About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
White mulberry root bark is a widely used herb for clearing heat from the lungs and relieving cough and wheezing, especially when caused by an accumulation of heat. It also helps reduce fluid retention and swelling by restoring the lungs' ability to regulate water in the body. It is the key ingredient in the classic children's formula Xiè Bái Sǎn (Drain the White Powder).
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Clears Lung Heat
- Stops Cough and Calms Wheezing
- Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema
- Descends Lung Qi and Stops Cough
How These Actions Work*
'Drains Lung Heat' means Sāng Bái Pí clears excess heat that has accumulated in the Lungs. When heat lodges in the Lungs, it disrupts their normal downward-directing function, leading to cough with thick yellow phlegm, fever, and a feeling of fullness in the chest. The herb's cold nature and sweet taste enter the Lung channel to clear this heat gently, without being as harsh as very bitter, cold herbs like Huáng Qín or Huáng Lián. This makes it especially suitable for children and people with delicate constitutions who cannot tolerate strong cold-bitter herbs.
'Calms wheezing and stops cough' refers to the herb's ability to restore the Lungs' natural descending function. When Lung Qi rebels upward (due to heat or fluid accumulation), it causes wheezing, rapid breathing, and persistent cough. Sāng Bái Pí redirects the Lung Qi downward, thereby calming these symptoms. It is a primary herb for cough and wheezing caused by Lung Heat, and is the star ingredient in the classic formula Xiè Bái Sǎn.
'Promotes urination and reduces edema' relates to the Lungs' role in regulating water metabolism. In TCM, the Lungs are described as the 'upper source of water,' governing the distribution of fluids throughout the body. When the Lungs are obstructed by heat or fluid, water accumulates and causes swelling of the face, eyes, and limbs. Sāng Bái Pí clears and descends Lung Qi, thereby restoring the Lungs' ability to regulate and direct fluids downward to the Kidneys and Bladder, which promotes urination and resolves edema.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Sang Bai Pi is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Sang Bai Pi addresses this pattern
Sāng Bái Pí directly addresses Lung Heat by entering the Lung channel with its cold, sweet nature. When heat lodges in the Lungs, it scorches fluids and forces Lung Qi to rebel upward, causing cough with yellow phlegm, wheezing, and fever. The herb's cold temperature clears the heat, while its sweet taste gently nourishes without creating dryness. Unlike strongly bitter cold herbs, it drains Lung Heat mildly, making it suitable even for lingering, 'hidden' (伏 fú) fire in the Lungs where the heat is not extreme but persistent.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Cough with thick yellow phlegm
Wheezing and rapid breathing from heat
Skin feels warm to the touch, especially in the afternoon
Thirst with desire for cold drinks
Why Sang Bai Pi addresses this pattern
When the Lungs fail to properly regulate and distribute fluids, water and thin mucus accumulate within the Lung organ system. This impairs the Lungs' descending function and blocks the water passages. Sāng Bái Pí descends Lung Qi and clears the water pathways, restoring the Lungs' role as the 'upper source of water.' Its ability to promote urination drains excess fluid downward through the Bladder. This is distinct from simply drying dampness; Sāng Bái Pí works by restoring the Lungs' regulatory function over fluid metabolism.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Facial and eyelid puffiness, generalized swelling
Reduced or difficult urination
Chest fullness with wheezing from fluid in the lungs
Abdominal bloating from fluid retention
Why Sang Bai Pi addresses this pattern
Lung Qi should descend naturally. When pathogenic factors such as heat, phlegm, or retained fluids obstruct the Lungs, Qi reverses direction and rushes upward, producing coughing, wheezing, and chest oppression. Sāng Bái Pí's sweet, cold nature redirects this rebellious Qi downward, restoring the Lungs' normal descending function. It addresses both the root cause (Lung Heat or fluid obstruction) and the symptom (Qi rebellion). This descending quality also supports its diuretic action, as downward-moving Lung Qi opens the water passages below.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Persistent cough that worsens when lying down
Wheezing with a sense of chest oppression
Shortness of breath, feeling of fullness in the chest
TCM Properties*
Cold
Sweet (甘 gān)
Bark (皮 pí / 树皮 shù pí)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.