PINELLIA TERNATA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Pinellia ternata is a plant that is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It also grows as a weed in Europe and North America. An underground part called a tuber is used to make medicine.

Pinellia ternata is a common ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.

Since April 2004, pinellia ternata has been banned in the US because it contains chemicals called ephedrine alkaloids. These chemicals might cause serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or seizures. The ban does not apply to traditional Asian medicines containing this ingredient. These products use Pinellia ternata tuber that has been processed to remove sharp crystals that can irritate the mouth, throat, and gut.

How does it work ?

There isn't enough information available to know how Pinellia ternata might work.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Nausea.
Morning sickness.
Cough.
Birth control.
Flu (influenza).
Insomnia.
Swine flu.
Swelling (inflammation).
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Pinellia ternata for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Pinellia ternata is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people when taken by mouth. It contains a stimulant called ephedrine. Ephedrine might cause serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or seizures. Because of these safety concerns, this product is banned in the U.S.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Pinellia ternata is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Sedative medications (Barbiturates) interacts with PINELLIA TERNATA
Pinellia ternata might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Pinellia ternata along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some sedative medications include amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), and others.
Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with PINELLIA TERNATA
Pinellia ternata might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Pinellia ternata along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some of these sedative medications include lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), and others.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with PINELLIA TERNATA
Pinellia ternata might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Pinellia ternata along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of Pinellia ternata depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Pinellia ternata. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Chen D, Wu CF, Huang L, Ning Z. Effect of the aqueous extract of Xiao-Ban-Xia-Tang on gastric emptying in mice. Am J Chin Med 2002;30:207-14. View abstract.

Chen JH, Cui GY, Liu JY, Tan RX. Pinelloside, an antimicrobial cerebroside from Pinellia ternata. Phytochemistry 2003;64:903-6. View abstract.

Davies KM, Heaney RP, Recker RR, et al. Calcium intake and body weight. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:4635-8. View abstract.

FDA, HHS. Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk. Fed Regist 2004;69:6787-6854. View abstract.

Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk; Final rule. Fed Regist 2004;69:6787-6854. View abstract.

Kim SH, Jeong H, Kim YK, et al. IgE-mediated occupational asthma induced by herbal medicine, Bahna (Pinellia ternata). Clin Exp Allergy 2000;31:779-81. View abstract.

Lin S, Nie B, Yao G, Yang H, Ye R, Yuan Z. Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) makino preparation promotes sleep by increasing REM sleep. Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(22):3326-3329. View abstract.

Lin YH, Chen C, Zhao X, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Banxia Formulae for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021;2021:8833168. View abstract.

Maki T, Takahashi K, Shibata S. An anti-emetic principle of Pinellia ternata tuber. Planta Med 1987;53:410-4.

Nagai T, Kiyohara H, Munakata K, et al. Pinellic acid from the tuber of Pinellia ternata Breitenbach as an effective oral adjuvant for nasal influenza vaccine. Int Immunopharmacol 2002;2:1183-93. View abstract.

Oshio H, Tsukui M, Matsuoka T. Isolation of L-ephedrine from "Pinelliae Tuber." Chem Pharm Bull 1978;26:2096-7.

Wu J, Cheng Z, He S, et al. Pinelliae rhizome, a toxic Chinese herb, can significantly inhibit CYP3A activity in rats. Molecules 2015;20:792-806. doi:10.3390/molecules20010792.View abstract.

Wu J, Cheng Z, Zhu L, et al. Coadministration of Pinellia ternata can significantly reduce Aconitum carmichaelii to inhibit CYP3A activity in rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:734867. doi: 10.1155/2014/734867. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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