Single Herb Glossary
Kuǎn Dōng Huā 款冬花
| Pharmaceutical name | Farfarae Flos Tussilago flower Coltsfoot |
| Category | Stop Cough, Calm Wheezing |
| Key Properties | Any type of cough or wheezing -acrid & warm but not drying, dispersing but not draining- |
| Properties | Acrid Warm |
| Tropism | LU |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Moistens the LU, directs Qi downward, stops cough, transforms phlegm |
| Dosages | 4.5-9g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: coughing from Heat; caution with coughing of blood or pus+blood, lung abscesses |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Faradiol, arnidiol, taraxanthin, phytosterine, senkirkine, rutin, hyperin, essential oils, farfaratin , tussilagin, tussilagone. Pyrrolidizine alkaloids are present in the plant Tussilago farfara, but their presence in the flower has not been confirmed |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Respiratory: marked effect on respiratory tract to suppress cough, eliminate sputum and relieve wheezing; one study showed that decoction has marked antitussive effect in dogs; another showed that alcohol extract has marked expectorant and antiasthmatic effects in rabbits and guinea pigs; also noted that small dose may dilate bronchioli and large dose may actually constrict them • Cardiovascular: in cats, rabbits, dogs and rats, intravenous injection of water or alcohol extract associated with initial decline, followed by prolonged rise, of blood pressure; rise in blood pressure attributed to rise in sympathetic tone and constriction of blood vessels • CNS stimulant: stimulating effect on CNS |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Ding Chuan Tang (Arrest Wheezing Decoction) 定喘汤 Jiu Xian San (delete Mi Zhi Ying Su Ke) (Nine-Immortal Powder) 九仙散（減蜜製罌粟殼） |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.