Witnessed by: TCM
Bai lian (Ampelopsis japonica), of the Vitaceae family. Climbing vine with palmately divided leaves, tendrils and a swollen pale tuberous root; native range: thickets and hill slopes across China, Korea and Japan. Globally recognized as bai lian (白蘞) in Chinese, and Japanese ampelopsis in English. The part used is root tuber. Pale starchy root, bitter and acrid, slightly sweet.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BAI LIAN
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- bai lian
- Scientific name
- Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino
- Family
- Vitaceae
Form
- Part used
- root tuber
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat and resolves toxicity, reduces swelling and generates flesh, and disperses clumping
Cautions
- Contraindications
- used with caution in cold, deficient sores without heat toxin; classically incompatible with aconite (wu tou)
- Toxicity
- none of note in customary use
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