Ting Li Zi (葶苈子) — Descurainia / Pepperweed Seed
Ting Li Zi is a strong Chinese herb for Lung Excess — wheezing dyspnoea with copious phlegm, pleural effusion, and congestive heart failure with pulmonary oedema. It powerfully drains water and phlegm from the Lung to reveal underlying dyspnoea relief.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Ting Li Zi (葶苈子) — Descurainia / Pepperweed Seed (Descurainia sophia / Lepidium apetalum) — is a Chinese herb in the Stop Coughing and Relieve Wheezing category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Ting Li Zi |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 葶苈子 |
| Latin name | Descurainia sophia / Lepidium apetalum |
| English name | Descurainia / Pepperweed Seed |
| Nature | Very cold |
| Flavour | Bitter, acrid |
| Channels entered | Lung, Bladder |
| Category | Stop Coughing and Relieve Wheezing |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Drains Lung Excess and dispels Phlegm-fluid
- Descends Lung Qi and relieves wheezing
- Promotes urination and drains water
Indications
- Severe cough with copious phlegm and dyspnoea
- Pleural effusion
- Congestive heart failure with pulmonary oedema
- Ascites with Lung dyspnoea
4. Dosage
3–9g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Contraindicated in Lung deficiency
- Not for Yin-deficient dry cough
- Reduce dose in the elderly
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Ting Li Zi where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
