Shé Dǎn Chuān Bèi Yè (蛇胆川贝液) — Snake Gallbladder and Fritillaria Liquid
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
I do not use this substance on animal-welfare grounds, and it is not prescribed in my practice. Related species are also restricted under endangered-species and welfare rules.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include plant cough syrups such as Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao (loquat and fritillaria).
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Shé Dǎn Chuān Bèi Yè (蛇胆川贝液) — Snake Gallbladder and Fritillaria Liquid — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Shé Dǎn Chuān Bèi Yè or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Snake bile (She Dan) (animal product)
- Chuan Bei Mu (fritillaria, plant)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Clears Lung Heat and transforms phlegm
- Stops cough
Traditional indications
- Cough with thick yellow phlegm from Lung heat
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Shé Dǎn Chuān Bèi Yè. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant cough syrups such as Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao (loquat and fritillaria). Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
On animal-welfare grounds I do not use Shé Dǎn Chuān Bèi Yè, and it is not prescribed in my practice; a plant-based alternative is used instead. All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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