Library

Lily Bulb (Baihe)
Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats abdominal distension and heart pain caused by pathogenic factors, promotes urination and defecation, tonifies the middle jiao and supplements qi, eliminates edema and abdominal fullness, treats alternating chills and fever, generalized body pain, as well as difficulty in lactation, throat obstruction (Hou Bi), and stops rhinorrhea and lacrimation. Also known as Chongxiang, Moluo, Zhongfenghua, and Qiangqu. Grows in the valleys of Jingzhou. The roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun.

Tao Hongjing stated: They are found everywhere along the nearby roads. The root resembles wild garlic, consisting of dozens of scales overlapping each other. People also steam and eat them, saying that originally they were earthworms tangled together that transformed into this. Common people call it Qiangqiu; "Qiu" is the same as "Qu," a phonetic error. It can also be taken for medicinal purposes. The Commentary on the Tang Materia Medica noted: This medicine has two varieties: one with fine leaves and red-white flowers; the other with large leaves, long stems, thick roots, and white flowers, which is suitable for medicinal use. Chen Yuxi and others, according to *The Nature of Medicinals*, recorded: Lily Bulb, when used as an assistant drug, has slight toxicity. It primarily treats various evils and spirits, incessant weeping, eliminates urgent fullness and pain in the epigastrium, treats gout (Hongjiaojiao), and rebellious qi from heat cough. Wu said: Lily Bulb is also known as Chongmai and Zhongting. It grows in Yuanju and Jingshan. Ri Huazi said: White Lily Bulb calms the mind and stabilizes the gallbladder, benefits intelligence, nourishes the five zang organs, treats mania, crying, screaming, palpitations due to fright, kills gu poison, stagnation of qi, mastitis, carbuncles on the back, and various sores, and also treats postpartum blood fainting. He further stated: Red Lily Bulb is cool in nature and non-toxic. It treats sores and abscesses and addresses frightful pathogens. Those with red flowers are called Lianzhu.

*Illustrated Classic* stated: Lily Bulb grows in the valleys of Jingzhou, and now it is found everywhere along the nearby roads. Sprouts emerge in spring, reaching several chi in height. The stalk is as thick as an arrow, with leaves growing on all four sides resembling a chicken spur, similar to willow leaves, green in color, slightly purplish near the stem, and blue-white at the stem tip. In April and May, it blooms with red or white flowers, larger than pomegranate blossoms. The root resembles wild garlic, with twenty to thirty overlapping scales. Harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. People also steam and eat it, which greatly benefits qi. There is another variety with yellow flowers having black spots, fine leaves, and black seeds between the leaves, which is unsuitable for medicinal use. Xu Kai's *General Records of Seasons and Months*: The method for planting lilies in February favors chicken manure. Some say lilies transform from earthworms, yet they favor chicken manure; the reason is unknown. Additionally, making flour from lilies is most beneficial to humans; take the root, dry it, grind it finely, sift it, and consume it according to proper methods.

Zhang Zhongjing treated Baihe Disease (Lily Disease) with Baihe Zhi Mu Tang (Lily and Anemone Decoction), Baihe Huashi Daizhe Tang (Lily, Talcum, and Hematite Decoction), Baihe Jizi Tang (Lily and Egg Yolk Decoction), and Baihe Dihuang Tang (Lily and Rehmannia Decoction). In all four formulas, the disease is named Baihe, and Baihe is used to treat it; the meaning behind this is unclear.

*Dietary Therapy* stated: Neutral in nature. Primarily treats mental anxiety with jaundice. Steamed and mixed with honey for consumption; made into powder is especially good. Those with red flowers are called Shandan, but their efficacy is not very good. *Holy Grace Formulas*: Treats lung organ congestion-heat causing restlessness. Fresh Lily Bulb 4 liang, half a cup of honey, steamed until soft, held in the mouth like a date-sized piece occasionally, swallowing the saliva. Another prescription: Treats cold damage (Shanghan) with abdominal fullness and pain. Use 1 liang of Lily Bulb, stir-fry until yellow, grind into a powder, take 2 qian mixed with rice broth at any time. Sun Simiao's *Dietary Taboos*: Treats yin toxic cold damage. Boil a concentrated decoction of Lily Bulb, drink 1 sheng; it is effective. Shengjin Formula: Treats deafness and ear pain. Grind dried Lily Bulb into powder, mix with warm water to take 2 qian bi, taken after meals.

*Yanyi* stated: Zhang Zhongjing used Lily Bulb to treat Baihe Disease following the deterioration of cold damage; this herb is necessary. The stem is about three chi high, leaves resemble large willow leaves, gathering upwards on all four sides. At the tip, there are pale yellow-white flowers hanging downwards, with long stamens. The flower heart has a sandalwood color; each branch tip bears five or six flowers. The seeds are purple, round like parasol tree seeds, growing between branches and leaves. Each leaf bears one seed, not within the flower, which is another peculiarity. The root is the Lily Bulb, white in color, shaped like a pine cone shell. Growing in clusters on all four sides, sprouting from the center.