Nature: acrid, warm

Enters: Lung

Actions: Warms the Lungs, eliminates phlegm; promotes Qi circulation, dispels Qi stasis; removes phlegm from the channels and collaterals; dissipates nodules, reduces swelling, alleviates pain.

Indications:
• Phlegm-cold accumulation: Coughing copious and thin sputum, difficulty breathing, distention and pain in the chest and hypochondriac region, hydrothorax.
• Phlegm(-cold) obstruction in the channels and collaterals: multiple abscesses, carbuncles, lymphoma, joint pain, body aches, yin-type boils, bedsores, watery, oozing sores. A valuable herb for the treatment of any kind of pain when phlegm or dampness obstructs the channels and collaterals.
• Often applied as a plaster for asthma (on BL-13, 15, 17) – promotes local blood circulation.
• Topical: for lumps and pain. Long Western history of use in baths and plasters for pain. Caution: may cause blistering of the skin. Do not use on patients with skin sensitivities.
• Must be crushed before using.
• Compared to Su zi and Lai fu zi: All are capable of transforming phlegm, regulating the Qi, and alleviating wheezing. However, Bai jie zi warms the Lung Qi, Lai fu zi disperses the Lung Qi, and Su zi descends the Lung Qi.
Li: Very warming.
PCBDP: Rubefacient, counter-irritant, stimulant, diuretic, emetic.
• Externally used for rheumatic pains and bronchitis.
Hsu: Expectorant: the oil slightly irritates the gastric mucosa, causing slight nausea which reflexively increases the bronchial secretions needed to expel phlegm.
• Topical: decreases pain and inflammation.

Dose: 3-9g