Herb Tuber (块茎 kuài jīng / 块根 kuài gēn)

Bai Ji

Bletilla tuber · 白及

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb.f. · Rhizoma Bletillae

Also known as: 白芨, 白给, 甘根,

Bai Ji (Bletilla tuber) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Bái Jí (Bletilla tuber) is a well-known wound-healing and blood-stopping herb from the orchid family. It is commonly used for bleeding from the lungs or stomach, digestive ulcers, and externally for cuts, burns, cracked skin, and sores that are slow to heal. Its sticky, mucilage-rich texture gives it a unique ability to physically seal wounds and promote tissue repair.

Category Hemostatic herbs (止血药) Astringent herbs that stop bleeding (收敛止血药)
Therapeutic focus Bleeding Disorders Digestive Health Skin and Wound Care Respiratory Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Lungs, Liver, Stomach

Parts used

Tuber (块茎 kuài jīng / 块根 kuài gēn)

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What This Herb Does

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

Therapeutic focus

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

Bleeding Disorders Digestive Health Skin and Wound Care Respiratory Health

TCM Actions

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

Astringes and Stops Bleeding Reduces Swelling and Promotes Tissue Regeneration Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores

How these actions work

'Astringes and stops bleeding' means Bái Jí has a strongly binding, sticky quality that physically seals damaged blood vessels and tissues, helping to halt bleeding. Its astringent taste and slightly cool nature make it particularly effective for bleeding from the Lungs (coughing up blood) and Stomach (vomiting blood), where Heat may be damaging the blood vessels. It can be taken internally as a powder for these conditions or applied directly to external wounds to stop bleeding on contact.

'Reduces swelling and promotes tissue regeneration' refers to Bái Jí's ability to help swollen, inflamed tissue resolve and new healthy tissue grow in its place. This is why it is widely used for skin sores, abscesses, burns, and cracked skin on the hands and feet. The herb's mucilage-rich, sticky texture forms a protective layer over damaged tissue, creating an environment that supports healing. It is applied externally as a fine powder, often mixed with sesame oil, for wounds that are slow to heal.

'Heals wounds and closes sores' extends the tissue-regenerating action specifically to chronic, non-healing ulcers and surgical wounds. Bái Jí is considered one of the most important herbs in the Chinese tradition for promoting wound closure, whether used internally for ulcers in the digestive tract or externally for skin damage.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Bai Ji addresses this pattern

When Heat accumulates in the Lungs, it can scorch the delicate lung blood vessels, causing them to leak blood. This leads to coughing up blood (hemoptysis), sometimes with thick yellow sputum. Bái Jí enters the Lung channel and, with its slightly cool nature, helps counteract the Heat while its astringent, binding quality seals the damaged lung vessels and stops the bleeding. The herb's sticky mucilage also provides a protective coating over injured lung tissue, supporting recovery. Classical texts describe it as a key herb for 'supplementing the Lung' after damage from bleeding.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Cough Of Blood

Blood in sputum, often bright red

Chronic Coughing

Lingering cough with blood-streaked phlegm

Dry Cough

Dry, hacking cough with damaged lung tissue

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Bright Yang Stomach Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, peptic ulcers are most often understood as damage to the Stomach lining caused by accumulated Heat, which scorches the tissue and erodes blood vessels. This may arise from emotional stress (Liver Qi stagnation transforming into Fire that invades the Stomach), irregular eating habits, or excessive consumption of spicy and greasy foods. The Stomach's function of 'ripening and rotting' food depends on its lining being intact. When Heat corrodes this lining, pain, acid reflux, and bleeding result.

Why Bai Ji Helps

Bái Jí is one of the most important herbs for peptic ulcer disease because it addresses both the bleeding and the tissue damage simultaneously. Its rich mucilage content physically coats and protects the ulcerated stomach lining, acting as a natural bandage. Its astringent properties help stop active bleeding, while its slightly cool nature gently clears the Stomach Heat contributing to the ulcer. Modern research has confirmed that Bái Jí's mucopolysaccharides can protect gastric mucosa from acid damage. It is often powdered and taken with Hǎi Piāo Xiāo (cuttlefish bone) to combine its mucosal-protective action with acid neutralisation.

