Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
Ban Xia 半夏
Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Pinellia Rhizome
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Warm
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Warm, Toxic
- Channels Entered
- LU, SP, ST
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae
- Chinese
- 半夏
- Tone Marks
- bàn xià
- Translation
- Half Summer
- Photo Note
- Sheng Ban Xia Shown
Chinese Herb Actions
- Dries Dampness and Resolves Phlegm For conditions where the Spleen can not properly transform damp and phlegm, it then accumulates in the Lungs with symptoms such as cough with profuse sputum.
- Descends Rebellious Stomach Qi and Harmonizes the Stomach For nausea and vomiting caused by deficiency or heat in the stomach, obstruction of phlegm, or pregnancy.
- Dissipates Nodules and Disperses Phlegm Stagnation For various types of nodules and swellings such as Plum Pit Qi (Globus Hystericus), scrofula, and goiter. Also for congestion, pain, pressure, or stagnation in the chest and epigastric regions.
- Topically Heals Sores, Skin Ulcerations, Carbuncles, and Breast Abscesses Powdered Ban Xia can be combined with egg whites for this purpose.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use in cases with dry cough or bleeding caused by Yin Deficiency, or with sore throat caused by heat.
- Do not in Hot Phlegm conditions
- Ban Xia is incompatible with Wou Tou
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- Fresh Ban Xia is toxic and should only be used topically, and even this may cause redness or itching throughout the body.
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This herb is considered toxic.
(while some Chinese herbs are toxic, it must be noted that many come prepared, or are combined, to mitigate their toxicity)
This herb is incompatible with:
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
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