Pinyin: Baiji
Aliases
Gangen, Lianjicao, Baiji'er
Source
Orchidaceae plant *Bletilla striata*Bletilla striataDried tuber of (Thunb.) Reichb.f.
Botanical Description
Perennial herb, 15-70 cm tall. The rhizome (or pseudobulb) is triangular-oblate or irregularly rhomboid, fleshy, thick, rich in mucilage, often with several connected together. Stem erect. Leaves 3-5, lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 8-30 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, apex acuminate, base decurrent into a long sheath, entire margin. Raceme terminal, with 3-8 flowers, inflorescence axis 4-12 cm long; bracts lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 cm long, early deciduous; flowers purple or pale red, 3-4 cm in diameter; sepals and petals subequal, narrowly oblong, 2.6-3 cm long; lip obovate, 2.3-2.8 cm long, white or with purple veins, upper part 3-lobed, middle lobe margin wavy-toothed, apex concave, center with 5 lamellae, lateral lobes erect, embracing the column, slightly extending toward the middle lobe but less than half its length; stamens and pistil fused into a column, with narrow wings on both sides, column apex bearing 1 stamen, anther masses 4 pairs, flat and long; ovary inferior, cylindrical, twisted. Capsule cylindrical, about 3.5 cm long, about 1 cm in diameter, slightly pointed at both ends, with 6 longitudinal ribs. Flowering period April-May, fruiting period July-September.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows in relatively moist areas of mountain wilderness and valleys. It is distributed in East, Central South, and Southwest China, as well as Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Taiwan.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn, remove the fibrous roots, wash clean, boil or steam in boiling water until the center turns white, sun-dry until half-dry, remove the outer bark, and sun-dry completely.
Medicinal Properties
This product is irregularly flat-round in shape, mostly with 2-3 claw-like branches, 1.5-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm thick. The surface is grayish-white or yellowish-white, with several concentric rings and brown punctate rootlet scars, raised stem scars on the upper side, and traces of attachment to another tuber on the lower side. The texture is hard, difficult to break, and the fractured surface is off-white and horny. Odor: faint; Taste: bitter, with a sticky sensation when chewed.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains chemical constituents such as bibenzyl compounds, phenanthrene compounds, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, sterols, organic acids, sugars and glycosides, and amino acids.
Pharmacology
Has hemostatic, mucosal protective, anti-tumor, and antibacterial effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly cold. Enters the Lung, Liver, and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Astringes to stop bleeding, reduces swelling and generates tissue. Used for hemoptysis, hematemesis, traumatic bleeding, sores and ulcers with swelling and toxicity, and chapped skin.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: 3-10 g in decoction; 1.5-3 g per dose, ground into powder. External: appropriate amount, ground into powder for spreading or mixed for application.
Precautions and Contraindications
External contraction and internal heat excess are prohibited. Should not be used together with Chuanwu, processed Chuanwu, Caowu, processed Caowu, and Fuzi.
Prescriptions
1. For bronchiectasis with hemoptysis and pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis: Baiji (Bletilla striata), Haipiaoxiao (Sepia esculenta), and Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) 180 g each. Grind into fine powder. Take 9 g each time, 3 times daily. (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) 2. For lung flaccidity with cough and blood-tinged sputum: tender Baiji (Bletilla striata) 12 g, ground into powder; aged Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla) 6 g. Infuse with boiling water and take. (Yichun Shengyi Bai Jiao Tang) 3. For gastrointestinal bleeding: Baiji (Bletilla striata) and Diyu (Sanguisorba officinalis) equal parts. Stir-fry until scorched, grind into powder. Take 3 g each time, with warm boiled water, 2-3 times daily. (Zhejiang Folk Commonly Used Herbs) 4. For pulmonary tuberculosis (consumptive lung disease): Baiji (Bletilla striata) and Baihe (Lilium brownii) 60 g each, Hongtang (brown sugar) 30 g. Decoct the herbs first, then add brown sugar and reduce to a paste. Take 1 teaspoon each time. (Hunan Materia Medica)
