Ban Xia [1]

Pungent, warm and toxic

Spleen stomach and lung.

1. To dry dampness and resolve phlegm;
2. To conduct rebellious qi downward and stop vomiting;
3. To reduce distension and disperse nodules.

1. Phlegm-damp cough due to deficient spleen manifested as cough with profuse, dilute and white sputum Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia [3]) is used with Tangerine peel (Chen Pi [4]) and Poria (Fu Ling [5]) in the formula Erchen Tang.
2. Nausea and vomiting due to rebellious stomach qi:
   
   1. stomach cold type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang [6]) in the formula Xiao Banxia Tang;
      
   2. stomach heat type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) si used with Bamboo shavings (Zhu Ru [7]) and Loquat leaf (Pi Pa Ye [8]);
      
   3. pregnancy type-pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Perilla stem (Sugeng) and Amomum fruit (Sha Ren [9]);
      
   4. stomach weakness type-Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Ginseng (Ren Shen [10]) and Jujube (Da Zao [11]).
3. Globus hystericus due to qi stagnation and accumulation of phlegm-damp manifested as a feeling of having a foreign body in the throat, fullness and distension in the chest and epigastric region and nausea. Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Magnolia bark (Hou Po [12]), Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye [13]) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula Houpo Tang.
4. Goiter, scrofula and subcutaneous nodule. Pinellia tuber (Banxia) is used with Laminaria (Kun Bu [14]), Seaweed (Hai Zao [15]) and Tendrilled fritillary buld (Chuan Bei Mu [16]).

5-10 g

This herb is contraindicated in cases with dry cough due to deficient yin, or cough due to phlegm-heat. Alao, it cannot be used together with the herb Sichuan aconite root (Wutou).