NATURE:
Warm; pungent; attributive to spleen and stomach.
CHARACTERISTICS:
A tuberous perennial herb regarded as inferior drug because of its slight
toxicity. The tubers are soaked for 7 days in warm water, then dried and mixed
with some ginger juice to decrease it toxicity. It contains essential oil,
fatty oil, and a toxic alkaloid with sedative and antispasmodic properties.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS:
Deprive dampness and eliminate phlegm for chronic cough; stop vomiting and
nausea; disperse stagnation in the chest and lumps; eliminate toxic material
for skin infection.
