Formula Composition

Bai He

Di Huang

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King

Main ingredient

Deputy

Assists main

Formula Formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency

Bai He Di Huang Tang

百合地黄汤

Also known as:

Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction

Formula Properties

Main Actions

Moistens the Lungs
Enriches the Body Fluids
Clears Heat and cools the Blood

Patterns Treated

Heat in Nutritive Qi level, Heat in the Blood

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai He Di Huang Tang

Main Actions

Moistens the Lungs

Enriches the Body Fluids

Clears Heat and cools the Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Bai He Di Huang Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Lily Bulbs (Bai He) as a principal ingredient.

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency. Its main actions are: 1) moistens the Lungs and 2) Enriches the Body Fluids.

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

In this case Bai He Di Huang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heat in Nutritive Qi level or Heat in the Blood. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute febrile diseases, neuroses or autonomic dystonia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Heat in the Blood

Common Applications

Acute febrile diseases Neuroses Autonomic dystonia Sleep walking Hysteria

Ingredients in Bai He Di Huang Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Bai He Di Huang Tang and their roles

Kings

Deputies

Bai He

Lily bulbs

Temperature Cold

Taste Sweet

Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs

Parts Used Dried fleshly scale leaves of the bulb

Role in Bai He Di Huang Tang

Bai He is sweet, slightly bitter, and cooling, despite that the Classic Materia Medica calls it sweet and neutral. Its main indications, in ancient and modern practice, is to clear and drain Heat, as well as direct it downward. The Classic of the Materia Medica and Miscellaneous Records states that it 'governs pathogenic Qi' and 'governs chills and fevers', which refers to the herb's ability to open up areas of clumping, and its action of unblocking, facilitating, draining, and guiding out. It is due to slippery and moistening nature. Classic of the Materia Medica also says that it tonifies the Middle and augments the Qi. It also calms the Mind and strengthens the ability to resolve things. This indicates the elimination of pathogenic Heat and recovery of normal Qi. It does not mean this sweet, cold herb tonifies the Qi.

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Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold

Taste Sweet

Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver

Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber

Role in Bai He Di Huang Tang

Sheng Di Huang is sweet and cooling. It cools the Heat in the Blood, so as to calm the Mind, and enriches the Yin Body Fluids, by guiding Heat from the Nutritive and Blood levels back toward the Qi level. The Heat then gets released via the urine and bowels by the Heat-clearing actions of Lily bulb of this fomula. Together, this combination effectively eliminates pathogenic Heat in the Blood and Nutritive levels without damaging the Body Fluids.

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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai He Di Huang Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Not suitable for patterns with Excess Fire in the Lungs and Heart, nor for patterns where Yin Deficiency is the main pathology.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bai He Di Huang Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.