Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing

what is the taste of Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel)?

bitter

what is the nature of Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel)?

slightly warm and slightly toxic

what are the functions of Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel)?

Stop cough and calm wheezing: broadly used for cough caused by either heat or cold, depending on the herbs combined; especially useful for externally-contracted dry cough

Moisten intestines and unblock bowels

Descend LU qi

what are contraindications for Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel)?

infants, diarrhea, cough due to yin deficiency, general debility

what are symtoms of Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel) toxicity?

dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, dyspnea, spasms, dilated pupils, arrhythmia, coma

what is the dosage for Xing Ren (apricot seed/kernel)?

3-9g

how many Xing Ren (apricot seeds) are toxic for children?

10-20

how many Xing Ren (apricot seeds) are toxic for adults?

40-60

how many Xing Ren (apricot seeds) can cause death?

50-120

where is bitter xing ren grown?

northern china

where is sweet xing ren grown?

southern china

what is the function of sweet xing ren?

dry of deficient coughts

is bitter or sweet xing ren more commonly used medicinally?

bitter

what is the taste of Zi Wan (purple aster root)?

acrid, bitter

what is the nature of Zi Wan (purple aster root)?

slightly warm

what are the functions of Zi Wan (purple aster root)?

relieve cough and expel phlegm - for coughs of various etiologies

moisten LU

what are contraindications for Zi Wan (purple aster root)?

none

how is Zi Wan (purple aster root) taken?

fry with honey to strengthen moisten LU function to stop cough

when Xing Ren (apricot seeds) is combined with Zi Su Ye, what does it treat?

dry cough due to external wind-cold

when Xing Ren (apricot seeds) is combined with Sang Ye, what does it treat?

dry cough due to external wind-heat

when Xing Ren (apricot seeds) is combined with Ma Huang, what does it treat?

excess conditions

when Zi Wa (purpled aster root) is combined with Kuan Dong Hua, what does it treat?

cough/wheeze with sputum and rebellious qi

when Zi Wa (purpled aster root) is combined with Bai Bu what does it treat?

acute/chronic cough with blood in sputum

when Zi Wa (purpled aster root) is combined with Chuan Bei Mu, what does it treat?

chronic cough due to lung deficiency with blood-streaked sputum

what is the taste of Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

acrid

what is the nature of Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

warm

what are the functions of Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

Moisten LU, direct qi downward, stop cough and transform phlegm

when Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower) is combined with Xing Ren what does it treat?

phlegm obstruction

when Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower) is combined with Bai Qian what does it treat?

obstruction of qi and phlegm

when Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower) is combined with Bai He what does it treat?

yin deficiency with bloody sputum

what are contrainidcations for Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

coughing up blood or pus and blood

what is the dosage for Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

4.5-9g

how can you strengthen the moisten LU function of Kuan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower)?

fry with honey

what is the taste of Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit)?

acrid

what is the nature of Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit)?

warm

what are the functions of Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit)?

descend LU qi, stope cough, calm wheezing, redirect qi downward and dissolve phlegm for difficult inhalation, moisten intestines and unblock stool

when combined with Zhe Bei Mu, what does Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit) treat?

cough/wheeze with viscous sputum due to phlegm

what are contraindications for Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit)?

severe diarrhea due to qi deficiency

what is the dosage for Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit)?

3-9g

when combined with Ban Xia, what does Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit) treat?

rebellious qi and phlegm

when combined with Gua Lou Ren what does Zi Su Zi (perilla fruit) treat?

rebellious qi, cough and constipation due to dry intestines

what do most seeds (Zi) do?

move qi and lubicate intetines

what is the taste of Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf)?

bitter

what is the nature of Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf)?

neutral

what are the functions of Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf)?

transform phlegm, clear LU heat, redirect LU qi downward, harmonize ST, clear ST heat, and redirect ST qi downward

what are contraindications for Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf)?

cough or vomitting due to cold

what is the dosage for Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf)?

6-15g

when Pi Pa Ye (loquat leaf) is combined with Xing Ren what does it treat

heat induced nonproductive cough with chest pain and dry throat

what is the taste of Bai Bu (stemona root)?

bitter, sweet

what is the nature of Bai Bu (stemona root)?

slightly warm

what are the functions of Bai Bu (stemona root)?

Moisten LU and stop cough: for both acute and chronic, better for cough from def., Expel parasites and kill lice: topically for lice/fleas; internally as enema for pinworm

when Bai Bu (stemona root) is combined with Bai Qian what does it treat?

chronic cough due to external or internal obstruction of LU qi

when Bai Bu (stemona root) is combined with Chuan Bei Mu what does it treat?

chest pain due to phlegm-heat

what are contraindications for Bai Bu (stemona root)?

loos stools from SP deficiency

what is the dosage for Bai Bu (stemona root)?

3-9g

what is the taste of Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark)?

sweet

what is the nature of Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark)?

cold

what are the functions of Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark)?

clear LU heat, Drain heat from LU, stop cough and calm wheezing, Promote urination and reduce edema: for LU patterns (facial edema, floating edema, swelling of extremities), Recently used for hypertension

what are contraindications for Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark)?

cough or wheezinf from LU cold

what is the dosage for Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark)?

6-15g

what is the taste of Ting Li Zi (lepidium seeds)?

acrid, bitter

what is the nature of Ting Li Zi (lepidium seeds)?

very cold

what are the functions of Ting Li Zi (lepidium seeds)?

Drain LU, reduce phlegm, and calm wheezing: for excess-type with gurgling sound in throat, Move water and reduce edema, Combination: Xing Ren (hardness, fullness, and pain in chest due to clumping)

what are contraindications for Ting Li Zi (lepidium seeds)?

Wheezing from LU def., swelling from SP def., or urinary dysfunction from UB qi def. (Unless combined with herbs that tonify SP and augment qi

what is the taste of Mu Hu Die (wood butterfly)?

bland, sweet

what is the nature of Mu Hu Die (wood butterfly)?

cool

what are the functions of Mu Hu Die (wood butterfly)?

Moisten LU, Moisten LU and clear voice, Combination: Pang Da Hqai and Chan Tui (dry cough, hoarseness and pain and swelling of throat), Comfort LV and regulate qi: for flank and epigastric pain due to constrained qi, Topically to promote healing of ulcerated suppurative sores

what are the contraindications for Mu Hu Die (wood butterfly)?

none

what is the taste of Luo Han Guo (momordica fruit)?

sweet

what is the nature of Luo Han Guo (momordica fruit)?

cool

what are the functions of Luo Han Guo (momordica fruit)?

Moisten and cool LU: For hot coughs, Generate fluids and stop thirst, Moisten intestines to unblock bowels

what herb is often used in food therapy and as a natural sweetener?

Luo Han Guo (momordica fruit)

what is the taste of Guan Di (Melon stalk)?

bitter

what is the nature of Guan Di (Melon stalk)?

slightly cold, slightly toxic

what are the functions of Guan Di (Melon stalk)?

Induce vomiting to relieve phlegm-heat or retained food: for accumulation above diaphragm when vomiting is the preferred treatment, Dispel damp-heat and relieve jaundice

what are contraindications for Guan Di (Melon stalk)?

Pregnancy and post-partum, debilitated patients, and hematemesis or hemoptysis