Cynanchum Root Classic Formulas — Natural Herb Library

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Directs Lung Qi downward and transforms phlegm - Bai Qian is a core herb for cough, dyspnea, chest fullness, and noisy phlegm when the Lung fails to descend.
Relieves cough in both cold-phlegm and mixed obstruction patterns - its action is broad enough to appear in formulas for new or chronic cough, especially when phlegm is prominent.
Opens the chest and eases labored breathing - by restoring the descending function of Lung Qi, it helps reduce a sense of blockage in the chest and difficulty exhaling.

Zhi Sou San - Bai Qian works with Jing Jie and Jie Geng to stop lingering cough after an exterior pathogen has not fully resolved.
Bai Qian Wan - a traditional pairing with Lung-draining herbs such as Sang Bai Pi and Ting Li Zi for cough and dyspnea with heat or retained phlegm.
Bai Qian with Su Zi, Ban Xia, and Bai Jie Zi - a common cold-phlegm strategy for chest fullness, cough, and difficult expectoration.

Traditional sources describe Bai Qian as acrid, bitter, and slightly warm, entering the Lung to descend Qi, transform phlegm, stop cough, and relieve dyspnea.
The herb is repeatedly praised for handling cough with profuse phlegm regardless of whether the presentation leans somewhat cold or somewhat warm, as long as phlegm obstruction is central.
Older cautions note that Bai Qian can irritate the Stomach and should be used carefully in patients with weak digestion or a tendency to bleeding.