Bai Bu (Stemona Root) for Skin: Traditional Use, Research and Safety
Herbal ingredient guide
Bai Bu, or Stemonae Radix, is the dried root of Stemona plants. In Chinese medicine it has two classic roles: moistening the lungs to ease cough when taken internally, and, applied externally, killing skin parasites such as lice and relieving itch. Modern research has isolated dozens of Stemona alkaloids, several of which reduce inflammatory signals in laboratory studies. QICAOGANGMU uses Bai Bu at a gentle 0.5% as a supporting herb in its itch-relief formula.
- Source: dried root of Stemona tuberosa, S. japonica or S. sessilifolia.
- Traditional external use: itchy skin, lice and other skin pests.
- Research: Stemona alkaloids reduced inflammatory nitric oxide in two laboratory studies (2022 and 2024).
- In QICAOGANGMU: 0.5%, the lowest-concentration herb, supporting Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi.
What is Bai Bu?
Bai Bu (百部) is the dried tuberous root of three Stemona species listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia: Stemona tuberosa, S. japonica and S. sessilifolia. Stemona plants have long been used across South and East Asia to relieve cough, control pests, reduce inflammation and treat some skin conditions (Liu et al., 2021). Their main active compounds are a unique family of Stemona alkaloids, together with stilbenoids.
How is Bai Bu used in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
| Use | How it is applied | Traditional purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Internal | Decoctions, often honey-processed | Moisten the lungs, ease cough |
| External | Washes, tinctures, ointments and creams | Kill lice and skin pests, relieve itch |
Its external pest-repelling reputation has a modern explanation: certain Stemona alkaloids are strongly toxic to insects, while tuberostemonine has repellent effects (Greger, 2006). In skin formulas, Bai Bu is typically combined with itch-relieving herbs such as Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi; see the best TCM herbs for itchy skin.
What does modern research show?
- 2022: researchers isolated 29 alkaloids, 8 of them new, from Stemona tuberosa roots. Several reduced nitric oxide production, a marker of inflammation, in immune cells (Xu et al., 2022).
- 2024: a second study identified 6 new and 26 known alkaloids and tested all of them against the same inflammatory signal (Zhang et al., 2024).
These are laboratory studies, so they explain Bai Bu's potential rather than prove a clinical effect on their own. Bai Bu's value in a skin cream comes from this anti-inflammatory chemistry combined with its long external-use tradition and its partner herbs.
Why is Bai Bu in QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU follows a classic TCM structure: lead herbs supported by assisting herbs. She Chuang Zi (3%) and Ku Shen (1.5%) lead the itch-relief action, borneol (2%) and menthol (0.5%) provide cooling, and Bai Bu (0.5%) adds its traditional external-skin role at a gentle level. Read more about the lead herbs in our Ku Shen guide and She Chuang Zi research, or see the full ingredient list.
Bai Bu in a fully declared cream. QICAOGANGMU combines it with Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi, tested steroid-free by TÜV SÜD PSB. Rated 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. See the formula
Is Bai Bu safe on the skin?
- External use is Bai Bu's most traditional skin application, and QICAOGANGMU uses it at only 0.5%.
- Internal use of Stemona root should be guided by a qualified TCM practitioner, as with other potent herbs (Liu et al., 2021).
- Patch test first, avoid broken skin and the eyes, and stop if irritation develops. See QICAOGANGMU safety.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (666 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
QICAOGANGMU is a steroid-free Chinese herbal cream combining Bai Bu 0.5% with She Chuang Zi 3%, Ku Shen 1.5%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2% and menthol 0.5% in a moisturising glycerin and petrolatum base, for daily care of itchy, irritated skin.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$20
Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. Full ingredient review · Product details
Frequently asked questions
What is Bai Bu?
Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) is the dried root of Stemona plants, used in Chinese medicine internally for cough and externally for itchy skin and skin pests such as lice.
What is Bai Bu used for on the skin?
Traditionally it is applied externally in washes, tinctures and creams to relieve itch and kill skin parasites, often combined with Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi.
What are Stemona alkaloids?
They are a unique family of compounds found only in Stemona plants. Laboratory studies show some reduce inflammatory signals and others are toxic or repellent to insects.
Is Bai Bu safe?
External use at low concentrations has a long tradition. Internal use should be guided by a qualified TCM practitioner. Patch test any new skin product first.
How much Bai Bu is in QICAOGANGMU?
QICAOGANGMU contains 0.5% Bai Bu, the lowest-concentration herb in its five-active formula.
Related articles
References
- Liu Y, Shen Y, Teng L, et al. The traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Stemona species: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;265:113112. PMID 32726680
- Greger H. Structural relationships, distribution and biological activities of Stemona alkaloids. Planta Med. 2006;72(2):99-113. PMID 16491444
- Xu Y, Xiong L, Yan Y, et al. Alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa and their anti-inflammatory activity. Front Chem. 2022;10:847595. PMID 35295975
- Zhang N, Xu Y, Yue X, et al. Isolation, characterization and anti-inflammatory effect of alkaloids from the roots of Stemona tuberosa Lour. Phytochemistry. 2024;220:114013. PMID 38331134
Product information. This article describes a traditional herbal ingredient for educational purposes. QICAOGANGMU is a topical skin-care cream; persistent or severe skin conditions should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
