Belamcanda chinensis is the rhizome of the plant Belamcanda chinensis from the Iridaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hubei, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, and other regions. The best time for harvesting is in autumn. It is dried, sliced, and used for medicinal purposes.
I. The Efficacy of Belamcanda Chinensis:
Belamcanda tastes bitter, cold. It belongs to the lung meridian. EfficacyClears heat and detoxifies, dispels phlegm and soothes the throatIts characteristic is its efficacy in resolving phlegm accumulation, treating throat obstruction, and it is acclaimed as the essential medicine for treating throat obstruction and sore throat.
Commonly used inHeat toxin and phlegm fire stagnation, sore throat, profuse phlegm and saliva, cough and asthmaTreatment of conditions such as
Summary of Famous Works by Renowned Authors
The Classic of Materia Medica: "Treats cough with counterflow ascent of qi, throat impediment, and pharyngeal pain that does not abate. Dissolves bound qi, evil counterflow in the abdomen, and great heat from food and drink."
Bie Lu: "Coughing, spitting, speaking, and foul breath, dispersing heat in the chest."
Compendium of Materia Medica: "Reduces excessive fire, benefits the large intestine, treats malaria with splenomegaly."
"Southern Yunnan Materia Medica": "Treats sore throat, throat closure and wind, tonsillitis, red and swollen mumps, swollen and ulcerated tooth roots, and disperses all heat-toxin conditions such as sores and abscesses."
Changsha Medicine Explanation: "It soothes the throat and opens blockages, reduces upward counterflow and stops coughing, most effectively clears the chest and diaphragm, and excellently sweeps away stagnant turbidity."
"Ben Cao Bei Yao": "It can purge excess fire; when fire descends, blood disperses and swelling subsides, and phlegm nodules naturally resolve. Therefore, it can eliminate old blood in the heart and spleen, and disperse accumulated phlegm in the Taiyin and Jueyin meridians. It is an essential medicine for treating throat obstruction and sore throat. It treats scrofula, abdominal masses, hernias, syphilitic sores, and malarial nodules. It promotes menstruation, benefits the large intestine, calms the liver, and improves vision."
II. Compatibility and Application of Belamcanda
1. For sore throat with excessive heat-phlegm accumulation. Belamcanda has the effects of detoxifying and soothing the throat, dispelling phlegm, and dissipating nodules. It can be used alone by pounding it into juice and gargling, or by grinding it with vinegar and holding it in the mouth to induce saliva production. It is also often combined with lung-clearing and throat-soothing herbs such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Platycodon grandiflorus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis.
If treating sore throat and inability to eat, it is often combined with Angelica sinensis, Cimicifuga, Angelica dahurica, and Prunus armeniaca, namelyShegan Decoction。
2. For the syndrome of excessive phlegm with cough and wheezing. Shegan is particularly effective in resolving phlegm. For treating cough with copious phlegm due to lung heat, it is often combined with heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving herbs such as Sangbaipi, Madouling, and Jiegeng, namelyShegan Madouling Decoction。
If treating water-cold attacking the lung, with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough with copious phlegm, it is often combined with lung-warming and phlegm-resolving herbs such as Ephedra, Asarum, Ginger, and Pinellia, namelyShegan Mahuang Decoction。
The indications for Shegan Mahuang Decoction and Xiaoqinglong Decoction are generally similar, with Shegan Mahuang Decoction placing greater emphasis on cases of upward qi and phlegm rales, or being suitable for Xiaoqinglong Decoction patterns where phlegm rales in the throat are pronounced. In modern practice, it is commonly used to treat bronchitis, asthma with cough and excessive phlegm, and throat discomfort, often yielding favorable results.
"Synopsis of the Golden Chamber": "For cough with upward qi flow and a frog-like sound in the throat, Shegan Mahuang Decoction is indicated."
Huang Yuanyu said: "When external wind and cold cause closure, the skin pores do not open, and the lung qi becomes depressed and forced, moving upward against its normal flow. The throat passage becomes narrow and constricted, unable to release the qi adequately, leading to obstructed breathing and a sound like that of a waterfowl. Shegan, Ziwan, Kuandong, Wuwei, Xixin, Shengjiang, and Banxia are used to direct the rebellious qi downward and break through the obstruction. Dazao tonifies the interior, while Mahuang purges the exterior."
III. Usage and Dosage of Belamcanda:
Shegan is often used in decoctions and rarely in pills or powders. The usual dosage in decoctions ranges from a few grams to over ten grams.
IV Application Precautions of Belamcanda
Shegan is bitter and cold, possessing the ability to resolve phlegm and dissipate masses; moreover, some texts mention that it is toxic, thereforeThe medicine is contraindicated in cases without substantial heat, spleen deficiency with loose stools, and in pregnant women.。
