Pinellia (ban xia)

Pinellia ternata · 半夏

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called Ban xia, Crow-dipper, Pinellia tuber

Pinyin: Bàn Xià

Raw form is toxic

A small tuber used in Chinese medicine for nausea and phlegm. The raw tuber is toxic.

Did you know? Its Chinese name, ban xia, means half summer, because the plant sprouts in spring and dies back by midsummer.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Nausea & upset stomach. Used for nausea and vomiting in tradition, often with ginger. Human trials of the herb alone are lacking.
Traditional proof
Breathing & asthma. Used to dry phlegm and ease cough in tradition. Human proof is limited.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Stomach, Lungs

Traditional use

Chinese medicine uses processed pinellia to dry damp phlegm, stop vomiting, and ease chest fullness. It is a key herb in many formulas, and only after special processing.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Expectorant, Carminative. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine: 半夏 Transform phlegm & stop cough. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent. Enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels.

How people take it

Only processed pinellia is used. Typical decoctions use about 3 to 9 grams under a practitioner's guidance. Never use raw tuber.

Decoction and powder.

Where to get it

Grows wild and in fields across China. Sold as dried tubers, processed pieces, and in formulas. Buy only processed product from a reputable source, and never gather wild tubers.

Be careful

Raw tuber contains needle-like crystals and a toxic protein. It can burn the mouth and throat, cause swelling, and make breathing hard. Traditional processing with ginger, alum, or lime lowers the risk. Avoid in pregnancy unless a trained practitioner directs it.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Ophiopogon and pinellia (ban xia) are both in Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction) for dry cough and throat dryness with phlegm.
Works well together
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction) pairs them for a lump-in-throat feeling and phlegm.
Works well together
Also in Ban Xia Hou Po Tang, where pinellia helps dry phlegm.
Works well together
Paired with pinellia in Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) to clear phlegm.
Works well together
Used with ginger for nausea in classic stomach-settling formulas.
Works well together
Both are used for nausea and phlegm in Chinese stomach formulas.

Found in these formulas

Pinellia & Magnolia (TCM)

The honest take

Pinellia is useful in Chinese medicine when it is properly processed and dosed by a trained practitioner. Raw tuber is toxic and can cause serious throat and mouth injury. Human proof for nausea and cough is thin, so do not use it on your own.