IngredientsPlants of the genus Lilium are perennial herbs in the Liliaceae family. Worldwide, approximately 80 species of Lilium are distributed in northern temperate zones. The genus Lilium (family Liliaceae) is native to China and is mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere such as Eastern Asia, Europe, and North America, with about 109 species in total and 55 species in China.
For medicinal and dietary supplement purposes, a specific subset of species is officially recognized. According to the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the crude drug "Bulbus Lilii" is exclusively sourced from Lilium spp. taxonomically anchored in the kingdom Plantae, phylum Streptophyta, class Equisetopsida, subclass Magnoliidae, order Liliales, and family Liliaceae. The monograph unequivocally recognizes three botanical origins: (i) Lilium lancifolium Thunb., synonym Lilium tigrinum; (ii) Lilium brownii F. E. Brown var. viridulum Baker, and (iii) Lilium pumilum DC., synonym Lilium pumilum Redouté and Lilium tenuifolium.
In the traditional practice of TCM, Bai He was derived from the Hong Kong (or Brown's) lily — Lilium brownii, a species native to parts of China, Hong Kong, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Although it is still used medicinally, more commonly the tiger lily (L. lancifolium) is now cultivated in most parts of China as the herb of commerce. A third species, L. pumilum (coral lily), is native to Siberia and the North of China and is also considered a standard medicinal species.
A distinct medicinal species of Western tradition is Lilium candidum (the Madonna or white lily). Known as Madonna, meadow, or white lily, it is a bulbous plant from the Liliaceae family, originating in the Middle East, and has been abundantly used in folk medicine since ancient times to relieve a variety of ailments, including age-related diseases, burns, ulcers, and coughs.
The bulb of Lilium brownii F.E.Br. ex Miellez, as a medicinal lily called "Bai-he" (百合), was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (神农本草经) of the Donghan Dynasty (25–220 AD) in China. The common drug name in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia is Bulbus Lilii. In English it is widely called lily bulb; in TCM practice, the Mandarin name Bai He is standard.
Lily bulbs are sweet and often consumed as food in the summer — they can be eaten fresh, cooked into porridge or congee, cooked in sugar water, or ground into flour for other cooking purposes. For medicinal purposes, lily bulbs are harvested in the fall and can be used fresh (as a topical or in the form of food) or dried so that they can be decocted with other herbs in formula.
Traditionally, bulbs are gathered in the autumn, then cleaned, washed in boiled water or steamed, then lightly baked, fried with honey, or dried in the sun. Most lily bulbs are white or slightly yellow in appearance, and have a slight or no odor.
Lilium spp. are consumed in various culinary and processed forms, including steamed bulbs, flour, wine, and functional beverages. Modern commercial forms include dried whole or sliced bulb scales, powdered extracts in capsules or tablets, granule preparations, decoctions, and topical preparations (ointments, creams, and poultices). Some stores also sell powdered lily flowers, which can be used externally to treat cuts and bruises.
Lily Bulbus was originally recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, and was listed as a medium-grade Chinese medicine. It has the effects of nourishing yin, moistening the lung, clearing the heart, and calming the nerves.
In China, Lilium spp. has been in use since the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD), which documented the bulb of L. brownii viridulum as capable of "alleviating abdominal pain, promoting bowel movement, nourishing viscera, and clearing the heart to calm the mind."
In China, Lilium in traditional practice has long been used to treat coughs resulting from Yin deficiency, emptysis, weakness, palpitations, insomnia, dreaminess, and mental trances.
In TCM theory, the bulb carries specific organoleptic and energetic properties. In this system of medicine, lily bulbs are called "bai he" and are said to have sweet and slightly cold properties, and are associated with the meridians of the heart and lungs. According to TCM theory, medicinal lily has the effects of moistening the lung, dispelling fire and calming the mind. It is also used for lasting cough, hemoptysis, anxiety, insomnia and dreaminess (People's Republic of China Pharmacopoeia, 2015).
A classical TCM diagnostic entity known as "Lily Disease" (Bai He Bing) describes a condition closely resembling depressive disorder. From the TCM perspective, depressive symptoms are similar to the symptoms of emotional disease such as "insomnia," "amnesia," "epilepsy," and "lily disease." In particular, the symptoms of "lily disease" are almost similar to the clinical symptoms of depressive patients.
