Natural Herb Library

Pig Bile

Chinese
猪胆汁
Pinyin
Zhu Dan Zhi
Latin
Fel Porci
Scientific specimen plate of Pig Bile, Bilis Porci, showing gallbladder specimen, bile fluid, dried bile material, and diagnostic preparation details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Zhu Dan Zhi (猪胆汁), this bitter, cold herb enters the Lung, Large Intestine, Liver, and Gallbladder. Traditionally, it clears heat and transforms phlegm, especially when hot phlegm obstructs the Lung with cough, wheezing, or thick difficult sputum, most often applied for cough, wheezing, and constipation. Modern research has identified Primary among its active constituents.

Part used: Bile

Also Known As

Zhu Dan Porcine bile

Latin: Fel Porci | Pinyin: Zhu Dan Zhi | Chinese: 猪胆汁

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Liver, Gallbladder

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears heat and transforms phlegm, especially when hot phlegm obstructs the Lung with cough, wheezing, or thick difficult sputum.
  • Moistens dryness and unblocks the bowels in heat-type constipation, particularly when internal heat has dried the intestinal fluids.
  • Clears toxic heat from the throat and eyes, so traditional sources also mention it for painful swollen throat and red inflamed eyes.

Secondary Actions

  • As with several animal bile medicinals, the clinical idea is strong bitter-cold drainage rather than gentle nourishment.
  • Modern readers should treat this as a historical materia medica item, not as a casual wellness ingredient.

Classical References

  • Traditional herb manuals describe Zhu Dan Zhi as bitter and cold, entering the Lung and intestines to clear phlegm-heat and relieve dry constipation.
  • Its classic use extends to throat swelling and red eyes when heat and toxicity move upward.
  • The action profile overlaps conceptually with other medicinal biles, though species-specific sourcing matters.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Primary bile acids and conjugated bile salts
  • Cholic acid derivatives and related steroidal bile constituents
  • Animal-bile metabolite fractions studied for anti-inflammatory and digestive activity

Studied Effects

  • A broad review of medicinal animal biles summarized long-standing ethnopharmacologic and chemical interest in pig bile and related animal bile products used in traditional medicine (PMID 25110425).
  • Recent toxicology work specifically evaluated porcine bile powder in mice and rats, which is directly relevant to safety assessment for this animal-derived drug (PMID 39040472).
  • A 2021 review of bile acids from medicinal animals summarized constituent classes and pharmacologic actions that underpin modern interest in traditional bile products (PMID 34738383).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold deficiency patterns without heat or phlegm-heat
  • Loose stools or chronic diarrhea from Spleen deficiency

Cautions

  • Animal bile preparations are potent and can irritate the digestive tract or provoke unpredictable tolerance issues outside supervised use.
  • Because bile-acid preparations have genuine toxicology literature, concentrated pig-bile products should not be treated as routine self-care.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pig Bile used for?

Pig Bile is traditionally used to Clears heat and transforms phlegm, especially when hot phlegm obstructs the Lung with cough, wheezing, or thick difficult sputum., Moistens dryness and unblocks the bowels in heat-type constipation, particularly when internal heat has dried the intestinal fluids., Clears toxic heat from the throat and eyes, so traditional sources also mention it for painful swollen throat and red inflamed eyes.. Research has investigated its effects on: A broad review of medicinal animal biles summarized long-standing ethnopharmacologic and chemical interest in pig bile and related animal bile products used in traditional medicine (PMID 25110425).; Recent toxicology work specifically evaluated porcine bile powder in mice and rats, which is directly relevant to safety assessment for this animal-derived drug (PMID 39040472)..

What are other names for Pig Bile?

Pig Bile is also known as Zhu Dan, Porcine bile. In TCM: 猪胆汁 (Zhu Dan Zhi); Fel Porci.

Is Pig Bile safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Pig Bile during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Pig Bile?

Pig Bile should not be used in: Cold deficiency patterns without heat or phlegm-heat; Loose stools or chronic diarrhea from Spleen deficiency. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.