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Bitter and pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung Meridian. Tussilago Flower (Kuantonghua) serves as an envoy herb. Adversely affected by Polygala Root (Yuanzhi). Contraindicated with Artemisia Capillaris Herb (Yinchen). Wash clean, stir-fry with honey water.
Opens and vents Lung Qi stagnation, unblocks obstruction and stasis. Dissolves nodules, promotes blood circulation, directs rebellious Qi downward, and stops cough. For cold-fluid retention, turbid phlegm adhering firmly. Phlegm-wheezing with upward rushing Qi, sounding like a frog.
For spitting blood and scanty urination, its use is highly suitable.
Bitterness can direct downward, pungency can benefit Metal (Lung), thus it protects the Lung from hematemesis and is classified as a superior grade drug. Although entering the highest region, it excels in descending, facilitating Qi transformation reaching the Bladder (Zhoudou) so that urination becomes free.
Aster Root (Ziwan) enters the Blood level, while Tussilago Flower (Kuantonghua) enters the Qi level. Aster Root primarily resolves phlegm, whereas Tussilago Flower primarily stops cough.

Pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung Meridian. Apricot Seed (Xingren) serves as an envoy herb. Adversely affected by Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen). Contraindicated with Fritillary Bulb (Beimu), Magnolia Flower (Xinyi), Ephedra Stem (Mahuang), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Licorice Root (Gancao), and Scutellaria Root (Huangqin). Stir-fry with honey water.
Resolving phlegm alleviates wheezing and cough; clearing the Lung supports treatment for lung abscess and atrophy.
Amidst snow accumulation and ice hardness, the Kuantong flower appears vibrant, suggesting its endowment of pure Yang. Thus, its primary function is pungent and warm to open and disperse, yet it does not aid fire and can be used for prolonged periods.
This herb is warm but not drying, belonging to moistening and warming categories. For acute throat wind causing harsh coughing and irregular breathing, Shexiang Mahuang Decoction (Shexiang Mahuang Tang) with reduced Asarum (Xixin) can be used. For chronic cough difficult to stop, mixing Tussilago Flower with honey and inhaling the smoke generated by burning it is effective.

Bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. Brush off the hairs on the back; for treating Stomach diseases, coat with ginger juice and roast. For treating Lung diseases, coat with honey water and roast.
Entering the Yangming channel stops vomiting and directs Qi downward; entering the Taiyin channel settles cough and eliminates phlegm.
It excels at directing Qi downward; when Qi descends, fire clears and phlegm flows smoothly. However, if the hairs are not removed cleanly, they may penetrate the Lung, making cough difficult to treat.
Contraindicated for those with cold-stomach vomiting and wind-cold cough.

Also known as Jinfei Cao. Salty and sweet, slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Remove the stalks, bake.
For hard old phlegm, constrained Qi, and retained fluids. For wind-damp bi syndrome, benefits the intestines and unblocks vessels. Possesses the function of disseminating and circulating Lung and Stomach Qi; for persistent belching, relies on its pungent dispersing action.
Has the power to mediate the chest; for Liver pathogen obstruction, uses warmth to unblock.
Saltiness can soften hardness, thus eliminating old phlegm nodules and accumulations; treating wind-damp dryness constriction; warmth can disperse, saltiness can moisten and direct downward.
Danzhu said: "Dispersing herbs should not be taken in large amounts by the deficient; they cool and purge the Large Intestine, and are forbidden for those with deficiency-cold."