Zhi Sou San

Functions

Zhi Sou San mainly functions to relieve cough and resolve phlegm, disperse the superficies and relieve the lung.

Dosage Info

It is in water pills, 20-40 pills for adults and 2-3 times daily. For the children older than 7 years old, the dose is 1/2 of the adult dose, for the children 3-7 years, the dose is 1/3 of the adult dose. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

Health Conditions: Zhi Sou San should be used with caution by patients with sputum mixed with blood. The formula is not suitable for patients with consumptive cough due to yin deficiency.

Pharmacology

Experiments show Jian Jie, a constituent herb of the formula, promotes hidropoiesis and enhances blood circulation in the body’s surface. Jie Geng, another constituent herb of the formula, is shown to increase mucus quantity in the respiratory tract, an effect attributable to the herb’s saponins. Similarly, Zi Wan has the effect of expelling phlegm and arresting cough, and Bai Bu has an inhibitory effect on a number of bacteria, such as pneumococcus, hemolytic streptococcus B, and meningococcus, among others. Bai Bu can also decrease the excitability of the respiratory center, inhibiting cough reflex so as to relieve cough. And finally, Chen Pi and Gan Cao also have an expectorant effect. (1)

Clinical Applications

Interstitial pneumonia
 Feng, et al. treated 12 cases of interstitial pneumonia with modified Zhi Sou San. The modified formula consisted the following single herbs: Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Zi Wan (Aster), Bai Qian (Cynanchum), Chen Pi (Citrus), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Bai Bu (Stemona), Gan Cao (Licorice), Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root), and Xin Ren (Apricot Seed). For patients with excessive wind-cold, inability to talk and cold limbs, the formula San Niu Tang was added. For patients with fever, cough and asthma, sore-throat, Yin Qiao Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang was added. For heavy pain in the chest, aphasia due to flaccid tongue with ecchymosis, modified Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (with Niu Xi and Sheng Di removed) was added. For the patients with excessive phlegm-damp, Ping Wei San was added. For chronic cough and dry cough with short breath, Sheng Mai San was added. One dose of the formulas in decoction was administered daily. Six days constituted one course of treatment. The results: 10 cases resolved and the remaining two cases no longer experienced symptoms. (2)

Child cough
 Li, et al. treated 127 cases of child cough with modified Zhi Sou San. The results: 123 cases recovered, 1 case much improved, and the remaining 3 cases improved. (3)

Laryngeal cough
 Wu treated 92 cases of cough with modified Zhi Sou San. The modified formula consisted of Chen Pi (Citrus), Zhi Qiao (Aurantium Fruit), Bai Bu (prepared Stemona), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Xin Ren (Apricot Seed), Zi Wan (Aster), Bai Qian (Cynanchum), Di Long (Earthworm), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), and Gan Cao (Licorice). One dose of the formula in decoction was taken each day (divided into 2 portions for separate administrations; once in the morning, once in the evening). The results: 81 cases resolved, 2 cases improved, and the remaining 9 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 90.2%. (4)

Acute bronchitis
 Xu treated 50 cases of acute bronchitis with modified Zhi Sou San. The modified formula consisted of Xia Ku Cao (Prunella), Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia), Bai Bu (Stemona), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Bai Qian (Cynanchum), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Zi Wan (Aster), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Chen Pi (Citrus). One dose of the formula in decoction was administered daily. The results: 37 cases resolved, 9 cases improved, and the remaining 4 cases did not respond to the treatment. (5)

Child interstitial pneumonia
 Guo, et al. treated 238 cases of child interstitial pneumonia with modified Zhi Sou San. The modified formula consisted of Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Zi Wan (Aster), Bai Bu (Stemona), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Bai Qian (Cynanchum), Xin Ren (Apricot Seed), Gan Cao (Licorice, Chen Pi (Citrus), and Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera Flower). A comparison group of 126 cases was treated with intravenous injection of cefalotin sodium. The results: The treatment group achieved a total effective rate of 97% and the comparison group had a total effective rate of 71%. (6)

Obstinate cough
 Cai treated 37 cases of obstinate cough with modified Zhi Sou San. The modified formula consisted of the following single herbs: Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Zhi Qiao (Aurantium Fruit), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chen Pi (Citrus), Zhi Ma Huang (prepared Ma-Huang), Xin Ren (Apricot Seed), Di Long (Earthworm), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Zi Wan (Aster), Bai Qian (Cynanchum), Wu Mei (Mume), and E Jiao (Gelatin). One dose of the formula in decoction was administered daily. A comparison group of 30 cases was treated with curoxim, and toclase. The results: of the treatment group, 28 cases were resolved, 7 cases much improved, and the remaining 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 94.6%; of the comparison group, the corresponding numbers were 11, 10, 9, and 70%, respectively. (7)

References

  1. Wang Bu. Treating cough with Zhi Sou San. Yunnan Journal of TCM and Chinese Drug. 1995;16(6):44-45.
  2. Feng Gui Zhen, et al. Treating interstitial pneumonia with Chinese herbs. Journal of Applied Integrated Medicine. 1995;8(3):152.
  3. Li Ye Shuang, et al. Treating 127 cases of child cough with modified Zhi Sou San. Inner Mongolia Journal of TCM. 1997;16(2): 9.
  4. Wu Xun Bao. Treating laryngeal cough with modified Zhi Sou San. Jiangxi Journal of TCM. 1998;29(6):46.
  5. Xu Tong Xin. Treating 50 cases of acute bronchitis with modified Zhi Sou San. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbs. 1998;(1):25.
  6. Guo Shao Quan, et al. Treating 364 cases of child interstitial pneumonia with modified Zhi Sou San. Bulletin of Correspondence College of TCM. 1998;17(2):24-25.
  7. Cai Heng. Treating 37 cases of obstinate cough with modified Zhi Sou San. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;33(10):449.