About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
Bái Jí (Bletilla tuber) is a well-known wound-healing and blood-stopping herb from the orchid family. It is commonly used for bleeding from the lungs or stomach, digestive ulcers, and externally for cuts, burns, cracked skin, and sores that are slow to heal. Its sticky, mucilage-rich texture gives it a unique ability to physically seal wounds and promote tissue repair.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Astringes and Stops Bleeding
- Reduces Swelling and Promotes Tissue Regeneration
- Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores
How These Actions Work*
'Astringes and stops bleeding' means Bái Jí has a strongly binding, sticky quality that physically seals damaged blood vessels and tissues, helping to halt bleeding. Its astringent taste and slightly cool nature make it particularly effective for bleeding from the Lungs (coughing up blood) and Stomach (vomiting blood), where Heat may be damaging the blood vessels. It can be taken internally as a powder for these conditions or applied directly to external wounds to stop bleeding on contact.
'Reduces swelling and promotes tissue regeneration' refers to Bái Jí's ability to help swollen, inflamed tissue resolve and new healthy tissue grow in its place. This is why it is widely used for skin sores, abscesses, burns, and cracked skin on the hands and feet. The herb's mucilage-rich, sticky texture forms a protective layer over damaged tissue, creating an environment that supports healing. It is applied externally as a fine powder, often mixed with sesame oil, for wounds that are slow to heal.
'Heals wounds and closes sores' extends the tissue-regenerating action specifically to chronic, non-healing ulcers and surgical wounds. Bái Jí is considered one of the most important herbs in the Chinese tradition for promoting wound closure, whether used internally for ulcers in the digestive tract or externally for skin damage.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Bai Ji is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Bai Ji addresses this pattern
When Heat accumulates in the Lungs, it can scorch the delicate lung blood vessels, causing them to leak blood. This leads to coughing up blood (hemoptysis), sometimes with thick yellow sputum. Bái Jí enters the Lung channel and, with its slightly cool nature, helps counteract the Heat while its astringent, binding quality seals the damaged lung vessels and stops the bleeding. The herb's sticky mucilage also provides a protective coating over injured lung tissue, supporting recovery. Classical texts describe it as a key herb for 'supplementing the Lung' after damage from bleeding.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Blood in sputum, often bright red
Lingering cough with blood-streaked phlegm
Dry, hacking cough with damaged lung tissue
Why Bai Ji addresses this pattern
When Heat blazes in the Stomach, it can erode the stomach lining and damage blood vessels, causing vomiting of blood (hematemesis) or blood in the stool. Bái Jí enters the Stomach channel and its slightly cool, bitter nature helps clear Stomach Heat, while its powerful astringent and mucilaginous properties physically coat and protect the damaged stomach lining. This dual action of stopping bleeding and promoting mucosal healing makes Bái Jí especially well-suited for bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcers.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Hematemesis from gastric bleeding
Dark or tarry stools indicating upper GI bleeding
Burning stomach pain with acid reflux
Why Bai Ji addresses this pattern
Toxic Heat can manifest as painful, swollen, red abscesses and sores on the skin. Bái Jí's slightly cool and bitter properties help clear Heat and resolve toxicity, while its astringent, tissue-regenerating action draws out pus, reduces swelling, and promotes the growth of new flesh. It is most often applied externally as a powder for carbuncles, boils, burns, and chronic sores that refuse to heal. Classical sources note its ability to 'resolve and dissipate carbuncle and swelling' while simultaneously promoting wound closure.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Swollen, painful sores or boils
Scalds and thermal burns
Chronic, non-healing skin ulcers
TCM Properties*
Slightly Cool
Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)
Tuber (块茎 kuài jīng / 块根 kuài gēn)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.