Herb Bulb (鳞茎 lín jīng)

Bai He

Lily bulb · 百合

Lilium brownii F.E.Brown var. viridulum Baker · Bulbus Lilii

Bai He (Lily bulb) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Lily bulb is a gentle, food-grade herb widely used in Chinese medicine to moisten the lungs and calm the mind. It is commonly taken for persistent dry coughs, insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness, especially after a fever or period of emotional stress. Also popular as a nourishing food, it can be added to soups and porridge.

Category Yin-tonifying herbs (补阴药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Sleep Support Emotional Wellbeing Post-Illness Recovery

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Heart, Lungs

Parts used

Bulb (鳞茎 lín jīng)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Bai He does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Bai He is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Sleep Support Emotional Wellbeing Post-Illness Recovery

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Bai He performs to restore balance in the body:

Nourishes Lung Yin Clears the Heart and calms the spirit Stops Cough Clears Heat

How these actions work

'Nourishes Yin and moistens the Lungs' means Bai He replenishes the fluid-like nourishing substance (Yin) in the Lungs, restoring moisture to dried-out respiratory tissues. This is why it is used for dry coughs that linger after an illness, coughs with little or sticky phlegm, or coughing up small amounts of blood. The Lungs in TCM need adequate moisture to function smoothly, and Bai He's sweet, cool nature gently restores that moisture without being overly cold or harsh.

'Clears the Heart and calms the spirit' means Bai He can settle mental restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia caused by residual Heat disturbing the Heart. In TCM the Heart houses the mind and emotions, so when Heat lingers there (often after a fever or from emotional stress), it can cause difficulty sleeping, palpitations, mental confusion, or even feelings of sadness and a desire to cry. Bai He's cool nature gently clears this Heart Heat and soothes the spirit. This is the basis of the classical "Lily Disease" (Bai He Bing) described in the Jin Gui Yao Lue, where a person feels restless and disoriented after an illness.

'Stops coughing' refers specifically to chronic dry coughs from Lung Yin deficiency or Lung dryness. It does NOT treat acute coughs from colds or infections with copious phlegm. The herb's moistening quality addresses the root cause of the cough (dryness), rather than simply suppressing the cough reflex. When honey-processed (Mi Bai He), this cough-stopping action is stronger.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Bai He is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Bai He addresses this pattern

Lung Yin Deficiency means the Lungs lack the moisture and cooling fluids needed to function properly, leading to dryness and Heat signs in the respiratory system. Bai He's sweet, cool nature directly nourishes Lung Yin, restoring the moistening function that the Lungs depend on. Its ability to moisten dryness and stop coughing addresses the core pathomechanism of this pattern, where depleted Yin leads to a dry, unproductive cough. The herb enters the Lung channel and provides gentle, sustained Yin nourishment without being so cold that it damages digestion.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Dry Cough

Persistent dry cough with little or no phlegm

Bloody Sputum

Phlegm streaked with blood

Dry Throat

Dry, scratchy throat

Hoarse Voice

Hoarse or weak voice

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Bai He is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Heart Yin Deficiency

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, sleep depends on the spirit (Shen) being properly anchored in the Heart. When Heart Yin is depleted, whether from chronic stress, prolonged illness, or emotional strain, a mild internal Heat rises and agitates the mind. This makes it difficult to settle into sleep, causes frequent waking, vivid or disturbing dreams, and a general sense of unease. The mind feels busy and restless even when the body is tired. This is distinct from insomnia caused by worry and overthinking (which relates more to the Spleen) or from Liver Fire blazing upward.

Why Bai He Helps

Bai He enters the Heart channel and has a sweet, cool nature that nourishes Heart Yin and gently clears the deficiency Heat disturbing the spirit. Unlike stronger sedating herbs, Bai He works by addressing the root cause of insomnia (Yin depletion) rather than forcefully inducing sleep. The Jin Gui Yao Lue uses Bai He as the principal herb in several formulas for "Lily Disease," a condition characterized by mental restlessness and inability to settle, reflecting its recognised role in calming the Heart spirit through Yin nourishment.

