Pinellia Ternata (ban xia)  半夏

Nature: Warm; pungent; attributive to spleen and stomach.

Characteristics:  A tuberous perennial herb regarded as inferior drug because of its slight toxicity. The tubers are soaked for 7 days in warm water, then dried and mixed with some ginger juice to decrease it toxicity. It contains essential oil, fatty oil, and a toxic alkaloid with sedative and antispasmodic properties.

Therapeutic effects:  Deprive dampness and eliminate phlegm for chronic cough; stop vomiting and nausea; disperse stagnation in the chest and lumps; eliminate toxic material for skin infection.