Pang Da Hai – Sterculia Seed – Semen Sterculiae Lychnophorae

Pang Da Hai

English Name: sterculia seed, boat stericula seed, malva nut

Literal Translation: “fat big ocean”, “fat big sea”

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Sterculiae Lychnophorae

Medica Category: Phlegm-Resolving Herbs

Properties: Pang Da Hai enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels; it is sweet in nature and cold in temperature.

What is Pang Da Hai?:

The Chinese Herb Pang Da Hai is the dried seeds from one of two closely related species of trees (in the mallow family) that grows throughout Southeast Asia (Sterculia lychnophora Hance.; Sterculia scaphigera Wall.). The seeds from these trees are commonly known as malva nuts/fruit and are often taken as tea to soothe hoarseness in the voice/loss of voice. The specific actions and uses of the herb in TCM are discussed below.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Pang Da Hai:

Pang Da Hai clears accumulations of phlegm and heat in the Lung that are damaging Lung qi. Used alone it is a common remedy for hoarsness of voice. Combined in formula with other herbs, it addresses cough with profuse, sticky, yellow phlegm and a rattling or throttling sound in the throat.

Pang Da Hai lubricates the bowels to relieve constipation/dry stools due to heat in the intestines.