Bai He Di Huang Tang — Lily Bulb & Rehmannia Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Bai He Di Huang Tang — the “Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction” — is from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue and is the principal formula for the classical syndrome known as Bai He Bing (Lily Bulb Disease): a post-febrile state of mild but persistent disquiet of mind characterised by absent-minded restlessness, vague malaise, mild depression, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite and a hard-to-pin-down feeling of being unwell. The pattern is interpreted in TCM as residual Heat lingering after a febrile illness, damaging Heart and Lung Yin and unsettling the Shen.

I prescribe Bai He Di Huang Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Bai He Di Huang Tang is prescribed for Lily Bulb Disease — Heart-Lung Yin deficiency with residual Heat after febrile illness:

• Restless mind, absent-minded — "the patient wants to walk but cannot, wants to eat but cannot"
• Mild low mood, vague unwellness
• Sleep disturbance with vivid dreams
• Bitter taste, dry mouth, mild thirst
• History of recent febrile illness (or chronic stress in modern interpretation)
• Tongue — red, scant or peeled coat
• Pulse — rapid, thin

Key herbs

1. Bai He (Bb. Lilii, 30–60g) — chief; nourishes Lung and Heart Yin; calms Shen; resolves residual Heat
2. Sheng Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae, 15–30g) — nourishes Yin and clears Heat from the Blood
3. Sheng Di Huang Zhi (rehmannia juice, traditional) — intensifies the cooling Yin-nourishing action

Formula actions

1. Nourishes Heart and Lung Yin
2. Clears residual Heat after febrile illness
3. Calms the Shen

Conditions treated

1. Post-viral fatigue syndrome with Yin-deficient restlessness
2. Long COVID with restless fatigue and low mood
3. Post-influenza convalescence with residual Heat
4. Mild depression with restlessness in Yin-deficient constitution
5. Menopausal restlessness with Yin deficiency
6. Chronic anxiety disorder in Yin-deficient pattern

Cautions

Not appropriate for cold-deficient patterns — the cold nourishing herbs aggravate cold.

Persistent depression or anxiety needs mental health support alongside herbal treatment.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.