紫菀
Zi Wan
Zi = purple
Wan = softness, luxuriant
In English it is called Purple Aster.
Lung only.
Spicy (disperses), bitter (drains).
Slightly warm.
5-9 g.
I am so glad that it actually fits to call this herb "Zi Wan" ("The One" in a bad Pink Panther accent - or purple panther accent haha). And it is "Zi Wan" because it is "zi wan" for everything -- a broad spectrum herb for cough and expelling phlegm. It can be used for externally contracted wind cold or wind heat, or for internal lung deficiency or excess.
It warms and moistens without drying. It is used in combination with Kuan Dong Hua to redirect the lung qi downward.
"Experiments show that Zi Wan can increase the excretion of phenol red from mice's respiratory tract." It is a native of Siberia and must have full sun and moist soil. There is an interesting research paper on the plant done by Robyn Klein, a Medical Botanist (cool field, huh?!) at Montana State U. at Bozeman. In her paper she reports that the plant "relieves respiratory spasms possibly by inhibiting histamine. This activity is likely due to flavonoids and other anti-inflammatory compounds in the root."
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