How does Chuan Bei Mu work to relieve cough?

Chuan Bei Mu contains steroidal alkaloids, including peiminine, peimine, and verticinone, which demonstrate antitussive (cough-suppressing) activity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it works by moistening the lungs and transforming phlegm-heat, making it particularly effective for dry, non-productive coughs with sticky, difficult-to-expectorate sputum. The alkaloids appear to act on the cough reflex center. Evidence level: C (preliminary clinical evidence and traditional use).

Does Chuan Bei Mu interact with any medications or herbs?

Chuan Bei Mu should not be combined with Aconite (Fu Zi) according to Traditional Chinese Medicine contraindications, as this pairing may cause adverse effects. Limited research exists on interactions with pharmaceutical medications. Due to its antitussive properties, concurrent use with prescription cough suppressants may have additive effects. Always consult a qualified practitioner before combining with other treatments. Evidence level: Traditional/Expert opinion.

What is the correct dosage of Chuan Bei Mu?

The standard adult dosage is 3-9 grams of dried bulb when prepared as a decoction, or 1-2 grams when taken as a powder. Chuan Bei Mu is typically cooked in water as part of a herbal formula rather than used alone. Due to its precious nature and potency, lower doses are often sufficient. Consult a qualified herbalist for personalized dosing. Evidence level: C/Traditional use.

Is Chuan Bei Mu safe to take during pregnancy?

Chuan Bei Mu is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The steroidal alkaloids present in the herb, including peimine and peiminine, may potentially affect fetal development. Traditional Chinese Medicine sources consistently contraindicate its use in pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use this herb without explicit guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Evidence level: Traditional/Expert consensus.

Who should not take Chuan Bei Mu?

Chuan Bei Mu is contraindicated for individuals with cold-phlegm cough, characterized by white, watery, easy-to-expectorate sputum and cold signs such as chills. It is specifically indicated for hot-phlegm or dry cough patterns. It should not be combined with Aconite-containing herbs. Those with gastrointestinal sensitivity may experience upset. Pregnant women should avoid it entirely. Evidence level: Traditional/Expert opinion.

Chuan Bei Mu Bulb (Fritillaria cirrhosa)

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria cirrhosa) is a high-value Himalayan medicinal herb primarily used for treating respiratory disorders [PMID: 29751123, 33370713].

Background

Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don is a critically endangered alpine medicinal plant native to the Himalayas and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau [PMID: 36924862, 41151625]. It is widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda [PMID: 36924862, 38927666].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used in Ayurveda for fever (jvara) and respiratory tract disease (kasa) [PMID: 36924862], and in TCM as an antitussive, expectorant, and for clearing heat, moisturizing the lungs, and resolving phlegm [PMID: 12624833, 38187805].

Active compounds

The bulbs contain isosteroidal alkaloids (ISA), including cevanine-type alkaloids such as cirrhosinones A-N and cirrhosinols A-B [PMID: 35176308, 38750709], as well as sipeimine, verticinone, verticine, imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside, delavine, and peimisine [PMID: 31760067, 33370713].

Mechanism of action

Isosteroidal alkaloids may protect against oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevating glutathione (GSH) levels, and promoting heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression via the induction of Nrf2 nuclear translocation [PMID: 31760067]. Total alkaloids may alleviate pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β and NF-κB signaling pathways [PMID: 38187805].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DPulmonary Fibrosis

Total alkaloids of F. cirrhosa alleviated bleomycin-induced inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis in rat models [PMID: 38187805]

Evidence DChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

F. cirrhosa alleviated inflammatory progression and suppressed M1 polarization of macrophages in a COPD-like mouse model [PMID: 39284286]

Evidence DOxidative Stress

Six isosteroidal alkaloids reduced ROS production and promoted Nrf2 expression in RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to cigarette smoke extract [PMID: 31760067]

Evidence DBreast Carcinoma

In silico assessment and network pharmacology suggest potential for suppressing breast carcinoma [PMID: 37948293]

Safety & adverse effects

A 90-day subchronic toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats indicated that ethanol extract of cultivated bulbs caused toxicity to the spleen and liver at medium (0.68 g/kg) and high (2.04 g/kg) doses, and nephrotoxicity at the highest dose; the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was 0.34 g/kg [PMID: 36731760].

Evidence summary

Current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (Level D), focusing on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. No human clinical trials were provided in the source abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 35176308 (2022) — Cirrhosinones A-H, 24-hydroxy cevanine-type alkaloids from Fritillariacirrhosa. · Phytochemistry
2.PMID: 36924862 (2023) — Antiplasmodial activity of the bulbs of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don (Syn: Fritillaria roylei Hook.): UPLC-IM-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based biochemometric approach for the identification of marker compounds. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 29751123 (2018) — High altitude species, high profits: Can the trade in wild harvested Fritillaria cirrhosa (Liliaceae) be sustained? · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 38927666 (2024) — Phylogeny, Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Fritillaria cirrhosa and Its Relatives Based on Chloroplast Genome Data. · Genes
5.PMID: 37107505

Chuan Bei Mu Bulb

Sources & Citations

Acacia nilotica

Bai He

Glaucium flavum

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Chuan Bei Mu Bulb

Sources & Citations

Related Herbs

Acacia nilotica

Bai He

Glaucium flavum

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources