Knowledge Base/Herbs/Sterculia Seed

Educational and cultural reference only — not medical advice. We do not diagnose, do not prescribe, do not recommend medicines or doses, and make no claim to treat or cure any condition. Nothing here should delay you from seeking care. If you have a health concern, consult a licensed healthcare professional.

化痰止咳平喘药 · Phlegm-resolving, cough and breathing

Sterculia Seed pàng dà hǎi · 胖大海

Sterculia lychnophora Hance (Sterculiae Lychnophorae Semen)

Nature and flavour. Sweet and cold; Lung and Large Intestine systems.

Traditionally classed as clearing Lung heat and transforming phlegm, easing the throat and restoring the voice, and moistening the intestine to move stool. The seed swells in water into a large gelatinous mass, which is why it is usually taken as an infusion rather than swallowed whole. Recorded for loss of voice and dry, painful throat with Lung heat, for dry cough with scanty phlegm, and for constipation from dryness; classical sources also record it for headache and red, sore eyes attributed to rising heat.

性味归经。甘，寒；归肺、大肠经。

传统归类为清肺化痰、利咽开音、润肠通便。种子入水膨胀成海绵状胶质团，故通常作浸泡饮服而非整粒吞服。古籍用于肺热所致声音嘶哑、咽喉干痛、干咳少痰，以及肠燥便秘；并记载用于热上攻所致头痛、目赤肿痛。

Classical category · no formulas, no dosages, no herb-drug combinations are given.

Safety. This is the one on this page with a documented pattern of harm: published case reports describe allergic reactions to Sterculia seed, including severe and anaphylactic ones, and reactions have followed ordinary amounts. Anyone with a known allergy to Sterculia or to related Malvaceae plants should not take it. Swelling is the whole point of the drug — a dry seed taken without enough water is a choking hazard, and it should never be swallowed dry. It is laxative in effect; persistent constipation needs assessment, not daily self-dosing. Being cold, it is traditionally avoided where the digestion is weak and cold, and long-term daily use is not advised. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.

本页诸药中，此味有明确记载的伤害模式：已发表的病例报告记载了服用胖大海后的过敏反应，含严重反应与过敏性休克，且可见于常规用量。已知对胖大海或近缘锦葵科植物过敏者不应服用。膨胀即其药性所在 —— 干种子未经充分吸水即吞服有梗阻风险，绝不可干吞。本品有通便作用；持续便秘应就医评估，不宜长期自行日服。性寒，脾胃虚寒者传统上忌用，不宜长期每日服用。孕期与哺乳期安全性未确立。

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