Use of Pang Da Hai (malva nuts) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Remove impurities and dry. Careful not to soak in water.

Dosage: 2 to 3 pieces

Main actions according to TCM*: Removes Heat from the Lungs. Cures sore throat. Fights toxicity and relaxes the bowels.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Pang Da Hai may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Dry mouth Dry cough Sore throat Constipation

Key TCM concepts behind Pang Da Hai's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Pang Da Hai belongs to the 'Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough' category. In TCM Phlegm is a condition of Stagnation of Fluids which tends to start in the Spleen and then goes to the Lungs. If this overly accumulates it thickens and becomes pathological Phlegm. Phlegm, being a form of Stagnation, often starts as being Cool and transforms to Hot as the condition progresses. The herbs in this category are Cold in nature so they treat the later stages of the Stagnation: Hot and Dry-Phlegm with symptoms such as cough, goiter or scrofula.

As suggested by its category Pang Da Hai is Cold in nature. This means that Pang Da Hai typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Pang Da Hai can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

Pang Da Hai also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Pang Da Hai tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Pang Da Hai is thought to target the Large intestine and the Lung. In TCM the Large Intestine receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.

Research on Pang Da Hai

Malva nuts contain compounds shown to have a neuroprotective effect against SH-SY5Y cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.¹

Sources:

1. Wang, R.-F.; Wu, X.-W.; Geng, D. Two Cerebrosides Isolated from the Seeds of Sterculia lychnophora and Their Neuroprotective Effect. Molecules 2013, 18, 1181-1187.

Use of Pang Da Hai as food

Pang Da Hai is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Nuoc Hot E Duoi Uoi (Thai Basil Seed Drink with Malva Nut).