Use of crow-dipper rhizomes (Bàn Xià) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Because the raw unprocessed herb is toxic, it is most often given in its processed form which is fried with Ginger juice.

Dosage: 3 - 12 grams

Main actions according to TCM*: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which crow-dipper rhizomes may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Asthma Coughing Phlegm Sputum Palpitations Headache Morning sickness Globus pharyngis Chest congestion

Contraindications*: This herb is toxic in its raw form so it should only be taken if processed by a professional. This herb should not be used by pregnant women or those with any blood disorders, especially bleeding. It should be used with caution by those with Heat and Dryness. This herb should not be used with Aconite (Fu Zi).

Common TCM formulas in which crow-dipper rhizomes are used*:

• For asthma or chronic bronchitis combine crow-dipper rhizomes with ginkgo nuts, ephedra, perilla seeds, coltsfoot flowers, apricot seeds, mulberry bark, baikal skullcap roots and liquorice.
• For vomiting and nausea caused by a Cold Stomach combine crow-dipper rhizomes with lesser galangal rhizomes and dried ginger.
• For an invasion of External Wind and Cold in summer with chills, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea combine crow-dipper rhizomes with korean mint, houpu magnolia bark, perilla leaves and tangerine peel.
• For vomiting caused by turbid Dampness of the Spleen and Stomach combine crow-dipper rhizomes with korean mint and fresh ginger.
• For food poisoning and overindulgence in rich and greasy foods or alcohol with symptoms of abdominal bloating, belching and acid regurgitation combine crow-dipper rhizomes with hawthorn berries, radish seeds, medicated leaven, tangerine peel, poria-cocos mushrooms and forsythia fruits.
• For Qi Stagnation caused by Cold Stomach and Spleen combine crow-dipper rhizomes with nutmeg, costus roots and fresh ginger.
• For chronic Lung Deficiency coughs combine crow-dipper rhizomes with chinese plums, tangerine peel, fresh ginger and apricot seeds.
• For Cold stomach combine crow-dipper rhizomes with fennel seeds and fresh ginger.
• For diarrhea and excessive salivation or drooling caused by Spleen Deficiency combine crow-dipper rhizomes with sharp-leaf galangal fruits, codonopsis roots, poria-cocos mushrooms and dried ginger.
• For asthma with excessive phlegm combine crow-dipper rhizomes with perilla seeds, ephedra and apricot seeds.
• For harmonizing Internal and External symptoms, Cold and Heat, Excess and Deficiency and treating associated symptoms (common cold, influenza, pneumonia, indigestion, nervous exhaustion, etc.) combine crow-dipper rhizomes with jujube dates, bupleurum roots, white peony roots, baikal skullcap roots, ginseng, cinnamon twigs, fresh ginger and liquorice.
• For asthma, cough combine crow-dipper rhizomes with lingzhi mushroom, codonopsis roots, schisandra berries and prepared aconite.
• For Damp Summer-Heat with nausea, malaria and high fever combine crow-dipper rhizomes with sweet wormwood herbs and baikal skullcap roots.
• For fluid accumulation with cough, wheezing combine crow-dipper rhizomes with coltsfoot flowers and schisandra berries.

Key TCM concepts behind crow-dipper rhizomes' properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), crow-dipper rhizomes are plants that belong to the 'Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough' category. In TCM Phlegm is a condition of Stagnation of Fluids which tends to start in the Spleen and then goes to the Lungs. If this overly accumulates it thickens and becomes pathological Phlegm. Phlegm, being a form of Stagnation, often starts as being Cool and transforms to Hot as the condition progresses. The herbs in this category are Warm in nature so they treat the early stages of the Stagnation: Cold-Phlegm and Wet-Phlegm with symptoms of wheezing, vomiting and nausea.

As suggested by its category crow-dipper rhizomes are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that crow-dipper rhizomes tend to help people who have too much "cold" in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much cold in their body are said to either have a Yin excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition crow-dipper rhizomes can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

Crow-dipper rhizomes also taste Pungent. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like crow-dipper rhizomes tend to promote the circulations of Qi and body fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such crow-dipper rhizomes are thought to target the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, blood coagulation and fluid metabolism in the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the body fluids that nourish the body.

Research on crow-dipper rhizomes

The herbal medicine TJ-109 (consisting of Pinellia tuber) effectively reduced the incidence of acute tonsillitis. ¹

Tracheitis Plaster (consisting of Pinellia tuber) is a highly effective transcutaneous absorbent with promising long-term effect and could regulate the immune function.²

Sources:

1. Goto F, Asama Y, Ogawa K. (2010). Sho-saiko-to-ka-kikyo-sekko as an alternative treatment for chronic tonsillitis to avoid surgery. Complement Ther Clin Pract. , 16(4):216-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.02.006. Epub 2010 Mar 19.

2. Huo GR, Ma LQ, Huang CH. (2001). Clinical study on treatment of chronic bronchitis by tracheitis plaster. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 21(11):816-8.