Also commonly used for

Anxiety

Mild anxiety and emotional unease, especially post-illness

Palpitations

Heart palpitations from Yin deficiency

Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis with dry, unproductive cough

Sore Throat

Dry, sore throat from Yin deficiency

Bloody Sputum

Blood-streaked sputum from Lung Yin depletion

Depression

Mild depression with sadness and desire to cry (Lily Disease pattern)

Restlessness

Post-febrile restlessness and mental confusion

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Heart Lungs

Parts Used

Bulb (鳞茎 lín jīng)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Bai He — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

6–12g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in decoction for severe Yin deficiency with dry cough or marked insomnia, under practitioner supervision. In classical formulas such as those from the Jin Gui Yao Lue, fresh Bai He was used in much larger quantities (seven whole bulbs, equivalent to approximately 240g fresh, or about 100g dried).

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (6–9g) for mild calming and Heart-nourishing purposes. Use higher doses (9–12g or above) for significant Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough. Honey-processed Bai He (Mi Bai He) is preferred for moistening the Lungs and stopping cough, while raw Bai He is stronger for clearing Heart Heat and calming the spirit. In classical Bai He Bing formulas, fresh bulbs were traditionally soaked overnight in water until a white foam appeared, which was then discarded before decocting, a method believed to enhance the herb's purifying action.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required for standard use. In the classical Jin Gui Yao Lue method, fresh Bai He was soaked in water overnight until white foam appeared on the surface, then the soaking water was discarded before decocting with fresh spring water. This traditional preparation step is specific to the Bai He Bing formulas.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Bai He does

Processing method

The clean lily bulb scales are mixed with a small amount of refined honey diluted in warm water, left to absorb the honey, then stir-fried over low heat until no longer sticky to the touch. The standard ratio is 5 kg of refined honey per 100 kg of Bai He.

How it changes properties

Honey-processing enhances the sweet taste and strengthens the moistening, Lung-nourishing, and cough-stopping actions. The thermal nature shifts very slightly warmer, but remains cool overall. The honey adds its own Lung-moistening and Qi-tonifying properties, making the processed form gentler on the Stomach and more strongly focused on the Lungs.

When to use this form

Choose Mi Bai He when the primary goal is to moisten the Lungs and stop a chronic dry cough, especially in Lung deficiency with prolonged coughing or coughing blood. The raw form (Sheng Bai He) is preferred when the goal is to clear Heart Heat and calm the spirit, as in insomnia and restlessness.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Bai He for enhanced therapeutic effect

Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu Bai He 7 pieces (approx. 30g) : Zhi Mu 9g (as in Bai He Zhi Mu Tang)

Bai He nourishes Heart Yin and calms the spirit, while Zhi Mu clears deficiency Heat and nourishes Kidney Yin. Together they address both the Heart and Kidney aspects of post-febrile Yin depletion, clearing residual Heat from multiple levels while restoring Yin fluids. This pairing treats the classical 'Lily Disease' pattern of mental restlessness, disorientation, and vague malaise after illness.

When to use: Post-febrile restlessness with insomnia, mental confusion, thirst, and Heart-Kidney Yin deficiency. The hallmark is a person who feels vaguely unwell and restless but cannot pinpoint what is wrong.

Kuan Dong Hua
Kuan Dong Hua 1:1 (equal parts)

Bai He moistens and cools the Lungs while Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot Flower) warms the Lungs and dissolves phlegm. The cool, Yin-nourishing quality of Bai He balances Kuan Dong Hua's warm, phlegm-dispersing action, creating a well-rounded cough formula that moistens without causing phlegm stagnation and warms without damaging Yin.

When to use: Chronic cough from Yin deficiency with some phlegm, cough with blood-streaked sputum, or lingering cough that resists treatment. This is the classical formula Bai Hua Gao from the Ji Sheng Fang.

Shu Di Huang
Shu Di Huang Bai He 7 pieces (approx. 30g) : Sheng Di Huang juice 30ml (as in Bai He Di Huang Tang)

Bai He nourishes Heart and Lung Yin and calms the spirit, while Sheng Di Huang (raw Rehmannia) cools the Blood and clears Heart Heat. Together they powerfully address the Heart Yin depletion and Heat that cause the mental-emotional symptoms of Lily Disease, with Sheng Di Huang reinforcing the cooling and Yin-nourishing action through the Blood level.

When to use: Lily Disease (Bai He Bing) with mental disorientation, restlessness, insomnia, bitter taste in the mouth, and dark urine. This is the pairing in Bai He Di Huang Tang from the Jin Gui Yao Lue.

Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu 1:1 (Bai He 10-15g : Chuan Bei Mu 10-15g)

Bai He moistens the Lungs and nourishes Yin, while Chuan Bei Mu (Sichuan Fritillary) clears Heat, transforms phlegm, and stops coughing. Together they address both the dryness and the residual phlegm that often accompany Lung Yin deficiency. The pairing is stronger at both clearing Heat and resolving phlegm than either herb alone.