Key classical formulas containing lily bulb include Bai He Gu Jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction to Preserve the Metal), used for lung Yin deficiency with cough, and Baihe Zhimu (lily bulb combined with Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome) for mood and emotional disorders. The combination of the two drugs provided the greatest modulation of symptoms such as depressed mood, insomnia, sleep disturbance, irritability and disordered eating behavior. These symptoms are closely related to the clinical features of patients with depression.
Clinically in contemporary TCM practice, it is often used to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism; schizophrenia, insomnia, depression, and anxiety; and stubborn itchy skin in the elderly and herpes zoster.
The Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is one of the oldest cultivated ornamental plants and one of the most culturally significant species in the entire genus. Native to the eastern Mediterranean, it has been grown for more than four thousand years, appearing in Classical Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Near Eastern traditions.
Archaeological evidence suggests it was grown by the Minoans, Mycenaeans, and later by ancient Greek and Roman gardeners. Classical writers such as Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder described the plant's medicinal virtues, praising its use in poultices for burns, ulcers, tumors, and skin irritations. Its bulbs were infused in wine, oil, or vinegar to create remedies for infections and inflammations, making the lily not merely a sacred symbol but a part of everyday healing practices. These ancient medical traditions persisted through the Middle Ages, when monastic infirmaries cultivated L. candidum for salves, unguents, and ointments.
In Europe, the petals and bulbs of Lilium candidum were used as pectoral poultices, wound-healing remedies and treatments for mastitis and shingles; the bulbs of L. martagon were used to treat liver disease.
Ethnopharmacological research in Italy documented the application of lily petals and a decoction of bulbs soaked in milk as pectoral poultices, application of petals soaked in spirit as a wound-healing remedy, and the use of oil prepared from flowers as a treatment for mastitis. Research in Lucca province in Italy demonstrated the use of L. candidum bulbs as an anti-viral agent to treat shingles (Herpes zoster), and its bulbs and flowers for treatment of skin and articular diseases. L. candidum was also successfully used in anti-inflammatory and dermatological remedies in the Catalan district of the Eastern Pyrenees.
Islamic scholars also recognized its value: Avicenna mentioned Lilium candidum in The Canon of Medicine, prescribing infusions for inflamed eyes.
In America, the bulbs were used as food by Indigenous peoples. The Atsugewi, Karok, and Yana Native Indian tribes use bulbs of L. pardalinum Kellogg as a source of food.
Traditional medicine practices worldwide showcase regional specificity. North American indigenous tribes (Yurok/Karuk/Yana) utilize L. pardalinum Kellogg bulbs as a food source.
In India, the bulbs are used medicinally as galactagogue, expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic and revitalizing tonic.
In India, the bulbs are used medicinally as galactagogue, expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic and revitalizing tonic. In Asia, bulbs of this genus are often used to treat coughs, lung diseases, burns and swellings.
Over 180 compounds have been isolated and identified from the genus Lilium, including steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, phenolic glycerides, flavonoids and alkaloids. A more recent systematic review using updated databases reported a somewhat different total: to date, 123 chemical metabolites have been isolated and characterized, with saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and polysaccharides recognized as the principal bioactive metabolites.
Steroidal saponins are considered the most pharmacologically distinctive class of compounds in Lilium. Genus Lilium plants contain a variety of steroidal saponins; at least 82 steroidal saponins have been found in the bulbs of Lilium species, including spirostanol saponins, isospirostanol saponins, pseudospirostanol saponins, and furostanol saponins. Studies have shown that these steroidal saponins exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, sedative-hypnotic effects, and inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase and Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase.
Specific phenylpropanoid constituents of note include the regalins. The core metabolites include saponins (68 species, such as metabolites 6, 9, 103, and total tigogenin saponins), phenolics (23 species, such as phenylpropanoid glycerol esters), and phenylpropanes (13 species, covering regalin A–K, metabolites 92–93, and chlorophenyl glycosides).
