Fritillaria sewerzowi

Across the Chinese pharmacopeial tradition for Fritillaria sewerzowi, the dried bulbs (Fritillariae ussuriensis bulbus) are processed into decoctions, powders, or syrups to treat cough, lung heat, and excessive phlegm. In the Chinese pharmacopoeia the bulbs are sliced and decocted in water, often alongside harmonizing herbs, for cough relief, and the preparation of syrups is also recorded for modern use (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020). In northeastern China, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners continue to use Zhebaimu—known from the Flora of China to correspond to F. sewerzowi—treating it as a warm, moistening, antitussive agent for wheeze and dry coughs, typically in decoction or as a powdered infusion (Flora of China, 2007). Regional herbal manuals similarly note that the bulb is simmered as a “good cough remedy,” especially for wind‑heat and phlegm‑heat syndromes, and in Manchu‑Chinese pharmacopeia the bulb is described as a bitter, warm agent taken as a decoction for chest oppression and expectoration (He and Wang, 1996). Across these Chinese sources the common preparation is a decoction of sliced bulbs; syrups and powders are also documented, with occasional mention of topical poultices for swellings and bruises in regional practice (He and Wang, 1996).

Practical recipe. Use dried sliced bulbs of Fritillaria sewerzowi (about 3–9 g), add to 500 ml water, bring to a boil, then simmer 20–30 minutes, and strain. Drink warm 2–3 times daily for cough with phlegm. The Chinese pharmacopoeia recommends careful dosage and proper processing of bulbs; pregnancy is a contraindication and adults should not exceed stated medicinal amounts (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020).

Active constituents. The bulbs contain isosteroidal alkaloids such as peimisine, imperialine, and verticinone, which are recognized in pharmacopoeial monographs and modern chromatographic studies of the genus, along with flavonoids and saponins (Zhao et al., 2020; Flora of China, 2007).

Modern relevance. While the raw bulbs require careful processing, commercial syrups and standardized preparations remain widely available in China, and recent research continues to explore antitussive and anti‑inflammatory activity of these alkaloids in Fritillaria species, supporting ongoing use in both traditional and modern respiratory formulations (Zhao et al., 2020).

Common products:
* Fritillaria sewerzowi is cultivated as an ornamental flowering bulbous plant. It is grown for its attractive, nodding, bell-shaped flowers in rock gardens and alpine collections. No other documented common products are associated with this species.
Industrial and craft applications:
* No industrial or craft applications are documented for this species.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
* No edible uses or beverage applications are documented for this species.
Colorants and tanning:
* No dye or tannin applications are documented for this species.
Wood and fiber:
* As a herbaceous, bulbous perennial, this species does not yield wood or fiber.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
* No fragrance or cosmetic applications are documented for this species.
Properties relevant to use:
* N/A (No documented uses identified requiring property discussion).
Standards and regulation:
* N/A (No commercial uses documented requiring standards/regulation).
Sustainability and sourcing:
* Fritillaria sewerzowi is cultivated by horticulturists and specialty bulb suppliers. It is not described as threatened in trade (CITES appendix listings or IUCN Red List entries were not located). Wild collection appears limited. Cultivation is the primary method of sourcing plants and bulbs for ornamental use.

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No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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