Pinellia Complex™

TCM herbal formula based on Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) — the foundational formula for treating dampness and phlegm — for damp and phlegm accumulation with Spleen and Stomach qi deficiency: profuse white sputum easily expectorated, distension and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, lassitude, weak extremities, vertigo, palpitations, white moist or greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse; pale face, sallow complexion, poor appetite, loose stools — dries dampness and dissolves phlegm; regulates qi and harmonizes the middle jiao; tonifies Spleen qi. Mostly used as an adjunct formula to treat a variety of disorders when the diagnosis includes dampness and phlegm.

⚠️ Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, yin-deficient heat, qi stagnation, excess heat, high fever, or thirst conditions. Discontinue when the desired effect is achieved — continued use may cause yin deficiency with symptoms of dry mouth, dry tongue, thirst, or irritability. Most effective when used as an adjunct: Pinellia Complex dispels damp and phlegm while another formula treats the subsequent disorder.

TCM pathophysiology: Damp and phlegm disorders are closely related to the functions of the organs that control water — the Spleen (transforms water), Lung (distributes water), and Kidney (eliminates water). Disorders in any of these three organs lead to accumulation of water and dampness, and eventually the formation of phlegm. Once phlegm is formed, it may affect virtually any part of the body — chest, diaphragm, stomach, intestines, all four extremities, and every channel and collateral. Presentations include cough, wheezing, hurried respiration, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, seizures, epilepsy, dian kuang (mania and withdrawal), formation of hardness and nodules, and many others. Phlegm is commonly described in TCM as the "mother of hundreds of disorders." Damp and phlegm are derived from foods that are fatty, oily, greasy, and/or deep-fried — low in nutrients, difficult to digest, and adversely affecting the digestive system.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Damp and phlegm accumulation: profuse white sputum easily expectorated, distension and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, lassitude, weak extremities, vertigo, palpitations, white moist or greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse

* Spleen and Stomach qi deficiencies: pale face, sallow complexion, low voice, lassitude, weakness of the extremities, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue with teeth marks, fine moderate pulse

* Adjunct formula for a wide variety of disorders when the diagnosis includes dampness and phlegm — gastrointestinal, metabolic (obesity, diabetes), respiratory, cardiovascular (hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis), and neurological

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae / Pinellia Rhizome / Pinellia ternata): chief herb — best herb to break up and dissolve phlegm stagnation; acrid and warm properties dissolve phlegm, dry dampness, and open pathways for qi to flow; corrects reversed flow of Stomach qi to relieve nausea and vomiting; significant antiemetic effect — commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting due to various causes; antiobesity — decreases body weight by increasing thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation; marked and prolonged antitussive and expectorant effects; antiasthmatic — inhibits eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness (combined with Chen Pi)

— Ju Hong (Exocarpium Citri Rubrum / Red Tangerine Peel): activates and regulates qi; removes residual phlegm and dampness

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos / Hoelen): strengthens the Spleen; dispels dampness; antihyperglycemic — reduces postprandial blood glucose levels via enhanced insulin sensitivity

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae / White Atractylodes Rhizome): strengthens the Spleen; dispels dampness; dual effect on the gastrointestinal tract — treats either constipation or diarrhea; antiobesity — reduces body weight associated with high-fat diet by inhibiting adipogenesis; antidiabetic — lowers plasma glucose levels

— Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis / Atractylodes Rhizome / Gray Atractylodes): strengthens the Spleen; dispels dampness; balancing GI effect — relaxes the gastrointestinal tract to relieve spasms and cramps, OR stimulates to increase gastric emptying and intestinal motility; antidiabetic — lowers plasma glucose levels; may decrease blood pressure

— Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi / Cyperus Rhizome / Nutgrass Rhizome): resolves dampness; promotes qi circulation; may strengthen the heartbeat and lower the heart rate

— Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi / Amomum Fruit / Cardamom): resolves dampness; promotes qi circulation; regulatory effect on the gastrointestinal system — stimulating at low doses, inhibiting at high doses

— Zhu Ru (Caulis Bambusae in Taenia / Bamboo Shavings): clears heat; regulates qi; eliminates phlegm

— Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii / Bitter Orange Fruit / Aurantium): clears heat; regulates qi; eliminates phlegm; gastroprotective — protects gastric mucosa against lesions induced by ethanol and NSAIDs by increasing gastric mucus production; antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory — naringenin and hesperetin upregulate transcription of adiponectin; synephrine — moderate effect to relax and dilate the airways

— Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens / Fresh Ginger Rhizome): relieves nausea and vomiting by guiding Stomach qi downward; detoxifies Ban Xia; significant antiemetic effect — reviewed as anti-emetic in cancer chemotherapy; antidiabetic — increases blood insulin level and enhances insulin sensitivity

— Wu Mei (Fructus Mume / Mume Fruit / Japanese Apricot / Prunus mume): astringes the Lung to prevent qi loss; balances the dispersing nature of Ban Xia — minimizes potential side effects; reduces mucosal inflammation; protects against chronic atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori-related chronic gastritis

— Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle / Honey-Prepared Licorice Root): regulates the Lung and Spleen; harmonizes all herbs; marked and prolonged antitussive and expectorant effects; gastroprotective — stimulates growth of intestinal crypt cells to facilitate intestinal mucosa repair; antihyperlipidemic — lowers plasma cholesterol levels; restores normal heart rhythm; treats acute episodes and sequelae of stroke (combined with other herbs in formula)

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Gastrointestinal — Bai Zhu (dual effect: constipation or diarrhea); Cang Zhu (relaxes GI spasms/cramps OR stimulates gastric emptying and intestinal motility); Sha Ren (stimulating at low dose, inhibiting at high dose); Sheng Jiang + Ban Xia (significant antiemetic; nausea and vomiting due to various causes); Wu Mei (gastroprotective; chronic atrophic gastritis; H. pylori); Zhi Gan Cao (intestinal mucosa repair); Zhi Qiao (gastroprotective; gastric mucus↑; protects against ethanol and NSAID lesions); clinical: gastric or duodenal ulcers, atrophic gastritis, epigastric pain

* Metabolic / antiobesity / antidiabetic — Ban Xia (body weight↓ via thermogenesis↑ and fatty acid oxidation↑); Bai Zhu (body weight↓ via adipogenesis inhibition); Bai Zhu + Cang Zhu (antidiabetic; plasma glucose↓); Fu Ling (postprandial blood glucose↓ via insulin sensitivity↑); Sheng Jiang (blood insulin↑; insulin sensitivity↑); clinical: diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic foot

* Circulatory / cardiovascular — Gan Cao (plasma cholesterol↓; restores normal heart rhythm); Zhi Qiao (antiatherogenic; anti-inflammatory; naringenin and hesperetin upregulate adiponectin); Cang Zhu (blood pressure↓); Xiang Fu (strengthens heartbeat; lowers heart rate); clinical: hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, acute episodes and sequelae of stroke

* Antitussive / expectorant / antiasthmatic — Ban Xia + Gan Cao (marked and prolonged antitussive and expectorant effects); Ban Xia + Chen Pi (antiasthmatic — inhibits eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness); Zhi Qiao / synephrine (relaxes and dilates airways); clinical: asthma, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, tuberculosis

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dries dampness and dissolves phlegm — chief: Ban Xia (breaks up and dissolves phlegm stagnation; dries dampness; opens qi pathways)

* Regulates qi and harmonizes the middle jiao (Ju Hong, Xiang Fu, Sha Ren, Zhu Ru, Zhi Qiao, Sheng Jiang)

* Tonifies Spleen qi; strengthens the Spleen; dispels dampness (Fu Ling, Bai Zhu, Cang Zhu)

* Astringes the Lung; prevents qi loss; balances dispersing nature of Ban Xia (Wu Mei)

* Regulates the Lung and Spleen; harmonizes all herbs (Zhi Gan Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. May increase to 6–8 capsules every 4–6 hours as needed. Discontinue when the desired effect is achieved.