Lily bulbs are rich in nutrients, containing active metabolites such as polysaccharides (fresh weight 2.0–5.0 g/100 g), steroidal saponins (fresh weight 0.1–0.3 g/100 g), and dietary fiber (fresh weight 1.0–2.5 g/100 g), as well as abundant vitamins, amino acids, starch (dry weight 11.10%–19.54%), and pectin (dry weight 3.80%–5.61%).
The content of polysaccharides in Lanzhou lily is about 14.58 mg/g, which exerts pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue and immune regulation.
Bulbs of six Lilium species (L. regale, L. concolor, L. pumilum, L. leucanthum, L. davidii var. unicolor, and L. lancifolium) native to China were investigated as a potential source of natural antioxidants due to their phenolic composition and dietary antioxidant potential. Analysis revealed that L. regale contained the highest levels of (+)-catechin, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, and phloridzin; kaempferol and rutinoside were highest in L. pumilum; L. concolor had the highest chlorogenic acid content; while L. lancifolium extract had the highest concentration of p-coumaric and gallic acid. HPLC analysis revealed that rutin and kaempferol are the major phenolic components in the extracts.
Phytochemical studies have found that the compounds of the genus Lilium mainly include steroidal saponins, sterols, polysaccharides, phenolic glycerides, flavonoids and alkaloids. An important note regarding alkaloid content: earlier literature claimed the presence of colchicine in lily bulbs, but a rigorous 2026 LC-MS study screening five Lilium species found no colchicine or any of its 15 biosynthetic precursors in any lily tissues, providing strong evidence that Lilium species do not actually contain colchicine. The bitterness of medicinal lily varieties is now attributed to other compounds.
Nutritionally, lily bulbs are rich in polysaccharides, saponins, dietary fibers, vitamins, amino acids, starch, pectin, phospholipids, and essential minerals such as calcium and iron. As one of both medicinal and edible plants, Bulbus Lilii is not only rich in protein, fat, starch, amino acids, dietary fiber and vitamins, with a high nutritional value, but it is also rich in selenium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other trace elements.
The mechanisms of action of some chemical metabolites have been elucidated: regalin A achieves antidepressant effects via regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This pathway is well documented in the neuroscience literature as a mediator of neuroplasticity and is relevant to the action of established antidepressants.
Regarding total saponins from lily bulbs, a study investigated the effects of total saponins from lily bulbs (TSLB), one of the main biologically active ingredients, on cognitive and mood disorders during menopause, as well as the underlying mechanisms of these effects. C57BL/6N mice underwent either ovariectomy (OVX) or sham surgery; after a recovery period of 2 weeks, these mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 2 weeks, followed by multiple behavioral tests. TSLB were administered at doses of 12, 24 and 48 mg/(kg·d) by oral gavage for 36 days.
Structural polysaccharides achieve hypoglycemic and immunization effects by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase/α-diastase and interfering with the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, respectively. The TLR4/NF-κB pathway is a key regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and its inhibition broadly suppresses inflammatory cascades.
For antitumor immunomodulation, a polysaccharide fraction (GP11) from lily bulbs stimulated tumoricidal activity and the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α and interleukin-1β, and it also stimulated the protein expression of iNOS and mRNA expression of iNOS and TNF-α. TLR-4 is a potential receptor for GP11-mediated macrophage activation.
Lily polysaccharide extracts exhibit significant hypoglycemic activity by repairing pancreatic β-cells, promoting insulin secretion, and enhancing peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin. Additionally, steroidal saponin extracts from lily bulbs competitively inhibit α-glucosidase activity in the small intestinal mucosa, thereby delaying carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption to achieve hypoglycemic effects.
All lily bulb extracts examined exhibited strong antioxidant activities, which generally correlated positively with the total phenolic contents (r = 0.68 to 0.94), total flavonoid contents (r = 0.51 to 0.89) and total flavanol contents (r = 0.54 to 0.95). The antioxidant activity is attributed principally to free-radical scavenging by phenolic compounds including rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, and catechins.
