Dun Sou San
Star顿嗽散 (Long-Bout Cough Powder)
Source: Yan Fang
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dun Sou San (Long-Bout Cough Powder), from the Yan Fang (Time-Tested Formulas).
Actions: Arrests cough; Clears heat and dissolves phlegm.
Presentation: Cough caused by heat: persistent or violent cough, cough with or without sputum.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 115.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 15g
|
15g | 22.22% | with Huang Qin clears heat from the chest, relieving oppression | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9g
|
9g | 13.33% | with Chai Hu clears heat from the chest | |
|
Sang Bai Pi
as printed: Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori) 9g
|
9g | 13.33% | dissolves phlegm and relieves cough | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 9g
|
9g | 13.33% | dissolves phlegm and relieves cough | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) 7.5g
|
7.5g | 11.11% | clears Lung heat to relieve irritability | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 15g
|
15g | 22.22% | clears Lung heat and lowers fever | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 3g
|
3g | 4.44% | tonifies qi and harmonizes |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-1.42)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 60%, cool 22%, neutral 18%.
Taste
- pungent 29%
- sweet 29%
- bitter 42%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 78%
- Stomach 40%
- Gallbladder 36%
- Spleen 31%
- Heart 29%
- Pericardium 22%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Taken on an empty stomach with warm water.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Sang Bai Pi, Shi Gao and Zhi Zi
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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