✵This article documents the herb Longstamen Onion, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources as defined in classical herbal texts—namely, (1) Allium macrostemon Bunge and (2) Allium chinense G. Don—as well as two additional species occasionally used: (3) Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker and (4) Allium caeruleum Pall. It provides a detailed description of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species, along with the macroscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Bulbus Allii Macrostemoni (Longstamen Onion)
Pinyin Name: Xiè Bái
English Name: Longstamen Onion
Latin Name:Bulbus Allii Macrostemoni Properties and Flavor: Warm, pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis is the dried bulb of Allium macrostemon Bunge. It is used to unblock and regulate Yang-Qi and resolve Qi stagnation, primarily for angina pectoris accompanied by chest oppression, and also for tenesmus in dysentery. The herb is also known as Longstamen Onion, Longstamen Onion Bulb, or Xiè Bái.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis (Longstamen Onion) as the dried bulb of (1) Allium macrostemon Bunge or (2) Allium chinense G. Don. Other authoritative herbal classics extend the source to include (3) Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker and (4) Allium caeruleum Pall. These species belong to the genus Allium, family Amaryllidaceae (formerly classified under Liliaceae), order Asparagales. Descriptions of the commonly used species follow:
(1) Allium macrostemon Bunge.
Botanical Description:Allium macrostemon Bunge is also known as Allium macrostemon var. uratense (Franch.) Airy-Shaw. Common vernacular names include Xiǎo Gēn Suàn (“small-rooted garlic”), Cài Zhī, Xiǎo Gēn Cài, Zǐ Gēn Suàn, and Tuán Cōng. It is a perennial herb reaching 30–60 cm in height. Bulbs are subspherical, 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter, bearing 1–3 bulbils laterally; outer scales are white and membranous, turning black with age. Leaves are alternate, pale green (verdant), semi-cylindrical and filiform, hollow, 20–40 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with an acuminate apex and a sheathing, amplexicaul base.
The scape (flower stalk) is solitary and erect, 30–70 cm tall. Umbels are terminal and globose, subtended by membranous, ovoid bracts with a long-acuminate apex. Pedicels measure 1–2 cm; some inflorescences bear only a few florets but numerous succulent bulbils—sometimes replacing all florets. There are six tepals (perianth lobes), pink or rosy; six stamens, longer than the perianth, with slender, elongated filaments that are slightly thickened at the base. The ovary is superior and globose.
The capsule is obovate, with a concave apex. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting from August to September.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in weedy cultivated fields and dry mountainous habitats. It prefers a cool climate and becomes dormant during hot summer months. Growth is most vigorous in spring and autumn. It inhabits fields, hillsides, mountain slopes, dry grasslands, forest margins, wastelands, valleys, and grassy areas below 1,500 m above sea level—often forming dense patches or dominant stands. It is native to China.
Growth Characteristics:Allium macrostemon prefers a warm, moist climate. For cultivation, well-drained, loose, fertile loam or sandy loam rich in humus is recommended.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is irregularly ovoid, 0.5–2.0 cm long and 0.7–1.8 cm in diameter. Its surface is yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown (fallow), wrinkled, translucent, with longitudinal grooves and ridges, or covered with off-white membranous scales. A residual stem base or stem scar is present at the apex; the basal squamose bulb disc is prominent. The texture is firm and hard, corneous, not easily fractured; the fracture surface is yellowish-white. The herb has a mild garlic odor and a mildly pungent taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Activates Yang-Qi and resolves Qi stagnation; regulates Qi flow; alleviates chest oppression and fullness; promotes circulation of stagnant Qi; and resolves food retention. Indicated for chest Qi obstruction with pain; chest Qi obstruction with pain radiating to the back; chest oppression and fullness; epigastric pain; cough and wheezing with excessive sputum; phlegm-damp retention manifesting as cough and wheezing; retching; severe diarrhea; leukorrhea; and sores, furuncles, and carbuncles.
Administration of Bulbus Allii Macrostemoni (Xiè Bái):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Bulbus Allii Macrostemoni (Xiè Bái)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 5–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1.5–3 qián (≈4.5–9 grams); fresh herb, 1–2 liang (≈30–60 grams); or prepared as pills or powder. External use: apply mashed herb topically, or extract and smear the juice. (3) Internally: water decoction, 5–10 grams; fresh herb, 30–60 grams; or prepared as pills, powder, or congee. External use: appropriate amount—apply mashed herb topically or smear the extracted juice.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis should not be combined with leek.
(2) Allium chinense G. Don.
Botanical Description:Allium chinense G. Don is commonly known as Xiè, Huǒ Cōng, and Qiáo Tóu. It resembles Allium macrostemon Bunge, but differs in the following key features: bulbs are aggregated in clusters, narrowly ovate, 1–1.5 cm in diameter; the bulb coat is white or reddish, membranous, and remains intact (non-dehiscent). Leaves are basal, 2–5 in number; terete with 3–5 longitudinal ridges, hollow, and nearly equal in length to the scape.