Following solvent separation, extracts were introduced into a culture medium containing G292, A431, and KB cancer cells, along with HGF-1 normal cells, for cytotoxicity, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. The study concluded that the methanol extract activated p53 protein-induced apoptosis by upregulating the expression of BID/MAPK14 and downregulating the expression of MDM2/BCL2/MYC.
Metabolite 6 exerts anti-neoplastic activity by arresting HepG2 cells in the G2/M phase and inducing apoptosis.
The genus Lilium contains steroidal saponins, sterols, polysaccharides, alkaloids and flavonoids, among which steroidal saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides are the main active substances with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other pharmacological activities. To date, numerous studies have disclosed bioactivities in the extracts or compounds of genus Lilium, in which the anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and sedative effects are similar to traditional uses.
The classical formula Baihe Zhimu (Lily Bulb and Anemarrhena Decoction, LBRAD) has been the subject of research for depression. The combination of lily bulb and Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome provided the greatest modulation of symptoms such as depressed mood, insomnia, sleep disturbance, irritability and disordered eating behavior. These symptoms are closely related to the clinical features of patients with depression. Therefore, LBRAD has significant antidepressant effect and has unique advantages and potential.
Evidence strength: The bulk of antidepressant/anxiolytic evidence for Lilium extracts remains preclinical, deriving from animal models such as chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice. Most of the studies on pharmacological effects are still in vitro, and further studies on mechanism-based pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro are needed in the future. Controlled human clinical trials on lily bulb specifically for depression or anxiety are sparse and of limited scale.
Modern research on the genus Lilium centers on its core traditional uses, such as "nourishing Yin and moistening the lungs, clearing the heart, and calming the spirit." Alkaloids, polysaccharides, steroidal saponins, and other metabolites isolated from Lilium species have demonstrated clear anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative-hypnotic, and lung-protective effects, aligning well with traditional Chinese medicine records for treating Yin-deficiency cough, insomnia, and palpitations.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), lily bulb is characterized as a cold-natured botanical drug with a sweet taste, and is used to moisten the lungs, clear heat, and calm the mind. Its applications include the treatment of cough, blood-tinged sputum, anxiety, insomnia, and disturbed sleep.
Evidence strength: Evidence for the respiratory effects of lily bulb is primarily traditional and preclinical (animal and in vitro models). There are no large-scale randomized controlled human trials specifically examining lily bulb monotherapy for cough or respiratory conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of its saponins and polysaccharides provide a plausible mechanistic basis for traditional respiratory use, but clinical verification in human populations remains limited.
Modern research has demonstrated that lily bulbs possess various biological activities, including antidepressant, hypoglycemic, sleep-improving, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing effects. In Chinese folk medicine, lily bulbs have traditionally been used to help lower blood glucose levels. Numerous studies have demonstrated that extracts from lily bulbs possess significant hypoglycemic activity; however, the specific active metabolites and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
One study evaluated the hypoglycemic activities of extracts from four common lily species: Lilium lancifolium Thunb (Juandan lily), Lilium davidii var. Unicolor (Lanzhou lily), Lilium brownii var. Viridulum (Longya lily), and Guiyanghong lily. The findings revealed that Juandan lily extract exhibited the most potent hypoglycemic activity.
Research assessed the hypoglycemic effects of O-acetyl mannoglucan (BHP-1) obtained from Lanzhou lily bulbs. The findings indicated that BHP-1 demonstrated substantial inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and moderate inhibitory activity against α-amylase within the tested concentration range, underscoring its significant potential in reducing blood sugar levels.
Evidence strength: Hypoglycemic research is predominantly in vitro (enzyme inhibition assays) and in vivo animal (rodent) models. Despite numerous studies confirming significant hypoglycemic activity of lily bulb extracts, the specific active metabolites responsible for this effect remain unclear and warrant further investigation. Human clinical evidence in this area is lacking.
One study investigated the anti-H22 hepatoma effect of lily polysaccharide in mice. An orthogonal experimental method was used to analyze factors influencing the extraction and purification of lily polysaccharide, and the anti-tumor effect was studied by acting it on H22-bearing mice. Lily polysaccharide was found to enhance the immune function of H22 tumor-bearing mice and inhibit the growth of H22 tumors. The study concluded that lily polysaccharide has an anti-tumor effect under appropriate extraction conditions.
