Xiè Bái (薤白) — Allium macrostemon bulb
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto — registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner (BAcC, RCHM) with over 25 years’ clinical experience.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Cautions
- Treatment at my clinic
- Frequently asked questions
1. Overview
Xiè Bái (薤白) — the bulb of Allium macrostemon, a wild relative of garlic and onion — is a pungent, bitter, warm Chinese herb that unblocks Heart Yang, disperses Phlegm-cold from the chest, and moves Qi to relieve chest blockage and abdominal pain. It is the chief herb of Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang and Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang, the classical formulas for Heart-Yang obstruction by Phlegm — a TCM pattern corresponding closely to ischaemic chest pain (angina).
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Xiè Bái |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 薤白 |
| Latin name | Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis / Allium macrostemon |
| English name | Chinese chive bulb, long-stamen onion |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Pungent, bitter |
| Channels entered | Lung, Heart, Stomach, Large Intestine |
| Category | Regulate Qi |
| Dosage | 5–10 g, decocted |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Unblocks Yang and disperses cold in the chest — the principal use: chest bi (chest obstruction) with Heart-Yang obstruction by Phlegm-cold — angina, oppressive chest pain that may radiate to the back, with shortness of breath.
- Moves Qi and unblocks stagnation — for tightness in the chest and epigastrium, irritable bowel patterns and tenesmus with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine.
4. Key formulas
- Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang — with Gua Lou and white wine; the foundational chest-bi formula.
- Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang — adds Ban Xia for stronger Phlegm-resolving action.
5. Cautions
Caution in Yin deficiency with Heat. Some patients experience reflux or epigastric burning. Should be prescribed by a qualified Chinese herbalist alongside conventional cardiology care for chest pain — not as a substitute.
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Xie Bai as part of granule formulas for patients with cardiology-confirmed angina or chronic chest tightness fitting the Heart-Yang-Phlegm-obstruction pattern, used alongside (never instead of) conventional cardiology treatment. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
7. Frequently asked questions
What is Xie Bai used for?
Xie Bai is the Chinese chive bulb, used to unblock the Yang and move Qi in the chest — traditionally the main herb for chest Bi, a painful, tight, obstructed sensation in the chest (the classical description overlapping with angina-type chest discomfort). It also helps cold-phlegm in the chest and certain bowel complaints.
What are the benefits of Xie Bai?
Its acrid, warming, dispersing quality opens up the chest and moves stagnant Qi and cold-phlegm, easing tightness and discomfort within a suitable formula. It is the central herb in Gua Lou Xie Bai formulas for chest Bi.
How is Xie Bai taken?
Typically 5–9g in decoction, combined with herbs such as Gua Lou for chest patterns. Any chest pain must first be assessed medically — this is a complementary, not emergency, measure.
Are there any cautions with Xie Bai?
New, severe or unexplained chest pain is a medical emergency and needs urgent assessment, not herbs. Xie Bai is used cautiously in Qi deficiency without stagnation and in Yin deficiency with Heat.
