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「Dr. Da Zhen Talks About Traditional Chinese Medicine:
https://youtu.be/eepYG-9V1Z8
「The bellflower’s roots spread far and wide, Twin paulownia trees entwine, with leaves dense and plentiful. Strong and steadfast, you guard me through life’s trials,Yet, I wish to soften my heart, startled by fleeting moments.」
“Baimu” (Fritillaria) from the Song Dynasty by Zhang Zai
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In the Taiwan Pharmacopoeia, “Bei Mu” (Fritillaria) is categorized into two types based on its origin: “Chuan Bei Mu” and “Zhe Bei Mu”. This article will first discuss “Chuan Bei Mu”. According to the fourth edition of the Taiwan Pharmacopoeia (https://reurl.cc/bErz9r), Chuan Bei Mu refers to the dried bulbs of various species of the Liliaceae family, including Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don, Fritillaria unibracteata P.K.Hsiao & K.C.Hsia, Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim. ex Batalin, Fritillaria delavayi Franch., Fritillaria taipaiensis P.YLi, or Fritillaria unibracteata P.K.Hsiao & K.C.Hsia var. wabuensis (S.Y.Tang & S.C.Yueh) Z.D.Liu, Shu Wang & S.C.Chen.
Based on appearance, Chuan Bei Mu is commonly known as “Song Bei”, “Qing Bei”, or “Lu Bei”. It is usually harvested in summer and autumn or after snowmelt, then cleaned of roots, coarse skin, and sand, and dried or dried at low temperatures for use. Chuan Bei Mu is mainly produced in Yunnan and Sichuan.
Among these, “Song Bei” is smaller in size, with a diameter of about 0.5 to 1 cm. The smaller ones, mainly produced in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, are specifically called “Pearl Bei Mu” and are known for their superior efficacy. “Qing Bei” is slightly larger, with a diameter of about 1 to 1.5 cm, and is mainly produced in the Sichuan-Yunnan border area, also of good quality. “Lu Bei” is primarily produced in Changdu, Deqin, and Dali in Sichuan, and is similar in size to Qing Bei Mu.
The Songpan region in Sichuan, with its snowy mountain grasslands, produces “Zheng Song Bei”, and is known as the “Homeland of Bei Mu”. Due to the varied terrain and climate in Sichuan, the quality of Chuan Bei Mu can vary depending on its growing conditions.
Historically, Bei Mu was first mentioned in the Spring and Autumn period in the book “Wan Wu” as being “cold and hot.” In the Han Dynasty, “Ming Yi Bie Lu” recorded that Bei Mu “is bitter, slightly cold, and non-toxic. It treats abdominal masses, fullness below the heart, dispels cold, dizziness, and stiff neck, cough, and breathlessness, alleviates heat and thirst, induces sweating, benefits the five organs, and strengthens bones and muscles.” This demonstrates its effectiveness for coughs.
In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen’s “Ben Cao Gang Mu” suggested using Bei Mu in powdered form. Modern chemical analysis shows that Chuan Bei Mu primarily contains various alkaloids, which are poorly soluble in water, making it difficult to extract all effective components through boiling. This aligns with ancient practices of using Bei Mu in pill or powder form.
Chuan Bei Mu, due to its multiple sources, can often be confused in the market. Therefore, special attention should be paid when purchasing. There are several identification terms and methods you can use to select the right medicinal materials.：
「Song Bei: “Huai Zhong Bao Yue” refers to the outer scales of Song Bei, where the large scale tightly embraces the small scale, and the non-embracing part forms a crescent shape. “He Ge Zui” describes the smaller, lanceolate scales of Song Bei that resemble a crescent moon in the exposed part. “Guanyin Zuo Lian” refers to Song Bei with a flat and slightly concave bottom that can sit evenly and steadily, resembling the posture of Guanyin Bodhisattva in meditation. “Suan Ni Di” describes a gray-brown or black bulb disk at the center of the Song Bei’s bottom, sometimes with residual root hairs. These characteristics help identify it as “Song Bei” among Chuan Bei Mu.
Qing Bei: “Guanyin He Zhang” refers to the outer two scales of Qing Bei, which are similar in shape and size, embracing each other like Guanyin’s palms in prayer. “Kai Kou Xiao” refers to Qing Bei having an open top, giving it this name. These characteristics help identify it as “Qing Bei” among Chuan Bei Mu.
Lu Bei: Lu Bei can be categorized into two types based on color: white and yellow. White Lu Bei, also known as Ma Ya Bei, has a “Ma Ya Zui” which is conical or long oval in shape, resembling a horse’s tooth, and its top has an opening. Yellow Lu Bei, also called Hu Pi Bei, features yellowish-white or brown spots on the surface of its scales, known as “Hu Pi Ban” or “tiger skin spots.” Additionally, “Hua Ping Jiao” refers to the uneven or slightly pointed and convex bottom of Lu Bei. These characteristics help identify it as “Lu Bei” among Chuan Bei Mu.
In summary, because Chuan Bei Mu is relatively expensive, it is often subject to substitution with other materials in the market. There are numerous sources of these substitutions, which we will not enumerate here. The genuine Chuan Bei Mu shares common characteristics, such as a smooth surface and a color resembling white walls. In addition, yellow Lu Bei features “tiger skin spots” (Hu Pi Ban). When tasted, the authentic Chuan Bei Mu initially has a slightly sweet flavor, followed by bitterness after a short while. In contrast, other types of Bei Mu are immediately bitter upon tasting, which can be used to differentiate them from Chuan Bei Mu. Furthermore, the Taiwanese regulatory authorities have established detailed standards for the permissible limits of sulfur dioxide, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in Chuan Bei Mu, ensuring that the public can use it safely.
【Image provided by: Professor Zhang Xianzhe, Authentic Medicinal Materials Illustrated Guide