A polysaccharide fraction (GP11) from lily bulb exhibited indirect cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 cells in vitro and significantly inhibited the growth of Heps cells in vivo. GP11 increased the relative thymus and spleen weights as well as serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 levels.
Saponins, which are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom, have attracted increasing attention in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries due to their distinctive physicochemical properties and diverse biological activities, including anticancer and cholesterol-lowering effects.
Evidence strength: Antitumor evidence is entirely preclinical (cell lines and mouse models). Most of the studies on pharmacological effects are still in vitro, and further studies on mechanism-based pharmacological activities in vivo and in vitro are needed in the future. No human clinical oncological trials for lily bulb as a primary treatment have been identified.
Research showed that methanol bulb extracts of six Lilium species had strong antioxidant activity, including DPPH radical, ABTS radical cation scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and cupric ion reducing capacity. Among the tested Lilium species, L. regale had the greatest antioxidant activities, while L. davidii var. unicolor owned the lowest antioxidant capacities.
Different extracts and monomer compounds from Lilium have been evaluated for pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antidepressant and hepatoprotective activities.
Evidence strength: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant evidence is well-supported at the in vitro and animal model level across multiple studies and multiple Lilium species. Human clinical data is absent. The antioxidant activity of phenolic-rich bulb extracts provides a plausible basis for some traditional uses, but these relationships have not been formally tested in controlled human trials.
Classical authors Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder praised the medicinal virtues of L. candidum, describing preparations made from its bulbs and flowers to treat burns, wounds, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions, uses that persisted in medieval monastic medicine. Modern phytochemical studies confirm many of these traditional applications, showing that L. candidum contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing compounds.
Modern phytochemical studies have confirmed that the plant contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing compounds, validating much of its traditional medicinal reputation.
Evidence strength: Wound-healing evidence for L. candidum is preclinical (rodent models and in vitro antimicrobial/antioxidant assays). Traditional ethnopharmacological documentation across multiple European countries is extensive. No registered clinical trials in humans for wound-healing applications of lily preparations have been identified in the published literature.
Pharmacological studies have revealed that crude extracts and purified metabolites from different organs of Lilium spp. possess a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including sedative and antidepressant effects. These pharmacological findings are consistent with the traditional medicinal and nutritional applications of the genus.
Steroidal saponins from Lilium exhibit sedative-hypnotic effects, among other pharmacological activities.
Evidence strength: Sedative/sleep-promoting evidence is preclinical. Relevant studies use animal behavioral models (e.g., pentobarbital sleep tests in rodents). Human clinical evidence for lily bulb as a sleep aid is not established in the peer-reviewed literature.
The typical dose of lily bulb is between 10 and 30 grams per day. The bulbs are boiled in water as a decoction for oral administration. Depending on the condition, some practitioners may recommend much greater amounts of lily bulb; in patients who have a cough and profound amounts of phlegm, up to 200 grams of lily bulb may be used.
In preclinical models, TSLB (total saponins from lily bulbs) were administered at doses of 12, 24 and 48 mg/(kg·d) by oral gavage for 36 days in an ovariectomized mouse model of menopause-associated emotional disorder.
Lily bulbs are sweet and often consumed as food in the summer — they can be eaten fresh, cooked into porridge or congee, cooked in sugar water (as a treat), or ground into flour for other cooking purposes.
In terms of processed pharmaceutical and supplement forms: the dried fleshy scale leaves of Lilium lancifolium Thunb are used as medicine. The bulbs are used as medicinal and food plants; the main processing methods are purification and cutting, first described in the Golden Chamber.
It should be noted that standardized dosing recommendations in the form of rigorous human clinical trial data are largely absent for isolated lily bulb extracts or standardized supplement preparations. Dosage guidance in the literature primarily reflects TCM clinical practice traditions rather than controlled experimental evidence.
Bai He is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has a long history of safe use as both food and medicine. At standard medicinal dosages, Bai He has an excellent safety profile consistent with its dual food-medicine status.
