Arisaema Tuber (Tian Nan Xing)

天南星
Arisaema tuber (Tiannanxing)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Arisaematis

Botanical Name: 1. Arisaema consanguineum Schott.; 2. Arisaema amurense Maxim.; 3. Arisaema heterophyllum Bl.

Common Name: Arisaema tuber

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The tuberous rhizomes are dug in autumn or winter. After the fibrous roots and bark have been removed, the rhizomes are dried in the sun and cut into slices.

Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and warm

Meridians: Lung, liver and spleen

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To dry dampness and resolve phlegm.
2. To dispel wind and stop spasms

Indications:
1. Phlegm-damp cough manifested as profuse, dilute and white sputum and stifling sensation in the chest. Arisaema tuber (Tiannanxing) is used with Pinellia tuber (Banxia), Tangerine peel (Chenpi) and Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) in the formula Daotan Tang.

2. Phlegm-heat in the lungs manifested as cough with profuse, yellow and thick sputum and stifling sensation in the chest. Arisaema tuber with bile (Dannanxing) is used with Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou).

3. Wind-phlegm manifested as dizziness, vertigo, rattling sound in the windpipe, facial paralysis, epilepsy and convulsions in tetanus. Arisaema tuber (Tiannanxing) is used with Pinellia tuber (Banxia), Gastrodia tuber (Tianma) and Typhonium tuber (Baifuzi).

Dosage: 5-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated during pregnancy. In general, the raw herb is not used for internal use.