Pinellia XPT™

TCM expectorant formula for the secondary stage of lung infection — internal stagnation of phlegm and fire with impaired descending function of Lung qi — profuse yellow or green sputum, cough and dyspnea from pneumonia or bronchitis, chest congestion and fullness, post-nasal drip — clears Lung heat; regulates Lung qi; lowers adverse rising qi and relieves cough; transforms phlegm; expectorant; antitussive; antibiotic; anti-inflammatory.

⚠️ Designed for the secondary stage of respiratory infections with chest congestion and profuse yellow phlegm — NOT suitable for the initial stage of wind-heat or wind-cold. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Not recommended for long-term use — discontinue when the desired effects are achieved. Some patients may experience stomach discomfort — if so, reduce the dosage or take with food.

TCM pathophysiology: Phlegm and sputum are secretions and discharge of the respiratory tract associated with infection and inflammation. Phlegm contains mucus with bacteria, debris, and inflammatory cells. When phlegm is expectorated via cough, it is called sputum. The presence of phlegm and sputum interferes with normal lung functions and should be expelled via coughing or use of herbs. In the secondary stage of lung infection, superficial symptoms are no longer present — instead there is internal stagnation of phlegm and fire, which interferes with the descending function of Lung qi, causing cough and profuse yellow or green sputum as the predominant symptoms. Western medicine has only one approved expectorant — guaifenesin (Robitussin, Triaminic) — which is relatively safe but limited in potency. Many herbs are extremely effective to stop the production, loosen the viscosity, and facilitate the elimination of phlegm.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Profuse yellow or green sputum from infection and/or inflammation of the respiratory tract

* Cough and dyspnea from pneumonia or bronchitis

* Chest congestion and fullness from respiratory disorders

* Post-nasal drip

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Dan Nan Xing (Arisaema cum Bile / Bile-Processed Arisaema / Jack-in-the-Pulpit with Bile): strong effect to treat blockage due to fire and phlegm; expectorant — increases secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria Root / Baical Skullcap Root): drains Lung fire; transforms phlegm; significant and potent anti-inflammatory — inhibits nitric oxide (NO), inducible NOS (iNOS), COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines; broad antimicrobial — effective against Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus dysenteriae, E. coli, Bordetella pertussis, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococcus meningitidis, leptospira, various dermatophytes, and influenza viruses; most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; baicalin potentiates standard antibiotics (ampicillin, amoxicillin, methicillin, cefotaxime) — restores effectiveness against beta-lactam-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA; antiviral — suppresses replication of influenza A and B viruses; baicalein and wogonin boost innate antiviral immunity by stimulating cytokine production and increasing resistance to viral infection in human leukocytes

— Ting Li Zi (Semen Descurainiae / Descurainia Seed / Pepperwort Seed): drains Lung fire; transforms phlegm; clinical: herbal formula with Ting Li Zi showed good effect in treating 30 children with cough and dyspnea from bronchitis

— Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis / Platycodon Root / Balloon Flower Root): drains Lung fire; marked antitussive and expectorant effects — suppresses and relieves cough; anti-inflammatory — decreases capillary permeability and suppresses sensitivity from allergic reactions; clinical: 10 patients with pulmonary abscesses treated with satisfactory results using Jie Geng and Gan Cao

— Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum / Bitter Apricot Seed / Prunus armeniaca): eliminates phlegm; reverses rebellious Lung qi; remarkable antitussive effect — mechanism attributed to inhibition of the respiratory reflex in the brain; clinical: Ban Xia + Ku Xing Ren showed good effect in treating cough from exterior condition in 119 patients (82 marked effect, 28 moderate effect, 6 no effect)

— Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae / Pinellia Rhizome / Pinellia ternata): strong and prolonged antitussive effects — duration of action approximately 5 hours; antiasthmatic — combined with Chen Pi, inhibits eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness by suppressing CCR3+ and Th2 cytokines in ovalbumin-induced asthma model; antimicrobial — pinelloside (antimicrobial cerebroside) inhibits growth of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans

— Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae / Tangerine Peel / Aged Citrus Peel): regulates Lung qi; relieves chest congestion and fullness; decreases permeability of blood vessels; reduces inflammation from allergy; antiasthmatic (combined with Ban Xia)

— Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus / Immature Bitter Orange / Unripe Aurantium): regulates Lung qi; relieves chest congestion and fullness

— Zhu Ru (Caulis Bambusae in Taenia / Bamboo Shavings): clears phlegm-heat; expels sputum; relieves stifling sensation in the chest; antimicrobial — inhibits Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, and Salmonella typhi

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos / Hoelen): strengthens the Spleen; dispels phlegm through urination

— Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis / Coix Seed / Job's Tears): strengthens the Spleen; dispels phlegm through urination

— Dong Gua Zi (Semen Benincasae / Winter Melon Seed / Wax Gourd Seed): strengthens the Spleen; dispels phlegm through urination

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae / Jujube / Chinese Red Date): harmonizes the Stomach; moderates the strong properties of Dan Nan Xing and Ting Li Zi

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Expectorant — Dan Nan Xing (increases mucus secretion in respiratory tract); Jie Geng (marked expectorant); Ban Xia (strong and prolonged antitussive ~5 hours); clinical: Ban Xia + Ku Xing Ren — 119 patients cough (82 marked, 28 moderate, 6 no effect); Ting Li Zi formula — 30 children cough and dyspnea from bronchitis

* Antitussive — Ban Xia (strong and prolonged ~5 hours); Jie Geng (marked antitussive); Ku Xing Ren (remarkable — inhibits respiratory reflex in brain)

* Antiasthmatic — Ban Xia + Chen Pi (inhibits eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness; suppresses CCR3+ and Th2 cytokines)

* Anti-inflammatory — Huang Qin (NO↓, iNOS↓, COX-2↓, PGE2↓, pro-inflammatory cytokines↓); Chen Pi (capillary permeability↓; allergy inflammation↓); Jie Geng (capillary permeability↓; allergic sensitivity↓)

* Antibiotic / antimicrobial — Huang Qin (broad spectrum: S. aureus, streptococcus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Bordetella pertussis, influenza; baicalin potentiates beta-lactam antibiotics against MRSA); Ban Xia / pinelloside (Bacillus subtilis, S. aureus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans); Zhu Ru (Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Salmonella typhi); clinical: pulmonary abscess — 10 patients satisfactory results (Jie Geng + Gan Cao)

* Antiviral — Huang Qin (suppresses influenza A and B replication; baicalein and wogonin boost innate antiviral immunity; stimulates cytokine production in human leukocytes)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears Lung heat; drains Lung fire; transforms phlegm (Dan Nan Xing, Huang Qin, Ting Li Zi, Jie Geng, Zhu Ru)

* Regulates Lung qi; relieves chest congestion and fullness (Chen Pi, Zhi Shi)

* Lowers adverse rising qi; relieves cough; eliminates phlegm (Ku Xing Ren, Ban Xia)

* Strengthens the Spleen; dispels phlegm through urination (Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren, Dong Gua Zi)

* Harmonizes the Stomach; moderates strong herbs (Da Zao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Discontinue when the desired effects are achieved — not for long-term use.

Supplementary formulas: Underlying damp and phlegm due to Spleen qi deficiency — add Pinellia Complex. Infection with fever, chest congestion, and dyspnea from Lung heat — add Respitrol (Heat). Cough — add Respitrol (CF). High fever — add Gardenia Complex. Enhance overall antibiotic effect — add Herbal ABX. Enhance overall antiviral effect — add Herbal AVR. Ear, nose, and throat infection — add Herbal ENT. Sinus infection with yellow nasal discharge — add Pueraria Clear Sinus. Tonsillitis with swollen throat — add Resolve (AI) and Herbal ENT. Wind-heat — add Lonicera Complex. Build immune system and prevent bacterial or viral infections (after cold/flu symptoms subside) — take Immune+ daily. Plum-pit syndrome — add Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction).

