Bai Ji Li 白蒺藜 — Chinese Herbal Medicine

Bai Ji Li (白蒺藜) At a Glance

• Herb: Bai Ji Li
• Chinese name: 白蒺藜 (Bai Ji Li)
• Latin name: Fructus Tribuli Terrestris
• Nature: Neutral
• Taste: Acrid, Bitter
• Meridian: Liver
• Category: Calm the liver and subdue yang.

Bai Ji Li, the mature fruit of Tribulus terrestris, is a neutral herb with acrid and bitter flavors that enters the Liver channel. It is valued for its dual capacity to subdue ascending Liver yang while simultaneously dispersing constrained Liver qi, making it applicable to both excess and stagnant Liver presentations. Classically prized for brightening the eyes and expelling wind to stop itching, it appears in formulas addressing headache, dizziness, eye disorders, and chronic skin conditions.

Actions & Therapeutic Effects

• Calm the Liver and subdue ascending yang
• Soothe the Liver and disperse qi stagnation
• Brighten the eyes and remove superficial visual obstruction
• Expel wind and relieve itching
• Break up stagnation and dissipate nodules

Clinical Applications in TCM

• Liver yang rising with headache, dizziness, and vertex pain: combine with Gou Teng (钩藤), Ju Hua (菊花), and Shi Jue Ming (石决明)
• Eye redness, excessive tearing, or visual dimness due to Liver heat or wind: combine with Ju Hua (菊花), Man Jing Zi (蔓荆子), and Qing Xiang Zi (青葙子)
• Skin itching, urticaria, and wind rash from blood deficiency with external wind: combine with Fang Feng (防风), Jing Jie (荆芥), and He Shou Wu (何首乌)
• Chest and hypochondriac distension and pain from Liver qi stagnation: combine with Chai Hu (柴胡), Xiang Fu (香附), and Chuan Lian Zi (川楝子)
• Scrofula and subcutaneous nodules from phlegm-qi stagnation: combine with Xia Ku Cao (夏枯草) and Mu Li (牡蛎)
• Insufficient lactation from Liver qi constraint: combine with Wang Bu Liu Xing (王不留行) and Tong Cao (通草)

Precautions & Safety

• Standard dosage: 6–15 g decocted; 1.5–3 g as powder
• Contraindicated during pregnancy due to its dispersing and moving nature
• Use with caution in blood deficiency without wind; the acrid dispersing quality can further consume blood
• Avoid in Liver yin deficiency presentations without appropriate nourishing herbs to balance

Classical TCM Formulas

• Bai Ji Li San (白蒺藜散): Bai Ji Li, Ju Hua, Man Jing Zi, Jue Ming Zi, Gan Cao — for Liver Yang headache and blurred vision. Source: Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang.
• Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (天麻钩藤饮): Tian Ma, Gou Teng, Shi Jue Ming, Zhi Zi, Huang Qin, Yi Mu Cao, Chuan Niu Xi, Du Zhong, Sang Ji Sheng, Ye Jiao Teng, Fu Shen — hypertension with Liver Yang. Bai Ji Li is often added.
• Zhi Yang Tang (止痒汤): Bai Ji Li + Jing Jie + Fang Feng + Chan Tui — for Wind-pattern urticaria.

Herb Combinations

• Bai Ji Li (白蒺藜) + Ju Hua (菊花) + Gou Qi Zi (枸杞子): calms Liver Yang and brightens the eyes for headache, red eyes, and blurred vision from Liver Yang rising.
• Bai Ji Li (白蒺藜) + Tian Ma (天麻) + Gou Teng (钩藤): extinguishes Liver Wind and anchors Yang for hypertension with dizziness and headache.
• Bai Ji Li (白蒺藜) + Chai Hu (柴胡) + Bai Shao (白芍): soothes Liver Qi and calms Yang for emotional irritability with headache.
• Bai Ji Li (白蒺藜) + Fang Feng (防风) + Jing Jie (荆芥): dispels Wind and stops itching for urticaria and pruritus.

Pharmacology & Research

Saponins (protodioscin): stimulates luteinizing hormone release and androgen precursor production; studied for reproductive and libido support.
Flavonoids: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; supports reduction of oxidative stress in hepatic and vascular tissue.
Alkaloids: mild sedative and antihypertensive effects observed in preclinical models; consistent with Liver yang subduing action.
Sterols: mild coronary vasodilation and reduced platelet aggregation in animal studies.
Diuretic compounds: modest increase in urine output, consistent with classical use in urinary obstruction and difficulty.

Classical Descriptions

• Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (神农本草经, Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica, c. 1st–2nd century CE): “主恶血，破瘾瘕积聚，喉痹，乳难。久服长肌肉，明目，轻身。” — “Governs malign blood, breaks up concretions and accumulations, throat impediment, and difficult lactation. Prolonged use builds muscle, brightens the eyes, and lightens the body.”