When to use: Lung Yin deficiency with cough, sticky or blood-streaked phlegm, dry and sore throat, and signs of Lung Heat. Common in chronic bronchitis or tuberculosis presentations.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Bai He in a prominent role

Bai He Gu Jin Tang 百合固金汤 King

The defining formula for Bai He's Lung Yin nourishment. Bai He serves as King, directly moistening the Lungs and working alongside Sheng Di Huang, Shu Di Huang, Mai Dong, and Chuan Bei Mu to treat Lung-Kidney Yin deficiency with cough, blood-streaked sputum, and dry sore throat. This formula showcases both Bai He's Lung-moistening and its Heat-clearing actions.

Bai He Di Huang Tang 百合地黄汤 King

From the Jin Gui Yao Lue, this is the primary formula for 'Lily Disease' (Bai He Bing). Bai He is the King herb, used in large doses (7 bulbs, approximately 30g) to nourish Heart and Lung Yin and calm the spirit. Combined with raw Rehmannia juice, it treats the mental restlessness, disorientation, and emotional instability that follow a febrile illness. This formula perfectly demonstrates Bai He's Heart-calming, spirit-settling action.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Mai Dong
Bai He vs Mai Dong

Both nourish Yin and moisten the Lungs, but Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) also strongly nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids, making it the better choice when thirst and Stomach dryness are prominent. Bai He has a stronger action on the Heart and spirit, making it preferable when insomnia, restlessness, or emotional disturbance accompany the Lung symptoms. Mai Dong is also slightly more cooling.

Sha Ren
Bai He vs Sha Ren

Both Sha Shen (Adenophora/Glehnia root) and Bai He moisten the Lungs, nourish Yin, and treat dry cough. Sha Shen is stronger at generating fluids, clearing the Lungs, and expelling residual phlegm. Bai He is unique in its dual action on both the Lungs and the Heart spirit, making it the better choice when dry cough is accompanied by insomnia, anxiety, or emotional disturbance.

Yu zhu
Bai He vs Yu zhu

Both are gentle Yin tonics with food-grade safety. Yu Zhu (Solomon's Seal) more strongly nourishes Stomach and Lung Yin with a focus on generating fluids and relieving Dryness-related thirst and hunger. Bai He is preferred when the Heart spirit is disturbed (insomnia, palpitations, restlessness) because of its specific Heart channel affinity. Yu Zhu is better suited for Yin deficiency affecting the Stomach and exterior (mild fever with thirst after febrile illness).

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Bai He

The main source of confusion is between medicinal lily varieties and the sweet edible Lanzhou lily (L. davidii var. unicolor). Lanzhou lily is not listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a medicinal source and is primarily a culinary vegetable with a sweet, non-bitter taste. Medicinal-grade Bai He should come from L. brownii var. viridulum, L. lancifolium, or L. pumilum, which have a characteristic slight bitterness. Sulfur-fumigated Bai He is a common quality concern: it appears unnaturally white and has a sour, pungent smell. The wild Bai He (L. brownii var. brownii, known as Ye Bai He 野百合) is sometimes used interchangeably but is a different variety. Importantly, do not confuse with the legume called "Ye Bai He" (Crotalaria sessiliflora), which is a completely different toxic plant from the Fabaceae family.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Bai He

Non-toxic

Bai He is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has a long history of safe use as both food and medicine. Earlier literature reported that lily bulbs contain trace amounts of colchicine (a potent alkaloid found in the unrelated Colchicum autumnale), but a rigorous 2026 LC-MS study screening five Lilium species found no colchicine or any of its 15 biosynthetic precursors in any lily tissues, providing strong evidence that Lilium species do not actually contain colchicine. The bitterness of medicinal lily varieties is now attributed to other compounds. Nevertheless, animal studies have suggested a possible teratogenic effect at high doses, so caution during pregnancy is still advised. At standard medicinal dosages, Bai He has an excellent safety profile consistent with its dual food-medicine status.

Contraindications

Situations where Bai He should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Wind-Cold cough (cough due to external cold invasion with thin white phlegm). Bai He is cold in nature and moistening, which would trap the cold pathogen and worsen the condition.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency-Cold with loose stools or diarrhea. The cold, slippery nature of Bai He can further impair already weakened digestive function.

Avoid

Known allergy to Bai He. Rare allergic reactions have been reported in clinical case studies.

