Lily, the bulb of a hundred scales united
Bai He reads “a hundred united”: the name describes the bulb, made of dozens of fleshy scales nested on a single base. It made its fortune outside the pharmacy: “a hundred years of harmony” is the wish offered to newlyweds, and for this reason the lily became a festive food, served at weddings and banquets. It is the bulb of a tall lily with white trumpet flowers, harvested from late summer to early autumn; its benchmark growing region is Anhui, around Xuancheng. A good bulb has thick, fleshy scales, yellowish white and fairly translucent against the light, with a slightly sweet taste and an underlying bitterness.
Nourishing the Yin, moistening the Lung
In traditional Chinese medicine, lily bulb is sweet, bitter and slightly cool. The sweet nourishes and moistens, the bitter descends and clears; its coolness is light enough not to chill the digestion, which makes it suitable for long use. According to tradition, the Lung needs to be kept moist: when its share of moisture runs out, Dryness sets in. Lily bulb restores this moisture without cooling, and so helps the Lung Qi to descend again: it does not force, it gives back what was missing. The honey-prepared form, made with a little honey, is stronger still.
Clearing the Heart, calming the mind
Lily bulb enters only two meridians, those of the upper body: the Lung, which it moistens, and the Heart, which houses the Shen. When a trace of Heat lingers in the Heart, the mind no longer settles; the coolness of lily bulb clears this faint Heat, and the mind settles again. This dual entry sets it apart from most herbs that nourish the Yin: ophiopogon also moistens the Lung and nourishes the Stomach, but lily bulb acts far more on the Heart and the mind. With raw rehmannia, it forms a classic pair that nourishes the Yin and calms the mind.
Key benefits
Moistened Lung & Nourished Yin
Sweet and only slightly cool, lily bulb nourishes the Lung Yin and gives it back the moisture it needs.
Dryness Soothed
According to Chinese tradition, it helps soothe Lung Dryness without chilling the digestion.
Tranquil Shen & Settled Mind
Through the Heart, it clears a faint Heat and calms the Shen, so the mind can rest.
