Warm Herbs that Dissolve Cold Phlegm: Tian Nan Xing

Tian Nan Xing: Stubborn phlegm, spasms, sores





天南星

(Zhi) Tian Nan Xing

Tian = Heaven
Nan = South
Xing = Star

"Star of the Southern Heavens"

Toxic (must be used prepared)
Bitter
(intensely) Acrid (and therefore extremely drying)
Warm

Lung, Liver, Spleen

Contraindicated in pregnancy.

This herb must be prepared before being ingested, otherwise it is toxic. It has two primary functions in its prepared form.

First, Tian Nan Xing is extremely drying (the plant is shaped like a star -- particularly like a drawing of our sun, with rays shooting out -- so think hot sun / drying) and therefore it dries dampness and expels phlegm. Particularly useful if you have a cough with a chest full of stubborn phlegm.
Tian Nan Xing is like a dryer for stubborn phlegm!

Second, Tian Nan Xing also travels to the Liver, and the second function of the herb is related to this fact. If there is a wind-phlegm obstruction in the channels, Tian Nan Xing will disperse and calm wind-phlegm manifesting in symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, numb limbs, facial paralysis, hand/foot spasms, stroke, seizures.


Tian Nan Xing stops spasms and dizziness by dispersing wind-phlegm.

Finally, used topically (and often raw for this application), Tian Nan Xing can reduce swelling and alleviate pain from sores, ulcers, carbuncles, joint pain. Bensky writes that it is "recently used topically for cervical cancer."