Caution

Conditions with excessive dampness or phlegm-damp accumulation. Bai He's moistening quality may aggravate fluid stagnation.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Although Bai He has a long history of food use and is generally considered mild, animal experiments have suggested a possible teratogenic effect at high doses. The mechanism is not fully established but may relate to bioactive alkaloid or saponin compounds in the bulb. While standard culinary amounts are unlikely to pose risk, medicinal doses during pregnancy should only be used under professional guidance when clearly indicated.

Breastfeeding

No specific concerns have been documented for breastfeeding. Bai He is widely consumed as a food in East Asia and has a gentle, nourishing profile. Its moistening and Yin-nourishing properties are generally compatible with the postpartum period. Standard medicinal doses are considered safe during breastfeeding, though as with any herb, professional guidance is recommended.

Children

Bai He is considered gentle and safe for children at reduced doses proportional to age and weight. As a food-grade herb, it is commonly given to children in soups and porridge. For medicinal decoction, children's doses are typically one-third to one-half the adult dose. Suitable for children experiencing dry cough or restless sleep due to mild Yin deficiency.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Bai He

No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been established for Bai He at standard doses. Earlier literature attributed colchicine content to lily bulbs, which would have implied interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors and statins. However, recent LC-MS research (2026) has found no colchicine in Lilium species, making such interactions unlikely. As a precaution, patients on immunosuppressive medications should consult their practitioner, since Bai He polysaccharides have demonstrated immunomodulatory activity in preclinical studies.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Bai He

Bai He's cold, moistening nature pairs well with warm, easily digestible foods such as congee, soups, and steamed dishes. Avoid cold, raw foods and iced drinks while taking Bai He medicinally, as these may compound its cold nature and burden the Spleen. Combining Bai He with warming digestive ingredients like ginger or red dates in cooking can help balance its cooling effect, especially for those with weaker digestion. Bai He is commonly prepared with rock sugar, lotus seeds, or tremella (silver ear fungus) as a nourishing sweet soup.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Bai He source plant

Lilium brownii var. viridulum is a perennial bulbous herb growing 70–150 cm tall, with smooth stems sometimes marked with purple streaks. The leaves are alternate, oblanceolate to obovate, 7–10 cm long, with 3–5 veins. The plant produces 1–4 large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in midsummer (June–July), with white inner petals and a yellowish throat, while the outer surface is often flushed with purple or reddish-brown tones. The underground bulb is globose, roughly 5 cm in diameter, composed of numerous overlapping fleshy white scales without a protective tunic. The closely related Lilium lancifolium (Juan Dan, Tiger Lily) grows to 1–1.5 m with orange flowers densely spotted in dark purple and dark purple-black bulbils (aerial bulblets) in the upper leaf axils. Both species grow on well-drained, humus-rich soils of grassy hillsides, forest margins, and open slopes at altitudes of 400–2500 m, preferring warm-temperate to subtropical climates with wet summers and cooler winters.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Bai He is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn (typically harvested after flowering in late summer through early autumn). Cultivated bulbs are planted in September-October and harvested the following autumn after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Primary growing regions

The principal production areas are Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. The most prized terroir (dao di yao cai) for medicinal Bai He is Anhui province (especially the Xuancheng area), whose product is known as "Xuan Bai He" and considered the finest quality. Hunan province (particularly Longshan county and the Shaoyang area) is the leading producer of medicinal-grade Juan Dan (Lilium lancifolium) bulbs and is nicknamed the "homeland of Lily" (卷丹百合之乡). The famous "Dragon-Tooth Lily" (Long Ya Bai He, 龙牙百合) landrace from Hunan and Jiangxi is especially renowned. Note: Lanzhou lily (a variety of L. davidii) is primarily a sweet edible vegetable variety, not the same as the medicinal-grade species listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Quality indicators

Good quality dried Bai He consists of scales (petals) that are uniformly sized, thick and fleshy, yellowish-white in color, firm in texture with minimal fibrous veins (jin). The pieces should be relatively translucent when held to light, with a smooth surface. The taste should be slightly sweet with a mild bitterness (medicinal varieties are mildly bitter, while sweet varieties lack medicinal value). There should be no sour or pungent smell, which would indicate sulfur fumigation. Sulfur-fumigated Bai He appears unnaturally white and develops an acidic odor over time. Authentic medicinal Bai He has a faint, clean, starchy smell. Avoid pieces that are dark, discolored, moldy, or excessively thin and papery.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Bai He and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (神农本草经)

Original: 百合，味甘平。主邪气腹胀、心痛。利大小便，补中益气。生川谷。

Translation: Bai He, sweet and neutral in flavor. It governs pathogenic Qi, abdominal distension, and heart pain. It facilitates urination and bowel movements, supplements the center and boosts Qi. Grows in river valleys.

