Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
Zhi Tian Nan Xing 制天南星
Arisaematis Rhizoma preparatum Prepared Jack in the Pulpit Rhizome
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Warm
- Nature & Flavour
- Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Toxic
- Channels Entered
- LIV, LU, SP
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Arisaematis Rhizoma preparatum
- Chinese
- 制天南星
- Tone Marks
- zhì tiān nán xīng
- Translation
- Star of the Southern Heavens
Chinese Herb Actions
- Dries Damp, Expels Phlegm Treats cough with stubborn hot phlegm and a stifling, distended sensation in the chest. This herb is extremely drying and treats many types of damp and phlegm accumulation.
- Dispels Wind and Phlegm, Stops Spasms Treats dizziness, vertigo, facial paralysis, seizures, convulsions, tetanus, epilepsy, opisthotonos and stroke. Also treats numbness in the limbs and lock jaw.
- Dissipates Nodules, Reduces Swelling, Relieves Pain Used topically to reduce swelling and nodules. Treats sores, ulcers, carbuncles, and swelling associated with trauma or joint pain. Treats cervical cancer topically and internally.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams in decoction, maximum 15 grams for tumors (Chen)
- 3-9 grams in decoction (Bensky)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use unprepared form for internal use
- Do not use in cases of cough with Yin Deficiency
- Do not use in cases of Liver Wind or Wind due to Fire or Blood Deficiency
- Do not use during pregnancy
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- The entire plant is toxic and unsuitable for ingestion unless pre-processed, usually with ginger. Overdose of processed herb leads to numbness of the extremities, paralysis and numbness of the mouth and tongue, edema, salivation, difficulty in opening the mouth, erosion and necrosis of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Severe cases can include loss of consciousness, slow and irregular respiration, dyspnea, and/or death due to respiratory paralysis
-
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)
Chinese Herb Notes
- Zhi Tian Nan Xing is extremely drying, warming and toxic compared to Dan Nan Xing which is moistening, cooling, non-toxic, and is able to clear Hot-Phlegm and convulsions.
- Zhi Tian Nan Xing is used to treat cancer.
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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