Skip to content
Neijing
pldeesfr

Knowledge baseHerbs

Bai Bu百部

Radix StemonaeStemona Root

Category
Herbs that Stop Cough and Wheezing (Anti-Asthmatics)
Nature
slightly warm
Taste
sweet, bitter
Channels entered
Lung
Dosage
3–12 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–12 g
Tincture
2–4 ml
Intestinal parasites
30–60 g

Actions & indications

Moistens the Lungs and stops coughing
  • Acute and chronic cough and asthma (especially due to Deficiency including Yin Deficiency)
  • Bronchitis
Expel parasites and kills lice
  • Head and body lice or fleas (topically)
  • Spider bites (topically, as a paste)
  • As a wash for bacterial vaginosis
  • As a nightly retained enema for pinworms

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in loose stools or diarrhea caused by Spleen Deficiency.
  • Avoid sustained use at the maximum dose over several weeks, since toxicity can accumulate.

Combinations

Notes

  • Applied topically as a tincture, paste, or wash, it treats lice and fleas on the head and body.
  • Given internally as an enema, it addresses pinworm infestation, administered daily for three days.
  • For treating parasites generally, Western medicine is regarded as more effective.
  • As a topical wash, it is applied for vaginal trichomonas.
  • It suits chronic coughing arising from Deficiency best.
  • It benefits coughs of any type — recent or long-standing, hot or cold.
  • Bai Bu and Rx. Asparagi Tian Men Dong both enter the Lungs to address cough, but differ in nature: Bai Bu is bitter, warm and drying, suited to cold-type coughs and to killing parasites, whereas Tian Men Dong is sweet, cold and moistening, suited to hot-type coughs.
  • Fresh Stemona Root Xian Bai Bu Gen works best for itching and for clearing parasites; used externally as a wash it addresses toxic Wind eczema and the itching of "Leg Qi." Being somewhat toxic and drying, it is not applied to coughs.
  • Prepared Stemona Root Zhi Bai Bu moistens the Lungs more strongly and is particularly suited to chronic and dry coughs.

Appears in