Chuān Bèi Mǔ (川贝母) — Fritillary bulb / Sichuan fritillary

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Chuān Bèi Mǔ (川贝母) — Fritillaria cirrhosa / thunbergii — is known in English as Fritillary bulb / Sichuan fritillary. It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop coughing and wheezing in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Chuān Bèi Mǔ as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm — the most important herb for Heat-Phlegm cough
2. Moistens the Lung and stops cough — particularly for dry, unproductive cough
3. Dissipates nodules and reduces swellings — for Phlegm-Heat masses

Indications

1. Chronic dry cough from Lung Yin deficiency with Heat
2. Cough with difficult-to-expectorate sticky yellow sputum from Phlegm-Heat
3. Goitre, thyroid nodules and lymph node swellings from Phlegm-Heat
4. Breast lumps and masses from Phlegm accumulation
5. Lung abscess

4. Key formulas containing Chuān Bèi Mǔ

Chuān Bèi Mǔ appears in the following key formulas:

• Er Mu San

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Bei Mu) is the most important herb for Phlegm-Heat cough and one of the most commercially valuable Chinese medicinal herbs, partly due to limited natural supply. Key bioactive constituents include isosteroidal alkaloids (peimisine, imperialine, sipeimine) and steroidal saponins. Research confirms significant antitussive effects (imperialine inhibits the cough reflex centrally), expectorant properties, bronchodilatory effects, anti-inflammatory activity and anti-tumour properties. The alkaloids have specific activity reducing mucus viscosity, making sputum easier to expectorate. Chuan Bei Mu is frequently combined with Zhi Mu (the classical pair Er Mu San) for dry cough from Lung Yin deficiency.

6. Incompatibilities

The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications — classical training avoids the combinations except in carefully supervised low-dose protocols.

Chuān Bèi Mǔ (川贝母) Fritillary bulb / Sichuan fritillary should not normally be combined with:

• Fu Zi — per the Shi Ba Fan
• Chuan Wu — per the Shi Ba Fan
• Cao Wu — per the Shi Ba Fan

7. Cautions and contraindications

Do not confuse with Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria thunbergii) — Zhe Bei Mu is bitter and cold and more appropriate for excess Phlegm-Heat; Chuan Bei Mu is sweeter and gentler, more appropriate for chronic dry cough from deficiency. Both are called Bei Mu. Contraindicated with Wu Tou (Aconite) — a classical incompatibility. Expensive and sometimes adulterated — source from reputable suppliers.

Pattern contraindications

Distinguish the sub-pattern (cold-phlegm vs heat-phlegm vs dry vs deficient cough) — the wrong sub-type can worsen the cough. Some (Xing Ren, Bai Bu) contain mildly toxic constituents and are not for long-term high-dose use.

Modern drug interactions

Tell your GP if you are on theophylline, sedatives or opioid cough suppressants — some interaction is possible. Xing Ren contains amygdalin and is used in modest doses only.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Chuān Bèi Mǔ as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Allergies, Long COVID. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

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Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.