Also commonly used for

Vomiting Blood

Hematemesis from gastric or duodenal ulcers

Gastritis

Chronic gastritis with mucosal damage

Nosebleeds

Epistaxis

Dark Blood In Stool

Upper GI bleeding presenting as melena

Ulcer

Chronic non-healing wounds and ulcers

Cracked Skin

Fissures on hands and feet (chapping)

Periappendiceal Abscess

Skin abscesses, boils, and carbuncles

Tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis

Bleeding

External wound bleeding, applied topically as powder

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

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered

Lungs Liver Stomach

Parts Used

Tuber (块茎 kuài jīng / 块根 kuài gēn)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

6–15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in severe hemorrhage (hemoptysis, hematemesis), under practitioner supervision. Externally, appropriate amount as powder applied to wounds.

Dosage notes

For internal hemostasis (hemoptysis, hematemesis, or gastrointestinal bleeding), the standard decoction range is 6-15g. When used as a ground powder taken directly (not decocted), a smaller dose of 3-6g per administration is typical, as the mucilaginous polysaccharides are better preserved in powder form. The classical method for Lung conditions was to take the powder in pill form, dissolved slowly in the mouth (噙化) to allow it to coat the throat and reach the Lungs gradually. For external use on wounds, burns, or cracked skin, an appropriate amount of fine powder is applied directly. Higher doses (up to 30g) may be used in acute hemorrhage situations under supervision.

Preparation

When used as a powder for direct oral administration (which preserves the mucilaginous polysaccharides better than decoction), grind to a fine powder and take 3-6g mixed with water or honey. For Lung conditions, the classical method is to form the powder into pills with honey and dissolve slowly in the mouth (噙化). When decocted, no special handling is required, though the resulting liquid will be noticeably viscous due to the high polysaccharide content.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

The dried tubers are ground into a very fine powder. This is the most common processed form, used both internally (swallowed with water) and externally (applied directly to wounds).

How it changes properties

The thermal nature and taste remain unchanged. Powdering increases the surface area and exposes the mucilage, significantly enhancing the herb's ability to coat tissue, stop bleeding on contact, and form a protective film over wounds. The hemostatic and tissue-regenerating effects are considered stronger in powder form than in decoction.

When to use this form

Preferred over decoction for acute bleeding situations (gastric hemorrhage, hemoptysis, traumatic wounds). Taken internally at 2-5g per dose, or applied externally to wounds. This is the standard form for the Bái Jí plus Hǎi Piāo Xiāo ulcer remedy.

Common Herb Pairs

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

San Qi
San Qi 1:1 (both ground into powder, 1.5-3g each, taken 2-3 times daily)

Sān Qī (Notoginseng) invigorates Blood and disperses stasis while stopping bleeding, whereas Bái Jí astringes and binds to seal damaged vessels. Together they form a 'one disperses, one astringes' (一走一守, 一散一收) partnership that stops bleeding more effectively than either herb alone while also preventing blood stasis from forming at the wound site.

When to use: Active bleeding from the lungs or stomach, particularly hemoptysis from tuberculosis or bronchiectasis, and bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers. Also for traumatic hemorrhage.

Hai Piao Xiao
Hai Piao Xiao Hǎi Piāo Xiāo 10-15g : Bái Jí 6-12g (often ground into powder and taken together)

Hǎi Piāo Xiāo (cuttlefish bone) neutralises stomach acid and has its own astringent, wound-healing action, while Bái Jí coats and protects the gastric mucosa and stops bleeding. Together they address both the acid erosion and tissue damage of peptic ulcers, combining acid control with mucosal repair.

When to use: Gastric and duodenal ulcers with acid reflux, epigastric pain, and upper GI bleeding. Also useful for reflux oesophagitis.

Pi Pa Ye
Pi Pa Ye Bái Jí 1 liǎng : Pí Pá Yè 5 qián (approximately 2:1 by weight)

Pí Pá Yè (loquat leaf) descends Lung Qi and clears Lung Heat, while Bái Jí astringes and stops bleeding in the Lungs. Together they address hemoptysis by both calming the rebellious upward movement of Qi (which drives the coughing) and sealing the damaged lung vessels.

When to use: Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) with cough, especially from Lung Heat or tuberculosis. This is the core pairing in the classical formula Bái Jí Pí Pá Wán from the Zhèng Zhì Zhǔn Shéng.

Bai Qian
Bai Qian 1:1 (equal parts, ground into powder for external application)

Bái Liǎn (Ampelopsis root) clears Heat and resolves toxicity while reducing swelling, complementing Bái Jí's tissue-regenerating and wound-closing action. Classical sources note these two herbs 'are often used together as complementary partners' (相须而用) for treating sores and abscesses.

When to use: External application for abscesses, boils, chronic non-healing sores, and ulcerated skin lesions.

