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Lily bulbs (Bai He), A super food and A herbal remedy

Authors:
M. Hesam Shahrajabian at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
M. Hesam Shahrajabian
Mehdi Khoshkharam at Shahid Beheshti University
Mehdi Khoshkharam
Wenli Sun at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Wenli Sun
Qi Cheng at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Qi Cheng
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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which is an essential part of the health care system in most Asian countries, relies on natural products and has been playing a very important role in health protection and disease control for many years. Chinese medicine classifies the lily plant as bitter in taste, mild in nature, and beneficial to our hearts and lungs. The flowers are dried and used in cooking stews or soups. The healing properties of lily include moisturizing the lungs, relieving cough from lung-dryness, clears heart-fire and tranquilizes the mind. Dried lily bulbs are commonly used in herbal formulas for promoting lung health, treating yin-deficiency of the heart which manifests as irritability, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation and absent-mindedness, and promotes vital fluid and improves skin complexion. Lily bulbs have numerous important pharmacological activities and it can be considered as a valuable source of nutraceuticals.
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International Journal of Agriculture and Nutrition
21
Lily bulbs (Bai He), A super food and A herbal remedy
Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian1*, Mehdi Khoshkharam2, Wenli Sun3, Qi Cheng4
1, 3, 4 Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
1, 3, 4 Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Qi Institute, Building C4, No. 555 Chuangye Road, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
1, 2 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which is an essential part of the health care system in most Asian countries, relies on natural
products and has been playing a very important role in health protection and disease control for many years. Chinese medicine classifies
the lily plant as bitter in taste, mild in nature, and beneficial to our hearts and lungs. The flowers are dried and used in cooking stews or
soups. The healing properties of lily include moisturizing the lungs, relieving cough from lung-dryness, clears heart-fire and tranquilizes
the mind. Dried lily bulbs are commonly used in herbal formulas for promoting lung health, treating yin-deficiency of the heart which
manifests as irritability, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation and absent-mindedness, and promotes vital fluid and improves skin
complexion. Lily bulbs have numerous important pharmacological activities and it can be considered as a valuable source of
nutraceuticals.
Keywords: lily bulb, dry Lili, functional food, traditional chinese medicine
Introduction
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played a positive role
in the management of so many diseases (Ogbaji et al., 2018;
Shahrajabian et al., 2018; Shahrajabian et al., 2019a,b,c; Sun et
al., 2019). TCM is an empirical healthcare system based on
human experience dating back several thousand years ago and
stands out as the only one with long history among the world ,s
traditional medical system (Ogbaji et al., 2013; Soleymani and
Shahrajabian, 2018; Shahrajabian et al., 2019e,f,g,h) [6, 7, 8, 9, 10].
The most important parameter is providing healthy diets for the
decades to come in a world with rapid population growth
(Soleymani and Shahrajanian, 2012; Shahrajabian et al.,
2019i,j,k; Shahrajabian et al., 2020, Sun et al., 2020). The goal
of this short paper is review on the most important
pharmaceutical properties of lily bulb in both traditional Chinese
medicine and modern industry.
Dry Lili Bulb
Origin, health benefits and constitution of Lili bulb
Lilies are attractive economic flowering plants grown in pots or
as cut flowers (Pobudikiewicz et al., 2006; Younis et al., 2014).
Lili flower has long been used by many cultures as a symbol of
tranquility, peace and prosperity. The Roman Catholic Church
used lily flowers to symbolize the Virgin Mary and to represent
its own state of independence and prosperity. The Chinese culture
uses lily bulb to make desserts for festivities and weddings to
symbolize good luck and longevity of marriages. Lilium is
recognized as a valuable cut flower and many breeding
companies are working on the development of new cultivars of
the species belonging to different sections of genus (Lucidos et
al., 2017). Lilies grow best in well-drained soil. Add organic
matter to heavy clay or sandy soils before planting. Dry lili buds
(huang hua) also known as golden needles and tiger lilies. Dired
lily buds are among the most notable of edible flowers in Chinese
cuisine. The lily or Hemerocalis to refer to it by its scientific
name, has been used in China as both a food and medicinal plant
for more than 2000 years. Dried lili buds are typically yellow-
gold in color and are generally two or three inches long. They are
also known to have a delicate flower, often described as musky,
earthy and sometimes even sweet or slightly tart. Dried lily buds
are used for their unique aroma which is fruity and flowery. Dried
Lily flowers are used in Chinese cooking as a flavor enhancer,
primarily in vegetarian dishes, but also in various stews and
soups.
