Tiān Nán Xīng (天南星), known in English as Jack-in-the-pulpit rhizome (Arisaema erubescens), is a warm, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels. Its main action: dries Damp, transforms Cold-Phlegm — stronger than Ban Xia.
| Pinyin | Tiān Nán Xīng (Tian Nan Xing) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 天南星 |
| English | Jack-in-the-pulpit rhizome |
| Botanical name | Arisaema erubescens |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Liver, Spleen |
| Dosage | 3–9g (processed only) |
| Cautions | Pregnancy; Yin deficiency; highly toxic raw; incompatible with Fu Zi |
Actions
- Dries Damp, transforms Cold-Phlegm — stronger than Ban Xia
- Disperses Wind-Phlegm, stops spasms
- Reduces swelling (topical)
Indications
- Stubborn Cold-Phlegm cough
- Wind-Phlegm stroke, facial paralysis, epilepsy, tetanus
- Masses (topical)
How to remember Tiān Nán Xīng
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “transforms Cold-Phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Acrid: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Liver and Spleen channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Formulas containing Tiān Nán Xīng
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tiān Nán Xīng?
Tiān Nán Xīng is warm and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Tiān Nán Xīng enter?
Tiān Nán Xīng enters the Lung, Liver and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Tiān Nán Xīng?
Dries Damp, transforms Cold-Phlegm — stronger than Ban Xia; Disperses Wind-Phlegm, stops spasms; Reduces swelling (topical).
What is Tiān Nán Xīng used for?
Stubborn Cold-Phlegm cough; Wind-Phlegm stroke, facial paralysis, epilepsy, tetanus; masses (topical).
Which formulas contain Tiān Nán Xīng?
Dí Tán Tāng.
Practise Tiān Nán Xīng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.