Bai Ji

Botanical

What is it

Bai Ji (Bletilla striata) is an orchid whose tubers are used in traditional Chinese medicine for bleeding, wounds, and skin conditions. It is also called hyacinth orchid.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Wound healing (traditional and topical use)

Limited Evidence

Bletilla mucilage and polysaccharides have shown wound-healing activity in animal models and some clinical applications. Human supplement evidence is limited.

How it works

Bai Ji tubers contain mucilage polysaccharides, bibenzyls, and phenanthrenes. The mucilage is used in traditional preparations for hemostasis (blood-stopping) and wound healing. Modern research has explored anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and biomaterial applications of Bletilla polysaccharides.

Dosage

Traditional preparations use 3-10 g of dried tuber per day in decoctions. Supplement labels are inconsistent.

When and how to take it

No formal timing requirement. Traditional use is in divided doses.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried tuber or extract

Traditional Chinese medicine preparation.

Mucilaginous polysaccharides act locally in GI tract

Safety

Generally considered well tolerated in traditional use. Allergic reactions and gastrointestinal upset have been reported occasionally.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited data. Use caution with anticoagulant medications.

Interactions

May potentially affect coagulation based on traditional hemostatic use; coordinate with anticoagulants if using significant amounts.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bai Ji used for?⌄

Traditional Chinese medicine uses it for bleeding, wound healing, and skin complaints.

Is it safe?⌄

Traditional use suggests reasonable tolerability. Clinical safety data are limited.

References

Bai Ji on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Bai Ji (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.