and all kinds of moths… It also kills lice, flies and gadflies’. (Da Ming)
-‘Scabies and Tinea’. (Chen Cang Qi)
Dose:
Usually prepared Stemona root is used internally.
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
According to Ming Yi Bie Lu, the best method of administration is to stir-fry the root then soak it in wine. The medicated wine is taken.
Correctives:
1. Licorice
2. Honey
Substitute:
‘Similar to Asparagus Tian Men Dong‘ (Li Shi Zhen). However, Asparagus is regarded as Cool.
Preparation:
1. Wine-prepared Stemona (Jiu Bai Bu)
Steep the dried roots in wine overnight, then take out and bake until dry.
Prepared like this makes it more tonifying and was said to promote Longevity. (Lei Xiao)
2. Honey-Fried Stemona (Zhi Bai Bu):
Mix with 10% its weight of honey until the Honey is partly absorbed by the roots. Then stir-fry or bake until slightly yellow.
This is more moderate, better to moisten and strengthen the Lungs, is especially useful for the elderly or chronic Cough, and doesn’t affect the Stomach as the dry root does. This is the form most commonly used nowadays.
Main Combinations:
Often combined with Aster (Zi Wan). These medicines complement each other in treating the Lungs
Often with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi for chronic Cough
Often with Cynanchum for Phlegm-type Cough
Often with Scutellaria Huang Qin for Heat-type Cough
1. Cough:
i. chronic Cough, or Cough with Blood Stemona Bai Bu with Aster Zi Wan
ii. Stemona Bai Bu with Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua), Almond (Xing Ren) and Licorice
iii. from Hot-Phlegm, Stemona Bai Bu with Fritillaria Chuan Bei Mu, Scutellaria Huang Qin
iv. from Heat with hard-to-clear Phlegm, Stemona Bai Bu with Eriobotrya Pi Pa Ye (Loquat leaf), Platycodon Jie Geng
v. Lung Yin Deficiency with Heat, Stemona Bai Bu with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Licorice
vi. Lung Heat with Yin deficiency and Blood-streaked Sputum, Stemona Bai Bu with Lillium Bai He, Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua)
vii. in Children, Stemona Bai Bu with Plantain leaf or seed, Pinellia Ban Xia
viii. chronic Wheezing from Kidney deficiency, Stemona Bai Bu with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Walnut, Licorice
2. As a wash for Lice, Stemona Bai Bu with Sophora Ku Shen
3. Externally for Psoriasis, Stemona Bai Bu with White Dittany (Bai Xian Pi), Castor seed (Bi Ma Zi), Carrot seed (He Shi), Phellodendron Huang Bai, Dang Gui, Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Realgar (Xiong Huang), made into a plaster with Beeswax and Sesame Oil (as in Bai Bu Gao from Wai Ke Shi Fa [Ten Ways For Surgical Department])
4. Pinworm, Stemona Bai Bu as a wash with Areca Bing Lang (Betel nut), Knotgrass (Bian Xu)
5. Vaginitis with Vaginal itching, Stemona Bai Bu with Carrot seed, White Dittany root (Bai Xian Pi), Sophora Ku Shen as a strong decoction used as a wash.
Major Formulas:
Zhi Sou San
Cautions:
1. Loose stool from Spleen (Digestive) deficiency.
2. Some people may experience mild side effects with use.