Earlier literature reported that lily bulbs contain trace amounts of colchicine (a potent alkaloid found in the unrelated Colchicum autumnale), but a rigorous 2026 LC-MS study screening five Lilium species found no colchicine or any of its 15 biosynthetic precursors in any lily tissues, providing strong evidence that Lilium species do not actually contain colchicine. The bitterness of medicinal lily varieties is now attributed to other compounds.
Animal studies have suggested a possible teratogenic effect at high doses, so caution during pregnancy is still advised.
In TCM, lily bulb is contraindicated for persons with deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, diarrhea, or loose stools. It is also contraindicated for cough due to wind-cold or phlegm accumulation. Bai He has a potential sedative effect and should be used with caution by those operating heavy machinery.
No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been established for Bai He at standard doses. Earlier literature attributed colchicine content to lily bulbs, which would have implied interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors and statins; however, recent LC-MS research (2026) has found no colchicine in Lilium species, making such interactions unlikely. As a precaution, patients on immunosuppressive medications should be aware that Bai He polysaccharides have demonstrated immunomodulatory activity in preclinical studies.
Current pharmacological research into the traditional uses of the compounds and extracts from Lilium is still insufficient. The clinical applications and toxicity of Lilium need to be further studied.
An important species-level safety distinction must be noted: the genus Lilium should not be confused with related genera such as Hemerocallis (daylily), Convallaria (lily of the valley), or the highly toxic Gloriosa (glory lily), which differ substantially in their chemical profiles and toxicity. Only the three species officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and their approved congeners are intended for medicinal or dietary supplement use.
Some Lilium species are traditionally used to treat various diseases; in addition to antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects, clinical studies are rarely used to confirm other traditional pharmacological effects.
Current pharmacological research into the traditional uses of the compounds and extracts is insufficient. The clinical applications and toxicity of Lilium need to be further studied.
Overall, lily bulbs are good candidates for further development as nutraceutical supplements or antioxidant remedies. Consequently, Lilium species have recently expanded their utilization beyond traditional medicine and food into the cosmetic and functional product industries.
The principal evidence gap across all areas of lily's purported pharmacological activity is the near-complete absence of well-designed, adequately powered, placebo-controlled human clinical trials. The existing scientific literature, while mechanistically informative, is largely limited to in vitro cell studies and in vivo rodent models. Bridging this gap is essential before evidence-based dosing guidance or therapeutic claims can be established with confidence.
Health conditions that Lily may help support.
Lily bulb polysaccharides, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), saponins, and phenolic compounds demonstrate significant antioxidant activity in multiple in vitro assays. Lanzhou lily polysaccharides show marked DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging. A PMC study of five Lilium cultivars quantified antioxidant activity reaching 81.5 mg GAE/100 g. Evidence is robust at preclinical level; human intervention trials are absent.
Lily bulb (Bai He, Lilium brownii/lancifolium) has documented anxiolytic activity in preclinical models, attributed primarily to its saponins and polysaccharides. Classical TCM formulas containing lily bulb have been evaluated in clinical studies for anxiety associated with the 'Lily Disease' pattern. A 2026 ScienceDirect study found total saponins from lily bulb produced significant anxiolytic effects in ovariectomized mice under chronic stress. A systematic review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed improvements in anxiety scores with Bai He Di Huang Tang.
Multiple preclinical studies demonstrate that lily bulb polysaccharides and steroidal glycosides (regalosides) inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase, lowering postprandial blood glucose. In hyperglycemic mouse models, regaloside B reduced blood glucose from ~28 mmol/L to ~14 mmol/L. Polysaccharides also promote hepatic glycogen synthesis and increase glucose uptake in adipocytes. No controlled human clinical trials have been published to date.
Lily bulb demonstrates sedative and anxiolytic effects in multiple in vivo models, supporting its ancient TCM role as a 'spirit-calming' herb. Pharmacological studies confirm sedative activity attributable to saponins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. It is prescribed in classical formulas for restlessness, palpitations, and emotional agitation. No standalone human RCT for calm/relaxation has been conducted.
Bioassay-guided isolation from Lilium brownii var. viridulum identified two phenylpropanoid acylglycerols that potently inhibited NO production, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Anti-inflammatory activity has also been observed in cigarette-smoke mouse models. The mechanism involves NF-κB/MAPKs pathway suppression. This is preclinical evidence with no human chronic-inflammation trials published.
