This product is the rhizome of the perennial herb Belamcanda Rhizome (Belamcanda chinese (L.) DC.) from the Iridaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hubei, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, and other regions. It can be harvested throughout the year, with the best time being in autumn. After removing the stems and fibrous roots, it is washed, dried, and sliced.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter, cold. Act on lung meridian.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Clearing heat and removing toxin, dispelling phlegm to benifit the throat.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for sore throat and swelling. This product is bitter and cold, with the effects of clearing heat and removing toxins. It enters the lung meridian, clears lung heat, descends qi, disperses phlegm, and reduces swelling. It can be used alone by pounding it into juice and holding it in the mouth or by grinding it with vinegar to make a juice to gargle, which helps to draw out saliva; it can also be used in combination with Skullcap Root, Platycodon Root, Liquorice Root, etc.
2. Used for excessive phlegm and cough with wheezing. This product is good at clearing lung fire and descending qi to disperse phlegm, thereby relieving wheezing and cough. It is often used with White Mulberry Root-Bark, Dutohmanspipe Fruit, Platycodon Root, and other heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving herbs, such as in the Belamcanda Rhizome Dutohmanspipe Fruit Decoction; appropriate combinations of medicinals can also be used to treat cold phlegm with wheezing, cough with excessive phlegm, and other symptoms. It should be combined with Asarum, Fresh Ginger Rhizome, Pinellia, and other lung-warming and phlegm-resolving herbs, such as in the Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Treats cough with dyspnea, pharyngitis, sore throat with difficulty in swallowing. Dissolves masses in the abdomen, counteracts pathogenic influences, and alleviates intense heat in the diet."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Belamcanda Rhizome can reduce fire, hence it is an essential herb in ancient prescriptions for treating pharyngitis and sore throat."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 6-10g.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Pregnant women should avoid or use with caution.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains iridin, tectoridin, irigenin, and others.

Belamcanda Rhizome has a strong inhibitory effect on common pathogenic fungi, as well as on certain viruses (adenovirus, ECHO11) associated with external contraction and throat diseases; it has anti-inflammatory effects; and it also has antipyretic and analgesic effects.