Fritillaria is generally divided into two types: Sichuan Fritillaria and Zhejiang Fritillaria. Sichuan Fritillaria has a bitter and sweet taste and is neutral in nature. Its main functions are to moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, relieve depression, and calm the mind. Because it can moisten the lungs and resolve phlegm, it is often used for coughs caused by yin deficiency and fatigue, and can be used in combination with lily bulb, sand ginseng, ophiopogon japonicus, scrophularia ningpoensis, honey-processed aster, dendrobium, and honey-processed loquat leaf. After a lung abscess has ulcerated and the pus has been expelled, if there is still cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, afternoon fever, dry mouth and throat, it can be used in combination with platycodon grandiflorus, angelica sinensis, raw astragalus membranaceus, licorice, ophiopogon japonicus, and pollen. Because it has the function of dispersing qi stagnation in the heart meridian, it can also be used for chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and depression caused by qi stagnation in the heart and chest. It is often used in combination with polygala tenuifolia, poria cocos, cyperus rotundus, safflower, turmeric, calamus, trichosanthes kirilowii, and immature bitter orange peel.
Fritillaria thunbergii has a bitter and pungent taste and is slightly cold in nature. Its effects are similar to those of Fritillaria cirrhosa, but Fritillaria thunbergii is more pungent and has a stronger heat-clearing effect, making it suitable for coughs caused by external pathogens. It is often used in combination with mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, apricot kernel, platycodon root, angelica root, and burdock fruit. For scrofula, swelling, and pain in the neck caused by phlegm-fire stagnation, whether unilateral or bilateral, single or clustered, Fritillaria thunbergii can be used to disperse stagnation, clear heat, and resolve phlegm and nodules. It is often used in combination with raw oyster shell, Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xiaoluo Wan), Prunella vulgaris, white peony root, Cyperus rotundus, and seaweed. For the initial stage of carbuncles and boils with localized hardening and swelling, Fritillaria thunbergii can be used to disperse nodules and relieve stagnation to help the carbuncles and boils dissipate. It is often used in combination with honeysuckle, forsythia, red peony root, safflower, roasted pangolin scales, earthworm, trichosanthes root, and tangerine peel.
Fritillaria cirrhosa can be used to disperse nodules and detoxify, and is mostly used in surgery. It should not be confused with Fritillaria cirrhosa or Fritillaria thunbergii. Pinellia ternata is warm and drying in nature, mainly used for damp phlegm in the spleen meridian. Fritillaria cirrhosa is cool and moistening in nature, mainly used for dry phlegm in the lung meridian. The dosage is generally one to three qian (approximately 3-6 grams). Fritillaria cirrhosa can be ground into a fine powder and taken with decoction, three to five fen (approximately 1.5-2.5 grams) each time.
According to modern research reports, fritillary alkaloids can enhance the contraction of isolated uterus and inhibit the peristalsis of isolated intestines. Large doses of fritillary alkaloids can paralyze the central nervous system, inhibit respiratory movements, dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and slow the heart rate. Fritillary alkaloids have shown a significant antitussive effect in animal experiments. It is contraindicated in individuals with dampness, indigestion, or spleen and stomach deficiency.
