Fritillary

Botanical

What is it

Fritillary bulb (Fritillaria cirrhosa, Chuan Bei Mu; or Fritillaria thunbergii, Zhe Bei Mu) is used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough and respiratory complaints. The bulbs contain steroidal alkaloids with antitussive activity.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Cough / respiratory support

Limited Evidence

Strong traditional Chinese medicine use; preclinical evidence supports antitussive activity. Western clinical trials are limited.

How it works

Fritillaria alkaloids (peimine, peiminine, verticine, imperialine) have demonstrated antitussive, expectorant, and bronchodilator effects in animal studies. They appear to act on the cough reflex pathway and may have mild bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects on the airways. In TCM, different Fritillaria species are used for different cough patterns. Chuan Bei Mu is considered superior for dry, chronic cough; Zhe Bei Mu for productive cough with phlegm.

Dosage

TCM traditional: 3-9 g of dried bulb as decoction. As powder: 1-2 g taken with warm water. Fritillaria is often part of cough syrups (e.g., Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao).

When and how to take it

Traditional cough preparations taken multiple times daily during illness.

3 commercial forms

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

Chuan Bei Mu (F. cirrhosa)

Traditional Chinese cough remedy.

Preferred for dry cough

Zhe Bei Mu (F. thunbergii)

More commonly available than F. cirrhosa.

Used for productive cough

Fritillary cough syrup

Popular OTC product in Chinese pharmacies.

Combined with other herbs

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. Some alkaloids have toxic potential at higher doses (cardiac effects, neurotoxicity); use within traditional dose ranges. Fritillaria thunbergii has greater toxicity potential than F. cirrhosa.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy. Use under TCM practitioner guidance. Do not exceed traditional doses. Avoid in cardiac arrhythmias.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with cardiac medications (some alkaloids affect cardiac function) and cough suppressants.

Frequently asked questions

Is fritillary safe for daily cough?⌄

Traditional use is for acute cough conditions, not long-term daily use. Consult a clinician for chronic cough.

Are fritillary cough syrups effective?⌄

Traditional use and some preclinical evidence support effectiveness, though rigorous Western trials are limited.

References

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

Research on Fritillary (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.