Individual Herbs Notebook

Bei Mu

Pharmaceutical: Bulbus Fritillariae
Taxonomy: Fritillaria spp.

Other names: Fritillaria Bulb

Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm



Properties: Bitter, sweet, lightly cold

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung and Heart
Divergent Zones: Shaoyang


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
    Acute Lung Heat patterns with productive cough
  2. Clears Heat and dissipates nodules
    Phlegm-Fire causing neck swellings (Chuang Yung) Lung and breast abscesses

Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.


Cautions: Contraindicated to Wu Tou.


Notes: Formulas often use Bei Mu without declaring which type. It is most often referring to Chuan Bei Mu but it may be replaced with Zhe Bei Mu or another species of Fritillaria depending on the circumstances, especially as genuine Chuan Bei Mu is difficult to source due to expense which has created endemic adulteration issues in the supply chain.


Appears in 18 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)