Nutrition: Avoid foods that are greasy or spicy — they create more dampness and heat. To avoid infection, a diet high in garlic, onions, and water is recommended. Adequate intake of vitamin C is important — greatly consumed by white blood cells when fighting infections. Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, alcohol, seafood, and phlegm-producing foods (sweets, dairy products, heavy or greasy foods). Eat plenty of foods containing vitamins A and C — strengthen lung tissue and improve resistance to infection. Avoid all foods that damage the Spleen: sugar (cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, canned juice, soft drinks, caffeinated drinks, stevia, agave, xylitol, corn syrup); raw or uncooked meats (sashimi, sushi, steak tartar, seared meat); cooling foods (tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, bitter melon, cucumber, gourd, luffa, eggplant, winter melon, watermelon, honeydew, citrus, oranges, guava, grapefruit, pineapple, plums, pear, banana, papaya, white radish, mustard leaf, napa, bamboo sprout — cooling property can be neutralized by cooking or adding 20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi); carbohydrates like white rice or bread; seafood especially shellfish (crabs, oyster, scallops, clams, lobster, shrimp — enter the yangming Stomach channel); fermented foods (cheese, fermented tofu); dairy products (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, ice cream); fried or greasy foods. Avoid warm and hot natured foods that damage qi and yin: fruits that produce heat (mango, durian); stimulants (coffee, alcohol, energy drinks); spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables (pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi). Avoid food and drinks with artificial coloring. Consume as few meat products as possible — avoid processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages) containing nitrites associated with inflammation and chronic disease.

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

— Dry cough with yellow sputum: take warm daikon and water chestnut juice with one teaspoon honey.

— Cough with yellow sputum: drink apple juice.

— Cough, mucus, and upper respiratory infection: put slices of onion over the nose like a mask and inhale the aroma for 30 minutes. Or steam the sliced onion and apply warm as a poultice to the chest area; cover to keep warm and leave on for 20–30 minutes.

Lifestyle: Encourage patients to expel sputum so the airway can be cleared to facilitate normal respiration and relieve chest congestion. Install an air purifier at home for recurrent respiratory disorders. Use a humidifier to increase moisture in the air, hydrate the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs, and increase resistance to infection.

CASE STUDIES

— 59-year-old female: Copious congestion, chest tightness, and yellow-greenish phlegm; heat in the Lung with phlegm congestion. Pinellia XPT. Result: phlegm resolved; chest tightness and pain resolved.

— 59-year-old male physician: Extreme fever (over 104°F), extreme difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath aggravated by exertion, unsteady walk, dizziness, inability to speak more than one word per breath; pale tongue with red tip and body; rapid superficial pulse; phlegm heat in the Lung. Pinellia XPT 6 caps 4x daily + Immune+ 6 caps 4x daily + Combivent (albuterol/ipratropium) + aspirin + homeopathics. Result: definite response to herbs — respiration became much easier; energy level and vitality enhanced; cough no longer productive. Practitioner commented: "While all protocols employed resulted in benefit — it is without question that the herbal formulas generated imminent benefit and long-term recuperation."

— D.C., 50-year-old female: Common cold with cough, chest congestion, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm, slight fever; red tongue with yellow coating; rapid slippery pulse; Lung heat. Respitrol (Heat) + Pinellia XPT. Result at 3 days: heat relieved; phlegm cleared.

Related Reading

Also see: Pinellia Complex – for underlying damp and phlegm due to Spleen qi deficiency | Respitrol (Heat) – for infection with fever, chest congestion, and dyspnea from Lung heat | Respitrol (CF) – for cough | Gardenia Complex – for high fever | Herbal ABX – to enhance antibiotic effect | Herbal AVR – to enhance antiviral effect | Herbal ENT – for ear, nose, and throat infection | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for sinus infection with yellow nasal discharge | Resolve (AI) – for tonsillitis with swollen throat | Lonicera Complex – for wind-heat | Immune+ – to build the immune system and prevent bacterial or viral infections | Respiratory Health & Lung Support Collection.