Arisaema consanguineum. A. amurense, A. heterophyllum   天 南 星 Tiān nán xīng   Himalayan cobra lily  Family: Araceae  
PART USED: Rhizome- harvested in Autumn or Winter when the stem and leaf are withered, removed from fibrous root and outer tissue and dried.
Nature- warm     FLAVOR: Bitter, and biting, pungent   CHANNELS: Liver, Lung, Spleen  TOXICITY: Toxic when raw
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Resolve phlegm- Cold phelgm- This herb is extremely drying in nature.[3]
1. Resolve Cold phlegm and expels phlegm.[3] Transform Sputum, disperse coagulation.[2]
2. Disperses Wind Phlegm in the channels and stops spasms.[3] Expel Wind to stop convulsion. Relieves spasms and pain.[1]
3. Reduces swelling and alleviates pain.[3] Loosens mucus, dispels clots and reduces swelling.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Cough and a stifling and distended sensation in the chest due to stubborn Phlegm.[3] Epilepsy. Epileptic foaming at the mouth.[1] Intractable phlegm with cough.[4]
2. Wind and Phlegm obstruction in the channels causing dizziness, numbness in the limbs, facial paralysis, spasms in the hands or feet, opisthotonos, stroke, seizures, or lockjaw.[3] Apoplexy- wry mouth and eyes, hemiplegia, tetanus.[2] High fevers and convulsions.[1] Vertigo; stroke with phlegm in the throat, deviation of the eye and the mouth, hemiplegia; epilepsy and convulsions; tetanus[4]
3. Boils and abscesses.[1]
4. Topically: Traumatic injuries with swelling.[1,3] Deep rooted sores, ulcers, and carbuncles.[3] Boils, sores, snake and insect bites.[4]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Yin deficiency, Dry Phlegm, or Heat and Druness of the Lung. Pregnancy. According to some traditional sources this herb counteracts Aconitum carmichaeli- Fu zi, Zingiber officinale- Gan jiang, and Zingiber officinale- Sheng jiang.
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction. Processed rhizome  3-9 g.[1,2,3] 0.3-1 g- untreated in pills and powders only.[3] The unprocessed stem tuber may be crushed in suitable amounts for external use.[1]
This herb is very toxic in its raw unprocessed form, and is used primarily as a topical aplication for Yin type acscesses, trauma induced swelling and pain, and swelling of the joints.[3] When it does appear in preparations for internal use, it is only in decoctions with fresh ginger, which greatly reduces its toxicity. If numbness of the tongue is experienced after ingestion, granulated sugar can be taken as an antidote. Should not be used for internal used if the outer skin has not been removed.[3] Good quality is large, white, and powdery.
HABITAT: Grows in damp shady forest areas.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb. Subterranean stem tuber; globular. Leaf petioles; erect, height 60-90 cm, fleshy, dull purple stripes and spots, and 2 ochreae at base. Leaves; single, palmate compound, growing terminally from petioles, leaflets 11 to 23, long, lanceolate, apexes pointed, margins intact. Flowers; in Summer, flowers forming spadix inflorescence, bracts light purple, long-linear at apex. Berry; bright red when ripe, granular.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cultivation, Harvesting and Supply
Safety and herb-drug interactions