They are also very important ingredient in Buddha ,s Delight (Jai
cuisine), moo shu vegetables and Beijing style noodle sauce. The
best quality lily buds are produced in the Qu country in the
Southwestern Sichuan province which contain 7 stigma and
filaments and are always covered by 6-8 petals. In Chinese
traditional medicine, lily buds aid the brain functions and help
blood clots, and also help to cool your blood and aid urination.
Lily-Bulb has three primary sets of active components: alkaloids
(steroidal alkaloids, such as etioline as well as small pyrrolines
like jatrophine, also called lilidine); steroidal saponins; and
phenols (mainly flavonoids). The combination of steroidal
alkaloids and steroidal saponins are likely responsible for the
treatment of various nervous system disorders. Lilies are good
source of starch and protein. Lili bulbs are said to have calcium,
iron, phosphorus, folate, potassium and vitamins B1, B2 and C.
According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, lily
bulbs have sweet and slightly cold properties, and are associated
with the Lung and Heart meridians. Lily bulbs are used to relieve
coughs, dry throats and other respiratory conditions, to clear
away heat, and to treat insomnia and heart palpitations. Its tonic
properties make it a good herb for promoting restful sleep and
International Journal of Agriculture and Nutrition
www.agriculturejournal.net
Online ISSN: 2664-6072; Print ISSN: 2664-6064
Received: 04-02-2019; Accepted: 05-03-2019
Volume 1; Issue 2; April 2019; Page No. 01-05
International Journal of Agriculture and Nutrition
22
treating restlessness and irritability. Lily bulb is often combined
with other herbs, such as scrophularia, rehmannia root and
anemarrhena. The health benefits of lily bulb are 1) lily bulb
provides protein and starch. Additionally, they contain small
amounts of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins B1, B2 and
C, 2) In traditional Chinese medicine, lily bulb is considered
sweet and cooling in properties. The herb is also associated to the
lung and heart meridians and help to relieve coughs, dry throats,
clear heat, and moisten the lung. Dried lily bulb is also used as an
herb to calm the spirit, promote restful sleep and lessen
irritability, 3) Fresh and dried lily bulb can be used in both sweet
dessert soups and savory soups in Chinese cooking. Side effects
of lily bulbs are 1) as with all herbs, use in moderation and consult
with a physician first, 2) according to traditional Chinese
herbology, those with wind-cold or diarrehea should avoid using
lily bulb. Common TCM forumals in which lily bulbs are used,
1) for lung and kidney Yin deficiency associated with chronic
bronchitis, asthma or chronic pharyngitis combine lily bulbs with
prepared rehmannia (Shu Di huang), unprepared rehmannia (Di
Huang), dwarf lilyturf roots (Mai Dong), white peony roots (Bai
Shao), dong quai (Dang Gui), ningpo figwort roots (Xuan Shen),
platycodon roots (Jie Geng), fritillary bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu), and
liquorice (Gan Cao), 2) for irritability, restlessness, nervous
anxiety and insomnia combine lily bulbs with lotus seeds (Lian
Zi), glehnia roots (Bei Sha Shen), jujube seeds (Suan Zao Ren),
biota seeds (Bo Zi Ren), and poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling),
3) for lung abscesses combine lily bulbs with snow ear
mushrooms (Bai Mu Er) and glehnia roots (Bei Sha Shen), 4) for
Yin deficiency with dry cough and bloody sputum combine lily
bulbs with coltsfoot flowers (Kuan Dong Hua), 5) for mild cases
of insomnia and anxiety combine lily bulbs with longans (Long
Yan Rou). The most important health benefits of lily bulb is
shown in Table 1.
Table 1: The most important health benefits of lily bulb.