Comparable Ingredients

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

San Qi
Bai Ji vs San Qi

Both stop bleeding, but through opposite mechanisms. Sān Qī (Notoginseng) is warm, invigorates Blood, disperses stasis, and stops bleeding without causing stagnation. Bái Jí is slightly cool, astringes, and physically seals damaged tissue. Sān Qī is better when Blood stasis accompanies the bleeding (traumatic injury, pain with fixed location), while Bái Jí is preferred for Lung or Stomach bleeding where the tissue itself needs repair, especially when Heat is involved.

Xian He Cao
Bai Ji vs Xian He Cao

Both are hemostatic herbs, but Xiān Hè Cǎo (Agrimony) is neutral in temperature and works broadly for all types of bleeding regardless of whether the cause is Heat or Cold. Bái Jí is slightly cool and specifically astringent, with a strong tissue-regenerating action that Xiān Hè Cǎo lacks. Choose Bái Jí when mucosal healing is needed (ulcers, lung damage), and Xiān Hè Cǎo for general bleeding or when the pattern is unclear.

Di Yu
Bai Ji vs Di Yu

Both are cool, astringent hemostatic herbs. However, Dì Yú (Sanguisorba root) primarily targets the lower body, especially rectal and uterine bleeding, and is stronger at clearing Heat-toxin from the Large Intestine. Bái Jí primarily targets the upper body (Lungs and Stomach) and excels at tissue regeneration. Choose Dì Yú for bloody dysentery or hemorrhoidal bleeding, and Bái Jí for hemoptysis or gastric ulcer bleeding.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

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

Bai Ji (Bletilla striata) is sometimes confused with or substituted by two closely related species: Bletilla ochracea Schltr. (yellow-flowered Bletilla) and Bletilla formosana (Hayata) Schltr. Both are used as substitutes in some regions due to the scarcity of genuine B. striata, but they have different chemical profiles and potentially different therapeutic potency. UPLC fingerprint analysis can distinguish them. B. ochracea has lower polysaccharide content than authentic B. striata. Genuine Bai Ji should have a horn-like, translucent white cross-section and strong stickiness when chewed. Due to extreme over-harvesting of wild populations, commercial supply increasingly comes from cultivated sources, and quality can vary significantly depending on growing conditions and harvest timing.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Bai Ji

Non-toxic

Bai Ji is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Its primary active components are polysaccharides (glucomannans), bibenzyls, phenanthrenes, and mucilage. No significant toxic components have been identified. Preclinical studies on Bletilla striata polysaccharides have not reported significant toxicity, though formal long-term chronic toxicity studies in humans remain limited. The main safety concern is not toxicity per se but its strong astringent nature, which can trap pathogens if used at the wrong stage of illness.

Contraindications

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

Avoid

Incompatible with Wu Tou (Aconite) and its derivatives, including Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, and Fu Zi. This is one of the classical Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反). Co-administration may increase the dissolution of toxic aconitine alkaloids and inhibit hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP3A, CYP1A2), increasing toxicity.

Avoid

Contraindicated in bleeding caused by externally contracted Heat excess with no underlying deficiency. Bai Ji's astringent, contracting nature can trap pathogenic Heat or Blood stasis inside the body. As noted in the Chong Qing Tang Sui Bi: 'If fire-Heat has not yet been cleared, it should not be used prematurely, as its astringent nature may retain pathogenic factors.'

Caution

Use with caution in patients with Lung abscess or cough with profuse phlegm from excess Heat. The highly viscous, astringent nature of Bai Ji may trap phlegm and block its expulsion, worsening congestion. It is only appropriate once acute Heat is subsiding and the condition is transitioning to a recovery phase.

Caution

Use with caution in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by Blood stasis (as opposed to deficiency-related bleeding). The astringent hemostatic mechanism works best for bleeding from tissue damage or deficiency, not for stasis-related hemorrhage where Blood-invigorating treatment is needed first.

Caution

Use with caution in patients with poor digestion or Spleen-Stomach deficiency with dampness. The extremely sticky, mucilaginous quality of Bai Ji can be difficult to digest and may worsen feelings of fullness or bloating.

