☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat, dissolves Phlegm, calms Wind and stops convulsions
Traditional Chinese Uses
Dan Nan Xing (Arisaema cum Bile) is a processed substance made by combining the powdered prepared rhizome of Tian Nan Xing (Arisaema erubescens and related species) with animal bile, which transforms the raw herb's warm, drying, toxic nature into a cool, moistening remedy. Bitter and cool, entering the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels, it clears Heat and dissolves Phlegm, and extinguishes internal Wind to stop convulsions.
It is a key herb for thick, sticky yellow Phlegm-Heat, and for Phlegm-Heat obstructing the channels or clouding the Heart: productive cough with viscous sputum, and Wind-Phlegm patterns such as childhood convulsions with fright, epilepsy, and windstroke with copious phlegm, hemiplegia or facial deviation. It is commonly given in pill and powder form (roughly 3-6 g). Although the bile-processing greatly reduces the toxicity of raw Arisaema, it is still used cautiously and is generally avoided in pregnancy.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Dan Nan Xing (膽南星) is a processed compound substance prepared by combining the powdered, prepared rhizome of Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing, typically Arisaema erubescens, A. heterophyllum, or A. amurense, family Araceae) with bovine, porcine, or caprine bile and aging the mixture for an extended period. The bile-processing transforms the warm, drying, and toxic Tian Nan Xing into a cool-natured drug suitable for clearing phlegm-heat. The finished product is dark brown to black, has a characteristic bitter-fishy odor, and is shaped into bricks or pieces. In TCM, Dan Nan Xing is bitter and cool, entering the Liver, Lung, and Spleen channels, and is used to clear phlegm-heat, calm wind, and arrest convulsions, particularly in childhood convulsions, stroke with phlegm, epilepsy, and phlegm-heat cough. Because it combines plant and animal components, plant_type and parts_used are left null.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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