Tiannanxing Rhizoma Arisaematis
The source is from the tuber of the perennial herbage Arisaema Consanguineum Schott, Arisaema amurense Maxim., or Arisaema heterophyllum B1., family Araceae. Tiannanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis) is mainly produced in the areas of Henan, Hebei, and Sichuan, etc. ; Arisaema amurense Maxim. is mainly produced in Northeast China and Arisaema heterophyllum B1. is mainly produced in the areas of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, etc.. The medicinal materials are dug and collected in autumn and winter, the impurity being got rid of, and then dried in the sun, that is, Shengnanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis, crude). The medicinal herb prepared by soaking it in the alum solution, decocting it together with ginger, cutting it into slices and drying it in the sun is called Zhinanxing ( Rhizoma Arisaematis Praeparata ).
Medicinal Properties Bitter and pungent in flavor, warm in nature, toxic and attributive to the lung, liver and spleen meridians.
Actions Eliminate dampness and resolve phlegm, expel wind and relieve spasm, and disperse swelling and arrest pain externally.
Application
1. It is used for chronic phlegm-syndrome with cough and chest distension and distress. Its action of eliminating dampness and resolving phlegm is dominative to that of Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae). For stagnation of phlegm-dampness in the lung, it is used every time in combination with Jupi(Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae), Banxia ( Rhizoma Pinelliae ), Fuling ( Poria ), and Zhishi (Fruztus Aurantii Immaturus), etc., such as Daotan Tang (Decoction); for cough of lung-heat type with yellowish and thick sputum, must be used in combination with Huangqin ( Radix ScuteUariae ), Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis ) and others that clear away lung-heat and resolve phlegm.
2. For dizziness due to wind-phlegm, apoplexy with distortion of the face, epilepsy and tetanus. It dominates to expel wind-phlegm and relieve spasm. For dizziness due to wind-phlegm, it can be used together with Banxia ( Rhizoma Pinelliae ) , Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae ) , etc.; for numbness of extremities, hemiplegia and distortion of face due to stagnation of phlegm in the channels, it can be combined with Baifuzi (Rhizoma Typhonii ), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), and Chuanwu (Radix Aconiti), etc., such as Qingzhou Baiwanzi (Pill); for epilepsy, it can be used together with Yujin (Radix Curcumae ) and Shichangpu ( Rhizoma Acori Graminei ) for that with severe convulsion, Wugong (Scolopendra), Quanxie (Scorpio) and others should be added to; for tetanus, it can be combined with Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Baizhi ( Radix Angelicae Dahuricae ), and Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae), etc..
3. For large carbuncle and subcutaneous nodule with swelling and pain, Shengnanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis, crude) can be applied on wounded areas and recently, it can be taken orally or used externally on local area to treat cancer, having certain therapeutic effect, especially in cancer of uterine cervix.
Usage and Dodge 3 - 10 g of prepared Tiannanxing is used in decoction for oral use, or 0.3 - 1 g of that is used in pill or powder, crude Tiannanxing is generally not taken orally. Just right amount of it is for external use.
Notes Contraindicated in pregnant women and used with caution in cases with yin deficiency and dry-phlegm.
Baiqian Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii
The source is the root and rhizome of Cynanchum stauntonii (Decne.) Schltr. ex levl. or C. glaucescens ( Decne. ) Hand. -Mazz., family Asclepiadaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in areas of Zhejiang, Anhui, Hunan, and Fujian, etc., dug and collected in autumn, dried in the sun and cut into segments. The crude one or the one roasted with honey is used.
Medicinal Properties Pungent and sweet in flavor, slightly warm in nature and attributive to the lung meridian.
Actions Descend the adverse-rising qi, resolve phlegm, relieve cough and asthma.
Application
It is used for cough with excessive sputum, fullness in the chest and dyspnea whether the syndrome is due to cold, heat, exogenous affection or interior injury. For the syndrome that is a bit on cold side, it is combined with Ziwan (Radix Asteris ) and Banxia ( Rhizoma Pinelliae ); for the syndrome that is a bit on heat side, combined with Sangbaipi ( Cortex Mori Radicis ) and Digupi ( Cortex Lycii Radicis); for cough due to exogenous wind and cold, usually combined with Jingjie ( Herba Schizonepetae ), Jiegen ( Radix Platycodi ) and Jupi ( Pericarpium Cirri Tangerinae ).
Usage and Dosage 3 - 10 g is used in decoction for oral use.
Qianhu Radix Peucedani
The source is from the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn and P. decurisivum Maxim., family Umbelliferae. They are separately produced in the areas of Zhejiang, Hunan and Sichuan; or the areas of Jiangxi, Anhui, etc.. They are dug and collected in winter and spring and dried in the sun after the stem and leaves are got rid of. The crude one is cut into pieces for being used or the one roasted with honey is used.
Medicinal Properties Bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the lung meridian.
Actions Lower the adverse-rising qi and resolve phlegm, expel wind and heat.
Application
1. For undescending of lung-qi with cough, dyspnea and thick sputum, it is usually combined with Sangbaipi ( Cortex Mori Radicis ), Beimu ( Bulbus Fritillariae ) and Xingren ( Semen Pruni Armeniacae ), etc. ; for cold-phlegm and dampness-phlegm syndrome, used in combination with Baiqian (Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonil).
2. For exogenous wind and heat, especially for stagnation of wind and heat in the lung with cough and sputum, it is usually combined with Bohe (Herba Menthae), Niubangzi ( Fructus Arctii ) and Jiegeng ( Radix Platycodi ) .
Usage and Dosage 3 - 10 g is used in decoction for oral use.
