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Cura x Cura

Chuan Bei Mu川贝母

Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus · Sichuan Fritillary Bulb

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药《神农本草经》

Overview

The moistening member of the fritillary pair: sweeter and gentler than Zhe Bei Mu, it clears heat and transforms phlegm while nourishing the Lung, which makes it the choice for dry, lingering, scanty-phlegm coughs rather than acute thick-phlegm ones. Because it is costly and its active constituents extract poorly, it is often ground and taken as powder rather than decocted.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung · Heart

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
川贝母Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, transforms phlegmCough with sticky yellow phlegm that is hard to expectorate, from Lung heat or phlegm-heat.
  • Moistens the Lung, stops coughDry cough with little or no phlegm, chronic cough of Lung yin deficiency, blood-streaked sputum — its signature use.
  • Dissipates nodules, reduces abscessScrofula, breast nodules, Lung abscess and other heat-toxin swellings.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Chuan Bei Mu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dry or chronic cough with scanty, hard-to-raise phlegm
    - Lung-heat cough with sticky yellow sputum
    - Lung yin deficiency cough, sometimes with blood-streaked sputum
    - Nodules, scrofula, Lung or breast abscess

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic coughBronchitisDry coughLymphadenopathy

Contraindications

Cautions

Sweet, cold and moistening: wrong for coughs of cold-phlegm or damp-phlegm, where it can make the phlegm heavier. Classical incompatibility — do not combine with Wu Tou / Fu Zi preparations. Note that Chuan Bei Mu is widely adulterated; use a dispensary that verifies the species.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.