Single Herb Glossary
Bái Jí 白芨
| Pharmaceutical name | Bletillae Rhizoma bletilla rhizome |
| Category | Stop Bleeding |
| Key Properties | Restrains to stop bleeding Reduces Swelling Generates flesh |
| Properties | Bitter Sweet Cool |
| Tropism | LU, ST, LV |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Restrains Leakage of Blood & Stops Bleeding (Int (LU/ST) & Topical) 2) Reduces Swelling & Generates Flesh |
| Dosages | 3-15g; under unusual circumstances, up to 30g can be used. 1.5-3g (orally as a powder) |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution with hemoptysis due to External pathogen, early stage Lung abscess, or Excess bleeding from LU or ST from Heat/Fire Toxin Incompatible with Fu Zi and Wu Tou |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Acacia gum, tragacanth, bletilla mannan, bletilla-glucomannan, starch |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Hemostatic: intravenous injection of 2% preparation at 1.5 ml/kg demonstrated significant reduction in both bleeding and thrombin time in rabbits; showed excellent hemostatic action when applied topically • Antiulcer: in anesthetized dogs with perforation one millimeter in diameter in stomach and duodenum, administration of 9 grams of Bai Ji powder closed perforation in stomach after 15 seconds, and in duodenum after 40 seconds; however, no effect when stomach was full or if perforation was larger; unlike most antiulcer medications that inhibit or neutralize gastric acid, herb does not affect production of gastric acid nor the acidity of stomach; proposed that Bai Ji stimulates production of prostaglandin and stomach lining to exert its antiulcer effect • Antibiotic: inhibitory influence on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Microsporum audouini, and gram-positive bacterium |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Incompatible with Fu Zi, Wu Tou, and Cao Wu |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.