Chinese: 止嗽散
Pinyin: Zhǐ Sòu Sǎn
Other names: Stop Coughing Powder
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: PertussisAcute bronchitisChronic bronchitis and two other conditions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Contraindications: This formula has a tendency to dry and should therefore not be used in treating... This formula has a tendency to dry and should therefore not be used in treating coughs associated with Yin Deficiency. It was designed for treating Wind-Cold and should not be used, without modification, in treating coughs due to Heat in the Lungs see more
Source date: 1732 AD
Source book: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Zhi Sou San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Aster Roots (Zi Wan) and Stemona Roots (Bai Bu) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1732 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind. Its main actions are: 1) transforms Phlegm and stops coughing and 2) disperses the Exterior.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Zhi Sou San, we review the patterns and conditions that Zhi Sou San helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Zhi Sou San
Zi Wan is a king ingredient in Zhi Sou San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Aster Roots (Zi Wan)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Lung
Category: Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Zi Wan is able to warm without causing Heat as well as moisten without causing Coldness. It is better and is effective in stopping coughs and transforming Phlegm in both acute and chronic disorders.
Bai Bu is a king ingredient in Zhi Sou San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Stemona Roots (Bai Bu)
Part used: The root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Lung
Category: Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Bai Bu is able to warm without causing Heat as well as moisten without causing Coldness. It is better and is effective in stopping coughs and transforming Phlegm in both acute and chronic disorders.
Jie Geng is a deputy ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Jie Geng focuses on opening the Lung Qi Stagnation, by facilitating its spreading. It assists the key herbs in treating the root of coughing.
Bai Qian is a deputy ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Cynanchum Roots And Rhizomes (Bai Qian)
Bai Qian focuses on opening the Lung Qi Stagnation, by directing the Lung Qi downward. It assists the key herbs in treating the root of coughing.
Jing Jie is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie)
Part used: Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Pungent
Jing Jie gives the formula a slight, Exterior-releasing (sweating) action that helps eliminate the lingering pathogenic influence.
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."
In the context of Zhi Sou San, it is used because it regulates the Qi to transform Phlegm.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Zhi Sou San. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs. It is very effective in treating throat disorders due to externally-contracted wind, when used together with Japanese catnip and Platycodon root.
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