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Ban Xia (半夏), the prepared rhizome of Pinellia, is the chief herb for drying dampness and transforming phlegm (especially cold phlegm), descending rebellious Stomach qi to stop nausea and vomiting, and dissipating phlegm nodules.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Pinellia ternata, prepared (Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum)
Common English Name
Pinellia rhizome
Taste
Acrid
Temperature
Warm
Channels Entered
Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Actions & Functions
- Dries dampness and transforms phlegm (cold/damp phlegm)
- Descends rebellious qi and stops vomiting
- Disperses fullness and dissipates phlegm nodules (plum-stone throat)
Indications
Cough with copious white phlegm; nausea and vomiting; fullness of the chest and epigastrium; and plum-stone throat (globus).
Dosage
4.5-9 g in decoction (use only prepared forms).
Common Combinations
With Chen Pi and Fu Ling (Er Chen Tang) for damp-phlegm; with Sheng Jiang for vomiting.
Cautions & Contraindications
Raw Ban Xia is toxic - only prepared forms are used internally. Avoid in bleeding, dry cough from yin deficiency, and with caution in pregnancy. Classically incompatible with Wu Tou (aconite).
