Dǎn Nán Xīng (胆南星) — Bile-Processed Arisaema
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto — registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner (BAcC, RCHM) with over 25 years’ clinical experience.
On this page
1. Overview
Dǎn Nán Xīng (胆南星) is processed Arisaema rhizome (Arisaema erubescens) that has been fermented with ox or pig bile. The bile-processing dramatically reduces the toxicity and irritancy of raw Tian Nan Xing while transforming the herb's energetic action from warm to cool, making it specifically suited to hot-phlegm patterns rather than cold-phlegm. It is the principal Chinese herb for transforming Phlegm-Heat that has obstructed the orifices of the Heart — the classical TCM presentation in stroke, seizures, childhood convulsions and acute psychosis. Modern use is largely confined to formulas where the bile-processed form is required.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Dǎn Nán Xīng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 胆南星 |
| Latin name | Arisaema cum Bile / Bile-processed Arisaema erubescens |
| English name | Bile-Arisaema, gall-Arisaema |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Bitter, slightly pungent |
| Channels entered | Lung, Liver, Spleen |
| Category | Transform hot Phlegm and resolve Wind-Phlegm |
| Dosage | 3–6 g, decocted (lower than raw Tian Nan Xing) |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm — for cough with thick, sticky yellow phlegm of Lung Heat origin.
- Extinguishes Wind and resolves Phlegm obstructing the orifices — for stroke with hemiplegia, slurred speech and rolling phlegm; for epilepsy with the classical "Phlegm-Fire" presentation; for childhood convulsions with high fever.
- Calms the Shen in Phlegm-Heat patterns — used in formulas for acute psychiatric agitation and disorientation classified as Phlegm-Fire misting the Heart.
4. Key formulas
- Di Tan Tang (Scour Phlegm Decoction) — the principal formula for stroke with rolling Phlegm and rigid limbs, of which Dan Nan Xing is a defining ingredient.
- Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan — for Phlegm-Heat cough.
- Formulas for epilepsy with Phlegm-Fire patterns, used by specialist Chinese herbalists.
5. Cautions
Although bile-processing markedly reduces the toxicity of raw Tian Nan Xing, Dan Nan Xing is still a strong herb and is reserved for specific clinical situations. Contraindicated in pregnancy and in Yin deficiency with dry cough. Should be prescribed only by a qualified RCHM-registered Chinese herbalist.
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Dan Nan Xing only when classical Phlegm-Heat-Wind patterns specifically call for it, as part of an individualised pharmaceutical-grade granule prescription. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
