Dan Nan Xing (胆南星) is arisaema rhizome prepared with animal bile, recorded as Arisaema Cum Bile. It is bitter in flavour and cool in temperature, entering the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that transform Phlegm-Cold.

Pinyin

dan nan xing

Chinese

胆南星

Latin Name

Arisaema Cum Bile

English Name

bile arisaema·Bile Prepared Arisaema

Japanese

seitennansho

Korean

jecheonnamseong

Actions and indications

Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm-Heat

Cough bringing up yellow phlegm that is thick and sticky
Agitation or confusion when Phlegm-Heat clouds the mind

Calms Wind and stops convulsions

Seizures, convulsions in infants and children, cramps and muscle spasm, and tetanus or lockjaw, where Phlegm-Heat has stirred up Wind

Opens the channels in Wind-stroke

Stroke with facial paralysis, slurred speech and stiff limbs, from Wind and Phlegm obstructing the channels

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 2-5g; Tincture: 0.5-2ml

2-5 g

—

0.5-2 ml

—

Cautions

pregnancy Pregnancy: contraindicated, or at the very least used with extreme caution

caution Dry cough, whether from Fire, Yin deficiency, or Liver Wind stirred by Excess Fire or Blood deficiency: the herb acts on substantial Phlegm, not on dryness

caution Wind from Blood deficiency: make sure the pattern really is Wind generated by Phlegm-Heat rather than deficiency Wind

contraindication No Phlegm-Heat present; its uses are narrow and pattern-specific

caution Touching the herb can cause an allergic skin reaction

caution Classed as slightly toxic; even in this milder processed form it comes from a toxic raw material, so never self-prescribe it and use it only within a practitioner's formula

caution Buy authenticated material from a licensed supplier, as Arisaema species are easily confused with related rhizomes of the arum family

dan nan xing

About dan nan xing

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm-Heat

Calms Wind and stops convulsions

Opens the channels in Wind-stroke

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

About dan nan xing

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm-Heat

Calms Wind and stops convulsions

Opens the channels in Wind-stroke

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Related

Used in 3 formulas