Lily bulb has documented antidepressant pharmacological activity in rodent models and is the principal herb in the classical formula Bai He Di Huang Tang for 'Lily Disease', which maps onto major depression. Clinical systematic reviews confirm adjunctive efficacy of lily-bulb-containing formulas in human depression trials. A 2024 PMC comprehensive review found Lilium lancifolium and Rehmannia constitute a validated antidepressant pair.
Lily bulb is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for insomnia. Pharmacological studies confirm sedative and hypnotic effects. The Bailemian capsule (containing lily bulb) has been studied clinically for insomnia with evidence of neurotransmitter modulation. Preclinical studies demonstrate sedative properties in animal models. It is classically prescribed for insomnia arising from restlessness and vivid dreams.
Lily bulb polysaccharides and saponins have been studied in ovariectomized mouse models for menopausal symptoms, demonstrating effects on anxiety, depression, cognition, and endocrine markers via estrogen receptor β pathways. Preliminary clinical evidence supports lily-bulb-containing herbal formulas for alleviating climacteric syndrome. A PMC study (PMC6683782) specifically found total polysaccharides ameliorated menopause-like behavior in OVX mice.
Lily bulb demonstrates sedative and hypnotic properties in preclinical pharmacological studies, consistent with its Pharmacopoeia-listed indication for insomnia. Multi-herb formulas containing lily bulb show evidence of improved sleep quality via neurotransmitter modulation. Lily bulb amino acids and alkaloids support mood and sleep pathways. Evidence is primarily preclinical and formula-based.
Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies support lily bulb's wound-healing properties. Steroidal glycosides from Lilium longiflorum promoted dermal fibroblast migration in vitro. L. candidum extract in alginate hydrogel accelerated wound closure in human cell lines. Rodent models show lily bulb ointment accelerated wound closure via collagen deposition. European folk medicine has used L. candidum as a wound remedy since antiquity.
Lily bulb has been used for centuries across Asia to treat bronchitis, pertussis, and cough. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists it for moistening the lungs and relieving cough. Saponin-enriched fractions demonstrate mild expectorant activity in animal airway preparations. In vitro anti-inflammatory data in cigarette-smoke models support a plausible mechanism, but no human bronchial trials have been conducted.
In TCM, lily bulb is traditionally described as promoting vital fluids and improving skin complexion, attributed to its high mucilage and vitamin content. It is documented as a skin-beautifying herb in classical texts. Modern research confirms lily extracts possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities relevant to skin health and are increasingly incorporated into dermatocosmetic formulations.
Lily bulb's principal TCM indication is 'moistening the lungs', recorded since the Han dynasty. It is used for dry cough, hemoptysis, and lung yin deficiency across multiple traditional medical systems including TCM, Ayurveda, and Japanese Kampo. Modern pharmacological studies show anti-inflammatory effects in airway models and antitussive properties attributed to saponins, supporting but not fully validating the traditional use via human clinical trials.
Lily bulb is traditionally used across Asian and Indian medical systems as an expectorant and for clearing phlegm. In TCM it is specifically noted for 'blood-tinged sputum'. In India, the bulb is used as an expectorant. Saponins provide a pharmacologically plausible expectorant mechanism. No human clinical trials for mucus/phlegm specifically have been conducted.
In TCM, lily bulb is the principal herb for the 'post-febrile' state in which residual heat and yin depletion produce lingering restlessness, insomnia, and emotional instability after illness. This is codified in multiple classical texts including the Jin Gui Yao Lue and Ben Cao Gang Mu. The herb's immunomodulatory, yin-nourishing, and lung-moistening properties make it a traditional convalescent remedy.
Lily bulb is traditionally used in TCM for dry throat associated with lung yin deficiency and is mentioned alongside cough in classical materia medica texts. Its mucilaginous and demulcent properties are attributed to its high content of mucilage, pectin, and polysaccharides. The herb is described as helping to 'relieve dry throats and moisten the lung' in multiple traditional sources.
Body systems that Lily may help support.
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