1 TASTE
Pungent, warm and toxic
2 MERIDIANS
Spleen stomach and lung.
3 FUNCTIONS
- To dry dampness and resolve phlegm;
- To conduct rebellious qi downward and stop vomiting;
- To reduce distension and disperse nodules.
4 INDICATIONS
- Phlegm-damp cough due to deficient spleen manifested as cough with profuse, dilute and white sputum Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia [3]) is used with Tangerine peel (Chen Pi [4]) and Poria (Fu Ling [5]) in the formula Erchen Tang.
- Nausea and vomiting due to rebellious stomach qi:
- stomach cold type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang [6]) in the formula Xiao Banxia Tang;
- stomach heat type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) si used with Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru [7]) and Loquat leaf (Pi Pa Ye [8]);
- pregnancy type-pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Perilla stem (Sugeng) and Amomum fruit (Sha Ren [9]);
- stomach weakness type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Ginseng (Ren Shen [10]) and Jujube (Da Zao [11]).
- 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 (Hou Po [12]), Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye [13]) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula Houpo Tang.
- Goiter, scrofula and subcutaneous nodule. Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Laminaria (Kun Bu [14]), Seaweed (Hai Zao [15]) and Tendrilled fritillary buld (Chuan Bei Mu [16]).
5 DOSAGE
5-10 g
6 COUTIONS
This herb is contraindicated in cases with dry cough due to deficient yin, or cough due to phlegm-heat. Alao, it cannot be used together with the herb Sichuan aconite root (Wutou).
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