Xie Bai (薅白) is the bulb of the long-stamen onion, recorded as Bulbus Allii Macrostemi. It is acrid and bitter in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that regulate Qi.

Pinyin

xie bai

Chinese

薤白

Latin Name

Bulbus Allii Macrostemi

English Name

Chinese Garlic·long stamen onion bulb

Japanese

gaihaku

Korean

haebaek

Actions and indications

Unblocks Yang Qi, disperses turbid and Cold Phlegm, relieves pain and disperses hardenings

Chest Bi from Damp-Cold, where Cold, turbid Phlegm blocks the flow of Yang Qi, with chest pain spreading to the flank or upper back, a tight, stifling chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing
Angina-type chest pain

Descends Qi, relieves stagnation and stops diarrhea

Dysentery and tenesmus from Damp stagnation in the Large Intestine
Diarrhea with straining and a sense of incomplete emptying, from Qi stuck in the Intestines

Combinations

gua lou + zhi ban xia

Chest painful obstruction from Damp-Cold

gua lou + zhi ban xia + dan shen + hong hua

Chest painful obstruction from Damp-Cold, with Blood Stasis

tan xiang

Chest Bi, treated by warming Yang, dispersing clumps and freeing painful obstruction

wu ling zhi

Chest painful obstruction

chai hu + bai shao + zhi shi

Qi Stagnation with dysenteric diarrhea

huang bai + qin pi

Dysenteric diarrhea, red and white

gua lou

Chest Bi with copious Phlegm

dan shen + hong hua + chuan xiong + chi shao

Blood Stagnation in Chest Bi, with stabbing pain

mu li

Edema.

qian dan

Dysentery. Enteritis.

ru xiang

Abdominal pain.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 4-10g; Fresh: 30-60g; Tincture: 1-4ml

4-10 g

—

1-4 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Qi deficiency without stagnation, as a dispersing herb scatters weak Qi further

contraindication A weak Stomach

contraindication Intolerance of or sensitivity to garlic or onions

caution Use sparingly in fever or Yin deficiency, since a warm, drying herb can make Heat worse and use up Fluids

caution Peptic ulcers: avoid long-term use

caution May cause reflux, belching or stomach irritation, especially on an empty stomach

caution Chest pain that is new, severe or brought on by exertion calls for urgent medical assessment, and herbs must never delay it

Interactions

Drug interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicines (heparin, warfarin, enoxaparin, direct oral anticoagulants, aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel): use together with care, as their effects may be added to or strengthened
Nitrates, beta blockers and other heart medicines: the herb must not replace them or prompt self-adjustment; use only under joint medical and herbal supervision

xie bai

About xie bai

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Unblocks Yang Qi, disperses turbid and Cold Phlegm, relieves pain and disperses hardenings

Descends Qi, relieves stagnation and stops diarrhea

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

About xie bai

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Unblocks Yang Qi, disperses turbid and Cold Phlegm, relieves pain and disperses hardenings

Descends Qi, relieves stagnation and stops diarrhea

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 1 formula