Jin Fei Cao San (金沸草散) — Inula Powder

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1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Jin Fei Cao San — the “Inula Powder” (jin fei cao is an older name for Xuan Fu Hua, the inula flower) — is from the Song-dynasty Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang. The formula combines Xuan Fu Hua and Ban Xia to descend rebellious Lung Qi and transform thin Phlegm-Rheum, with Jing Jie and Ma Huang to release Wind-Cold from the exterior. It is the classical choice for a recent Wind-Cold attack where copious thin watery phlegm has accumulated in the chest, producing a wet productive cough^[10].

I prescribe Jin Fei Cao San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Jin Fei Cao San is prescribed for Wind-Cold with Phlegm-Rheum in the Lung:

• Cough with copious thin watery white phlegm
• Chest oppression, occasional wheeze
• Aversion to cold, mild fever, no sweat
• Stuffy nose, body aches
• Mild nausea^[12] from Phlegm-Damp in the middle
• Tongue — white moist coat
• Pulse — floating, slippery

Key herbs

1. Xuan Fu Hua (Inula flower, 9g) — chief; descends Lung Qi; transforms Phlegm-Rheum
2. Ban Xia (Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum, 3-9g) — dries Damp; transforms Phlegm; descends Qi
3. Jing Jie (Hb. Schizonepetae, 6-9g) — releases Wind from the exterior
4. Ma Huang (Hb. Ephedrae, 3-6g) — releases Wind-Cold; opens the Lung
5. Qian Hu (Rx. Peucedani, 9g) — descends Lung Qi; transforms Phlegm
6. Chi Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Rubra, 3-6g) — moves Blood; balances drying herbs
7. Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 3g), Sheng Jiang (Rz. Zingiberis Recens, 6g), Da Zao (Fr. Jujube, 3g) — harmonise the middle

Formula actions

1. Releases Wind-Cold from the exterior
2. Descends Lung Qi
3. Transforms thin Phlegm-Rheum
4. Stops cough

Conditions treated

1. Acute bronchitis with thin watery phlegm
2. Acute exacerbation of COPD with cold-pattern
3. Common cold with prominent productive cough
4. Post-viral cough with persistent thin watery phlegm
5. Bronchiectasis flare with thin phlegm
6. Cold-pattern asthma[13] with copious clear secretions

Cautions

Contains Ma Huang — contraindicated in hypertension^[19], hyperthyroidism^[6], anxiety^[4], glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, and with MAO inhibitors or sympathomimetics.

Xuan Fu Hua should be wrapped in cheesecloth during traditional decoction; granule form bypasses this issue.

Not appropriate for Lung Heat (yellow phlegm, fever, thirst) or dry cough from Yin deficiency.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

References

[4] Lin Y, Cai S, Wang T, Zhuang T, Huang T, Yu X, et al. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Xiao Yao San as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:1319592. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1319592. PMID: 35432568.

[6] Liu Y, Cheng L, Yan G, Gu J, Lyu Z, Ding J. Effectiveness and potential mechanism of Jiawei-Xiaoyao-San for hyperthyroidism: a systematic review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 18;14:1241962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1241962. PMID: 37780612.

[10] Lee B, Kwon CY, Suh HW, Kim YJ, Kim KI, Lee BJ, Lee JH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Oct 17;14:1230604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1230604. PMID: 37920213.

[12] Zhai X, He Q, Chen M, Yu L, Tong C, Chen Y, et al. Pinellia ternata-containing traditional Chinese medicine combined with 5-HT3RAs for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 RCTs. Phytomedicine. 2023 Jul;115:154823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154823. PMID: 37099981.

[13] Shergis JL, Wu L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CC. Herbal medicine for adults with asthma: A systematic review. J Asthma. 2016 Aug;53(6):650-9. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770903.2015.1101132. PMID: 27172294.

[19] Wang J, Xiong X, Liu W. Tianma Gouteng Yin as Adjunctive Treatment for Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:706125. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/706125. PMID: 23710230.