- Research shows that Baiji (Common Bletilla Tuber) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help stop bleeding, treat ulcers, and promote wound healing.
- There’s good evidence suggesting it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, but more research is needed to fully understand its long-term safety.
- In the Western world, it’s mostly used as an ornamental plant, and occasionally taken as a dietary supplement, though this is less common.
If you’ve ever wondered how ancient remedies still find a place in modern health practices, Common Bletilla Tuber—known as Baiji (白及) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—is a perfect example. This humble tuber, derived from the Bletilla striata orchid, has been used for centuries to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and soothe skin woes. But there’s more to Baiji than old herbal tales; modern science is starting to uncover why this plant has stood the test of time.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Common Bletilla Tuber special, explore its traditional uses in TCM, peek at what research says about its benefits, and cover how to use it safely. Whether you’re a TCM enthusiast or just curious about natural remedies, let’s unpack the story of Baiji together.
What is Common Bletilla Tuber (Baiji)?
Common Bletilla Tuber, or Baiji, comes from the dried tuber of Bletilla striata, a delicate orchid native to East Asia. You’ll find it growing wild across regions like East China, Central-South China, Southwest China, and parts of Gansu and Shaanxi, with Guizhou province being the superstar for both quality and quantity1.
- What It Looks Like: Picture a small, irregularly flattened tuber, often with 2-3 claw-like branches (sometimes up to 5). It’s about 1.5-6 cm long and 0.5-3 cm thick, with a grayish-white to yellowish surface marked by concentric rings and tiny root scars2.
- Texture and Taste: Baiji is tough to snap, with a slightly bitter taste and a sticky feel when chewed—almost like nature’s glue3!
Harvested in summer or autumn, the tubers are cleaned, boiled or steamed until the core turns translucent, then dried after peeling off the outer skin. This process preps Baiji for its starring role in TCM.
Baiji in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Time-Tested Healer
Baiji has been a go-to herb in TCM for centuries, earning mentions in classics like the Shennong Bencao Jing—a foundational herbal text from over 2,000 years ago. Its flavor profile is a mix of bitter, sweet, and astringent, with a slightly cooling nature, and it targets the Lung, Stomach, and Liver meridians4.
Why TCM Loves Baiji
Baiji shines in two big ways:
- Stopping Bleeding: It’s a natural clotting agent for everything from coughing up blood to external cuts5.
- Healing Tissues: It reduces swelling and helps skin and tissues regenerate, making it a favorite for sores and burns6.
Common Uses
Here’s how TCM practitioners put Baiji to work7:
- Bleeding Issues:
- Coughing Blood (咯血): Used alone or with herbs like processed He Shou Wu.
- Vomiting Blood (吐血): Paired with donkey-hide gelatin (E Jiao).
- Cuts and Wounds: Applied as a powder or mixed with herbs like San Qi (notoginseng).
- Skin Problems:
- Sores and Ulcers: Combined with honeysuckle or frankincense for fresh sores, or yellow lotus and 貝母 (Bei Mu) for stubborn ones.
- Chapped Skin or Burns: Mixed with sesame oil and dabbed on.
A Glimpse at History
Old texts rave about Baiji’s versatility8:
- The Shennong Bencao Jing calls it a fix for ulcers and “dead flesh.”
- The Rihuazi Bencao praises it for easing fright, dysentery, and even eye issues.
- Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica (1578) sums it up: “Baiji’s astringent nature stops bleeding and heals sores by channeling the energy of autumn.”
Think of Baiji as TCM’s version of a Swiss Army knife—compact, practical, and ready for action.
Summary: Baiji has been used in TCM for centuries. It has a bitter, sweet, astringent flavor and a cooling nature. It stops bleeding, heals tissues. Practitioners use it for bleeding and skin problems. Old texts praise its versatility.
What Science Says: Benefits of Baiji
While Baiji’s roots are in tradition, modern labs are digging into what makes it tick. Research highlights a slew of bioactive compounds—like polysaccharides, bibenzyls, and phenanthrenes—that give Baiji its healing powers.
Proven Perks
- Wound Healing: Studies, like one in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (source), show Baiji polysaccharides speed up tissue repair—think of it as a natural bandage.
- Bleeding Control: It promotes clotting, backing up its TCM use for hemorrhages9.
- Stomach Support: Research points to anti-ulcer effects, protecting the stomach lining10.
- Fighting Inflammation: Baiji tamps down swelling and fights off bacteria, making it handy for infections or sores11.
- Antioxidant Boost: It zaps free radicals, potentially slowing aging or cell damage12.
Table: Baiji’s Science-Backed Benefits
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Wound Healing | Speeds up skin repair and regeneration. |
| Hemostatic | Stops bleeding by aiding clot formation. |
| Anti-Ulcer | Shields and heals the stomach lining. |
| Anti-Inflammatory | Reduces swelling and redness. |
| Antimicrobial | Fights off bacteria and fungi. |
That said, most studies are still in early stages—test tubes and animal models, not humans. So while the outlook is bright, don’t toss your first-aid kit just yet!
How to Use Baiji Safely
Ready to try Baiji? It’s flexible—taken internally or slathered on externally—but precision matters. Here’s the scoop13 14:
Internal Use
- Decoction: Simmer 6-15 grams of Baiji slices in water, then sip the brew.
- Powder: Swallow 3-6 grams with water or rice soup.
External Use
- Wound Powder: Sprinkle Baiji powder on cuts or mix with sesame oil for burns.
- Sore Salve: Blend with other herbs (like myrrh) for stubborn ulcers.
Prep Tips
- Raw Baiji: Washed, sliced, and dried.
