Zi Wan紫菀
Asteris Radix et Rhizoma · Tatarian Aster Root · Purple Aster Root
Overview
The root and rhizome of the tatarian aster, sold as a dense purplish braid of fine roots. Acrid, bitter and slightly warm but not drying, it occupies a useful middle position among the cough herbs: warm enough for a cold cough, moist enough for a dry one, and therefore prescribed across cough patterns rather than confined to one. Its particular strength is the stubborn, long-running cough with phlegm that is hard to bring up. Honey-preparing it makes it markedly more moistening and gentler, which is the form chosen for chronic dry cough and for depleted patients; the unprocessed root is preferred for a recent cough with phlegm to clear.
Nature & Flavor
Bitter, acrid, sweet · Slightly warmChannels
LungTypical Dosage
5–10 g in decoctionActions
4 core actions
- Moistens the Lung, directs qi downwardCough of long standing where the chest feels tight and the phlegm is thick and difficult to expectorate.
- Dissolves phlegm, stops coughCough with phlegm across patterns — cold or hot, recent or chronic — combined with cooling or warming herbs to fit the case.
- The honey-prepared formHoney-frying deepens the moistening action and softens the acrid edge; used for dry chronic cough and Lung deficiency, while the raw root suits a newer productive cough.
- Paired with Kuan Dong HuaThe two are given together so often that they are effectively one item in the prescription — a standard pairing for a persistent cough.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Zi Wan
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Chronic cough with phlegm that is difficult to expectorate
- Recent cough with copious phlegm, warm or cool patterns alike when properly combined
- Dry cough of Lung deficiency, using the honey-prepared root
- Cough with blood-streaked sputum, in appropriate combination
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
It is slightly warm, so on its own it does not suit a cough driven by heat or by yin-deficient fire — in those cases it is combined with cooling, moistening herbs rather than used alone. Use it with care where there is coughing of blood without accompanying cooling herbs. Some patients find the raw root mildly irritating to the stomach; the honey-prepared form is the gentler option.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 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.