Zhi Sou San — Stop Coughing Powder
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What is Zhi Sou San?
Zhi Sou San — Stop Coughing Powder — is a classical Qing dynasty formula from Cheng Zhongling’s Yi Xue Xin Wu (1732). It is one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for the lingering cough that follows a cold or flu — the post-viral cough where the exterior pathogen has nearly cleared but a stubborn dry-ish cough remains for weeks. It is gentle, well-balanced and suitable for adults and children.
I prescribe Zhi Sou San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
Zhi Sou San TCM pattern
Prescribed for residual Wind in the Lung after an exterior invasion: cough that lingers for two to six weeks after a cold, scanty white sputum or no sputum, slight throat itch, possible mild fever, thin white tongue coat and a floating or normal pulse.
Key herbs
- Jing Jie — dispels residual Wind
- Zi Wan, Bai Bu, Bai Qian — descend Lung Qi, transform Phlegm and stop cough
- Jie Geng — disperses and opens the Lung
- Chen Pi — moves Qi and transforms Phlegm
- Gan Cao — harmonises and moistens the Lung
Formula actions
- Disperses residual Wind in the Lung
- Transforms Phlegm and descends Lung Qi
- Stops the lingering post-viral cough
Conditions treated
- Post-viral cough lasting weeks after a cold or flu
- Cough lingering after an asthma exacerbation has settled
- Subacute bronchitis without marked heat or cold features
- Tickly throat with cough triggered by talking, laughing or cold air
Cautions
Contraindicated in cough with copious yellow sticky phlegm (Phlegm-Heat) and in Yin-deficient dry cough with prolonged hoarse voice. Generally very well tolerated.
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
