Formula Formulas that clear Wind-Cold

Jin Fei Cao San

金沸草散

Also known as:

Inula Powder

Formula Composition

Xuan Fu Hua
Xuan Fu Hua
Ma Huang
Ma Huang
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Qian Hu
Qian Hu
Chi Shao
Chi Shao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind-Cold
  2. Descends Lung Qi
  3. Transform Phlegm
  4. Stop cough and calms wheezing

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold, Rebellious Lung Qi

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Jin Fei Cao San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind-Cold
Descends Lung Qi
Transform Phlegm
Stop cough and calms wheezing

Key TCM Concepts

Jin Fei Cao San is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) and Ephedra (Ma Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Cold. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind-Cold and 2) descends Lung Qi.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Jin Fei Cao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold or Rebellious Lung Qi. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, influenza or wheezing for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold
  • Rebellious Lung Qi

Common Applications

Common cold Influenza Wheezing Asthma Acute bronchitis

Ingredients in Jin Fei Cao San

Detailed information about each herb in Jin Fei Cao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Xuan Fu Hua
Xuan Fu Hua

Inula flowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried capitulum
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
Xuan Fu Hua assists the Lung Qi to flow smoothly and descend properly, so as to relieve the cough and wheezing. This herb disperses the Wind-Cold Evils and Phlegm by directing the Qi downward. As a result, it treats the Exterior Wind-Cold and Interior Phlegm accumulation.
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Ma Huang
Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
Ma Huang assists the Lung Qi to flow smoothly and descend properly, so as to relieve the cough and wheezing. This herb disperses the Wind-Cold Evils and Phlegm by directing the Qi downward. As a result, it treats the Exterior Wind-Cold and Interior Phlegm accumulation.
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Jing Jie
Jing Jie

Japanese catnip

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."

In the context of Jin Fei Cao San, it is used because it helps the key herbs to release the Wind-Cold Evil from the Exterior.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."

In the context of Jin Fei Cao San, it is used because it transforms Phlegm, dries Dampness, descends Qi and relieves the cough.
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Qian Hu
Qian Hu

Hogfennel roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
In general Qian Hu's main actions are as follows: "Directs the ascending flow of Lung Qi downward to stop cough. Expels Phlegm. Expels Wind and relieves the Exterior for Wind-Heat."

In the context of Jin Fei Cao San, it is used because it spreads the Lung Qi, removes Phlegm, relieves the cough, and descends Qi.
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Chi Shao
Chi Shao

Red peony roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
Chi Shao cools the Blood and clears Heat. Together with Jujube dates (Da Zao), it nourishes and cools the Yin and nutritive levels according to the Four Level Theory. As a result, it protect them from the acrid and warm effect of the other herbs of the formula as well as the Wind-Heat Evils. It also clears Heat caused by Wind-Cold Stagnation in Channels.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
Gan Cao harmonizes the Middle Burner, strengthens Qi, and harmonizes the various actions of the herbs in the formula.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
Sheng Jiang harmonize the Nutritive and Protective levels of the Four Level Theory. It also assists Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Japanese catnip (Jing Jie) in releasing Wind-Cold from the Exterior.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Jin Fei Cao San
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."

In the context of Jin Fei Cao San, it is used because it harmonize the Nutritive and Protective levels of the Four Level Theory.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Jin Fei Cao San

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Jin Fei Cao San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.