1- Improving sleep quality
2- Treating low-grade fever
3- Alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
4- Stopping heart palpitations
5- Preventing and stopping diarrhea
6- Improving concentration and focus
Conclusion
Lili flower has long been used by many cultures as a symbol of
tranquility, peace and prosperity. In Chinese traditional medicine,
lily buds aid the brain functions and help blood clots, and also
help to cool your blood and aid urination. Lily-Bulb has three
primary sets of active components: alkaloids (steroidal alkaloids,
such as etioline as well as small pyrrolines like jatrophine, also
called lilidine); steroidal saponins; and phenols (mainly
flavonoids). The combination of steroidal alkaloids and steroidal
saponins are likely responsible for the treatment of various
nervous system disorders. Lilies are good source of starch and
protein. Lili bulbs are said to have calcium, iron, phosphorus,
folate, potassium and vitamins B1, B2 and C. According to the
principles of traditional Chinese medicine, lily bulbs have sweet
and slightly cold properties, and are associated with the Lung and
Heart meridians. Lily bulbs are used to relieve coughs, dry throats
and other respiratory conditions, to clear away heat, and to treat
insomnia and heart palpitations. Its tonic properties make it a
good herb for promoting restful sleep and treating restlessness
and irritability. Lily bulb is often combined with other herbs, such
as scrophularia, rehmannia root and anemarrhena. The health
benefits of lily bulb are 1) lily bulb provides protein and starch.
Additionally, they contain small amounts of calcium, iron,
phosphorus and vitamins B1, B2 and C, 2) In traditional Chinese
medicine, lily bulb is considered sweet and cooling in properties.
The herb is also associated to the lung and heart meridians and
help to relieve coughs, dry throats, clear heat, and moisten the
lung.Tremella use dates back as far as 200 A.D. when it was
including in one of the earliest TCM classics- the material by
Shen Nong ben Cao Jing, the father of Chinese medicine
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... Baihe is used to relieve respiratory conditions, repel heat, stop heart palpitations, alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, prevent and stop diarrhea, treat insomnia, irritability, restlessness, anxiety and lack of focus (Shahrajabian et al., 2019). ...
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  • Jan 2020
Pyrethrum is a perennial daisy grown commercially for the insecticide that is extracted from its flowers. In order to evaluate germination and seedling growth of pyrethrum under different temperature and drought stress treatments, the one year experiment was conducted in seed technology laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan branch in 2018. During this experiment, polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 6 levels (0,-0.2,-0.4,-0.6,-0.8,-1.0 MP) and two temperature treatments (10 o C and 15 o C) were used. Two separate factorial trials, on the basis of absolute randomized design with three replications were used. Drought stress impact on germination percentage, mean time germination, shoot and root length, abnormal germination, germination uniformity, plumule dry and fresh weight, root dry and fresh weight and seed stamina index was significant (P≤0.01). The influence of temperature on germination percentage, mean time germination, shoot and root length, plumule dry weight, plumule fresh weight, root dry weight and root fresh weight was significant (P≤0.05).The rate of germination, germination percentage, as well as seedling growth and establishment were significantly lowered with the rise of stress levels using PEG. Control treatment and 15 o C had obtained the highest germination percentage, mean time germination, shoot and root length, germination uniformity, plumule dry and fresh weight, root dry and fresh weight, and seed stamina index. Taking all traits into account, a clear understanding of the germination responses of seeds is useful in screening for tolerance of species to extreme temperatures.
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Soybean Seeds Treated with Single Walled Carbon Naotubes (SwCNTs) Showed Enhanced Drought Tolerance During Germination
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  • Jan 2020
Drought cause yield loss of soybean production is the major reason to yield losing of soybean. To improve the germination and growth of soybean seeds under drought stress. We studied the effect of the single walled carbon nanotubes (SwCNTs) material in seed germination and the physiological changes occurred under drought condition, performed SwCNTs treatments in soybean (Zhonghuang 35) seeds at PEG drought stress, evaluated the germination, root and shoot length, fresh weight, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and the contents of maleic dialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AsA) and H2O2. The results showed that under osmotic potentials of 0,-0.3,-0.6 with PEG 6000, the germination percentage of SwCNTs-treated seeds was higher than the control treatment (SwCNTs-untreated seeds). The fresh weight of SwCNTs-treated seeds were evidently higher than that of the controls under the osmotic potentials of 0,-0.3,-0.6 MPa. The root and shoot length were also longer than control in SwCNTs-treated seeds at 0,-0.3,-0.6 MPa (P<0.05, P<0.01) and-0.6 MPa (P<0.01) respectively. Moreover, the MDA and H2O2 contents were lower but ASA content and activities of SOD, CAT, POD were higher in SwCNTs-treated seeds than control treatment under osmotic potentials of-0.3,-0.6 MPa. The results suggest that SwCNTs-treated soybean seeds showed improvement in tolerance to drought stress and the combined increases in SOD, CAT and POD activities in seeds may play an important role in the improvement of antioxidant capacity under drought stress.
