ban xia

半夏·Rhizoma Pinelliae

Pinellia Rhizome

About ban xia

Ban Xia (半夏) is the rhizome of pinellia, a plant of the arum family, recorded as Rhizoma Pinelliae. The catalogue files it among the herbs that transform Phlegm-Cold and associates it with the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. The alternative name 生半夏 marks the rhizome in its unprepared state.

Names

Pinyinban xia
Chinese半夏·生半夏
Latin NameRhizoma Pinelliae
English NamePinellia Rhizome
Japaneseseihange
Koreanjebanha

Classification

Category
Transform Phlegm Cold
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Spleen
Part used
Rhizome
Family
Araceae
Species
Pinellia Ternata
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Prepared forms (4)

ban xia Fa

法半夏·Rhizoma Pinelliae Prep.

Ban xia fa (法半夏) is ban xia in its fa-processed form, the pinellia rhizome of the Araceae family, supplied as Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum. The catalogue files it among the substances that transform Phlegm-Cold, and records it on the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows ban xia.

ban xia Jiang Zhi

半夏·Rhizoma Pinelliae Cum Zingiberis

Ban Xia Jiang (半夏) is pinellia rhizome prepared with ginger, recorded as Rhizoma Pinelliae Cum Zingibere. It enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.

Dries Damp and transforms Phlegm

  • Cough with copious sputum, when the Spleen cannot transform Damp and the resulting Phlegm settles in the Lungs

Descends rebellious Stomach Qi and harmonises the Stomach

  • Nausea and vomiting from Stomach deficiency, Stomach Heat or Phlegm obstruction
  • Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Dissipates nodules and disperses Phlegm stagnation

  • Sensation of a lump stuck in the throat (plum-pit Qi)
  • Scrofula and goiter
  • A congested, stuck, painful or pressured feeling in the chest and epigastrium

Heals sores and abscesses (external use)

  • Sores, ulcers, carbuncles and breast abscesses, applied as the powder mixed with egg white

ban xia Qing

清半夏·Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum

Ban xia qing (清半夏) is the qing-processed form of ban xia, the rhizome of pinellia, an Araceae species supplied as Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum. The catalogue files it among the substances that transform Phlegm-Cold, on the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows ban xia.

zhi ban xia Zhi

薑半夏·Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum

Toxic

Zhi Ban Xia (姜半夏) is pinellia rhizome after processing, recorded as Rhizoma Pinelliae Praeparatum. It is acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that transform Phlegm-Cold.

Dries Damp and transforms Phlegm

  • Cold Phlegm in the Lungs with a cough bringing up plentiful sputum
  • Cold-Damp stagnation with Damp-Phlegm of the Spleen, where it works particularly well

Descends rebellious Qi, stops vomiting and harmonises the Stomach

  • Vomiting from Phlegm-Damp in the Stomach (Tan Yin) or from Cold thin fluids
  • Vomiting from Stomach deficiency or Stomach Heat
  • Vomiting in pregnancy

Dissipates nodules and reduces clumps

  • Phlegm in the chest with nodules, pressure, distension or pain
  • Phlegm nodules of the neck such as goiter and scrofula
  • Focal distension of the chest and epigastrium
  • Phlegm obstruction in any part of the body

Reduces swelling and treats sores, ulcerations and carbuncles (external)

  • Sores, skin ulcerations and carbuncles, with the powder applied to the skin
AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-15g; Tincture: 2-4ml3-15 g—2-4 ml——