Tu Bei Mu
StarBolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and removes toxins; Disperses Stagnation; Eliminates pathogenic External Phlegm, reduces sores and swellings
Traditional Chinese Uses
Tu Bei Mu is the corm-like tuber of Bolbostemma paniculatum, a Chinese endemic cucurbit. Bitter and cold, entering the Lung and Spleen channels, it clears Heat and resolves toxicity, disperses stagnation and nodules, and reduces sores and swellings. It is a classic remedy for Fire-toxin and Phlegm accumulation manifesting as carbuncles, breast abscess (ru yong), scrofula and cervical lymph nodules (luo li), subcutaneous masses, and snakebite.
In modern practice it is investigated for mammary hyperplasia and various tumors, reflecting its traditional action of dispersing Phlegm-toxin masses. The saponin-rich tuber has recognized toxicity and is used cautiously in small doses, often topically; it is not a food-grade Fritillaria (Bei Mu) despite the shared name.
Botanical Description
Tu Bei Mu is the corm-like underground tuber of Bolbostemma paniculatum, a perennial climbing vine in the family Cucurbitaceae endemic to central and northern China. The plant arises from a large, flattened, pale-fleshed bulb-like tuber that is the part collected for medicine; aboveground, slender herbaceous stems climb by means of bifid tendrils to lengths of 2 to 4 metres. The alternate leaves are deeply palmately five- to seven-lobed, with the lobes themselves further toothed or pinnately divided, giving a delicate appearance. Small, greenish-yellow, dioecious flowers are borne in slender, branching panicles in the leaf axils, and develop into ovoid, six-seeded capsules that dehisce by an apical lid. The species favours shaded valleys, scrubby slopes, and forest margins from 300 to 1500 metres elevation.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
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.
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