Cylindrical or slightly fusiform, gradually becoming tapering downwards, some branched, slightly twisted, 7-20 cm long, 0.7-2 cm in diameter. Externally white or pale yellowish-white, or yellowish-brown to greyish-brown when unpeeled; longitudinally twisted-furrowed, with transverse lenticel-like scars and branch root scars, and with transverse striations at the upper part. Sometimes the paex showing a relatively short or inconspicuous rhizome, which is marked by several crescent-shaped stem scars. Texture fragile, fracture uneven, cambium ring brown, bark whitish, with cleft, pale yellowish-white. Odourless; taste, slightly sweet and then bitter.

Cough with much phlegm, sore throat, hoarseness of voice; lung abscess with purulent expectoration; abscess difficult to burst after suppuration.

1.Promoting the lung's dispersing function and dispelling phlegm

This drug has both the ascending and descending functions and can be used effectively to dissipate and diaphragm. It also has desirable function of dispelling phlegm. It can be used to treat cough with profuse sputum, whether the disease is due to cold or heat in the lung. In treating cough with sticky sputum difficult to be expectorated due to heat in the lung, the drug can be used in combination with Folium Mori, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Folium Eriobotryae, Herba Menthae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, etc In treating cough with thin sputum and running nose due to wind-cold, the drug can be used in combination with Folium Perillae, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Rhizoma Pinelliae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii, Radix Glycyrrhizae, etc. In treating sore throat due to failure of the ling's dispersing function, the drug can be used in combination with Radix Glycyrrhizae, or, in addition Calyx seu Fructus Physalis, Caulis Lonicerae, etc.

2.Evacuating pus to subdue swelling

In treating pulmonary abscess, the drug can be used in combination with Herba Houttuyniae, Semen Coicis, Semen Benincasae, etc.