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The dried tuber of Arisaema erubescens, A. heterophyllum, or A. amurense (Araceae). Enters the Lung, Liver, and Spleen channels. Bitter, pungent, warm, and toxic. The raw form is used externally to reduce swelling and alleviate pain; the processed form (zhi nan xing) dries dampness and transforms phlegm for stubborn phlegm patterns; bile-processed (dan nan xing) becomes cool in nature and clears heat, transforms phlegm, and settles wind for phlegm-heat convulsions.
有毒，内服宜慎，多作外用以消肿止痛，治痈疽肿痛、毒蛇咬伤
降低毒性，减轻刺激性，增强燥湿化痰之功，为内服常用品，主治顽痰咳嗽、风痰眩晕
药性由温转凉，功能清热化痰、息风定惊，主治痰热惊风、癫痫、中风痰迷
内服须用制品：制南星3–10g；胆南星1.5–6g。生品一般外用，研末调敷或鲜品捣敷。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
孕妇禁用。生品内服宜慎，多作外用。阴虚燥咳、热极、血虚动风者禁用。不宜与附子、川乌、草乌同用（十八反相关注意，虽不在传统十八反之列，临床当慎重配伍）。
本品有毒（生品毒性较强），误服或生用内服过量可致舌、咽、口腔麻木肿痛，严重者可致窒息。孕妇禁用。内服必须用炮制品。生品一般仅供外用。中毒可用生姜汁、白矾、醋等解之。
味苦，温。主心痛，寒热结气，积聚伏梁，伤筋痿拘缓，利水道。
下品
@misc{bencaodian-tian-nan-xing,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Tiān Nán Xīng 天南星 (Jack-in-the-Pulpit Rhizome) — Arisaematis Rhizoma},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/tian-nan-xing},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
天南星生品含草酸钙针晶及刺激性成分，有强烈喉舌麻辣和黏膜刺激性，必须炮制后使用；炮制品具化痰、祛风、解痉作用。
Raw Arisaema contains calcium oxalate raphides and irritant constituents causing severe mucosal and oropharyngeal injury; it must be processed before use. Processed product transforms phlegm, extinguishes wind, and relieves spasm.
生品有毒，内服必须炮制；制南星燥湿化痰、祛风止痉，主治风痰证。
Raw form is toxic and must be processed before internal use; processed Nan Xing dries damp, transforms phlegm, extinguishes wind and stops spasms.
《中国药典》明确区分生天南星（限外用）、制天南星、胆南星，并规定炮制工艺。
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia distinguishes raw Arisaema (external use only), processed Arisaema, and bile-processed Dan Nan Xing, with defined processing procedures.
毒性主要来源于黏膜刺激性针晶和刺激性蛋白质，炮制可使之大部分失活。
Toxicity arises from raphide crystals and irritant proteins; processing largely inactivates these.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.