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Moisten the lungs, clear heat, and stop coughing.
Pungent, warm, pure yang. Clears heat and moistens the lungs, resolves phlegm and relieves irritability. Calms fright and brightens the eyes.
Treats cough with rebellious qi (cough and asthma with upward rushing of qi), wheezing and thirst (lung deficiency with constrained fire), throat obstruction (swelling and blockage of the throat), lung flaccidity disease (a condition where the lungs become weak and atrophic), lung abscess (purulent infection of the lungs), and coughing up pus and blood. It is an essential herb for treating cough (burning it to inhale the smoke through a tube is also effective. Equal parts of Baihe [Lily Bulb] and Kuantonghua [Flos Tussilaginis] made into honey pills, named Baihua Gao [Hundred Flower Paste], treats cough with hemoptysis. For yin-deficiency consumptive cough, Kuantonghua, Ziwan, Baibu, Baihe, Shashen, Shengdihuang, Maidong, Wuweizi, Zhimu, Huangbai, Huangqin, and Baishao are commonly used together. If there is internal heat with bone-steaming fever, add Mudanpi and Digupi. If cough is accompanied by diarrhea, it indicates heat transferred from the lung to the large intestine, affecting both zang and fu organs. If cough persists with continuous fever, it indicates yin deficiency with flaming fire; both conditions are difficult to treat). It can be applied in cases of cold, heat, excess, and deficiency (Bencao Hui [Compendium of Materia Medica] states: Blooming uniquely in deep winter and before spring, it embodies the nature of the Kidney and utilizes the function of the Liver first, thus making it the best herb for warming the lungs and regulating cough. Generally, cough arises from cold; cold is the qi of winter, and entering the lung causes rebellion. Kuantonghua is not exclusively a lung herb, but rather facilitates the flow of lung pathogenic factors out through the kidney. The lung dislikes cold. Guo Peilan, author of Bencao Hui). Flowers bloom in the 11th and 12th lunar months like yellow chrysanthemums; those slightly visible and not fully opened are superior (Grows in Guanzhong, Hebei; often counterfeited with Loquat stamens in the market). Select clean flowers, soak in Licorice water overnight, and dry in the sun. Works well with Ziwan. Xingren acts as an assistant. Clashes with Zaojiao, Xiaoshi, and Xuanshen. Fears Huangjing, Beimu, Lianqiao, Mahuang, Qingxiang, and Xinyi (Although it fears Beimu, combining them yields good results).

Moisten the lungs, clear fire.
Pungent and warm to moisten the lungs, bitter and warm to direct qi downward. Tonifies deficiency, regulates the middle, resolves phlegm, and stops thirst.
Treats cold-heat knotting of qi, cough with rebellious qi, and coughing up pus and blood (specifically treats bloody phlegm, considered a sacred medicine for blood consumption disease), deficiency heat in the Lung meridian, and pediatric convulsions and epilepsy (also deficiency with heat). It can open throat obstruction and expel foul saliva/phlegm, but due to its pungent dispersing and slippery nature, it should not be used alone or in excessive amounts (Bencao Hui states: Bitterness can reach downwards, pungency benefits Metal [Lung], thus it stops vomiting blood and protects the lungs, serving as a premier agent. Although it enters the highest region, it excels at reaching downwards, allowing qi transformation to reach the Zhou Du [Bladder], promoting free urination, a fact unknown to many. Li Shicai said: Pungent yet not drying, moistening yet not cold, tonifying yet not stagnant, it is truly a gentleman of gold and jade. Without frequent use or exclusive application, rapid effects cannot be achieved. Zhou Du refers to the Bladder]).
Roots with nodes, purple in color, moist and soft are superior (Often counterfeited with Plantago roots and Inula roots, leading to misdiagnosis and harm). Remove head and whiskers, soak in honey water, and bake for use. Kuantonghua acts as an assistant. Clashes with Tianxiong, Qumai, Ben Cao, and Yuanzhi. Fears Yinchen. The white variety is named Wan (Shizhen stated: Purple enters the Blood aspect, white enters the Qi aspect).