Jin Fei Cao San
Star金沸草散 (Inula Powder)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Jin Fei Cao San (Inula Powder), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Releases exterior wind-cold; Ventilates the Lung and directs rising qi downward; Stops cough and dyspnea.
Presentation: Wind-cold syndrome with severe Lung dysfunction: cough and dyspnea, profuse sputum, thick and sticky nasal discharge and sputum, a low-pitched voice, dizziness, headache, neck pain, body aches, aversion to cold and fever, fullness and a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm, and other Lung-related symptoms.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 49.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xuan Fu Hua
replaces the traditional Jin Fei Cao (Herba Inulae); as printed: Xuan Fu Hua (Flos Inulae) 90g [9g]
|
9g | 18.75% | Jun (Chief) | Ventilates the Lung, directs Lung qi downward, dissolves phlegm |
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 90g [9g]
|
9g | 18.75% | Jun (Chief) | Dispels wind-cold and induces diaphoresis |
|
Jing Jie
spike (sui); as printed: Jing Jie Sui (Spica Schizonepetae) 120g [12g]
|
12g | 25% | Chen (Deputy) | Dispels wind-cold and induces diaphoresis |
|
Qian Hu
as printed: Qian Hu (Radix Peucedani) 90g [9g]
|
9g | 18.75% | Zuo (Assistant) | Dissolves phlegm and directs Lung qi downward |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, xi (washed) with liquid 7 times and jin (soaked) in ginger juice) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 6.25% | Zuo (Assistant) | Dries dampness and eliminates phlegm |
|
Chi Shao
as printed: Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 6.25% | Zuo (Assistant) | Bitter, slightly cold; keeps warm drying herbs from consuming yin and fluids |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae, chao (dry-fried)) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 6.25% | Shi (Envoy) | With Sheng Jiang and Da Zao, strengthens the middle jiao 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 slightly warm (+0.44)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 25%, neutral 6%, warm 69%.
Pairs warm and cool. 69% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 25% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 56%
- sweet 6%
- sour 3%
- bitter 28%
- salty 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 94%
- Stomach 31%
- Spleen 31%
- Liver 31%
- Large intestine 19%
- Heart 6%
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
Source text: grind to powder; cook 9g with 3 slices Sheng Jiang and 1 Da Zao in 1.5 large bowls water, reducing by 20%; take strained and warm. Today prepared as decoction with bracketed doses.
Relationships
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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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