Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lily, particularly the bulb of Lilium brownii or Lilium lancifolium, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating insomnia and calming the mind. In TCM, lily bulb ("Bai He") is considered to nourish the yin, clear heat, and relieve restlessness, and it is commonly included in herbal formulas aimed at improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms such as irritability or palpitations associated with insomnia. Historical TCM texts such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and later pharmacopoeias document its use for these purposes.

Despite this established traditional use, scientific validation remains limited. A small number of preclinical studies suggest potential sedative or anxiolytic effects of lily extracts in animal models, possibly related to flavonoids or other phytochemicals present in the bulbs. However, well-designed human clinical trials are lacking, and no major systematic reviews or meta-analyses support its efficacy for insomnia based on rigorous scientific evidence. Thus, while lily is traditionally used for insomnia, the strength of supporting evidence is weak and primarily historical rather than scientific.

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