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Harvesting, Processing Methods and Medicinal Uses of Mountain Lily

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Harvesting and processing: In September to October, after the aboveground stems and leaves of the lily have withered, dig up the bulbs, remove the residual stems and fibrous roots, and peel off the scales (first cut off the basal plate of the bulb, and the scales will fall off naturally). Wash clean of soil, then boil in boiling water or steam in a steamer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the edges of the scales are soft while the center still retains some rawness, or until extremely small cracks appear on the back; then remove quickly. If there is mucus, rinse with clean water, spread out immediately on a reed mat and sun-dry until completely dry. In case of rainy weather, they may be dried on a heated kang or by artificial drying; when drying by heat, they need to be turned so as to be heated evenly. When turning, lift them with both hands and flip them over quickly to prevent them from forming into pasty clumps. When they are 70 to 80 percent dry, they may be fumigated with sulfur and then sun-dried until fully dry.

Harvesting and processing:

In September to October, after the aboveground stems and leaves of the lily have withered, dig up the bulbs, remove the residual stems and fibrous roots, and peel off the scales (first cut off the basal plate of the bulb, and the scales will fall off naturally). Wash clean of soil, then boil in boiling water or steam in a steamer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the edges of the scales are soft while the center still retains some rawness, or until extremely small cracks appear on the back; then remove quickly. If there is mucus, rinse with clean water, spread out immediately on a reed mat and sun-dry until completely dry. In case of rainy weather, they may be dried on a heated kang or by artificial drying; when drying by heat, they need to be turned so as to be heated evenly. When turning, lift them with both hands and flip them over quickly to prevent them from forming into pasty clumps. When they are 70 to 80 percent dry, they may be fumigated with sulfur and then sun-dried until fully dry.

Medicinal uses:

The bulbs and flowers of the mountain lily are used as medicine; their nature and flavor are sweet and bitter, cool. They have the effects of clearing away vexing heat, moistening the lungs, relieving cough, and calming the mind. They treat consumptive cough, coughing of blood, palpitations, insomnia, edema, and other conditions.

Examples of clinical applications in traditional Chinese medicine:

(1) Dry cough without phlegm, cough with coughing of blood: mountain lily and Solanum lyratum 6 qian each, Fritillaria 4 qian, grind into a fine powder; take 2 qian each time, 3 times a day.

(2) Deafness and ear pain: take bulb powder 10 grams each time, twice a day, swallowed with warm boiled water.

(3) Restlessness and mental clouding during the recovery period of febrile disease: use together with Rehmannia, dosage 15 to 25 grams, decocted in water.

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