Chuanbeimu is a commonly used cough and phlegm relieving medicine. However, many cough patients mistakenly consider it as a universal remedy for coughs due to their lack of understanding of the efficacy and taste of Chuanbeimu. They often take Chuanbeimu regardless of whether the cough is caused by cold or heat deficiency. This can result in ineffective treatment or even worsen the condition. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an explanation on how to correctly use Chuanbeimu.
1. Chuanbeimu
Chuanbeimu is the rhizome of the lily family plants, Fritillaria cirrhosa and Fritillaria unibracteata. It is mostly found in Sichuan and Gansu provinces. The best quality Chuanbeimu is from Songbeimu in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan, hence the name "Chuanbeimu". Chuanbeimu grows in temperate mountainous and plateau areas, such as mixed forests of conifers and broad-leaved trees, coniferous forests, and alpine shrubs. The soil consists of mountain brown soil, dark brown soil, and alpine meadow soil, etc. Chuanbeimu is a precious Chinese medicinal herb known for its lung moistening and cough relieving effects. It has a long history of use and remarkable therapeutic effects, both domestically and internationally.
2. The efficacy of Chuanbeimu
Chuanbeimu has a bitter and sweet taste and a cooling property. It enters the lung meridian and has the functions of clearing heat, transforming phlegm, moistening the lungs, and relieving coughs. It is mainly suitable for coughs with thick yellow phlegm, accompanied by shortness of breath, chest tightness, dry mouth and a desire to drink. It is also effective for dry throat, little phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, and long-term unresolved dry cough caused by lung dryness. However, it is not suitable for coughs caused by other factors such as wind-cold, phlegm-dampness, liver fire, and spleen deficiency. It should especially be avoided for coughs with white phlegm, accompanied by aversion to cold, as well as coughs with white foamy phlegm and sticky phlegm in the mouth. Otherwise, it may worsen the cough and increase the production of clear fluid. Additionally,
There is also another type of Fritillaria called Zhebeimu, which is produced in Xiangshan, Zhejiang. Although it also has the function of transforming phlegm and relieving coughs, its main function is to clear heat and disperse nodules. It is commonly used in the clinic for treating scrofula, boils, abscesses, breast abscesses, and lung abscesses.
3. How to use Chuanbeimu
1. Cut the pear into slices. Grind the Chuanbeimu into powder and put it in water. Boil it together for 30-40 minutes. Drink the pear and soup together, preferably with some rock sugar or honey (because rock sugar has a cooling property and honey has a lung moistening effect).
2. Use a red pear, remove the top of the pear, and place the Chuanbeimu inside. Add 30 grams of white maogen and 15 grams of dried tangerine peel. Cook them together. When the pear is cooked, eat the pear and Chuanbeimu together and drink the medicinal juice.
3. Take Chuanbeimu powder directly with boiled water.
4. For chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, you can take Chuanbeimu, Gehu and Xiyangshen in capsule form before the onset of symptoms to prevent attacks. It has good results.
5. Use an apple, remove the top of the apple, scoop out the core, and then add Chuanbeimu and rock sugar. Boil it in water until cooked, then drink it together.
4. Precautions
Chuanbeimu has a cooling property. Taking it excessively can damage the spleen and stomach, causing discomfort in the epigastric region and reduced appetite. Therefore, it should be used with caution for those with spleen and stomach deficiency, and those with chronic diarrhea. Patients with bronchiectasis, lung abscess, pulmonary heart disease, pulmonary tuberculosis, and diabetes should take Chuanbeimu under the guidance of a physician and avoid spicy and greasy foods during the treatment period.
