Skip to content

Three-count pinellia

Trident pinellia is a plant whose underground tuber is used to make medicine. Three-count pinellia is a commonly used ingredient in combination products from the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Many of these products are used to treat morning sickness. In combination with ginger, three-count pinellia is an ingredient in the herbal preparation Xiao-Ban-Xia-Tang (XBXT), which is used to prevent vomiting. Three-count pinellia is also used in Japanese Kampo medicine. It is an ingredient in Sho-Seiryu-To (SST), which is used to treat influenza. Outside of Chinese medicine, three-count pinellia is used for nausea, morning sickness, coughs, flu and inflammatory pain and swelling, as well as for birth control. In some countries, three-count pinellia is banned because it contains ephedrine alkaloids.

How does three-count pinellia work?

There is not enough information available to make a statement about how three-count pinellia might work. Some chemicals contained in three-count pinellia may affect the stomach and the speed at which food passes through the stomach.

How effective is three-count pinellia?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of three-count pinellia for nausea, morning sickness, cough, flu and inflammation, as well as its use for birth control. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of three-count pinellia in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Three-count pinellia may not be safe and harmless. It contains a stimulant called ephedrine and could cause serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke or seizures.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of three-count pinellia during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the use of three-count pinellia.

Interactions

At present, there is no information on interactions of three-count pinellia with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of three-count pinellia depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for tridentinellia. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. 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.
  2. Chen JH, Cui GY, Liu JY, Tan RX. Pinelloside, an antimicrobial cerebroside from Pinellia ternata. Phytochemistry 2003;64:903-6.
  3. FDA, HHS. Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk. Fed Regist 2004;69:6787-6854.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Maki T, Takahashi K, Shibata S. An anti-emetic principle of Pinellia ternata tuber. Planta Med 1987;53:410-4.
  7. 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.
  8. Oshio H, Tsukui M, Matsuoka T. Isolation of L-ephedrine from "Pinelliae Tuber." Chem Pharm Bull 1978;26:2096-7.