Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 法半夏 · Fa Ban Xia |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Phlegm-resolving |
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| Botanical Origin | The rhizome of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (Araceae) processed with alumen (Fa Ban Xia). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
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What Is Fa Ban Xia?
Fa Ban Xia (Alum-processed Pinellia) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Processed throughout China from Pinellia of Sichuan, Guizhou, Anhui and Henan origin.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Lung
Fa Ban Xia: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum
Botanical Origin
The rhizome of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (Araceae) processed with alumen (Fa Ban Xia).
Production Regions
Processed throughout China from Pinellia of Sichuan, Guizhou, Anhui and Henan origin.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is thoroughly processed, white and powdery, and without a raw numbing taste.
Macroscopic Features
Sub-spherical or broken pieces, externally yellowish-white to pale yellow; fracture white and powdery; acrid taste greatly reduced compared with the raw rhizome.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; WarmSpleenStomachLung
Traditional Functions
Dries dampness and transforms phlegm, especially cold-phlegm and damp-phlegm in the spleen and lung. Apply to cough with copious white phlegm, epigastric fullness, and nausea. Less dispersing than raw Ban Xia; toxicity reduced by alum processing.
How Fa Ban Xia Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Fa Ban Xia is classified among the Phlegm-resolving herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fa Ban Xia? Are clear pinellia and ginger pinellia the same?
Official Fa Ban Xia (法半夏) is the tuber of Pinellia ternata processed with licorice and lime water. The pharmacopoeial name is Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum. Clear pinellia leans to drying dampness and transforming phlegm. Ginger pinellia leans to descending counterflow and stopping vomiting. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Fa Ban Xia. Do not use with aconite or prepared aconite.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Fa Ban Xia?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Fa Ban Xia is acrid and warm, enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels, and acts to dry dampness and transform phlegm. It is used for much phlegm with cough and asthma, phlegm-fluid with dizziness and palpitations, wind-phlegm dizziness, and phlegm-reversal headache. Acrid and warm, it suits damp phlegm—not yin deficiency, or absence of phlegm.
How do you choose Fa Ban Xia versus clear pinellia? Can ginger pinellia replace it?
Fa Ban Xia leans to drying dampness and transforming phlegm. Clear pinellia also dries dampness. Ginger pinellia leans to descending counterflow and stopping vomiting; it cannot replace drying dampness by equal weight. Commercial processed-pinellia tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Fa Ban Xia
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Fa Ban Xia.
Read the Fa Ban Xia Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
