Herbs That Tranform Phlegm And Stop Cough

The herbs in this category deal with thick fluid which accumulates in the respiratory and digestive tracts as well as the muscles and other body tissues.  Generally this is called phlegm.  The lungs are the receptacle of phlegm and the spleen is the organ which generates phlegm.  Phlegm can cause such disorders as epilepsy, convulsion, scrofula, goiter, chronic skin disorders, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal distention.

Ban xia

Properties: PUNGENT  – WARM/TOXIC

Dosage: 4.5 – 12g.

Pinellia

Meridian: LUNG, SPLEEN, STOMACH

Rhizome

-dry dampness, transform cold-phlegm, rebellious Qi

-harmonize stomach, stops vomiting

-dissipate nodules, reduce distension

TOXIC – caution with pregnancy

Must Read: Herbs That Warm The Interior And Expel Cold

Nan Xing

Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER  – WARM/TOXIC

Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.

Jack In The

Meridian: LUNG, LIVER, SPLEEN

Pulpit Rhizome

-dry dampness, expel phlegm (drying aspect stronger than ban xia)

-disperse wind phlegm in channels, stops spasm

 -reduce swelling, alleviate pain, deep rooted sores, yin type abscess.

TOXIC – caution with pregnancy

(ZHI / TIAN) Nan Xing = prepared with fresh ginger

(DAN) Nan Xing =  prepared with cow bile (good for Heat phlegm)

Xuan Fu Hua

Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER  – WARM

Dosage: 3 – 12g.

Inula Flower

Meridian: LIVER, LUNG, STOMACH, SPLEEN

-redirect lung Qi downward, expel cold-phlegm

 -stop vomiting, rebellious Qi

Bai Fu Zi

Properties: PUNGENT, SWEET  – WARM/TOXIC

Dosage: 1.5 – 6g.

Typhonium

Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN, STOMACH

Rhizome

-Dry dampness, transform phlegm, expel wind-cold, stop spasm pain

-Relieve toxicity, dissipates nodules – snake bite

-TOXIC – do not use with pregnancy   (1.5-6g)

Bai Jie Zi

Properties: PUNGENT – WARM

Dosage: 3 – 9g.

White Mustard

Meridian: LUNG

Seed

-warms lung Qi, expels cold-phlegm

-dissipates nodules, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, yin type boils

Jie Geng

Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT  – NEUTRAL

Dosage: 3 – 9g.

Balloon Flower

Meridian: LUNG

Rhizome

-opens up lung Qi, Expel phlegm (hot or cold), benefits throat

-promote discharge of pus

-guiding herb to lung cool Herbs For Hot Phlegm Cough

Qian Hu

Properties: PUNGENT, BITTER  – COOL

Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.

Hogfennel

Meridian: LUNG

Root

-re-directs rebellious lung Qi downward, expels phlegm

-releases wind from the exterior

Bei Mu

-2 types

-Chuan – smaller bulb – from Chuan province (3-10g)

bulb

-Zhe – larger Bulb – from Zhe province (6-15g)

-clears heat, transforms phlegm, stops cough

-clears heat, dissipates nodules due to heat

Gua Lou

Properties:  SWEET  – COLD

Dosage: 9 – 30g.

Trichosanthes

Meridian: LARGE INTESTINE, LUNG, STOMACH

Fruit

-Pi (peal)

-clears and transforms phlegm heat, dissipates nodules

-Ren \ Zi (seeds)  -expels pus and promotes healing of sores (mastitis)

-moistens intestines (constipation due to dry)

Zhu Ru

Properties: SWEET  – COOL

Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.

Bamboo Shavings

Meridian: HEART, LUNG, STOMACH

-clear/transform phlegm heat and cough

-clears heat from stomach, stops vomiting

-disturbed heart by phlegm heat (insomnia, restlessness)

Hai Fu Shi

Properties: SALTY  – COLD

Dosage: 6 – 15g.

Pumice

Meridian: LUNG

-clear lung heat – expel phlegm, thick sputum, bloody sputum

-soften hardness – dissipate phlegm nodules – scrofula

-promote urination – re lin, stone lin

Hai Ge Ke

Properties: BITTER, SALTY  – NEUTRAL

Dosage: 6 – 15g.

Clam Shell

Meridian: KIDNEY, LUNG, STOMACH

-clear heat, direct lung Qi down – transform thick sputum with chest and or rib pain

-soften hardness, dissipate nodules – phlegm fire goiter and scrofula

-epigastric pain, acid reflux – (calcined powdered form)

Hai Zao

Properties: BITTER, SALTY   – COLD

Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.

Sargassum Seaweed

Meridian: KIDNEY, LIVER, LUNG, STOMACH

-clear heat, reduce phlegm nodules – goiter, scrofula

-promote urination – reduce edema, leg edema and floating edema

Kun Bu

Properties: SALTY  – COLD

Dosage: 4.5 – 15g.

Kelp

Meridian:  KIDNEY, LIVER, STOMACH

-reduce phlegm, soften hardness – nodules in neck, fullness in chest due to phlegm

-promote urination, reduce swelling – lower extremity edema