The scape is lateral, terete (cylindrical), 20–40 cm tall. The involucre is membranous, bilobed, and persistent. Umbels are hemispherical and lax; pedicels are 2–4 times longer than the perianth and bracteate. Flowers range from mauve (lavender or lilac) to royal purple (bluish-violet); six tepals, 4–6 mm long, broadly elliptic to orbicular, with obtuse apices. Filaments are twice as long as the perianth; only the basal portion is connate and adnate to the perianth; the base of the inner whorl is enlarged, bearing one tooth on each side; the outer whorl is edentate. The ovary is broadly obovate, with three concave pits at the base, each covered by a thin membrane. The style extends beyond the perianth. Flowering and fruiting occur from October to November.
Ecological Environment:Allium chinense exhibits strong adaptability and thrives in soils with a pH of 6.0–8.0. It tolerates low light intensity; well-drained, fertile loam or sandy loam is optimal for cultivation. Growth becomes quiescent during cold winter months. Regrowth resumes in early April. The species develops well under cool climatic conditions, and leaf expansion occurs preferentially in cool temperatures. Optimal growth temperature ranges from 15–21 °C (59–69.8 °F); growth persists—though markedly slowed—at 5–10 °C (41–50 °F). Bulb enlargement peaks at ~20 °C (68 °F), and the plant enters dormancy above 30 °C (86 °F). Native to China, it is widely cultivated and grows wild throughout the country. It has also been introduced to the United States and a few other countries.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is slightly flattened and ovoid, 1–3 cm in height and 1–1.5 cm in diameter. Its surface is yellowish-brown or tan (chocolate brown), bearing shallow longitudinal wrinkles. The texture is soft, revealing 2–3 fleshy scale layers upon fracture. When chewed, the herb adheres slightly to the teeth.
(3) Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker
Botanical Description:Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker is also known as Caloscordum neriniflorum Herb. It is commonly called Cháng Gěng Xiè Bái (“long-stemmed allium herb”) or Cháng Gěng Jiǔ. The plant lacks the characteristic onion-garlic odor. Bulbs are solitary, ovoid or subspherical, 1–2 cm in diameter; the bulb coat is grayish-black, membranous, non-dehiscent; the inner tunics are white. Leaves are terete or nearly semicylindrical, hollow, with longitudinal ridges bearing fine, coarse teeth along their length; they are equal to or longer than the scape and 1–3 mm wide.
Umbels are loosely arranged; pedicels are unequal in length (7–11 cm), each bearing a bracteole at the base. Flowers are red to purplish-red (prunus-colored); the bases of the tepals (perianth lobes) converge to form a fistulose (tubular) structure; tepals measure 7–10 mm in length; each locule of the ovary contains six ovules. Flowering and fruiting occur from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides or mountain slopes, grasslands, or sandy beaches, in areas at altitudes below 2,000 meters above sea level. It is mainly distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is ovoid, 1–2 cm in diameter.
(4) Allium caeruleum Pall.
Botanical Description:Allium caeruleum Pall. is commonly known as Tiān Lán Xiǎo Gēn Suàn (meaning “sky-blue garlic with small roots”), Léng Yè Jiǔ (meaning “leek with prismatic leaves”), or Lán Huā Shān Suàn (meaning “blue-flowered mountain garlic”). Bulbs are subsphaeroidal (nearly spherical), 1–2 cm in diameter; the base often bears bulbils with a dark purple outer coat. The bulb coat is dark gray, chartaceous (papery), uncracked and intact; the endothelium is white and membranous. There are 3–5 leaves, which are strap-shaped, with a single longitudinal ridge on the abaxial surface; sometimes they are tri-ribbed, and often become tortuous upon drying. Leaves are shorter than the scape, 2–5 mm wide, and gradually wither and die at flowering; both the leaf blade and leaf sheath are smooth or finely denticulate along the longitudinal veins.
The scapes are 25–85 cm tall; umbels are spherical or hemispherical, bearing numerous dense flowers, and sometimes bulbils. Pedicels are subequal (nearly equal in length), 2–6 times longer than the perianth. Flowers are sky blue; when dried, they often turn royal purple (bluish violet). The flowering and fruiting period is from June to August.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on drier hillsides or mountain slopes, or grasslands, at altitudes between 1,100 and 2,300 meters above sea level. It is mainly distributed in China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is subsphaeroidal (subglobular), 1–2 cm in diameter.
