Banxia, Rhizoma Pinelliae

Banxia, Rhizoma Pinelliae Pinelliae Rhizoma or Pinellia Tuber is the dried rhizome of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Ten. ex Breitenb., family Araceae.

Decoction of Shenbanxia, Jianbanxia, and Qingbanxia all have anti-tussive activity. Ethanolic extract of processed Banxia has expectorant activity but extract of Shengbanxia does not clearly have expectorant activity. Alcoholic precipitates of Banxia decoction can protect gastric mucosa from acute injury and promote the recovery. Shengbanxia is irritating to the gastric mucosa but not when processed into Jianbanxia. Qingbanxia and Jiangbanxia has anti-emetic activity but Shengbanxia induces vomiting. Pinellin, Banxia polysaccharides and alkaloids have anti-tumor activity. Banxia alkaloids have anti-inflammatory activity. Pinellin has distinct antifertility activity. Banxia also has anti-convulsion, sedative and hypnotic, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidation activities. Pungent in flavor, warm in nature. Enter spleen, stomach and lung channels.