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TCM Treasures - Tian nan xing 天南星
By Wing Tan |
March 10, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHILE not widely known, tian nan xing (Pinellia pedatisecta Schott) grows widely in Sichuan, Hunan, Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces, among many. It is used to remove dampness, reduce phlegm, relieve swelling pain, treat snake and insect bites and paralysis resulting from strokes.
It usually grows in the valleys, by rivers and in bamboo forests. Its tuber is collected to make medicine. As a poisonous plant, it should be handled carefully.
It is harvested in October and November, when its leaves turn yellow.
Wash the tuber, fumigate with sulfur until it turns white, then dry it.
Wear gloves or apply oil when handling the poisonous plant. And if a rash breaks out, wash your hands with licorice water.
Another way to process tian nan xing is to soak the clean tuber in water, changing the water two or three times a day. Add alum - every 100 grams tian nan xing needs 2g of alum - and soak for one more day. Then taste the tuber. If your tongue becomes numb, it's ready.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, tian nan xing is a "warm," poisonous medicine with a bitter taste. It functions in the lungs, liver and spleen.
Prescriptions & Usage:
Tian nan xing concoction
Boil 4-7.5g treated tian nan xing with water.
Drink the concoction.
Benefits: Treats stroke paralysis.
For external use
Grind treated tian nan xing into 3-9g of powder.
Add a little vinegar or rice wine until the mixture has a sticky consistency.
Apply on wound or bites - such as snake or insect bites.
It can also be applied to animals: 15-25g for horses and cattle; 3-10g for sheep; 2-5g for cats and dogs; and 1-3g for rabbits and poultry.
Benefits: Relieves swelling pain, treats snake and insects bites.
It usually grows in the valleys, by rivers and in bamboo forests. Its tuber is collected to make medicine. As a poisonous plant, it should be handled carefully.
It is harvested in October and November, when its leaves turn yellow.
Wash the tuber, fumigate with sulfur until it turns white, then dry it.
Wear gloves or apply oil when handling the poisonous plant. And if a rash breaks out, wash your hands with licorice water.
Another way to process tian nan xing is to soak the clean tuber in water, changing the water two or three times a day. Add alum - every 100 grams tian nan xing needs 2g of alum - and soak for one more day. Then taste the tuber. If your tongue becomes numb, it's ready.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, tian nan xing is a "warm," poisonous medicine with a bitter taste. It functions in the lungs, liver and spleen.
Prescriptions & Usage:
Tian nan xing concoction
Boil 4-7.5g treated tian nan xing with water.
Drink the concoction.
Benefits: Treats stroke paralysis.
For external use
Grind treated tian nan xing into 3-9g of powder.
Add a little vinegar or rice wine until the mixture has a sticky consistency.
Apply on wound or bites - such as snake or insect bites.
It can also be applied to animals: 15-25g for horses and cattle; 3-10g for sheep; 2-5g for cats and dogs; and 1-3g for rabbits and poultry.
Benefits: Relieves swelling pain, treats snake and insects bites.
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