✵This article documents the herb Longstamen Onion, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources as defined in classical herbal texts—namely, (1) Allium macrostemon Bunge and (2) Allium chinense G. Don—as well as two additional species occasionally used: (3) Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker and (4) Allium caeruleum Pall. It provides a detailed description of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these species, along with the macroscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Xiè Bái
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis (Longstamen Onion) as the dried bulb of (1) Allium macrostemon Bunge or (2) Allium chinense G. Don. Other authoritative herbal classics extend the source to include (3) Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker and (4) Allium caeruleum Pall. These species belong to the genus Allium, family Amaryllidaceae (formerly classified under Liliaceae), order Asparagales. Descriptions of the commonly used species follow:
Botanical Description: Allium macrostemon Bunge is also known as Allium macrostemon var. uratense (Franch.) Airy-Shaw. Common vernacular names include Xiǎo Gēn Suàn (“small-rooted garlic”), Cài Zhī, Xiǎo Gēn Cài, Zǐ Gēn Suàn, and Tuán Cōng. It is a perennial herb reaching 30–60 cm in height. Bulbs are subspherical, 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter, bearing 1–3 bulbils laterally; outer scales are white and membranous, turning black with age. Leaves are alternate, pale green (verdant), semi-cylindrical and filiform, hollow, 20–40 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, with an acuminate apex and a sheathing, amplexicaul base.
The scape (flower stalk) is solitary and erect, 30–70 cm tall. Umbels are terminal and globose, subtended by membranous, ovoid bracts with a long-acuminate apex. Pedicels measure 1–2 cm; some inflorescences bear only a few florets but numerous succulent bulbils—sometimes replacing all florets. There are six tepals (perianth lobes), pink or rosy; six stamens, longer than the perianth, with slender, elongated filaments that are slightly thickened at the base. The ovary is superior and globose.
Ecological Environment: This species grows in weedy cultivated fields and dry mountainous habitats. It prefers a cool climate and becomes dormant during hot summer months. Growth is most vigorous in spring and autumn. It inhabits fields, hillsides, mountain slopes, dry grasslands, forest margins, wastelands, valleys, and grassy areas below 1,500 m above sea level—often forming dense patches or dominant stands. It is native to China.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is irregularly ovoid, 0.5–2.0 cm long and 0.7–1.8 cm in diameter. Its surface is yellowish-white or pale yellowish-brown (fallow), wrinkled, translucent, with longitudinal grooves and ridges, or covered with off-white membranous scales. A residual stem base or stem scar is present at the apex; the basal squamose bulb disc is prominent. The texture is firm and hard, corneous, not easily fractured; the fracture surface is yellowish-white. The herb has a mild garlic odor and a mildly pungent taste.
Botanical Description: Allium chinense G. Don is commonly known as Xiè, Huǒ Cōng, and Qiáo Tóu. It resembles Allium macrostemon Bunge, but differs in the following key features: bulbs are aggregated in clusters, narrowly ovate, 1–1.5 cm in diameter; the bulb coat is white or reddish, membranous, and remains intact (non-dehiscent). Leaves are basal, 2–5 in number; terete with 3–5 longitudinal ridges, hollow, and nearly equal in length to the scape.
The scape is lateral, terete (cylindrical), 20–40 cm tall. The involucre is membranous, bilobed, and persistent. Umbels are hemispherical and lax; pedicels are 2–4 times longer than the perianth and bracteate. Flowers range from mauve (lavender or lilac) to royal purple (bluish-violet); six tepals, 4–6 mm long, broadly elliptic to orbicular, with obtuse apices. Filaments are twice as long as the perianth; only the basal portion is connate and adnate to the perianth; the base of the inner whorl is enlarged, bearing one tooth on each side; the outer whorl is edentate. The ovary is broadly obovate, with three concave pits at the base, each covered by a thin membrane. The style extends beyond the perianth. Flowering and fruiting occur from October to November.
Ecological Environment: Allium chinense exhibits strong adaptability and thrives in soils with a pH of 6.0–8.0. It tolerates low light intensity; well-drained, fertile loam or sandy loam is optimal for cultivation. Growth becomes quiescent during cold winter months. Regrowth resumes in early April. The species develops well under cool climatic conditions, and leaf expansion occurs preferentially in cool temperatures. Optimal growth temperature ranges from 15–21 °C (59–69.8 °F); growth persists—though markedly slowed—at 5–10 °C (41–50 °F). Bulb enlargement peaks at ~20 °C (68 °F), and the plant enters dormancy above 30 °C (86 °F). Native to China, it is widely cultivated and grows wild throughout the country. It has also been introduced to the United States and a few other countries.
Characteristics of the Herb: The bulb is slightly flattened and ovoid, 1–3 cm in height and 1–1.5 cm in diameter. Its surface is yellowish-brown or tan (chocolate brown), bearing shallow longitudinal wrinkles. The texture is soft, revealing 2–3 fleshy scale layers upon fracture. When chewed, the herb adheres slightly to the teeth.
Botanical Description: Allium neriniflorum (Herb.) Baker is also known as Caloscordum neriniflorum Herb. It is commonly called Cháng Gěng Xiè Bái (“long-stemmed allium herb”) or Cháng Gěng Jiǔ. The plant lacks the characteristic onion-garlic odor. Bulbs are solitary, ovoid or subspherical, 1–2 cm in diameter; the bulb coat is grayish-black, membranous, non-dehiscent; the inner tunics are white. Leaves are terete or nearly semicylindrical, hollow, with longitudinal ridges bearing fine, coarse teeth along their length; they are equal to or longer than the scape and 1–3 mm wide.
URL QR code:
