Kuǎn Dōng Huā (款冬花) — Coltsfoot Flower

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Incompatibilities
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. 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

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Moistens the Lung and downbears Lung Qi
2. Stops cough and transforms phlegm

Indications

1. Chronic cough with copious phlegm of any nature, particularly cold-phlegm patterns
2. Cough with wheezing in chronic bronchitis and elderly patients
3. Cough following febrile illness with residual phlegm
4. 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. Incompatibilities

Kuǎn Dōng Huā (款冬花) Coltsfoot Flower is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

6. 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.

Pattern contraindications

Distinguish the sub-pattern (cold-phlegm vs heat-phlegm vs dry vs deficient cough) — the wrong sub-type can worsen the cough. Some (Xing Ren, Bai Bu) contain mildly toxic constituents and are not for long-term high-dose use.

Modern drug interactions

Tell your GP if you are on theophylline, sedatives or opioid cough suppressants — some interaction is possible. Xing Ren contains amygdalin and is used in modest doses only.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

7. 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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