Jin Gui Yao Lue (金匮要略) — Zhang Zhongjing

Original (Bai He Di Huang Tang): 百合病不经吐下发汗，病形如初者：百合七枚（擘），生地黄汁一升。

Translation: For Lily Disease that has not been treated by vomiting, purging, or sweating, where the symptoms remain as at onset: use seven pieces of Bai He (pulled apart) with one sheng of fresh Rehmannia juice.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (本草纲目) — Li Shizhen

Original: 百合之根，以众瓣合成也。或云专治百合病故名，亦通。

Translation: The root of Bai He is formed from many petals joined together. Some say it was named because it specifically treats "Lily Disease" (Bai He Bing), and this explanation is also reasonable.

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (日华子本草)

Original: 安心，定胆，益志，养五脏。

Translation: Calms the heart, settles the gallbladder, strengthens the will, and nourishes the five organs.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Bai He's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Bai He has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. It was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (circa Han Dynasty), where it was classified as a "medium grade" herb. The name "Bai He" (百合, literally "hundred united") refers to the bulb's structure of many overlapping scales joined together at a single base, evoking the cultural concept of "a hundred things in harmony" (百年好合). This symbolism has made Bai He a culturally auspicious food, commonly served at weddings and celebrations. Li Shizhen noted in the Ben Cao Gang Mu that an alternative etymology links the name to its role in treating "Bai He Bing" (Lily Disease).

The concept of "Bai He Bing" (百合病, Lily Disease) was elaborated by Zhang Zhongjing in the Jin Gui Yao Lue, where an entire chapter is devoted to a puzzling condition following febrile illness, characterized by restlessness, vague and shifting symptoms, disordered eating and sleeping, and emotional instability. Zhang developed a series of Bai He-based formulas (Bai He Di Huang Tang, Bai He Zhi Mu Tang, Bai He Ji Zi Tang, Bai He Hua Shi San) to address different presentations. Modern scholars have noted parallels between Bai He Bing and certain mood or psychosomatic disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Historically, classical texts describe the finest Bai He as a white-flowered variety from the wild (corresponding to L. brownii). Starting from the Qing Dynasty, cultivated lily became more common, and Lilium lancifolium (Juan Dan) gradually became the dominant commercial source due to its wider adaptability. The Song Dynasty poet Lu You was famously fond of Bai He and wrote verses celebrating it, including the line: "更乞两丛香百合，老翁七十尚童心" (requesting two more fragrant lily clusters, the old man at seventy still has a youthful spirit).

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Bai He

1

Systematic review: Traditional uses, nutritional properties, phytochemical metabolites, pharmacological properties, and potential applications of Lilium spp. (2025)

Published in PMC, systematic review covering databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Google Scholar

A comprehensive systematic review covering the pharmacological effects of Lilium species. The review confirmed diverse bioactive constituents including polysaccharides, saponins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, and validated traditional uses with evidence for antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, sedative, antioxidant, and antitumor activities.

2

LC-MS-Based Screening for Colchicine and Characterization of Major Bitter Constituents in Lily (2026)

Zhong J, Zhu Y, Xia B, et al. Molecules. 2026;31(4):721.

An important study that screened five Lilium species for colchicine and all 15 of its biosynthetic precursors using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. While colchicine was readily detected in the positive controls (Gloriosa superba and Colchicum autumnale), none was found in any lily tissues. This refutes the longstanding claim that lily bulbs contain colchicine, and identifies other compounds responsible for the bitter taste of medicinal varieties.

PubMed
3

Research Progress on the Application and Mechanisms of Baihe Dihuang Decoction for Major Depressive Disorder (2025/2026)

Published in Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Dove Press), 2026.

A systematic review examining the clinical efficacy, pharmacological mechanisms, and safety of the classical Bai He Di Huang Tang formula for depression. The review found that existing clinical evidence supports its effectiveness and relative safety as an adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder, working through multi-target pharmacological pathways.

Link
4

Genus Lilium: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology (2021)

Zhou J, An R, Huang X. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;270:113852.

A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of the Lilium genus documenting its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. The review catalogued diverse bioactive compounds including steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, and phenylpropanoid glycerides, with documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, antitussive, and immunomodulatory effects.

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.