Bai Jie Zi
Sinapis alba L.
☯ TCM Properties
Warms the Lungs and Transforms Phlegm-Fluids; Moves Qi and Dissipates Nodules; Unblocks the Channels and Alleviates Pain; Drains Water and Expels Phlegm-Fluids; Reduces swelling and disperses clumps
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Sinapis alba L. (Brassicaceae), white mustard, is an annual herb 30-80 cm tall with bristly stems, pinnately lobed lyrate leaves, and racemes of bright yellow four-petaled flowers. Bristly elongate siliques contain 4-6 pale yellow to tan globose seeds 2-2.5 mm in diameter. The seeds, known as Bai Jie Zi in Chinese medicine, are harvested when pods turn brown, threshed, and dried. In TCM, Bai Jie Zi is acrid in flavor and warm in nature, entering the Lung channel; it warms the Lungs, expels cold phlegm, frees the channels, and disperses nodules. The species is cultivated worldwide as a condiment, oilseed, and forage crop.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bai Jie Zi (white mustard seed) is a warm, pungent herb that warms the Lung, transforms cold Phlegm, and promotes the movement of Qi in the channels. It is used for cold-type coughs and wheezing with white, clear, abundant phlegm, as well as for Phlegm obstructing the channels and sinew — causing joint pain, numbness, and cold abscesses deep in the tissue. Applied externally as a poultice, it warms and draws circulation to an area for musculoskeletal pain and deep cold-type swellings.
Traditional American Uses
The Cherokee employed Sinapis alba as a stimulant and tonic. The Hoh and Quileute used it as a pulmonary aid for respiratory complaints (mapped to expectorant) and as a kidney aid (mapped to diuretic). Several other tribes recorded analogous drug-class uses for respiratory and general toning purposes.
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.