Zǐ Wǎn (紫菀), known in English as Purple aster root (Aster tataricus), is a warm, acrid and sweet Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung channel. Its main action: stops cough, calms wheezing, transforms phlegm.
| Pinyin | Zǐ Wǎn (Zi Wan) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 紫菀 |
| English | Purple aster root |
| Botanical name | Aster tataricus |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Sweet |
| Channels | Lung |
| Dosage | 4.5–9g |
| Cautions | None significant when processed |
Actions
- Stops cough, calms wheezing, transforms phlegm
- Moistens Lung (suitable for both Hot and Cold patterns)
Indications
- Cough and wheezing with phlegm from any cause
- Lung deficiency chronic cough
How to remember Zǐ Wǎn
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Moistens Lung”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Sweet: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Zǐ Wǎn
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Zǐ Wǎn?
Zǐ Wǎn is warm and acrid and sweet.
Which channels does Zǐ Wǎn enter?
Zǐ Wǎn enters the Lung channel.
What are the actions of Zǐ Wǎn?
Stops cough, calms wheezing, transforms phlegm; Moistens Lung (suitable for both Hot and Cold patterns).
What is Zǐ Wǎn used for?
Cough and wheezing with phlegm from any cause; Lung deficiency chronic cough.
Which formulas contain Zǐ Wǎn?
Zhǐ Sòu Sǎn and Bǔ Fèi Tāng.
Practise Zǐ Wǎn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.