Bletilla, also known as Bletilla striata, is the dried rhizome of the Bletilla striata plant in the Orchidaceae family. It has a slightly cold nature (or neutral according to some sources), with a bitter, sweet, and astringent taste. It enters the Lung, Liver, and Stomach meridians.Its functions include astringent hemostasis, reducing swelling and promoting tissue regeneration, and eliminating parasites and healing sores. It is primarily used to treat hemoptysis, hematemesis, traumatic bleeding, boils and abscesses, cracked hands and feet, and lung abscesses. The Compendium of Materia Medica states that Bletilla striata is an essential herb for "entering the lung meridian to stop bleeding."
Hong Mai's Records of the Strange and Unusual from the Song Dynasty recounts a prisoner in Taizhou (present-day Taizhou, Zhejiang) who had committed capital offenses seven times. After enduring repeated severe torture that damaged his lungs, he began vomiting blood.He persisted in taking Bletilla powder mixed with rice water and was completely cured. Before his execution, he revealed this secret formula to a fellow prisoner who had cared for him. After his execution, the executioner "cut open his chest and found dozens of holes in his lungs, all filled with Bletilla, its color unchanged." This demonstrates Bletilla's remarkable efficacy in treating pulmonary diseases causing hemoptysis.Below are several commonly used formulas for treating illnesses with Bletilla striata: Formula for Coughing and Hemoptysis Bletilla striata and sucrose powder, 15 grams each time, twice daily, taken with warm water. This formula nourishes the lungs and stops bleeding, treating chronic cough and pulmonary wasting with hemoptysis.
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Formula: Equal parts Bletilla striata and raw rhubarb, ground into fine powder. Take 5g orally each time with 0.5g Yunnan Baiyao, three times daily. This formula exhibits excellent hemostatic effects and is also effective for hemoptysis in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Formula for Pulmonary Tuberculosis: 150g each of Bletilla striata, Lilium bulb, Coix seed, and Apricot kernel; 30g Fritillaria cirrhosa. Grind all ingredients into a fine powder. Take 10g orally three times daily. One course of treatment is 21 days. Taking three consecutive courses yields favorable results.
For persistent nosebleeds: Grind appropriate amount of Bletilla striata into powder. Mix with vinegar and apply to the lower part of the nasal bridge (known as "mountain root"). Separately, take 3g of Bletilla powder and dissolve in warm water for oral intake.
For toothache due to dental caries: Bletilla striata, Rheum palmatum, and Cynanchum atratum, each 30g;10g Realgar. Grind into fine powder and store in a bottle. For each application, take 10g of the powder, mix with wine into a paste, and apply to affected facial areas like the Dìchāng and Jiáché acupoints. Cover with a thin film, then gauze, securing with adhesive tape. Remove after 24 hours. Rapid response may resolve in one application; slower cases may require multiple applications.
For treating various external injuries: - For knife or axe wounds causing unstoppable bleeding: Apply finely ground Bletilla powder directly. - For fractures from falls or blows: Take 6g of Bletilla powder mixed with wine orally. - For burns or scalds: Apply Bletilla powder mixed with sesame oil externally. - For cracked hands or feet: Apply Bletilla powder mixed with cool boiled water as a poultice.Avoid water contact during treatment.
For boils, abscesses, and carbuncles: Equal parts Bletilla striata, Hibiscus tiliaceus leaf, Rheum palmatum, Phellodendron amurense, and Gallnut. Grind into a fine powder. Mix with wine or vinegar and apply as a paste or poultice to the affected area. This formula treats all types of carbuncles, swellings, and skin ulcers.