Ting Li Zi - 葶藶子 - Semen Lepidii/Descurainiae

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Semen Lepidii/Descurainiae
Common English:	Descurainia Seed Lepidium Seed Tingli Seed Wood Whitlow Grass Seed

Category

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Relieve Cough and Wheezing (Anti-Asthmatics)

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Acrid Bitter	Very Cold (Cold)	Lung Bladder (Large Intestine)	3-10g Tincture: 1-3ml

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Drains the Lungs, reduces Phlegm and calms wheezing	Phlegm accumulation or Lung Heat with wheezing or cough with copious sputum and a gurgling sound in the throat
Circulates water and reduces edema	Lung and Bladder Qi Obstruction with facial edema, eye swelling or fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen with urinary difficulty

*Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Fr. Jujube Da Zao	Rx. Stephaniae Tetrandrae Han Fang Ji Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang Sm. Zanthoxyli Bungeana Jiao Mu	Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang Sm. Armeniacae Xing Ren (Natrii Sulfas) (Mang Xiao)
Coughing with excessive sputum, wheezing, and chest fullness and pain due to Phlegm preventing the descent of Lung Qi. Facial edema and a sonorous blocked nose. Do not use long term.	Facial edema and fluid accumulation in the chest and abdomen.	Hardness, fullness, and chest pain due to accumulation.
Rx. Lateralis Aconiti Preparata Zhi Fu Zi Rx. Astragali Huang Qi	Fr. Perillae Zi Su Zi	Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren Sm. Benincasae Dong Gua Zi Sm. Persicae Tao Ren Flos. Lonicerae Jin Yin Hua Rz. Phragmitis Lu Gen
Congestive Heart failure.	Accumulation of Phlegm and thin mucus leading to Lung Qi constraint and blockage with coughing and wheezing which is worse when lying down, edema of the tissues of the face and head, stifling fullness and discomfort in the chest, and a reduction in the flow of urine. Do not use lightly, for mild disorders or for everyday use. Cease using once the desired effect is achieved.	Lung Abscess.
Rx. Stephaniae Tetrandrae Han Fang Ji Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang Sm. Zanthoxyli Bungeana Jiao Mu	Rx. Lateralis Aconiti Preparata Zhi Fu Zi Rx. Astragali Huang Qi Rx. Astragali Huang Qi
Dysuria.	Congestive Heart failure with edema.

Notes

1. According to some sources, it has a laxative action.
2. It is meant for Excess conditions and should not be used in Deficiency conditions.
3. It reduces Accumulation of food or water.
4. It works well for coughs producing thick, copious sputum.
5. Ascites is among its indications.
6. It drains Heat from the Bladder.
7. It is used for edema with inability to lie down and for pulmonary abscess in its initial stage.
8. Owing to its strong cardiotonic action, it has lately been used for congestive Heart failure with edema and dyspnea; however, it must be combined with tonic herbs to avoid side effects.
9. Research has found it to be among the most effective herbs for acute asthma, since it can immediately clear both visible and invisible Phlegm.
10. Ting Li Zi and Hb. Ephedrae Ma Huang both open the Lungs and calm wheezing, promoting the flow of fluids and reducing edema. Ting Li Zi is bitter and Cold and forcefully drains and mobilizes water in the Lungs. It is best for Excess Phlegm and thin mucus causing cough and wheezing with edema of the chest and abdomen. Ma Huang is acrid, slightly bitter and warm. It opens and disseminates the Lung Qi to disperse Wind-Cold, and it is best for Wind-Cold obstructing the Lungs with cough and wheezing, or for Lung Qi that fails to mobilize the Fluids, resulting in edema (Wind-Water).
11. Ting Li Zi and Cx. Mori Sang Bai Pi both drain the Lungs and promote the movement of Fluids to calm wheezing and relieve edema and swelling. They may be combined for wheezing from water and thin mucus retained in the Lungs and for swelling of the eyes and face with urinary difficulty. Sang Bai Pi is better at draining Lung Heat and is chosen when Phlegm is yellow. Ting Li Zi drains the Lungs and promotes the transformation of watery Phlegm, and it is used more for swelling and wheezing from excessive accumulation of Phlegm and water.
12. Sweet (Tian) Ting Li Zi is bland and drains moderately, yet it is stronger at draining the Lungs and calming wheezing. Because it does not harm the Stomach, it is the preferred form. It is used alone for Lung abscess with coughing of pus and Blood and wheezing that worsens when lying flat.
13. Bitter (Ku) Ting Li Zi drains more rapidly. It is indicated for draining thin mucus, mobilizing pathogenic water and draining the Lungs, but because it readily injures Stomach Qi it requires careful monitoring. It is used for ascites or edema in the chest and abdomen.
14. Dry-fried (Chao) Ting Li Zi is less cold and less likely to harm Stomach Qi.
15. Prepared (Zhi) Ting Li Zi drains the Lungs slightly less but can moisten them.