INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Radix Asteris
Common English: Aster Root
Purple Aster
Tatarian Aster Root
Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Bitter
(Sweet)
Slightly Warm
(Lukewarm)
Lung
3-10g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Relieves coughs and expels Phlegm

Cough of various etiologies including Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat, Lung Deficiency and consumption (Yin Deficiency) (primarily chronic coughing, especially Cold-induced with copious sputum that is difficult to expectorate or Blood streaked sputum)

Asthma, rebellious Qi, Phlegm with a stale feeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Use caution for those with coughs due to Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Use caution for those with excessive Heat signs.
  • Do not use long term or large doses.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Flos Farfarae
Kuan Dong Hua

Rx. Platycodi
Jie Geng
Hb. Schizonepetae
Jing Jie

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Bul Fritillariae Cirrhosae
Chuan Bei Mu

Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum and rebellious Qi. (frequently used)

Productive coughing in the aftermath of an Externally-contracted disease - usually Wind-Cold.

Coughing of viscous, yellow Phlegm from Lung Heat.

Rx. Stemonae
Bai Bu

Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi

Tub. Asparagi
Tian Men Dong
Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Cx. Mori
Sang Bai Pi

Acute or chronic coughing with Blood streaked sputum.

Productive cough, wheezing, and spontaneous sweating.

Chronic cough, especially due to Heat causing coughing up blood and pus.

Rz. Anemarrhenae
Zhi Mu
Bul. Fritillariae Cirrhosae
Chuan Bei Mu
(Colla Corii Asini)
(E Jiao)

Rx. Platycodi
Jie Geng
Hb. Schizonepetae
Jing Jie

Rx. Stemonae
Bai Bu

Rz. Cynanchi Stauntonii
Bai Qian

Rx. Platycodi
Jie Geng
Rz. Anemarrhenae
Zhi Mu
Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Bul. Fritillariae Cirrhosae
Chuan Bei Mu

Chronic coughing due to Lung Deficiency with blood streaked sputum.

Coughing caused by profuse Phlegm and sputum.

Chronic cough due to Lung Heat and Yin Deficiency.

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi

Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi

Rz. Anemarrhenae
Zhi Mu
Bul. Fritillariae Cirrhosae
Chuan Bei Mu
Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Poria
Fu Ling
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi

 

Chronic cough due to Lung Deficiency.

Tuberculosis.

Late-stage Lung abscess.

 

  1. If the patient is Yin Deficient or has Lung Heat, it cannot be used alone or in large amounts. use Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang, Rx. Asparagi Tian Men Dong, Rx. Stemonae Bai Bu, Cx. Mori Sang Bai Pi or Rx. Ophiopogonis Mai Men Dong to support it.
  2. This herb is Warm and moistening without drying and has a descending action to facilitate urination.
  3. It enters both the Qi and Blood aspects.
  4. It is used to treat children with restless crying.
  5. It is good for chronic coughs.
  6. The fresh herb can be used alone for coughs due to Wind-Cold.
  7. This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  8. It is used to treat sore throat and retained Phlegm.
  9. This is a special herb for bloody Phlegm, metrorrhagia and dysuria.
  10. It is said that dysuria can be cured using 30g of the herb alone.
  11. This herb is also said to moisten the Lungs and descend Qi.
  12. It is often used with Flos Farfarae Kuan Dong Hua. Zi Wan expels Phlegm while Kuan Dong Hua stops cough.
  13. Zi Wan is pungent and dry and is good for Cold-induced cough while Kuan Dong Hua cools and moistens and is good for dry cough.
  14. Honey-prepared Aster Root Mi Zhi Zi Wan is best for Lung Yin Deficiency or Lung Dryness due to its stronger ability to moisten and benefit the Lungs.