Physochlaina Root
华山参 · Huà Shān Shēn
Practitioner herb for cough and racing heart
What it does
Physochlaina root warms the lungs to stop cough and wheezing, and quiets the heart for racing pulse and insomnia. In TCM, it transforms thin watery phlegm and settles fright. Toxic from tropane alkaloids like those in datura, so doses stay tiny. Common in Sichuan provincial pharmacopoeia.
How to take it
Used only in practitioner formulas at tiny doses (0.1–0.2g processed). Often substituted with Datura or other antitussive herbs in modern practice.
Avoid self-use. Modern asthma medications are far safer
Safety
- Toxic. Tropane alkaloids can cause hallucinations and cardiac issues
- Strictly practitioner-only. Never source raw plant
- Strictly avoid during pregnancy
- Skip if you have glaucoma, urinary obstruction, or heart issues
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Physochlaina infundibularis grows in the Qinling mountains of Shaanxi, China. The Chinese name Huà Shān Shēn refers to Hua Shan, one of China's sacred mountains in that region. The plant is in the nightshade family and contains tropane alkaloids similar to those in Datura. Modern Chinese pharmacopoeia includes it for severe cough and asthma, but the herb is largely regional and not commonly stocked outside of Shaanxi.