Zhè Bèi Mǔ (浙贝母), known in English as Zhejiang fritillary bulb (Fritillaria thunbergii), is a cold, bitter Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung and Heart channels. Its main action: clears Heat, transforms Phlegm-Heat — stronger and more clearing than Chuan Bei Mu.
| Pinyin | Zhè Bèi Mǔ (Zhe Bei Mu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 浙贝母 |
| English | Zhejiang fritillary bulb |
| Botanical name | Fritillaria thunbergii |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Bitter |
| Channels | Lung, Heart |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Cold-Phlegm; Spleen deficiency; incompatible with Fu Zi |
Actions
- Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm-Heat — stronger and more clearing than Chuan Bei Mu
- Dissipates nodules
Indications
- Acute Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm
- Scrofula
- Goitre
- Breast and lung abscess
How to remember Zhè Bèi Mǔ
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its use for “Acute Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Heart channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān 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 Jiè 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 Zhè Bèi Mǔ?
Zhè Bèi Mǔ is cold and bitter.
Which channels does Zhè Bèi Mǔ enter?
Zhè Bèi Mǔ enters the Lung and Heart channels.
What are the actions of Zhè Bèi Mǔ?
Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm-Heat — stronger and more clearing than Chuan Bei Mu; Dissipates nodules.
What is Zhè Bèi Mǔ used for?
Acute Lung-Heat cough with thick phlegm; scrofula; goitre; breast and lung abscess.
Practise Zhè Bèi Mǔ 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.