Macrostem onion (Xiebai)

Pharmaceutical Name : Bulbus Allii macrostemi

Botanical Name : Allium macrostemon Bge.

Common Name : Macrostem onion, Bakeri, Bulb of Chinese chive

Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The macrostem, or bulb, of the onion is dug in May, cleaned and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridians: Lung, stomach and large intestine

Functions:
1. To promote the flow of yang and dissipate cold phlegm;
2. To regulate qi and reduce stagnation

Indications & Combinations:
1. Cold phlegm stagnated in the chest manifested as stifling sensation and pain in the chest and dyspnea. Macrostem onion (Xiebai) is used with Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) in the formula Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang.

2. Dysentery manifested as tenesmus. Macrostem onion (Xiebai) is used with Immature bitter orange (Zhishi), Costus root (Muxiang) and White peony root (Baishao).

Dosage: 5-10 g