Cough-suppressant and phlegm-resolving drugs
These medicines relieve or eliminate cough and phlegm, suitable for conditions like cough, phlegm accumulation, and asthma.
① Jie Geng
Jie Geng is the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Campanulaceae), containing platycodin, spinach sterol and its glycosides, and platycodonic acid. Platycodin stimulates mucous membranes, causing increased secretion, diluting phlegm, and promoting its expulsion. Additionally, saponins have antitussive, sedative, and antipyretic effects. Moreover, Jie Geng has anti-inflammatory properties, so when combined with other herbs, it effectively treats sore throats, cold-induced cough, and other respiratory inflammations such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it neutral in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, with functions to open the lung Qi, expel phlegm, and discharge pus. It is used for external wind-cold invasion, sore throat, lung abscess, expectoration of blood, dysentery, and abdominal pain.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams; not recommended for dry cough without phlegm.
② Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu is the underground bulb of Fritillaria cirrhosa, F. unibracteata, and F. delavayi (Liliaceae). It contains various alkaloids. Total alkaloids and non-alkaloid components both have antitussive and expectorant effects, widely used for chronic and acute bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and cough caused by tuberculosis. Especially effective for persistent cough after controlling upper respiratory infection and difficulty in expectorating phlegm; taking Chuan Bei Mu powder or tablets yields better results.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it cool in nature, sweet and bitter in taste, with functions to stop cough, resolve phlegm, clear heat, and disperse nodules. Used for deficient labor cough, expectoration of blood, chest oppression, sore throat, pulmonary atrophy, lymph node tuberculosis, and breast abscess.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams; can be ground into fine powder and taken with decoction, 0.5–1.5 grams per dose.
③ Ma Dou Ling
Ma Dou Ling is the fruit of Aristolochia debilis and A. manshuriensis (Aristolochiaceae), containing aristolochic acid, magnoflorine, and other compounds. Studies confirm its antibacterial activity, inhibiting common pathogens of respiratory infections. Its decoction has expectorant and smooth muscle relaxation effects. Aristolochic acid also has anticancer, antimicrobial, and enhancing phagocytic cell activity effects. Additionally, it has mild and lasting hypotensive action.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it cold in nature, bitter and slightly pungent in taste, with functions to clear lung heat, resolve phlegm, stop cough, and calm asthma. Used for lung heat cough, phlegm obstruction, prolonged cough due to lung deficiency, hemoptysis, voice loss, hemorrhoids, and rectal swelling.
Dosage: Generally 3–6 grams.
④ Ban Xia
Ban Xia is the rhizome of Pinellia ternata (Araceae), containing volatile oils, alkaloids, amino acids, plant sterols, and glycosides. Pharmacological studies prove that Ban Xia has significant antitussive and antiemetic effects. Raw Ban Xia induces vomiting, so processed Ban Xia is generally used to treat chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and vomiting due to various causes. Additionally, Ban Xia has significant anticancer activity and can be used for cervical cancer and skin cancer.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it warm in nature, pungent in taste, toxic, with functions to dry dampness, resolve phlegm, descend counterflow, stop vomiting, and dissipate nodules. Used for cough with reversed Qi, phlegm accumulation, epigastric fullness, distension, and pain, and goiter, lymphadenopathy, abscesses, etc.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams. Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, blood deficiency, insufficient body fluids, red tongue without coating, and late pregnancy due to toxicity. Must be processed before use.
⑤ Bai Bu
Bai Bu is the tuberous root of Stemonopsis japonica, S. japonica var. glabra, and S. chinensis (Stemonaceae), containing various alkaloids. These alkaloids relax bronchial smooth muscle spasms and reduce excitability of the animal’s respiratory center, suppressing cough reflex, thus having antitussive effects. Experiments show that Bai Bu decoction inhibits various pathogenic bacteria and dermatophytes; it also suppresses certain influenza viruses. Additionally, it kills mosquito larvae, head lice, clothing lice, and bed bugs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it neutral in nature, sweet and pungent in taste, with functions to moisten lungs, stop cough, and kill parasites. Used for wind-cold cough, whooping cough, senile cough and asthma, enterobiasis, and external use for lice eradication.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams; apply externally as needed. Not recommended for those with indigestion or loose stools.
⑥ Qian Hu
Qian Hu is the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum and P. decursivum (Umbelliferae), containing volatile oils and various similar lactones. Purple-flowered Qian Hu contains volatile oils, furanocoumarins, and mannitol. Pharmacological tests show that Qian Hu decoction increases respiratory secretions, thus having expectorant effects. Qian Hu decoction inhibits influenza virus, and its lactone compounds all have antibacterial and antidermatophyte activities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it cool in nature, bitter and pungent in taste, with functions to dispel wind, clear heat, descend Qi, and resolve phlegm. Used for wind-heat headache, phlegm-heat cough, nausea, and chest tightness.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams.
Kuan Dong Hua is the flower bud of Tussilago farfara (Compositae), containing volatile oils, tussilagin, aromatic glycosides, and plant sterols. Pharmacological tests show that Kuan Dong Hua decoction has significant antitussive and expectorant effects, and some degree of bronchodilator effect.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it warm in nature, pungent in taste, with functions to moisten lungs, descend Qi, stop cough, and resolve phlegm. Used for new or chronic cough, asthma, and blood in phlegm.
Dosage: Generally 3–9 grams; contraindicated for fiery cough.
⑧ Zi Wan
Zi Wan is the root and rhizome of Aster tataricus (Compositae), containing aster saponin, asterone, and volatile oils. Pharmacological tests show that Zi Wan decoction has antitussive and expectorant effects; it also inhibits Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi to varying degrees.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it slightly warm in nature, sweet and bitter in taste, with functions to stop cough, resolve phlegm, relieve asthma, and reduce fever. Used for wind-cold cough, asthma, chronic cough with bloody sputum, sore throat, and urinary retention.
Dosage: 3–9 grams.
⑨ Ting Li Zi
Ting Li Zi is the seed of Lepidium apetalum, Draba nemoralis, or Descurainia sophia (Cruciferae), containing fatty oils, proteins, sugars, sinigrin, and other components. It also contains beta-sitosterol and cardiac glycosides. It strengthens heart contraction, slows heart rate, increases cardiac output in failing hearts, and reduces venous pressure.
Traditional Chinese Medicine considers it cold in nature, pungent and bitter in taste, with functions to descend Qi and promote diuresis. Used for lung congestion with shortness of breath, phlegm accumulation, cough, and edema.
Dosage: 3–9 grams.
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