Bái Jiè Zǐ (白芥子), known in English as White mustard seed (Sinapis alba (seed)), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung channel. Its main action: warms Lung, expels Phlegm, regulates qi.
| Pinyin | Bái Jiè Zǐ (Bai Jie Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 白芥子 |
| English | White mustard seed |
| Botanical name | Sinapis alba (seed) |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Lung |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Cough from Lung deficiency; Yin deficiency with Heat; irritates the skin when applied topically |
Actions
- Warms Lung, expels Phlegm, regulates qi
- Dissipates nodules, unblocks collaterals, relieves pain
Indications
- Cold-Phlegm cough with chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain
- Phlegm in the channels with numb, painful joints
- Phlegm nodules
- Yin-type boils
How to remember Bái Jiè Zǐ
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Warms Lung”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bái Jiè Zǐ?
Bái Jiè Zǐ is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Bái Jiè Zǐ enter?
Bái Jiè Zǐ enters the Lung channel.
What are the actions of Bái Jiè Zǐ?
Warms Lung, expels Phlegm, regulates qi; Dissipates nodules, unblocks collaterals, relieves pain.
What is Bái Jiè Zǐ used for?
Cold-Phlegm cough with chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain; Phlegm in the channels with numb, painful joints; Phlegm nodules; yin-type boils.
Practise Bái Jiè Zǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.