Description
Fritillary Bulb
Chuan Bei · (川贝)
Botanical Name : Fritillaria cirrhosa
Category : Yin Tonic
Slightly cold in nature. Sweet and bitter in taste. It enters the lung and heart meridians.
When a dry, ticklish cough persists for weeks after a cold has resolved, TCM points to Lung Yin damage with residual phlegm, and Fritillary Bulb is the classic herb that moistens the lungs while gently clearing sticky phlegm. Unlike harsh phlegm-clearing herbs, it protects Lung Yin while doing its job.
Moistens the Lung, transforms phlegm, and stops cough. The premium herb for dry, chronic cough with sticky sputum.
TCM Properties
Unlike drying phlegm herbs that clear dampness but risk injuring Yin, Fritillary Bulb simultaneously moistens and clears. It specifically targets the dry-type cough where phlegm is sticky and hard to expectorate, the kind that lingers after repeated infections have damaged Lung Yin. Common signs include a dry scratchy throat, minimal sticky sputum, and worse cough at night.
Health Benefits
Moistens the Lungs and relieves dry cough
Fritillary Bulb is the premier herb for dry cough with sticky, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm. Its slightly cold, moistening nature both cools the heat and moistens the dryness, making it effective for the cough that lingers after a respiratory infection has resolved.
Transforms phlegm and dissolves masses
For phlegm that has formed hard lumps, such as thyroid nodules or swollen lymph nodes, Fritillary Bulb’s softening quality helps break them down. This application is shared with xuan shen and xia ku cao, but chuan bei is more appropriate when the nodules are in the lung or neck area.
May support respiratory comfort during recovery
Fritillary Bulb’s gentle, moistening nature makes it appropriate for the recovery phase of respiratory illness, when the cough is dry and lingering but the acute infection has passed. Its slightly cold nature clears residual heat without being harsh.
Relieves cough without drying or suppressing
Unlike some cough remedies that either dry out the lungs or suppress the cough reflex, Fritillary Bulb works by moistening the lung tissue so that the cough naturally resolves. This makes it appropriate for longer use than suppressant-based remedies.
Commonly Used For
· People with a dry, stubborn cough after respiratory illness where small amounts of sticky phlegm remain lodged in the chest
TCM Interpretation: After a respiratory infection, the lungs may be left dry and irritated, producing a persistent, unproductive cough. Fritillary Bulb’s moistening nature directly addresses this dryness.
Why Fritillary Bulb (Chuan Bei) Helps: Steamed with pear and rock sugar, Fritillary Bulb creates the most famous Chinese cough remedy. The pear provides moisture, the rock sugar soothes the throat, and the Fritillary Bulb transforms the residual phlegm.
· Those with sticky, difficult phlegm that cannot be expectorated
TCM Interpretation: When phlegm is thick and sticky rather than watery, it is difficult to cough up. Fritillary Bulb’s moistening quality softens the phlegm, making it easier to clear.
Why Fritillary Bulb (Chuan Bei) Helps: Powdered Fritillary Bulb, taken with honey, provides consistent moistening that gradually thins the sticky phlegm. This is a gentle approach appropriate for children and the elderly.
Which Body Types Benefit Most
· Yin Deficient
· Phlegm Damp
Common Usage
· in soup, decoction and tea
· Culinary
· Capsule / Tablets
· Extract / Tincture
Grind 3-9g to powder, or simmer whole in pear.
Dosage: 3-9g per day.
Preparation Notes : Fritillary Bulb (Chuan Bei) is slightly cold in nature, making it balanced for most constitutions. For tea, steep 5-10 minutes. For soup, simmer 30-60 minutes.
Dietary Advice
The most traditional preparation is to steam 3 to 5 grams of Fritillary Bulb powder inside a hollowed pear with rock sugar for 30 minutes. Eat the pear and the powder together. Alternatively, take 1 to 2 grams of powder with honey. For dry cough, take twice daily for 5 to 7 days. Avoid if you have cold-type cough with clear, watery phlegm, as its cold nature may worsen the cold.
Precautions
- Avoid during acute colds, fever, sore throat, cough or infections
- Avoid in cold-type cough with clear sputum
- Not for damp-type cough
- Do not combine with aconite
- Use in small doses
Consultation with a physician / healthcare professional is advised prior to consumption for pregnant women, those with diabetes, any ongoing medical conditions, known allergies, or individuals on medication, especially when you have underlying health conditions.
** Disclaimer : Not a substitute for medicine. Individual results may vary.
