Bai Bu (百部) — Stemona Root: TCM Uses, TB Cough & Parasite Treatment

At a Glance

Herb: Bai Bu
Chinese name: 百部 (Bǎi Bù)
Latin name: Stemona sessilifolia / japonica / tuberosa root
Nature: Slightly Warm
Taste: Sweet / Bitter
Meridian: Lung
Category: Herbs that Resolve Phlegm and Stop Coughing
Introduction: Bai Bu (百部), the dried root of Stemona sessilifolia (Miq.) Miq., Stemona japonica (Blume) Miq., or Stemona tuberosa Lour. (Stemonaceae), is a moistening lung herb with the distinctive additional action of killing external parasites — a combination found in very few other herbs. Recorded in the Ming Yi Bie Lu, it is the primary TCM herb for chronic, persistent cough from lung deficiency, and historically the main treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. Its alkaloids — stemonine, tuberostemonine, and sessilistemonamine — account for both its strong antitussive and antiparasitic activities, with confirmed efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, head lice, scabies mites, and pinworms.

Moistens the lung and stops cough — the primary action; especially for chronic, deficiency-type cough including tuberculosis
Kills parasites — effective against head lice, scabies mites, and pinworms
Broad-spectrum antitussive — suitable across acute and chronic, cold and hot cough patterns

Standard dose: 5–15 g internally; larger amounts for topical parasitic use
Honey-processed (蜜百部) for lung nourishing and chronic cough
Raw form for antiparasitic use — both internal and topical
Use with caution in spleen-stomach deficiency with loose stools — moist nature may worsen
Generally safe at therapeutic doses; alkaloids are toxic at high doses — do not exceed recommended dosage for extended periods

Zhi Sou San (止嗽散): Bai Bu, Zi Wan, Bai Qian, Jing Jie, Qian Hu, Jie Geng, Gan Cao — for versatile cough management
Yue Hua Wan (月华丸): Bai Bu, E Jiao, Sha Shen, Mai Dong, Chuan Bei Mu, Ju Hua — nourishes yin and stops cough; for pulmonary tuberculosis with blood-streaked sputum
Bai Bu Wan (百部丸): Bai Bu alone or combined with Bai Qian, Jie Geng — for whooping cough in children
Topical: Bai Bu 30 g decocted in water or vinegar as wash for lice and scabies

紫菀 (Zǐ Wǎn) + 款冬花 (Kuǎn Dōng Huā) — all types of cough; classic three-herb combination for chronic cough. 2. 白及 (Bái Jí) + 阿胶 (Ē Jiāo) — pulmonary tuberculosis with cough, hemoptysis (百部有抗结核作用). 3. 荆芥 (Jīng Jiè) + 桔梗 (Jié Gěng) — acute wind-cold cough (止嗽散). 4. 苦楝皮 (Kǔ Liàn Pí) — roundworm and pinworm infestation (外洗或内服). 5. 乙醇浸液 (alcohol tincture) — topical application for head lice and body lice. Source: 名医别录, 医学心悟 (止嗽散).

tuberostemonine
- Antitussive: inhibits ACh-induced bronchospasm
- Antitussive: acts centrally on the cough center
stemonine
- Anti-tuberculosis: inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in vitro
- Anti-tuberculosis: synergistic with isoniazid and rifampicin
Antiparasitic
- stemonine and tuberostemonine paralyze Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis
- effective topically against Pediculus humanus (lice)
Bronchodilatory
- inhibits histamine-induced bronchoconstriction
Antibacterial
- active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis
Antifungal
- inhibits Trichophyton and Candida species

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》): ‘Governs counterflow cough with upward qi, sudden wind stroke, and body heat with vexation and fullness.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Stemona Root moistens the Lung and stops cough; excels at treating Lung heat cough and lung atrophy; used externally kills lice and all wood-boring parasites.’
Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Sweet, bitter, and slightly warm; moistens the Lung and stops cough; treats Lung heat cough, bone-steaming taxation heat, and kills roundworms, pinworms, and lice.’