Brown's Lily

BotanicalBest before bed

What is it

Brown's lily (Lilium brownii, bai he) is an East Asian lily whose bulbs are used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough, anxiety, and as a 'yin tonic'. The bulb is also eaten as food in Chinese cuisine.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Cough (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional Chinese use as an antitussive. Modern human evidence is limited.

Anxiety and depression (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Used in Chinese medicine for emotional balance. Limited modern human evidence.

How it works

Lily bulb contains starches, mucilage, alkaloids (colchicine-related), and polyphenols. Traditional uses focus on lung, heart, and emotional balance. Animal studies suggest mild sedative, antitussive, and antidepressant effects. Human clinical evidence is limited.

Dosage

Traditional decoctions use 6 to 12 grams of dried bulb daily.

When and how to take it

Traditionally used as part of multi-herb formulas, often taken in the evening for sleep or anxiety.

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Dried lily bulb (bai he)

Used in Chinese herbal preparations and food.

Decocted or cooked.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses as a food and herb. Some Lilium species contain colchicine-related alkaloids; sourcing is important. Lily plants are highly toxic to cats.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. Keep all lily preparations and plants away from cats (severe nephrotoxicity).

Interactions

Theoretical sedative interactions. No major drug interactions well documented.

Food sources

Fresh lily bulb (Chinese cuisine)

Amount
30 g
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Are lily bulbs edible?⌄

Lilium brownii bulbs are eaten in Chinese cuisine. Not all lilies are edible; identification matters.

Are lilies toxic to cats?⌄

Yes, all Lilium and Hemerocallis species are highly toxic to cats. Keep preparations away from pets.

References

Brown's Lily on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Brown's Lily on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Brown's Lily (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.