Zi Wan - 紫菀 - Radix Asteris - Aster Root
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Asteris |
| Common English: | Aster Root Purple Aster Tatarian Aster Root |
Category
Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Relieve Coughing and WheezingProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Bitter (Sweet) | Slightly Warm (Lukewarm) | Lung | 3-10g Tincture: 2-4ml 5-9g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| 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, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Flos Farfarae | Rx. Platycodi | Rx. Scutellariae |
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 | Fr. Schisandrae | Tub. Asparagi |
Acute or chronic coughing with Blood streaked sputum. | Productive cough, Spontaneous sweating, Wheezing. | Chronic cough, especially due to Heat causing coughing up blood and pus. |
| Rz. Anemarrhenae | Rx. Platycodi | Rx. Platycodi |
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 | Rz. Anemarrhenae | |
Chronic cough due to Lung Deficiency. | Tuberculosis. Late-stage Lung abscess. |
Notes
- In patients who are Yin Deficient or have Lung Heat, it must not be used alone or in large doses; support it with 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.
- Warm and moistening without being drying, the herb has a descending action that promotes urination.
- It enters the Qi aspect as well as the Blood aspect.
- Children who cry restlessly are treated with it.
- It is beneficial for chronic coughs.
- For coughs from Wind-Cold, the fresh herb may be used by itself.
- Research has demonstrated that it inhibits cancer cell growth.
- Sore throat and retained Phlegm are among its indications.
- It is a specific herb for bloody Phlegm, metrorrhagia and dysuria.
- Reportedly, 30g of the herb taken alone can cure dysuria.
- It is also said to moisten the Lungs and descend Qi.
- It is frequently paired with Flos Farfarae Kuan Dong Hua: Zi Wan expels Phlegm, while Kuan Dong Hua stops cough.
- Zi Wan is pungent and dry and suits Cold-induced cough, whereas Kuan Dong Hua cools and moistens and suits dry cough.
- Honey-prepared Aster Root Mi Zhi Zi Wan is the best form for Lung Yin Deficiency or Lung Dryness, as it moistens and benefits the Lungs more strongly.
- Its Phlegm-transforming action is stronger than its ability to direct Qi downward.