- Powdered Baiji: Ground fine for easy use.
Pro Tip: TCM isn’t a DIY free-for-all. A practitioner can tailor the dose to your needs, so don’t wing it solo.
Summary: Baiji is flexible in use, either internal or external. For internal use, it can be decocted (6 – 15g) or taken as powder (3 – 6g). Externally, it’s used for wounds or sores. Also, there are prep tips. Remember, consult a TCM practitioner, don’t self – medicate.
Watch Out: Precautions and Risks
Baiji’s generally gentle, but it’s not foolproof. Here’s what to keep in mind15:
- No-Go with Aconite: Avoid mixing with aconite herbs (like Chuan Wu or Fu Zi)—they don’t play nice together.
- Diet Tweaks: Skip cold, spicy, or greasy foods, plus alcohol and smokes, while using it.
- Special Cases: Pregnant? Nursing? Kiddo in tow? Check with a doc first.
- Unknowns: Long-term safety data is thin, so don’t overdo it.
Think of Baiji like a strong cup of tea—great in moderation, but too much might stir up trouble.
Beyond TCM: The Western Take
In the West, Bletilla striata is more likely to pop up in a garden than a medicine cabinet. Known as the “Chinese Ground Orchid,” it’s prized for its pretty purple blooms and tough-as-nails vibe (hello, USDA zones 5-9!).
- Garden Star: It’s a low-maintenance beauty for flower beds or pots16.
- Supplement Scene: You might spot Baiji extract in niche herbal tinctures.
The West hasn’t fully embraced Baiji’s medicinal side yet, but its ornamental charm is a solid start.
Quick Q&A
Got questions? We’ve got answers:
Q: What can Baiji treat?
A: It’s a champ at stopping bleeding (think cuts or coughing blood) and healing skin issues like sores, burns, or cracked hands17.
Q: How do I use Baiji at home?
A: For wounds, dab on the powder or mix with oil. For internal use, try a decoction—but talk to a pro first18.
Q: Is Baiji safe for everyone?
A: Mostly, yes, but skip it if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on aconite meds unless a doctor green-lights it.
Q: Can I cook with Baiji?
A: Yup! In China, it’s a “food-medicine” herb. Try Baiji porridge with sticky rice and honey for a tasty health boost.
The Bottom Line
Common Bletilla Tuber, or Baiji, is a bridge between ancient healing and modern curiosity. From clotting blood to soothing skin, its benefits—rooted in TCM and peeked at by science—make it a standout herb. Whether you’re drawn to its history or its potential, Baiji’s a reminder of nature’s knack for fixing us up.
But here’s the catch: it’s not a magic bullet. Use it wisely, ideally with a TCM expert’s guidance, and respect its limits. With the right approach, Baiji can be a small but mighty addition to your wellness toolkit.
Trusted Source
- https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/cmed/mmid/detail.php?pid=B00028&page=1&sort=name_cht&lang=eng ↩︎
- https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%99%BD%E5%8F%8A/831067 ↩︎
- https://www.zysj.com.cn/zhongyaocai/baiji/index.html ↩︎
- https://yibian.hopto.org/db/?yno=28 ↩︎
- 王巍,程明和,高静,et al.白及止血海绵止血作用的实验研究[J].药学实践杂志, 2016, 34(1):5.DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1006-0111.2016.01.009. ↩︎
- 俞林花,史海霞,聂绪强,等.芦荟和白及创面愈合的药理作用比较[J].时珍国医国药, 2010, 21(6):3.DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1008-0805.2010.06.074. ↩︎
- https://www.baidu.com/bh/dict/ydyp_15724038625996008829?contentid=ydyp_15724038625996008829&query=%E7%99%BD%E5%8F%8A&sf_ch=ch_search_5713&sf_ref=search&subTab=%E7%94%A8%E8%8D%AF%E8%AF%B4%E6%98%8E&from=dicta&isPageHome=1 ↩︎
- http://www.a-hospital.com/w/%E7%99%BD%E5%8F%8A ↩︎
- 徐冬英,潘会君,陈卫卫,等.三七配伍黄芪与三七配伍白及对脾虚胃出血小鼠模型的补血止血作用研究[J].时珍国医国药, 2008, 19(11):2.DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1008-0805.2008.11.081. ↩︎
- 花梦,董文秀,孙丽,等.清热解毒消痈生肌方药抗胃溃疡机制研究进展[J].中国实验方剂学杂志, 2015, 21(8):210-214.DOI:10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.2015080210. ↩︎
- 吴园园,徐红仙,黎晓梅,等.白及抗炎药效部位在骨关节炎治疗中的作用及机制研究[J].浙江临床医学, 2023, 25(8):1144-1146. ↩︎
- 翁夏蒙,鲁光耀,王鸯妮,等.白及愈伤组织总酚含量测定及抗氧化作用研究[J].中药材, 2013(1):4.DOI:CNKI:SUN:ZYCA.0.2013-01-009. ↩︎
- https://www.tengchong.gov.cn/info/12691/5179423.htm ↩︎
- https://kmweb.moa.gov.tw/subject/subject.php?id=37250 ↩︎
- https://m.baidu.com/bh/m/detail/ar_17149398830167581295(Yang Ruiping, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital) ↩︎
- https://www.gardenia.net/plant/bletilla-striata-hardy-orchid ↩︎
- 林福林,杨昌云,杨薇薇,等.中药白及的现代研究概况[C]//2013年”全国医院药学(药学服务与实践)学术会议”.0[2025-03-15]. ↩︎
- https://m.baidu.com/bh/m/detail/ar_1958238274038401626(Tang Xianfa, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University) ↩︎
