COMMON NAME (Chinese Name)
Pinellia Rhizome (Zhi Bàn Xià)
BOTANICAL NAME
Pinellia ternate (Thunb.) preparata
USES
Pinellia Rhizoma refers to the tuber of Pinellia ternate (Thunb.) Breit that possess a wide range of health benefits when properly processed (ginger-fried to reduce toxicity). Pinellia Rhizoma is available for topical application to treat carbuncles, sores, skin ulceration and also to slow down the progression of breast abscesses. The above-mentioned topical applications can be enhanced when used in combination with a white portion of egg or albumin. It can even be used with moxibustion to increase heat, where a dried slice is placed over the belly button and cones of moxa are burned over it.
Taken orally, Pinella Rhizoma is often used for allergies, stomach issues and colds. Different studies have reported that Pinelliae Rhizoma can improve digestion, stimulate appetite, and treat various medical conditions including chronic hepatitis treatment, epigastric pain, headache, gastrointestinal disorder, and pneumonitis. Also, a medical research study showed that a Pinelliae Rhizoma exerts sedative and hypnotic effects, thus improving the symptoms of insomnia by increasing the quality of sleep when combined with alum. Studies have reported that Pinellia ternate inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators and helps to relieve allergic inflammation and may manage the symptoms of asthma. When used in combination with Citrus reticulata, it effectively treats asthma by reducing eosinophil infiltration and histamine.
If raw, it is categorized as hot and acrid, but it is primarily sold as zhi (prepared) ban xia, which alters its properties to dry and warm. It is categorized as an herb that resolves phlegm and warms and dissolves cold phlegm. It contains various bioactive compounds used in traditional Chinese medicines to reduce Phlegm for centuries. Pinellia Rhizoma acts as an expectorant during productive cough. It helps to soften, ease, and remove phlegm and sputum generated during chest infection or in the lungs. Moreover, it possesses an antiemetic activity that helps to prevent nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
PREPARATION & ADMINISTRATION
The preparation of Pinellia Rhizoma is available for oral administration in the form of decoction or making tea or soup. Be sure that you have prepared ban xia, dtir fried in ginger. The herb is cooked in boiling water for oral consumption. Studies have reported that fresh Ban Xia is toxic for health, so avoid its use and should only be used topically for medical purposes. Pinellia Rhizoma is cleaned, cut or sliced, and dried by experienced professionals for optimal therapeutic applications. Also, traditional Chinese medicine practice recommends special processing methods, including soaking with rice wine, sterilization, steaming, and roasting as mandatory to reduce its toxicity, make it more effective, and enhance its efficacy.
PRECAUTIONS
Pinellia Rhizoma is not recommended during severe medical conditions or for those having known hypersensitivity to it. You should consult with a certified herbalist, physician or other qualified healthcare professional before taking Pinellia Rhizoma.
Don’t consume Pinellia Rhizoma if you are a pregnant or breast-feeding mother. Also, it is contraindicated in case of dry cough, bleeding, hot phlegm conditions, or sore throat. It may cause itching, rashes, or other skin adverse effects upon topical application.
It should not be taken in combination or concomitantly with Wou Tou. Please don’t exceed the recommended dosage because at higher doses, as it may cause gastrointestinal complications.
REFERENCES
Ok, In-Soo et al. “Pinellia ternata, Citrus reticulata, and their combinational prescription inhibit eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness by suppressing CCR3+ and Th2 cytokines production in the ovalbumin-induced asthma model.” Mediators of inflammation vol. 2009 (2009): 413270. doi:10.1155/2009/413270
Sisi Lin, Bo Nie, Ke Song, Ren Ye, Zhengzhong Yuan, “Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum Cum Alumine Extract: Sedative and Hypnotic Effects in Mice and Component Compounds”, BioMed Research International, vol. 2019, Article ID 6198067, 9 pages, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6198067
Xu, Guanglin. “Treatment of reflux laryngopharyngitis with modified banxia xiexin tang (Pinellia decoction for draining the heart)–a report of 40 cases.” Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan vol. 26,2 (2006): 127-31.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/pinellia
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