Hogfennel root (qian hu)

Peucedanum praeruptorum

Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend and dissolves thick phlegm, also in colds.

Safety notes

Caution without real heat. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough'. Qian hu transforms phlegm and makes the qi descend in cough with thick, yellow phlegm and tightness in the chest; it is part of Xing Su San.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: pungent, bitter, cold
Meridians: lung, spleen

Attributed effects

For cough and wheezing with thick, hard-to-cough-up phlegm and colds with much phlegm, especially from wind-heat.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction.

Combinations

With mulberry bark, gua lou and bei mu for yellow phlegm
With mint, burdock seed and platycodon for cough from wind-heat

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Jing fang bai du san Xing su san

Sources

All herbs from Asia →