Properties: Sweet, lightly bitter, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Lung Heat and transforms Hot Phlegm
Phlegm-Heat cough with thick, difficult-to-expectorate Phlegm
It can be used as a stand alone herb, especially for children
- Regulates Qi (unbinds the chest)
Qi accumulation in the chest with a stifling or distended sensation in the chest, constriction and pain or pressure in the diaphragm
- Reduces abscesses, dissipates nodules and eliminates pus
Lung, intestinal or breast abscesses
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-20g in decoction.
Cautions: It is prohibited for loose stool due to spleen deficiency because of its sweet, cold and slick property. Contraindicated to Wu Tou.
Appears in 10 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
