Zhi Sou San
Star止嗽散 (Stop Coughing Powder)
Source: Yi Xue Xin Wu — Cheng Guo-Peng (Qing, 1732)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Sou San (Stop Coughing Powder), from the Yi Xue Xin Wu (Medical Revelations) by Cheng Guo-Peng.
Actions: Stops coughing and dissolves phlegm; Releases exterior factors and ventilates the Lung.
Presentation: Wind invading the Lung: coughing, itchy throat, mild fever, aversion to cold, and a thin, white tongue coating.
Cautions:
- Many warm, drying herbs; not suitable for chronic cough from yin deficiency, Lung heat or phlegm-heat
- Use with extreme caution if phlegm is blood-streaked
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 116.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zi Wan
zheng (steamed); as printed: Zi Wan (Radix et Rhizoma Asteris) 1,000g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Jun (Chief) | dissolves phlegm and stops cough (synergistic with Bai Qian and Bai Bu for acute and chronic cough) |
|
Bai Bu
zheng (steamed); as printed: Bai Bu (Radix Stemonae) 1,000g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Jun (Chief) | dissolves phlegm and stops cough |
|
Bai Qian
zheng (steamed); as printed: Bai Qian (Rhizoma et Radix Cynanchi Stauntonii) 1,000g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Chen (Deputy) | dissolves phlegm and stops cough |
|
Jie Geng
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 1,000g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Chen (Deputy) | ventilates the Lung, descends Lung qi, dissolves phlegm; with Gan Cao relieves itchy throat |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 500g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Zuo (Assistant) | ventilates the Lung, descends Lung qi, dissolves phlegm |
|
Jing Jie
as printed: Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) 1,000g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | Zuo (Assistant) | expels wind and relieves exterior symptoms |
|
Gan Cao
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 375g [3g]
|
3g | 5.26% | Shi (Envoy) | harmonizes; with Jie Geng relieves itchy throat |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 warm (+0.79)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 21%, warm 79%.
Taste
- pungent 47%
- sweet 21%
- bitter 32%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 21%
- Liver 16%
- Stomach 5%
- Heart 5%
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
Grind to powder; source: take 9g after meals and at bedtime with boiled water (or with Sheng Jiang decoction if wind-cold present). Today usually 6g with warm water or Sheng Jiang decoction, or decoct with bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Bai Bu, Zi Wan, Bai Qian, Chen Pi and Jing Jie
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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