Chuanbei, named after its origin in Sichuan, is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine for cough and phlegm. The ideal Chuanbei should have small and uniform grains, pure white color, and sufficient powderiness. The highest quality Chuanbei is produced in areas like Songpan and Aba in Sichuan. However, why do some people still have persistent coughs or even worsened coughs after taking Chuanbei powder? According to traditional Chinese medicine, coughing can be caused by various organs, not just the lungs. Coughing can be categorized into cold cough, hot cough, weak cough, and strong cough. This shows that the causes of coughing are complex and cannot be solely treated by Chuanbei alone. Proper diagnosis and treatment based on the individual's condition are necessary for effective results. So, which type of cough is Chuanbei suitable for? Let's first look at the nature, taste, and functions of Chuanbei.
Chuanbei is bitter, sweet, and cool in nature, and it enters the lung meridian. It has the functions of suppressing cough, resolving phlegm, clearing heat, dispersing clumps, and moistening the lungs. It is known as the "sacred medicine for cough and phlegm." It is mainly suitable for cough caused by dryness and heat, which is characterized by dry mouth, scanty sticky phlegm, yellow color, sore throat, and sometimes accompanied by fever and headache. However, if it is a cold type of cough with symptoms such as mild tastelessness, itchy throat, and mainly occurring at night with thin and white phlegm, it is not suitable to use Chuanbei. In such cases, it is important to seek prompt medical treatment.
Common Chuanbei preparations:
Chuanbei powder: It is made by grinding Chuanbei into powder, and its effects are the same as Chuanbei. Take 1-3 grams each time, divided into two doses in the morning and evening.
Snake bile Chuanbei powder, snake bile Chuanbei syrup: These are prepared with Chuanbei and snake bile. Snake bile has the functions of dispelling wind, eliminating ailments, promoting qi circulation, and removing dampness. It has a cooling nature and is suitable for cough with wind-heat, excessive phlegm, chest tightness, and uncomfortable coughing.
Chenpi Chuanbei powder: It is composed of Chuanbei and dried tangerine peel. Dried tangerine peel is bitter, pungent, and warm in nature. It has the functions of regulating qi, invigorating the stomach, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm. Therefore, it is suitable for those who cough with abundant phlegm.
Compound snake bile Chuanbei powder: It is composed of Chuanbei, snake bile, seven-leaf one-stem flower, aristolochia, and pinellia. Except for pinellia, which has a warm nature, the rest are all cooling herbs. It is suitable for cough with wind-heat or phlegm-heat.
Chuanbei Qingfei Syrup: It is composed of Chuanbei, loquat leaf, bitter almond, and ophiopogon. It has the effects of clearing the lungs, moisturizing dryness, suppressing cough, and resolving phlegm. It is suitable for dry cough, dry throat, and sore throat.
