Single Herb Glossary
Bǎi Bù 百部
| Pharmaceutical name | Stemonae Radix Stemona Root “hundred parts” |
| Category | Stop Cough, Calm Wheezing |
| Key Properties | Excels at directing Qi downward to alleviate cough |
| Properties | Sweet Bitter Sl. Warm |
| Tropism | LU |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Moistens the LU, stops cough: chronic & deficient, especially good for deficient yin type. Also good for acute conditions. 2) Expels parasites, kills lice: use topically, as decoction, or tincture. Also used as wash for bacterial vaginosis & nightly retained enema for pinworm |
| Dosages | 3-9g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: loose stool or SP deficiency |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Stemonine, stemonidine, isostemonidine, protostemonine, paipunine, sinostemonine |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Respiratory: according to in vitro studies, alkaloids demonstrated mild inhibitory influence on respiratory center of brain to suppress cough • Antibiotic: inhibitory activity against S. aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, and some influenza viruses and dermatophytes • Others: water and alcohol extracts are both effective in killing lice, and bedbugs; alcohol extract was stronger than water extract for this purpose |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.