Chuanbei, I believe many of you have heard of it. It is a traditional Chinese medicine often used to treat symptoms such as cough. So besides this function, what exactly is Chuanbei? What are the specific effects of Chuanbei?
【What is Chuanbei】
Chuanbei refers to the dried bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa, Fritillaria unibracteata, Fritillaria kansuensis, and Fritillaria thunbergii. The first three are commonly known as "songbei" and "qingbei" based on their different characteristics, while the last one is known as "lubei". They are mainly produced in Sichuan and Gansu provinces.
The main morphological feature of songbei is "embracing the moon in the arms". The characteristics of "embracing the moon in the arms" are as follows: the shape of this herb is conical or nearly spherical, with 2 unequal-sized outer scales, where the larger scale tightly embraces the smaller scale, and the unembraced part forms a crescent shape, hence the name "embracing the moon in the arms"; the top is closed.
The apex is bluntly rounded or slightly pointed, the base is flat and slightly concave, and there is a gray-brown bulb disc in the center, occasionally with residual rootlets. It is hard and brittle, with a white powdery fracture surface. It has a slight odor and a slightly bitter taste.
【The Functions of Chuanbei】
1. Expectorant and antitussive
Chuanbei has a certain inhibitory effect on ligation-induced pyloric ulcer. Both cultivated Chuanbei and wild Chuanbei have antitussive effects, and the antitussive effect increases with the dose.
2. Lowering blood pressure
Chuanbei can produce long-lasting blood pressure reduction. This is mainly due to peripheral vasodilation, with no significant effect on electrocardiogram. It has obvious relaxing effects on isolated guinea pig ileum, rabbit duodenum, rat uterus, and whole dog small intestine.
3. Preventing cold
With the change of seasons and unpredictable weather, it is the peak season for colds. Chuanbei can prevent cold and cough. It also has a therapeutic effect on cold-induced cough.
