Physochlaina infundibularis, Hua Shan Shen 华山参

Hua Shan Shen, Lou Dou Pao Nang Cao (TCM)
Thang phrom (Tibetan, one type of)

Physochlaina orientalis
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1823

Physochlaina praealta
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1851

Physochlaina physoloides
(Photo by Nina Filippova, edited) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Physochlaina spp.

P. infundibularis (China);
P. physoloides (syn. P. dahurica, P. lanosa, Hyoscyamus physaloides) (Mongolia)
Physochlaina praealta is used similarly in India

Physochlaina physaloides is used in some parts as a source of the Tibetan Mediicne Thang phrom, of which there are a number of varieties and which includes Datura and Henbane.

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Bitter. Toxic

Uses:

1. Stops Cough and Wheezing:

-Cough, Wheezing, Asthma

2. Calms the Mind, Eases Pain:

-Palpitations, Insomnia (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
-Sexual dysfunction related to nervousness or stress
-used as a narcotic to ease pain

3. Clears Heat and Poison:

-Anthrax, Encephalitis (Mongolian Medicine)
-Tumors

Dose:

100–200mg

Comment:

Contains atropine and hyoscyamine

Substitute:

1. Henbane
2. Datura (Russian sources give Physochlaina physaliodes as a substitute for Thang phrom, usually equated with Datura)

Main Combinations:

1. Cough, Physochlaina with Licorice

Cautions:

1. Toxic in overdose. Overdose may cause intoxication due to hyoscyamine content.
2. Contraindicated in Glaucoma
3. Not used in Pregnancy
4. Not used in patients with marked Prostatomegaly.

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