Kuǎn Dōng Huā (款冬花) — Coltsfoot Flower
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Kuǎn Dōng Huā (款冬花) is the unopened flower bud of Tussilago farfara, the coltsfoot. It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop cough and ease wheezing in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the classical antitussive flowers in Chinese herbal medicine, particularly for chronic cough with copious phlegm or wheezing.
I prescribe Kuǎn Dōng Huā as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Kuǎn Dōng Huā |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 款冬花 |
| Latin name | Tussilago farfara |
| English name | Coltsfoot flower |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, slightly bitter |
| Channels entered | Lung |
| Category | Herbs that stop cough and ease wheezing |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Moistens the Lung and downbears Lung Qi
- Stops cough and transforms phlegm
Indications
- Chronic cough with copious phlegm of any nature, particularly cold-phlegm patterns
- Cough with wheezing in chronic bronchitis and elderly patients
- Cough following febrile illness with residual phlegm
- Often combined with Zǐ Wǎn for synergistic action
4. Modern research
Coltsfoot flower contains sesquiterpenes (tussilagone), flavonoids and triterpenes. Studies report antitussive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activity. Coltsfoot also contains low levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) such as senkirkine and senecionine, which are potentially hepatotoxic at high doses or with prolonged use. Modern Sun Ten granules are produced from controlled sources with low PA content; even so, the herb is used at standard doses and for limited durations only.
5. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid in pregnancy and in patients with significant liver disease because of low-level pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Do not use long-term without breaks. Not suitable for patients with severe Yin-deficient dry cough without phlegm.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Kuǎn Dōng Huā as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic productive cough, post-viral cough that has lingered for weeks, and elderly patients with chronic bronchitis and Lung deficiency. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.
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