Rhizomes in irregular masses, varying in size, apex with remains of stems and leaves. Texture slightly hard. Rhizomes bearing numerous,fascicular rootlets, 3-15 cm long, 0.1-0.3 cm in diameter, frequently braided. Externally purplish-red or greyish-red, with longitudinal wrinkles. Texture flexible. Odour, slightly aromatic; taste, sweet and slightly bitter.

Acute or chronic cough and asthma with copious expectration; hemoptysis in consumptive disease.

This herb is used to moisten the lung, bring down adverse rising of Qi, resolve phlegm and relieve cough. Since this herb is moist rather than dry in nature, it is a main herb for resolving phlegm and relieving cough, whether the cough is due to lung-heat or lung-cold. In treating pulmonary tuberculosis with consumptive fever due to deficiency of Yin and cough with blood, the herb can be used in combination with Rhizoma Anemarrhenae,Bulbus Fritillariae, Colla Corii Asini, etc. In treating long-lasting cough, the herb can be used in combination with Flos FarFarae, Radix Stemonae, etc. In treating cough and asthma without fever due to deficiency of lung-Qi, the herb can be used in combination with Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae, Radix Astragali seu Hedysari, Rhizoma Zingiberis, etc. In treating cough with profuse sputum due exogenous wind-cold, the herb can be used in combination with Herba Schizonepetae, Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii, Pericarpium Cirti Reticulatae, etc.