Zhe Bei Mu (Thunberg Fritillary Bulb) is a bitter, slightly cold herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), used to clear heat, transform phlegm, dissipate nodules, and reduce swelling. It is particularly effective in cases of phlegm-heat accumulation in the Lungs and in treating chronic infections or nodules such as goiter, mastitis, or lymphadenitis. Zhe Bei Mu is stronger at clearing excess heat and resolving masses than its counterpart Chuan Bei Mu, and is preferred in more robust or heat-excess conditions.
It is widely used in modern Chinese herbal practice for respiratory infections, phlegm masses, and inflammatory swellings.
Functions & Benefits
Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm
• Used in productive coughs with thick yellow sputum, fever, and chest congestion
• Effective in treating phlegm-heat in the Lungs, especially in acute infections
• Promotes expectoration and clears inflammation
Dissipates Nodules and Reduces Swelling
• Treats nodular swellings such as scrofula, mastitis, thyroid swellings, and abscesses
• Used in breast lumps, goiter, and phlegm masses caused by Qi and phlegm stagnation
• Applied internally and sometimes externally to reduce inflammation
Indications (Who Can Benefit from It?)
✔ Individuals with cough and thick yellow sputum due to Lung heat
✔ Patients with swollen lymph nodes or glandular swellings
✔ Women with mastitis, breast lumps, or painful swelling in the chest
✔ People with thyroid enlargement or goiter due to phlegm and heat
✔ Those recovering from respiratory infections with lingering phlegm masses
Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Red with greasy yellow coating (indicating phlegm-heat)
Pulse: Slippery and rapid (phlegm-heat), or wiry and tight in nodule cases
Related TCM Patterns
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs – Cough with yellow sputum, fever, chest congestion
Qi and Phlegm Stagnation – Lumps, nodules, chronic swollen glands
Toxic Heat with Phlegm – Mastitis, abscesses, red swollen lumps
Lung Heat – Thick sputum, sore throat, chest oppression
Clinical Applications (For Reference Only)
Acute or Chronic Bronchitis – Reduces heat and phlegm in the respiratory tract
Mastitis or Breast Abscess – Clears heat and reduces swelling and pain
Goiter or Thyroid Nodules – Dissipates masses caused by phlegm and heat
Lymphadenitis – Used in swollen lymph nodes with signs of heat or infection
Scrofula and Subcutaneous Nodules – Long-term use in hard masses due to phlegm
Common Herbal Formulas with Zhe Bei Mu
• Xiao Luo Wan – For goiter and nodules due to phlegm and Qi stagnation
• Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan – For Lung phlegm-heat with cough and yellow sputum
• Zhe Bei Mu San – A simplified formula for phlegm-heat and nodular swellings
• Modified Er Chen Tang – When phlegm-heat dominates in chronic cough
• Xia Ku Cao Jia Bei Mu Tang – For thyroid nodules and scrofula
Precautions & Contraindications
Not suitable for cold or phlegm-damp patterns without heat
Avoid in cases of dry cough without phlegm or in Yin deficiency with heat signs
Use cautiously in weak or elderly patients unless heat and phlegm are clearly present
May not combine well with tonic herbs unless the heat is first resolved
Lifestyle & Dietary Recommendations
✔ Avoid greasy, fried, or dairy-heavy foods that increase phlegm production
✔ Include cooling, phlegm-resolving foods like radish, loquat, and seaweed
✔ Drink warm herbal teas that support Lung Qi and phlegm transformation
✔ Support healthy elimination and reduce inflammation through adequate hydration
Conclusion
Zhe Bei Mu (Thunberg Fritillary Bulb) is a phlegm-transforming herb that clears heat, resolves nodules, and reduces swelling. It is most useful in treating productive coughs with yellow phlegm and nodular swellings such as goiter or mastitis. With its strong downward and dispersing action, Zhe Bei Mu is a key herb for resolving internal blockages caused by phlegm and heat.
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