Bletilla

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Bletilla (Bletilla striata) is a terrestrial orchid native to East Asia. Its rhizome (called bai ji in Chinese medicine) is used traditionally for bleeding, lung complaints, and skin healing.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Wound healing (topical)

Limited Evidence

Bletilla polysaccharide-based dressings have been studied in wound healing with promising small-trial results.

Bleeding / coughing blood (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional Chinese medicine use; limited modern controlled clinical evidence.

How it works

Bletilla rhizome is rich in mucilaginous polysaccharides (bletilla glucomannan), stilbenoids, and bibenzyl derivatives. The high mucilage content gives it a coating, demulcent quality that may help mucous membranes. Preclinical studies have explored antifibrotic, hemostatic, antimicrobial and wound-healing effects of stilbenoid compounds. Traditional use focuses on coughing up blood and topical wound healing. Human clinical evidence is limited, primarily from Chinese medical literature.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional Chinese medicine doses are 3-10 g of powdered rhizome per day, often used in formulas.

When and how to take it

Traditional doses are taken between meals.

1 commercial form

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

Powdered rhizome (bai ji)

Used in Chinese herbal decoctions and topical pastes.

Traditional form.

Safety

Generally well tolerated. Limited modern safety data; mucilage may cause mild gastrointestinal effects.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of data. Use cautiously with concurrent medications.

Interactions

Mucilaginous polysaccharides may slow absorption of other oral medications. Separate by 1-2 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is bletilla safe?⌄

Short-term use in traditional doses appears safe; long-term safety data is limited.

What is bletilla used for?⌄

Traditional uses include bleeding, lung complaints, and wound healing.

References

Bletilla on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Bletilla (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.