Pinellia ternata is a plant that is native to China, Japan, and Korea. It also grows as a weed in Europe and North America. An underground part called a tuber is used to make medicine.
Pinellia ternata is a common ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
Since April 2004, pinellia ternata has been banned in the US because it contains chemicals called ephedrine alkaloids. These chemicals might cause serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or seizures. The ban does not apply to traditional Asian medicines containing this ingredient. These products use Pinellia ternata tuber that has been processed to remove sharp crystals that can irritate the mouth, throat, and gut.
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