Supplementary formulas: Respiratory disorders with clear or white sputum — add Respitrol (Cold). Respiratory disorders with yellow sputum — add Pinellia XPT and/or Respitrol (Heat). Asthma in children caused by heat — add Respitrol (Heat). Nasal allergies — add Magnolia Clear Sinus or Pueraria Clear Sinus. Dry-phlegm (yellow, thick, difficult to expectorate) — add Nourish (Fluids). Nausea and vomiting due to cold in the Stomach with deficient constitution — add GI Tonic. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — add GI Harmony. Depression — add Shine or Shine (DS). Nodules caused by phlegm obstructing the channels — add Resolve (AI). Severe Spleen and Stomach qi deficiencies or diarrhea — add GI Tonic. Edema due to Spleen deficiency — add Herbal DRX. Qi and blood deficiencies — add Imperial Tonic. Damp-type lesions — add Dermatrol (Damp). Damp-heat in the lower jiao — add V-Support. Plum-pit syndrome — add Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction).

Nutrition: Avoid all foods containing sugar (cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, soda, canned juice, soft drinks, stevia, sugar substitutes, agave, xylitol, corn syrup). Avoid raw or cold food and beverages (sashimi, sushi, salads, steak tartar, seared meat) — eat cooked vegetables and nothing straight from the refrigerator. Avoid carbohydrates like white rice or bread — damage the Spleen and produce more dampness. Do not eat seafood, especially shellfish (crab, oyster, scallop, clam, lobster, shrimp) — enter the yangming Stomach channel; especially important for individuals with skin disorders. Avoid fermented foods (cheese, fermented tofu). Avoid dairy products (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, ice cream) — create dampness; especially important for lactose-intolerant patients. Do not eat lamb, beef, goose, or duck. Avoid deep-fried or greasy foods. Avoid cold-natured foods that damage the Spleen: most melons (winter melon, watermelon, honeydew), nightshades (eggplant, potato, bell and spicy peppers, tomato), bitter melon, seaweed, cucumber, grapefruit, and citrus.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease):

— Hawthorn berries, papayas, oranges, apples, daikons, and parsley.

— Dry and age orange peel for about one month; soak in hot water to make tea and drink after meals.

— Blend daikon radish juice and take after meals.

Lifestyle: Always eat breakfast — optimal digestive time per TCM clock is 8–10 a.m. Drink warm or hot liquids with meals — cold or iced drinks hinder natural peristaltic movements of the digestive system. Sleep by 10:00 p.m. — in TCM, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. is when yin shifts to yang; the body must be at rest during this time for optimal health. Allow 2–3 hours between the last meal of the day and bedtime — the digestive system slows during sleep.

Related Reading

Also see: Respitrol (Cold) – for respiratory disorders with clear or white sputum | Pinellia XPT – for respiratory disorders with yellow sputum | Respitrol (Heat) – for respiratory disorders with yellow sputum or asthma in children caused by heat | Magnolia Clear Sinus – for nasal allergies | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for nasal allergies | Nourish (Fluids) – for dry-phlegm (yellow, thick, difficult to expectorate) | GI Tonic – for nausea and vomiting due to cold in the Stomach, or severe Spleen and Stomach qi deficiencies | GI Harmony – for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | Shine – for depression | Shine (DS) – for depression | Resolve (AI) – for nodules caused by phlegm obstructing the channels | Herbal DRX – for edema due to Spleen deficiency | Imperial Tonic – for qi and blood deficiencies | Dermatrol (Damp) – for damp-type lesions | V-Support – for damp-heat in the lower jiao | Digestive Health & GI Support Collection | Respiratory Health & Lung Support Collection.