bai ji

Bai ji is the Chinese name for Bletilla striata, a perennial ground orchid plant, found in China, Japan, Korea and other Southeast Asian countries. The dried rhizomes of B. striata have been used in the traditional medicine systems of these countries for thousands of years. Bai ji is used orally and topically to arrest gastric, lung and other types of internal hemorrhages, for wound healing, treatment of liver cancer and many other conditions, however, there are no scientific studies to support most of its uses.

Bai ji is bitter, has a sweet flavor and an astringent nature which may arrest bleeding by constricting tissue. Bai ji is believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-allergic and wound healing properties. The therapeutic properties of bai ji may be attributed to multiple bioactive compounds identified in the plant, including bibenzyls, phenanthrene derivatives, polysaccharides, triterpenoids and its saponins, steroids and its saponins, malic acid derivatives, and anthocyanins.

Suggested uses of bai ji include:

Oral

• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Gastrointestinal ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Traumatic bleeding
• Nasal bleeding (epistaxis)
• Hemorrhoids
• Tuberculosis
• Malignant ulcers
• Anthrax
• Silicosis
• Eye diseases
• Liver cancer (to reduce tumor size and reduce new blood vessel formation in the tumor)

Topical

• Ulcers
• Sores
• Swelling
• Chapped skin
• Wound healing

Warning

Do not use bai ji if you are hypersensitive to any of the product’s ingredients.

• There are no reported side effects from oral or topical use of bai ji.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

There isn’t any reliable scientific information to determine what might be the appropriate dosages of bai ji. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Suggested dosing:

• 6-15 g/day orally
• Decoction used topically

Overdose

• There is no information available on overdose of bai ji.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Bai ji has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• There is no reliable information on the use of bai ji during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid use.
• Do not use any herbal product, including bai ji, without first checking with your physician, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Take bai ji exactly as per label instructions. Natural products are not necessarily safe always and following suggested dosing is important.
• Check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal product, including bai ji, particularly if you have any health conditions or if you are on any regular medication.
• Herbal products contain many ingredients. Check the label for components when you choose your bai ji product.
• Bai ji is an herbal product and is not regulated by the FDA. Bai ji products may differ in formulations and strengths, and labels may not always match contents. Some products may be contaminated. Exercise caution in choosing your product.
• Store bai ji safely out of reach of children.
• In case of overdose, report your symptoms to Poison Control.