Transforms Phlegm-Dampness and descends rebellious Lung Qi
Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Cold
Warms and transforms cold phlegm — especially copious, watery or frothy sputum
Arrests cough and relieves wheezing
Secondary Actions
Harmonises the Stomach and descends rebellious Stomach Qi (nausea, vomiting, hiccup)
Distinct from the flower (Xuan Fu Hua 旋覆花) — whole aerial herb used when exterior release is also required
Classic Formulas
Jin Fei Cao San (金沸草散) — classical formula for Wind-Cold cough with copious watery phlegm; Jin Fei Cao paired with Jing Jie, Ban Xia, Qian Hu, and Gan Cao
Classical References
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Jin Fei Cao (the whole herb) descends rebellious Qi, disperses phlegm, releases the exterior, and warms the Lung — use when Wind-Cold has not resolved and phlegm is abundant'
Note: Jin Fei Cao (金沸草, whole aerial herb) and Xuan Fu Hua (旋覆花, flower of Inula japonica or I. britannica) are related but distinct materia medica; Jin Fei Cao has stronger exterior-releasing action while Xuan Fu Hua is more strongly descending and softening
Modern Research
Active Compounds
Inulicin (sesquiterpene lactone; principal bitter anti-inflammatory)
Britannin (eudesmanolide sesquiterpene lactone)
Taraxasterol (pentacyclic triterpenoid)
Chlorogenic acid
Caffeic acid
Luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside
Quercetin
1-O-acetylbritannilide and related eudesmanolides
Studied Effects
Anti-inflammatory: sesquiterpene lactones (inulicin, britannin) inhibit NF-κB and COX-2 pathways; taraxasterol demonstrated significant reduction of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages and reduced paw oedema in rat carrageenan model
Antitussive and expectorant: aqueous decoction showed dose-dependent antitussive effect in ammonia water-induced cough model in mice and increased tracheal phenol red output (expectorant activity), consistent with classical Phlegm-transforming indication
Antibacterial: ethanol extract active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae — organisms relevant to its classical indication in respiratory tract infections with phlegm
Yin deficiency with Dry-Heat cough (no phlegm or scanty sticky phlegm, dry throat)
Damp-Heat phlegm with yellow thick sputum (warm herb — use with caution)
Cautions
Standard dose 5–10g decoction; most sources use 3–9g dried herb
Distinguish from Xuan Fu Hua (旋覆花): the flower is more descending; the whole herb adds exterior release — use Jin Fei Cao San when Wind-Cold is still present
Sesquiterpene lactones may cause contact dermatitis in rare cases — relevant mainly to bulk handlers, not oral use