Pinellia
tuber (Banxia)
Pharmaceutical Name : Rhizoma Pinelliae
Botanical Name : Pinellia ternata (Thunb.)
Breit.
Common Name : Pinellia tuber
Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The tuberous rhizomes are dug
in the period between summer and autumn. After
the bark and fibrous roots have been removed,
the rhizomes are dried in the sun.
Properties & Taste : Pungent, warm and
toxic
Meridians : Spleen, stomach and lung
Functions :
1. To dry dampness and resolve phlegm;
2. To conduct rebellious qi downward and stop
vomiting;
3. To reduce distension and disperse nodules
Indications & Combinations:
1. Phlegm-damp cough due to deficient spleen
manifested as cough with profuse, dilute and
white sputum. Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used
with Tangerine peel (Chenpi) and Poria (Fuling)
in the formula Erchen Tang.
2. Nausea and vomiting due to rebellious
stomach qi: a) stomach cold typePinellia tuber
(Banxia) is used with Fresh ginger (Shengjiang)
in the formula Xiao Banxia Tang; b) stomach
heat typePinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with
Bamboo shavings (Zhuru) and Loquat leaf (Pipaye);
c) pregnancy typePinellia tuber (Banxia) is
used with Perilla stem (Sugeng) and Amomum
fruit (Sharen); d) stomach weakness typePinellia
tuber (Banxia) is used with Ginseng (Renshen)
and Jujube (Dazao).
3. Globus hystericus due to qi stagnation
and accumulation of phlegm-damp manifested
as a feeling of having a foreign body in the
throat, fullness and distension in the chest
and epigastric region and nausea. Pinellia
tuber (Banxia) is used with Magnolia bark
(Houpo), Perilla leaf (Zisuye) and Poria (Fuling)
in the formula Banxia Houpo Tang.
4. Goiter, scrofula and subcutaneous nodule.
Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Laminaria
(Kunbu), Seaweed (Haizao) and Tendrilled fritillary
bulb (Chuanbeimu).
Dosage: 5-10 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb is contraindicated in cases with
dry cough due to deficient yin, or cough due
to phlegm-heat. Also, it cannot be used together
with the herb Sichuan aconite root (Wutou). |
