Qian Hu (Peucedanum Root): A TCM Herb for Clearing Heat and Relieving Cough

I. Historical Records of Qian Hu

Qian Hu is a commonly used herb in Chinese medicine, documented in ancient medical texts. Below are key historical mentions:

• Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica: “Treats low energy, clears phlegm fullness, relieves chest and side bloating, disperses wind-heat headaches, and promotes renewal.” (Highlights Qian Hu’s role in lowering qi, clearing phlegm, and easing headaches.)

• Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians: “Relieves chest and abdominal qi stagnation, guest heat from deficiency, fatigue, clears phlegm, eases the chest, improves appetite, and aids digestion.” (Adds its use for qi stagnation, heat, and digestive issues.)

• Treatise on Medicinal Properties: “Treats lung qi cough, rebellious qi, and clears heat in the chest.” (Notes its effect on cough, asthma, and chest heat.)

• Compendium of Materia Medica: “Qian Hu has a light qi and mild taste, both rising and descending. It lowers qi, clears phlegm, disperses wind, and clears heat, making it a key herb for the Lung channel.” (Emphasizes Qian Hu’s role in lung-related conditions, lowering qi, and clearing heat.)

These records show that ancient practitioners valued Qian Hu for treating lung-related issues, phlegm, and heat, with effects like lowering qi, clearing phlegm, and easing chest discomfort.

Qian Hu

II. Introduction to Qian Hu

Qian Hu is a widely used Chinese herb known for its ability to disperse wind-heat and lower qi to clear phlegm.

• Herb Name: Qian Hu (Peucedanum Root)

• Other Names: White-Flowered Qian Hu, Wild Fennel

• Source: Dried roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, from the Apiaceae family.

• Origin: Mainly grown in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hunan, China.

• Harvesting and Processing: Collected in autumn, with stems, leaves, and soil removed, then dried.

• Appearance: Roots are irregular, cylindrical, or conical, 10–25 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide. Surface is brown or gray-brown with wrinkles, lenticels, and few rootlet scars. The root head has multiple stem bases and fibrous hairs. Slightly soft, easily broken, with an uneven cross-section, light brown cortex, and yellowish-white wood. Aromatic smell, slightly bitter and pungent taste with a tongue-numbing sensation.

• Properties and Channels: Bitter, pungent, slightly cold. Enters the Lung channel.

• Preparation:

  • Raw Qian Hu: Cut into segments for use.

  • Honey-fried Qian Hu: Fried with honey to enhance lung-moistening and cough-relieving effects.

III. Conditions Treated by Qian Hu

Qian Hu is used to treat the following conditions:

• Wind-Heat with Cough and Phlegm: Wind-heat attacking the lungs, causing cough with thick, yellow phlegm.

• Phlegm-Heat Blocking Lungs: Phlegm-heat obstructing airways, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.

• Sore Throat: Wind-heat causing throat redness, swelling, or pain.

Qian Hu

IV. Effects of Qian Hu

Qian Hu’s main effects include:

• Dispersing Wind-Heat: Clears wind-heat from the Lung channel, relieving fever and headaches from external pathogens.

• Lowering Qi and Clearing Phlegm: Lowers lung qi, clears phlegm, and stops cough, used for cough with phlegm, wheezing, or chest tightness.

• Relieving Stagnant Heat: Disperses stagnant heat to clear internal heat.

V. Common Formulas with Qian Hu

Qian Hu is often used in the following formulas:

• Sang Ju Yin: Disperses wind, clears heat, and stops cough. Treats early-stage wind-heat with mild fever, cough, and slight thirst.

• Xing Su San: Gently disperses cold-dryness and clears phlegm. Treats dryness-related cough, thin phlegm, nasal congestion, and dry throat.

• Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, and stops cough. Treats phlegm-heat in the lungs with yellow phlegm, cough, and chest tightness.

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VI. Comparison with Similar Herbs

Herbs with effects similar to Qian Hu include:

• Jie Geng (Platycodon): Bitter, pungent, neutral, enters Lung channel. Opens the lungs, clears phlegm, and soothes the throat. Unlike Qian Hu, it focuses on opening the lungs and throat, not lowering qi.

• Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot): Pungent, warm, enters Lung channel. Moistens the lungs, lowers qi, and clears phlegm. Unlike Qian Hu, it is warm and better for cold-related coughs.

• Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf): Bitter, slightly cold, enters Lung and Stomach channels. Clears lung heat, stops cough, and calms nausea. Unlike Qian Hu, it emphasizes calming nausea.

VII. Modern Applications and Research

Modern research shows Qian Hu has the following effects:

• Cough Suppression: Reduces cough by calming the cough center.

• Phlegm Clearance: Promotes phlegm expulsion, easing airway obstruction.

• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the respiratory system.

• Antibacterial: Inhibits certain bacteria.

• Bronchodilation: Relaxes bronchial muscles, relieving wheezing.

Clinical Uses:

• Bronchitis: Relieves cough, phlegm, and wheezing.

• Pneumonia: Supports recovery as a complementary treatment.

• Pharyngitis: Eases sore throat and hoarseness.

VIII. Precautions

When using Qian Hu, note the following:

• Syndrome Differentiation: Suitable for wind-heat cough or phlegm-heat in the lungs. Avoid in wind-cold or yin-deficient coughs.

• Dosage: Use 3–10 grams to avoid overuse.

• Caution in Qi Deficiency: Qian Hu’s slightly cold and qi-lowering nature may not suit those with qi deficiency.

Qian Hu is a valuable Chinese herb with effects like dispersing wind-heat and clearing phlegm. Proper syndrome differentiation, dosage, and precautions are essential for safe use. Consult a doctor or Chinese medicine practitioner with any questions.