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Knowledge baseHerbs

Zhi Tian Nan Xing制

Rhizoma Arisaematis PreparatumPrepared Arisaema Rhizome

  • Toxic

Also known asJack-in-the-Pulpit · Prepared Dragon Arum Corm · Arisaema Tuber

Category
Warm Herbs that Transform Cold Phlegm
Nature
warm
Taste
bitter, pungent
Channels entered
Liver, Lung, Spleen
Dosage
3–10 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–10 g
Tincture
1–3 ml

Actions & indications

Dries Dampness and expels Phlegm
Stubborn (extremely sticky) Phlegm in the Lungs with cough and a distended sensation in the chest
Disperses Wind-Phlegm in the channels and stops spasms
Wind-Phlegm Obstructing the Channels with dizziness, vertigo, numbness in the limbs, facial paralysis, spasms or trembling in the hands and feet, opisthotonis, stroke, seizures or lockjaw
Reduces swelling and alleviates pain
  • Topically for Chuang Yung (deep rooted sores, ulcers and carbuncles.
  • Swelling due to traumatic injury and joint pain secondary to Phlegm
  • Topically for cervical cancer

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in dry cough or dry Phlegm from Yin Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated in dry cough from Wind stirred by intense Heat.
  • Contraindicated in dry cough from Wind stirred by Blood Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated in Lung Heat and Dryness.
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy.
  • The unprocessed herb should not be used.
  • This herb can cause drowsiness, so exercise caution when driving or operating heavy machinery.

Incompatibilities

  • This herb counteracts Rx. Lateralis Aconiti Preparata Zhi Fu Zi.
  • This herb counteracts Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang.

Interactions

Because of its sedative and analgesic properties, this herb can potentiate the sedative effects of barbiturates, certain antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, benzodiazepines, and many other drugs.

Combinations

  • For persistent Phlegm-Dampness Obstruction with fainting from Wind-stroke, cough with copious sputum, a cold upper back, chest stuffiness, and thick, gummy nasal discharge.

  • For cough from Lung Heat with yellow, viscous Phlegm.

  • For Wind-Phlegm causing dizziness, vertigo, muscle spasms, and seizures, possibly with chest focal distention, vomiting, anorexia, and hypersomnia.

  • For Wind-Phlegm obstructing the channels, causing facial paralysis, headache, painful obstruction, and muscular tetany.

  • For muscular tetany with lockjaw and opisthotonos.

  • For Phlegm-Heat leading to closed-type stroke.

  • For Phlegm turbidity clouding and deranging the head's orifices, leading to seizures and convulsions.

  • For Wind-Damp painful obstruction.

  • For muscular tetany; powdered and applied topically for wounds.

  • Awakens the brain, expels Wind, and opens closure — applied externally as a powder rubbed on the gums for Wind-Stroke with clenched jaw, or given internally to treat closed-type strokes.

  • For numbness of the hands and feet, hemiplegia, or deviation of the eyes and mouth caused by Phlegm Obstruction.

  • For epilepsy.

Notes

  • Its nature is extremely drying.
  • Its action is described as forceful.
  • It is used for asthma presenting with a tight, full sensation in the chest.
  • In its raw form, Sheng Nan Xing is highly toxic and is used mainly topically, for Yin abscesses, trauma-related swelling and pain, and joint swelling.
  • For Phlegm nodules, apply topically as a powder mixed with vinegar.
  • A large oral dose, or topical application as a suppository, can be used to treat uterine or cervical cancer.
  • Taken internally, it is decocted with fresh ginger, which substantially lowers its toxicity.
  • Should tongue numbness occur after ingestion, granulated sugar can serve as an antidote.
  • It has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.
  • It is reputed to treat abdominal masses, enteritis, convulsive disorders, facial distortion, dizziness, temporomandibular joint pain, tetanus, laryngitis, stomatitis, glossitis, and tuberculosis.
  • One source credits it with eliminating Stasis, reducing swelling, easing the chest, and dispersing Blood to induce abortion.
  • Rz. Arisaematis Preparata Zhi Nan Xing carries less toxicity and effectively disperses Wind and clears the channels in Wind-Stroke — this is generally the form dispensed at the pharmacy.
  • The outer skin must be removed, as it is extremely toxic.
  • Side effects include oral irritation — in severe cases, necrosis — a dry, scratchy throat, tongue and lip edema and numbness, increased salivation, and voice problems.
  • When powdered and combined with cow's bile, this herb becomes Pulvis Arisaemae cum Felle Bovis Dan Nan Xing — bitter, cool, and no longer toxic. It is moistening and lacks Tian Nan Xing's strong tendency to dry out and damage Yin; being less acrid and more bitter, it clears and transforms Phlegm-Heat, extinguishes Wind, and stops tremors. It treats tremors, seizures, or stroke from Phlegm-Heat, and is frequently used in pediatrics, typically alongside Calculus Bovis Niu Huang, Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian, Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma, and Scorpio Quan Xie. Dosage is 3-6g, or 0.5-2ml as a tincture; quality improves the longer it is stored.
  • Contact with this herb can cause skin itchiness; boiling it with alum can reduce its toxicity.
  • It is used when Phlegm-Dampness congests the body and disturbs the nerves and joints.
  • It enters the Liver channel and has a distinctive ability to travel through the channels and collaterals.
  • Zhi Tian Nan Xing and Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia both dry Dampness, transform Phlegm, and treat Spleen-Stomach Phlegm-Dampness. Zhi Ban Xia is specific to Spleen and Stomach Phlegm-Dampness, relieving nausea and reducing focal distention — acrid but conserving in nature. Zhi Tian Nan Xing disperses far more strongly, entering mainly the Liver channel and excelling at treating Wind-Phlegm in the channels and collaterals, dispersing Blood, and reducing swelling — acrid, non-conserving, and sharply drying. When combined, Zhi Ban Xia should lead if Phlegm-Dampness is the target, while Zhi Tian Nan Xing should lead if Wind-Phlegm is the target.
  • Raw Arisaema Sheng Tian Nan Xing must not be taken internally; used externally, it treats swollen abscesses, sores, and insect or snake bites.

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