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The influence of traditional Iranian and Chinese medicine on western and islamic countries
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  • Aug 2019
Traditional Chinese and Iranian medicine are ancient medical and health care systems that still forms an important part of diagnosis and treatment systems in Iran, China and other parts of the world. The integration of these two systems and modern biomedicine is also an important issue. Iranian and Chinese traditional medicines recommended for health promotion and well-being. Chinese herbal drugs have been described by medieval Muslim medical scholars such as Tabari, Rhazes, Haly Abbas, Avicenna and Jurjani (1137 CE). Traditional Chinese and Iranian medicine play an important role in sustainable agriculture and food systems, it also offers a holistic approach to prevent diseases while making appropriate use of organic and herbal products especially growth by small-scale family farmers. Both Iranian and Chinese traditional medicines may help to balance temperature, and both can be health prevention and preservation. Traditional healing practices consist of Islamic religious text based practices, Islamic worship practices and folk healing practices, Islamic religious text based practices are included spiritual healing, medicinal herbs, applied therapy and dietary prescriptions. At present, herbal medications or related products in the global market are derived from Chinese herbs, Indian herbs, Iranian herbs, Arabic herbs, and Western herbs. Herbal remedies may also be classified into three categories, namely, modern herbs, theoretical herbs, and empirical herbs, in accordance with their nature/characteristics and the nature of current usage. Traditional Chinese and Iranian medicines are inexpensive and available to all and they also focus more on fitness than illness
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Modern pharmacological actions of Longan fruits and their usages in traditional herbal remedies
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  • Jul 2019
Longan is an ever green tree of the Sapindaceae family. Longman fruit is grown commercially in many countries like China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and etc. In China, import of the longan fruit has been increasing in recent years. Longan are demanded in the market in various types such as fresh, dried, frozen and processed. Twelve important compounds longan are (1) β-sitosterol, (2) 2-phenylethanol, (3) 2-methyl-1,10-undecanediol, (4) (24R)-6β-hydroxy-24-ethyl-cholest-4-en-3-one, (4) Oleanolic acid, (5) Pinoresinol, (7) Nicotinic acid, (8) 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (9) β-daucosterol, (10) 1-O-methyl-D-myo-inositol, (11) Uracil, and (12) Adenosine. The most important antioxidant compounds extract from longan shell are isovanillin, scopoletin, quercetin, hyperin, astragalin, and β-phenylethyl alcohol. The longan is suitable for the tropical zone subtopics in heat season. The flesh fruit is much in juicy, low in acid, high in sugar. Longan fruit has high nutritional and medicinal values and its main functional metabolites include polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids and carotenoids. The functional metabolites provide medicinal, anticancer and antiaging benefits to humans. Longan fruit is used for enhancing memory, promoting blood metabolism, relieving insomnia and preventing amnesia. Its secondary metabolic products have been also shown to have anti-oxidative, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-tyrosinase and immunomodulatory activities. Both longan flowers (long yan hua) and fruit (long yan rou) are used in traditional Chinese medicine and herbal preparations, but the fruit is used much more frequently. Longan contains several vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium and large amounts of vitamins A and C. In traditional Chinese medicine, longan fruits are considered warm, sweet and astringent. Many parts of the plant are used medicinally including the fruit itself, and dried fruits, relieves anxiety. The leaves are cool the system, and the flowers and seeds aid the kidneys. The roots are used to treat diabetics and to treat gonorrhea. All in all, the most important health benefits of longan are skin care, anti-aging, boosts libido, anti-anxiety, treats insomnia, blood tonic, promotes weight loss, increases energy, controls blood pressure, neuroprotection, strengthens immunity, speeds-up healing, prevents chronic diseases, aids in digestion, improves memory, vision health, useful in treating snake bites, and appropriate in dental care. The obtained findings suggest potential of longan as superfruit and its extract as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The bioactive compounds and pharmaceutical characteristics of longan should be studied to cosmetic and pharmaceutical products in the future.
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