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Lily Bulb

백합 (百合) · Lilium brownii var. viridulum Baker
Yin-nourishing, spirit-calming herb Neutral Sweet (some sources note a mildly toxic variant) Lung, Heart
NatureNeutral
TasteSweet (some sources note a mildly toxic variant)
MeridiansLung, Heart
Part usedBulb
FamilyLiliaceae
CategoryYin-nourishing, spirit-calming herb
Find by concern: RestlessnessBoils

Overview

Lily bulb is still eaten in Korea as a mild, starchy porridge ingredient (baekhap-juk), and the Donguibogam already distinguishes edible from inedible varieties with care: the white-flowered lily with a coarse root is fit for medicine, while a yellow-flowered, black-spotted relative is explicitly marked unfit for use.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性平, 味甘, 無毒一云小毒. 療傷寒百合病, 利大小便. 治百邪鬼魅, 啼泣狂叫. 殺蠱毒, 治乳癰發背及瘡腫.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is neutral, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic (some say mildly toxic). It heals "lily disease" following cold-damage illness, and benefits urination and bowel movement. It treats the hundred evils and malign visitations, crying spells and erratic shouting. It counters gu-toxin, and treats breast abscess, back carbuncles, and sores.

Traditional functions

  • Nourishes lung yin
  • Calms the spirit
  • Clears lingering post-illness heat
  • Promotes urination

Traditional applications

  • Restlessness and unsettled mood following illness
  • Lingering low-grade discomfort after a fever
  • Breast abscess and sores
  • Difficulty urinating

Traditional preparation

Decoction 8–20g; also cooked as a mild porridge (baekhap-juk).

Cautions

Caution: The Donguibogam explicitly warns that only the white-flowered, coarse-rooted variety is fit for medicine — a yellow-flowered, black-spotted relative is marked unfit for use. Consult a professional before use.

Frequently asked questions

Are all lily bulbs safe to eat or use medicinally?

No — the Donguibogam is explicit that only the white-flowered, coarse-rooted lily is fit for medicine, while a yellow-flowered variety with black-spotted leaves is specifically marked as unfit for use.

What is "lily disease" (baekhap-byeong)?

A classical syndrome of lingering restlessness and unsettled mood following a feverish illness, named because lily bulb was the signature remedy for it — a use the Donguibogam records directly.

Sources

  • 동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
  • 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)
DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.