Bai Qian - 白前 - Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii
Common English:	Cynanchum Root and Rhizome Glaucescent Swallow Wort Rhizome Prime White Root Willow Leaf Swallow Wort Rhizome

Category

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Warm and Transform Cold Phlegm (Warm Antitussives)

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid Sweet (Slightly Salty)	Slightly Warm (Neutral)	Lung	3-10g Tincture: 2-4ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Descends Qi, expels Phlegm and stops coughing	Lung Qi blockage and Stagnation with coughing and copious sputum that is difficult to expectorate, and wheezing

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Rx. Asteris Zi Wan Rz. Pinelliae Preparata Zhi Ban Xia	Cx. Mori Sang Bai Pi	Cx. Mori Sang Bai Pi Cx. Lycii Di Gu Pi
Coughing and wheezing with difficult to expectorate sputum, respiratory difficulty and gurgling sounds in the throat due to Phlegm-Dampness Obstructing the Lungs. Coughing and dyspnea due to Cold Phlegm.	Chronic productive coughing.	Chronic productive cough due to Lung Heat. Cough and dyspnea due to Hot Phlegm.
Rx. Stemonae Bai Bu	Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng Hb. Schizonepetae Jing Jie (Per. Citri Reticulatae) (Chen Pi)	Rx. Peucedani Qian Hu
Unproductive paroxysmal coughing and bloody sputum due to Lung consumption.	Coughing due to External Wind-Cold-Phlegm Obstruction.	Profuse Phlegm due to External Wind-Heat.
Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
Dampness induced edema.

Notes

1. It is a very important herb for Blockage and Stagnation of Lung Qi.
2. It is used for excess disorders with copious, hard-to-expectorate sputum, as well as for wheezing.
3. Although slightly warm, it is not drying.
4. It is particularly beneficial for rebellious Lung Qi accompanied by sensations of Heat, shortness of breath and weak legs.
5. It is also helpful for tightness or a hard sensation in the upper abdomen.
6. In descending Rebellious Qi in cough, Bai Qian resembles Rx. Ephedrae Ma Huang but is weaker. In weaker patients, it can be used in place of Ma Huang.
7. According to some sources, this herb Moistens the Lungs and treats cough caused by Wind-Cold.
8. It is excellent for Qi gathered in the throat with audible Phlegm. Taken with wine, it treats chronic cough that prevents sleep, with Phlegm rattling in the throat and ascending Qi rushing up to the throat so that breathing seems about to stop.
9. Bai Qian and Rx. Peucedani Qian Hu both excel at descending rebellious Qi and reducing profuse Phlegm, and are used for cough with copious Phlegm caused by External Wind-Heat. Bai Qian is slightly warm and best for accumulated Obstruction of Lung Qi resulting in profuse Phlegm, rattling in the throat, stifling fullness in the chest and acute wheezing. Qian Hu cools Heat, releases the Exterior, disperses clumps and disperses Wind to treat cough with thick, yellow Phlegm accompanied by Exterior Wind-Heat. The two are combined so often that they are known as "the two Qian".
10. Bai Qian and Fol. Eriobotryae Pi Pa Ye are both effective at descending rebellious Lung Qi. Pi Pa Ye is cooling and moistening and best for dry cough or Phlegm that is hard to expectorate. It also stops nausea. Bai Qian is warming and parching and best for External Pathogenic Qi obstructing the Lungs, producing a feeling of fullness in the chest and the sound of Phlegm in the throat.
11. Tender Cynanchum Nen Bai Qian is of superior quality and more powerful at descending Qi and transforming Phlegm, but it tends to exhaust Qi and injure the Spleen.
12. In Dry-fried Cynanchum Chao Bai Qian, the acrid, dispersing properties are slightly moderated, so it protects the Spleen; it is indicated for chronic cough from Lung Deficiency with profuse Phlegm and rebellious Qi.
13. Honey-prepared Cynanchum Mi Zhi Bai Qian moistens the Lungs and so no longer injures the Qi or Yin. It keeps its ability to descend Qi and transform Phlegm, treating dry cough from Lung Yin Deficiency, and it is the most suitable preparation for patients with weakness of the Spleen and Stomach.
14. It is showing great success in treating hives and other type I allergic conditions.
15. Because Bai Qian and Qian Hu are paired so often, prescriptions may simply write Er Qian (二前), "the two Qian". Qian Hu (bitter, acrid, slightly cold, Lung) suits Hot-Phlegm, while Bai Qian (acrid, sweet, slightly warm, Lung) suits Cold-Phlegm.