Pinellia

A genus of six species of small, tuberous perennials, occuring in E Asia. Pinellia ternata is an eyecatching plant for the rock garden or shady corner, thriving beneath trees and shrubs. It was first recorded in Chinese medicine in the Shen Nong Canon of Herbs, which was completed during the later Han Dynasty (CE25-220). Like most members of the aroid family, it is extremely acrid when fresh, containing toxins that are neutralized by drying, or by soaking in tea or vinegar. Among the constituents are alkaloids, which are thought to resemble coniine (as found in Conium maculatum, See, Poison Hemlock), and ephedrine (as found in Ephedra species, See, Joint Fir). Its reputation for controlling nausea and vomiting has been scientifically validated; it is part of a successful Chinese prescription for removing gallstones without surgery, a process causing severe nausea. Pinellia is named after Giovanni Pinelli (1535-1601), owner of a botanic garden in Naples, Italy.

Slender perennial with a tuber to 2cm (¾in) across, bulbil-bearing stalks, and 3-palmate adult leaves, divided into ovate-elliptic to oblong leaflets, to 12cm (5in) long. A long-stalked inflorescence, with a green spathe, to 7cm (3in) long, and an erect, protruding spadix, to 10cm (4in) long, appears in summer, followed by a cluster of green berries.

Common Name:	Pinellia
Botanical Name:	Pinellia ternata
Genus:	Pinellia
Family:	Araceae
Native Location:	China, Japan, and Korea
Cultivation:	Rich soil in dappled shade
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe; by offsets in autumn or early spring; by bulbils in late summer. Invasive in good conditions.
Harvest:	Tubers are lifted in summer and dried for use in decoctions.
Height:	60cm (24in)
:Width	30cm (12in)
Hardiness:	Z6-9
Parts Used:	Tubers (ban xia)
Properties:	A pungent, slightly bitter, warming herb that controls coughing and has expectorant and anti-mucus effects. It is a potent anti-emetic.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for coughs with thin, watery phlegm, gastritis, nausea, and vomiting. Often combined with Zingiber officinale (See, Ginger) to control vomiting; with Citrus reticulata (chen pi, See, Mandarin Orange), Coptis chinensis (See, Mishmi Bitter), or Scutellaria baicalensis (See, Baikal Skullcap) for coughs; with Glycyrrhiza uralensis (See, Chinese Licorice), calcium carbonate, and alum as an expectorant. Usually prescribed with Glycyrrhiza uralensis (See, Chinese Licorice) or Zingiber officinale (See, Ginger) to reduce toxicity.
Warning:	Harmful if eaten. Irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Bibliography:	Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 318