Classical Incompatibilities

Traditional Chinese pharmacological incompatibilities — herbs or substances to avoid combining with Bai Ji

Bai Ji is one of the herbs listed in the Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反). It is incompatible with Wu Tou (乌头) and its related forms, including Chuan Wu (川乌), Cao Wu (草乌), and Fu Zi (附子). The classical mnemonic states: '半蒌贝蔹及攻乌' — Ban Xia, Gua Lou, Bei Mu, Bai Lian, and Bai Ji all oppose Wu Tou. Modern research suggests co-administration may increase toxic alkaloid dissolution and inhibit hepatic enzymes that metabolize aconitine, increasing the risk of aconite poisoning.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

There is limited specific data on Bai Ji use during pregnancy. While it is not traditionally listed among the strongest pregnancy-prohibited herbs, its astringent and Blood-constricting properties warrant caution. Its hemostatic action works by promoting coagulation and tissue contraction, which could theoretically affect uterine blood flow. Pregnant women should avoid use unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner for an acute condition such as hemoptysis.

Breastfeeding

No specific traditional or modern data addresses the transfer of Bai Ji's active compounds through breast milk. As a non-toxic herb used primarily for hemostasis and tissue healing, it is not considered high-risk during breastfeeding. However, in the absence of formal safety studies, it should only be used during lactation when clinically necessary and under practitioner guidance. The bitter, cold properties could theoretically affect the nursing infant's digestion if significant amounts transfer to milk.

Children

Bai Ji may be used in children at reduced doses proportionate to age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose for children over 3 years old. It is most commonly given to children as a powder (ground and mixed into food or liquid) rather than in decoction. Its extremely sticky texture can be difficult for young children to swallow. Given the lack of specific pediatric safety data, use should be limited to clear clinical indications under practitioner supervision.

Drug Interactions

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

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: Bai Ji has strong pro-coagulant and hemostatic effects, working partly through activation of platelet ADP receptor pathways (P2Y1, P2Y12). This may directly antagonize the effects of anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) and antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel). Concurrent use may reduce the efficacy of these medications.

Aconitine-containing preparations: Based on the classical Eighteen Incompatibilities and supported by modern research, Bai Ji may inhibit hepatic CYP3A and CYP1A2 enzymes when combined with aconite-derived compounds, slowing the metabolic clearance of aconitine and increasing its toxicity. This interaction should be treated as clinically significant.

General note: No large-scale human pharmacokinetic interaction studies have been conducted on Bai Ji. Patients on any blood-modifying medications should inform their prescribing practitioner before using this herb.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Bai Ji

While taking Bai Ji for hemostasis or Lung conditions, avoid spicy, hot, and irritating foods (chilli, alcohol, strong ginger) that may aggravate bleeding or Heat in the Lungs. Avoid excessively greasy or heavy foods that may impair the digestive absorption of this viscous herb. Foods that support the Lung and Stomach, such as pear, lily bulb, and congee, are generally compatible.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Bai Ji source plant

Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Rchb.f. is a perennial terrestrial orchid of the family Orchidaceae. The plant reaches 18–60 cm in height with robust, erect stems bearing 3–6 lanceolate leaves that are 8–30 cm long and arranged in a fan-like pattern from the base. The leaves are pleated with prominent parallel veins.

The flowers are strikingly beautiful, typically purple to pinkish-lavender, borne in a terminal raceme of 3–8 blooms. Each flower has the characteristic orchid lip structure. The plant produces distinctive pseudobulbs (tubers) that are flattened, irregularly rounded, with 2–3 claw-like branches connected in a chain. These tubers are the medicinal part.

Bletilla striata grows wild in mountainous areas at elevations of 100–3,200 m, preferring moist, shaded slopes, forest margins, and grassy hillsides. It favours well-drained acidic to neutral soils in warm, humid subtropical climates. The plant is now classified as a rare and endangered species in China due to over-harvesting of wild populations.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn (typically August to November), when the above-ground stems and leaves have withered.

Primary growing regions

Bai Ji is distributed across southern and central China, including Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Henan, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, and Fujian provinces. Guizhou province has the largest production volume and is regarded as producing the best quality. Anlong County in Guizhou's Qianxinan Prefecture received national geographic indication protection for its Bai Ji in 2017, with polysaccharide and mucilage content consistently above 40%. The herb also grows in Taiwan, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), and Korea.

Quality indicators

Good quality Bai Ji tubers are irregularly flattened and round, typically with 2-3 claw-like branches, 1.5-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm thick. The surface should be greyish-white or yellowish-white with several concentric ring nodes and brown dot-like root scars. The texture should be very hard and difficult to break. The cross-section should be nearly white with a horn-like (translucent, waxy) appearance. When chewed, high-quality Bai Ji is distinctly bitter and extremely sticky and mucilaginous. Avoid pieces that are dark, soft, fibrous, or that lack stickiness when chewed, as these indicate poor quality or age.

