Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Pinellia (Pinellia ternata), known as "Ban Xia" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use for the treatment of coughs, particularly those described as "spastic" or involving phlegm. In TCM, Pinellia is classified as a key herb that transforms phlegm and directs rebellious Qi downward, which can help relieve cough and nausea. It is a principal ingredient in classic formulas such as "Er Chen Tang" and "Ban Xia Hou Po Tang", both used to address coughs with copious sputum or a sensation of fullness in the chest. The justification for its use is almost entirely traditional, as modern scientific studies validating Pinellia’s efficacy for cough—especially spastic cough—are limited. A small number of laboratory studies suggest that Pinellia and its constituents may have antitussive (cough-suppressing), anti-inflammatory, or expectorant effects in animal models, but robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking. Furthermore, raw Pinellia is toxic and must be properly processed before medicinal use. In summary, while Pinellia is widely used in traditional medicine for coughs, especially those involving phlegm and spasmodic components, this use is primarily supported by traditional theory and clinical experience rather than high-quality scientific validation.

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