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Pinellia [rhizome]
半夏 〔半夏〕bàn xià
Latin pharmacognostic name: Pinelliae Rhizoma
Origin: Plant
Use: medicinal
Category: Phlegm-transforming cough-relieving panting-calming agents / Phlegm-transforming agents
Properties: Acrid; warm; toxic.
Channel entry: spleen, stomach, and lung channels.
Indications:
- Dries dampness and transforms phlegm: Cough and/or panting due to damp phlegm and cold phlegm.
- Downbears counterflow and checks vomiting: Vomiting.
- Disperses swelling and relieves pain: Goiter, phlegm nodes,
welling- and flat-abscesses (yōng jū), venomoussnakebite s.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 3–10g in decoctions. Bàn xià is always processed for internal use, but it is sometimes used raw for external application (the raw form is highly toxic if taken internally). Different methods of preparation are used for different purposes.
Warnings: Bàn xià is traditionally said to clash with chuān wū (Aconiti Radix) and cǎo wū (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix). Because it is warm and dry, it should be used with care in yīn vacuity dry cough, bleeding patterns, heat phlegm, and dryness-phlegm. Severe poisoning can occur if the raw form is ingested, and overdosage of the prepared form should also be avoided. A variety of adulterants exist, so one should only purchase bàn xià from companies that assure correct identification.
Product Description:
Quality: Dry firm round farinaceous tubers with the skins completely removed are the best.
Product Area: Sìchuān, Húběi, ānhuī, Jiāngsū, Hénán, Zhèjiāng.
Etymology: Bàn xià 半夏, literally ""half summer,"" reflects the fact that this tuber is reaped in early summer.
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