Classical Texts

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

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 主痈肿恶疮败疽，伤阴死肌，胃中邪气，贼风痱缓不收。

Translation: Treats abscesses, malignant sores, and gangrenous ulcers; damaged Yin and necrotic flesh; pathogenic Qi in the Stomach; and wind-strike with paralysis and loss of muscle control.

Ben Cao Feng Yuan (《本草逢原》)

Original: 白及性涩而收，得秋金之气，故能入肺止血，生肌治疮。

Translation: Bai Ji is astringent and binding in nature. It obtains the Qi of autumn Metal, and therefore can enter the Lung to stop bleeding, regenerate tissue, and treat sores.

Dian Nan Ben Cao (《滇南本草》)

Original: 治痨伤肺气，补肺虚，止咳嗽，消肺痨咳血，收敛肺气。

Translation: Treats consumptive damage to Lung Qi, supplements Lung deficiency, stops coughing, resolves coughing of blood from Lung consumption, and binds the Lung Qi.

Chong Qing Tang Sui Bi (《重庆堂随笔》)

Original: 白及最粘，大能补肺，可为上损善后之药。如火热未清者，不可早用，以其性涩，恐留邪也。

Translation: Bai Ji is extremely sticky and greatly supplements the Lung. It can serve as a recovery remedy for upper body damage. If fire-Heat has not yet been cleared, it should not be used prematurely, as its astringent nature may retain pathogenic factors.

Historical Context

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

Bai Ji was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica), China's earliest pharmacopoeia, where it was classified as a lower-grade herb used primarily for external sores, abscesses, and traumatic injuries. The name '白及' literally refers to its white root that grows in connected segments (其根白色，连及而生), as explained by Li Shizhen in the Ben Cao Gang Mu. Historical aliases include Lian Ji Cao (连及草), Gan Gen (甘根), and Bai Gei (白给).

Over the centuries, Bai Ji's clinical applications expanded significantly. While the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing focused on external wounds and sores, later texts recognized its remarkable ability to treat internal Lung conditions. The Dian Nan Ben Cao of the Ming dynasty was among the first to emphasize its role in treating Lung consumption with coughing of blood. The Chong Qing Tang Sui Bi praised it as being 'extremely sticky and greatly able to supplement the Lung,' recommending it as a recovery medicine for upper body damage, but cautioned against premature use when Heat remains.

Bai Ji has also had a long history in cosmetic use. The Yao Xing Lun (Treatise on Medicinal Properties) noted it could 'treat facial sores and make the skin smooth,' and the Ben Cao Gang Mu recorded its use for removing facial dark spots. In modern times, wild Bai Ji populations have declined sharply due to over-harvesting and habitat loss, leading to its recognition as a rare and endangered medicinal plant species in China, with increasing investment in cultivation research, particularly in Guizhou province.

Modern Research

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

1

Comprehensive Review: Chemical Constituents, Pharmacologic Properties, and Clinical Applications of Bletilla striata (2019)

Xu D, Pan Y, Chen J. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019, 10, 1168.

This review examined 30 years of published research and catalogued approximately 158 compounds isolated from B. striata tubers, classified as glucosides, bibenzyls, phenanthrenes, quinones, steroids, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids. These compounds support hemostatic and wound-healing properties and also demonstrate antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial activities.

PubMed
2

Preclinical Study: Rhizoma Bletillae Polysaccharide Elicits Hemostatic Effects via ADP Receptor Signaling (2020)

Dong L, Liu XX, Wu SX, et al. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2020, 130, 110537.

This laboratory study found that Bletilla striata polysaccharide (RBp) significantly enhanced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. The hemostatic mechanism involved activation of P2Y1, P2Y12, and PKC receptors in the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) signaling pathway, providing a molecular explanation for the herb's traditional hemostatic use.

3

Review: Bletilla striata — Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities (2017)

He X, Wang X, Fang J, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2017, 195, 20-38.

A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review confirming B. striata as an outstanding astringent hemostatic medicinal. The major bioactive components, Bletilla striata polysaccharides (BSP), were shown to be capable of promoting wound healing and performing well as promising natural biomaterials and embolic materials.

PubMed
4

Preclinical Study: BSP-Tannic Acid Hydrogel for Hemostasis and Wound Healing (2024)

Zhang X, Mu Y, Zhao L, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 270(Pt 2), 132182.

Researchers developed a dual-dynamic-bonds crosslinked hydrogel incorporating Bletilla striata polysaccharide and tannic acid. The material demonstrated outstanding biocompatibility, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, halting acute bleeding within 31.3 seconds in animal models with blood loss reduced to 15.6% of the untreated group.

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.