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Cura x Cura

Kuan Dong Hua款冬花

Farfarae Flos · Coltsfoot Flower Bud

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药《神农本草经》

Overview

The unopened flower bud of coltsfoot, acrid, slightly bitter and warm: it directs Lung qi downward and stops cough while moistening rather than drying, so it serves across cold and hot cough patterns and suits a long-standing, wearing cough. It is the standard partner of Zi Wan 紫菀. Honey-prepared Kuan Dong Hua is the usual form for chronic and dry cough because honey deepens the moistening effect; dry-fried Kuan Dong Hua softens its acridity.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, slightly bitter · Warm

Channels

Lung

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
款冬花Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Moistens the Lung, directs qi downwardCough and wheezing with qi rising, including deficiency patterns where drying herbs would be wrong.
  • Stops cough, transforms phlegmChronic cough with thin white sputum; paired with Zi Wan 紫菀 it is used across nearly every cough pattern.
  • Honey-prepared for chronic coughKuan Dong Hua is the preferred form for a dry, long-standing cough of Lung deficiency.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Kuan Dong Hua

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic cough with copious or hard-to-clear sputum
    - Wheezing with rebellious Lung qi
    - Dry, weak cough of Lung deficiency (honey-prepared form)
    - Coughing of blood in a deficiency pattern

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic coughBronchitisAsthmaWheezing

Contraindications

Cautions

Coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver as intake accumulates: keep courses short, stay within the prescribed dose, and avoid it entirely in liver disease. Its warmth also makes it unsuitable, unsupported, for cough from Lung heat or from yin deficiency with vigorous heat signs.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy and while breastfeeding — the pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains are not considered safe for the fetus or the infant.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.