Root of Peucedanum praeruptorm Irregular cylindrical, conical or fusiform, slightly twisted, the lower part frequently branched, 3-15 cm long, 1-2 cm in diameter. Externally blackish-brown or greyish-yellow, frequently with stem scars and fibrous remain of pericladia at the root stock, with numerous fine annular atriations at the upper end and longitudinally furrowed or wrinkled with tranverse lenticels at the lower part. Texture relatively flexible, hard when dried, easily broken, fracture uneven, pale yellowish-white, numerous brownish-yellow oily spots scattered in cortex, cambium ring brown, rays radiated. Odour, aromatic; taste, slightly bitter and pungent.

Root of Peucedanum decursivum Sometimes remains of stem-base occurring at the root stock, frequently remained with membranous pericladia around stem-base. Fracture whitish, rays indistinct.

Cough and dyspnea in respiratory infection with copious or yellowish sticky expectoration.

Sending down adverse flow of Qi to eliminate phlegm

In treating cough with yellow and sticky sputum and stuffy chest due to heat in lung, the drug can be used in combination with Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Cortex Mori Radicis, etc In treating cough with shortness of breath due to accumulation of lung-Qi, or vomitting and poor appetite, the drug can be used in combination with Rhizoma Pinelliae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Fructus Perillae, etc.