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Jiang Ban Xia姜半夏

Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum cum Zingibere Rhizoma et Alumine · Ginger-Processed Pinellia Rhizome

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》(recorded as 半夏)

Overview

Pinellia rhizome cured with ginger and alum — one of several processed forms, and the one chosen when vomiting leads the picture, since the ginger reinforces its settling, downward effect on the Stomach. Acrid and warm, it dries damp and transforms phlegm, redirects rebellious qi downward, and disperses phlegm clumping in the chest and throat. The distinction between forms matters at the counter: Jiang Ban Xia for nausea and vomiting, Fa Ban Xia for damp-phlegm in the Spleen, Qing Ban Xia for phlegm where the Stomach is weaker. Unprocessed Pinellia Ban Xia is toxic and is not taken internally — every internal form is a cured one.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Lung

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
姜半夏Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Dries dampness, transforms phlegmCough with copious white phlegm, chest oppression, a greasy tongue coating, dizziness and nausea from phlegm-damp.
  • Redirects rebellious qi, stops vomitingNausea and vomiting, particularly from cold or damp in the Stomach — the ginger curing makes this form the first choice for it.
  • Disperses clumping, dissipates nodulesEpigastric stuffiness, the sensation of a lump in the throat, phlegm nodules.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Jiang Ban Xia

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough with copious white or watery phlegm
    - Nausea and vomiting from cold or damp
    - Epigastric stuffiness and globus sensation
    - Dizziness from phlegm-damp

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

NauseaVomitingProductive coughGlobus sensation

Contraindications

Cautions

Unprocessed Pinellia Ban Xia is toxic: it strongly irritates the mouth and throat and is not swallowed. Only cured forms such as this one are taken internally, and raw material must never be substituted for them. Warm and drying, it is wrong for dry cough of Lung yin deficiency and for bleeding from heat in the blood. The classical eighteen incompatibilities place it against Wu Tou and its relatives, Fu Zi included — do not combine them.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Listed among the herbs to use cautiously in pregnancy. Classical practice does use small doses in anti-emetic prescriptions for severe morning sickness, but only where a practitioner has weighed the case — never self-administered.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.