Opium Poppy Husk … Classic Formulas
Ying Su Ke · Pericarpium Papaveris
Primary Actions
- Astringes the Lung and stops chronic cough, particularly lingering deficiency-type coughs that have failed to resolve with ordinary Lung-regulating herbs.
- Astringes the intestines and stops chronic diarrhea or dysentery in long-standing, leaking bowel patterns.
- Alleviates chronic pain linked to spasm, chronic coughing, or dysenteric straining, reflecting the opium-alkaloid content in the dried husk.
Classic Formulas
- Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang for chronic diarrhea and dysentery with deficiency and leakage.
- Jiu Xian San for chronic cough with deficient Lung containment.
Classical Text References
- Traditional sources describe Ying Su Ke as sour, astringent, and neutral, entering the Lung and intestines to bind chronic leakage.
- Because it strongly stabilizes and astringes, it is classically contraindicated in the early stage of acute disorders.