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Pinellia & Magnolia Bark

半夏厚朴湯 · bàn xià hòu pò tāng

TCM's classical formula for the 'lump in the throat' feeling that comes with stress and emotional tightness.

What it's for

Pinellia and magnolia bark work together to unblock the stuck, tight, constricted feeling in the chest and throat that TCM links to qi stagnation. Western practitioners sometimes describe the same sensation as globus, the feeling that something is lodged in your throat even though nothing is there. Practitioners reach for it when emotional pressure shows up as chest tightness, anxiety with throat clearing, or a heavy, mucusy quality that comes and goes.

This formula is for you if…

  1. Lump in your throat that won't go away

    can't swallow it down, can't cough it up

  2. Throat sensation that gets worse with stress

    eases when you're distracted, builds when you're frustrated

  3. Tight chest and a lot of sighing

    urge to clear your throat all the time

Best fit if you have the throat sensation plus at least one of the others.

You might also notice

  • Occasional cough or vomiting
  • White, moist tongue coating
  • Worse when you rest or sit with it, better when you're moving or distracted

Not your match if…

  • Your throat is red, swollen, or visibly inflamed
  • You feel hot and dry with a red tongue
  • The sensation goes away when you swallow food

What's in it

How to take it

Pinellia & Magnolia Bark is sold ready-made as Pinellia & Magnolia Teapills (半夏厚朴丸).

Standard dose: 8 pills, 3 times a day.

We're working on a Field Guide–recommended source for this formula. In the meantime, look for Plum Flower brand at a TCM pharmacy or specialty retailer.

Talk to a qualified TCM practitioner before taking this regularly, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take medication.

Safety

  • Designed for qi-stagnation patterns with chest tightness and the throat sensation. It's not appropriate for the parched, dry quality that comes with yin deficiency.
  • Pinellia must be properly processed before use. Raw pinellia is toxic. Only use products from a reputable TCM source.
  • Talk to a qualified TCM practitioner before using this regularly, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take medication.