Natural Herb Library

Japanese Inula Herb

Chinese
金沸草
Pinyin
Jin Fei Cao
Latin
Herba Inulae
Botanical illustration of Japanese Inula Herb, Inula japonica, showing habit, leaves, flower heads, fruit, pappus, rootstock, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Jin Fei Cao (金沸草), this salty and slightly bitter, warm herb enters the Lung, Stomach, and Spleen. Traditionally, it transforms Phlegm-Dampness and descends rebellious Lung Qi, most often applied for cough, bronchitis, and upper respiratory infection. Modern research has identified Inulicin among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Inula

Latin: Herba Inulae | Pinyin: Jin Fei Cao | Chinese: 金沸草

TCM Properties

Taste
salty, slightly bitter
Temperature
warm
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Transforms Phlegm-Dampness and descends rebellious Lung Qi
  • Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Cold
  • Warms and transforms cold phlegm … especially copious, watery or frothy sputum
  • Arrests cough and relieves wheezing

Secondary Actions

  • Harmonises the Stomach and descends rebellious Stomach Qi (nausea, vomiting, hiccup)
  • Distinct from the flower (Xuan Fu Hua 旋覆花) … whole aerial herb used when exterior release is also required

Classic Formulas

  • Jin Fei Cao San (金沸草散) … classical formula for Wind-Cold cough with copious watery phlegm; Jin Fei Cao paired with Jing Jie, Ban Xia, Qian Hu, and Gan Cao

Classical References

  • Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Jin Fei Cao (the whole herb) descends rebellious Qi, disperses phlegm, releases the exterior, and warms the Lung … use when Wind-Cold has not resolved and phlegm is abundant'
  • Note: Jin Fei Cao (金沸草, whole aerial herb) and Xuan Fu Hua (旋覆花, flower of Inula japonica or I. britannica) are related but distinct materia medica; Jin Fei Cao has stronger exterior-releasing action while Xuan Fu Hua is more strongly descending and softening

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Inulicin (sesquiterpene lactone; principal bitter anti-inflammatory)
  • Britannin (eudesmanolide sesquiterpene lactone)
  • Taraxasterol (pentacyclic triterpenoid)
  • Chlorogenic acid
  • Caffeic acid
  • Luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside
  • Quercetin
  • 1-O-acetylbritannilide and related eudesmanolides

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory: sesquiterpene lactones (inulicin, britannin) inhibit NF-κB and COX-2 pathways; taraxasterol demonstrated significant reduction of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages and reduced paw oedema in rat carrageenan model
  • Antitussive and expectorant: aqueous decoction showed dose-dependent antitussive effect in ammonia water-induced cough model in mice and increased tracheal phenol red output (expectorant activity), consistent with classical Phlegm-transforming indication
  • Antibacterial: ethanol extract active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae … organisms relevant to its classical indication in respiratory tract infections with phlegm

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Yin deficiency with Dry-Heat cough (no phlegm or scanty sticky phlegm, dry throat)
  • Damp-Heat phlegm with yellow thick sputum (warm herb … use with caution)

Cautions

  • Standard dose 5–10g decoction; most sources use 3–9g dried herb
  • Distinguish from Xuan Fu Hua (旋覆花): the flower is more descending; the whole herb adds exterior release … use Jin Fei Cao San when Wind-Cold is still present
  • Sesquiterpene lactones may cause contact dermatitis in rare cases … relevant mainly to bulk handlers, not oral use

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Japanese Inula Herb used for?

Japanese Inula Herb is traditionally used to Transforms Phlegm-Dampness and descends rebellious Lung Qi, Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Cold, Warms and transforms cold phlegm … especially copious, watery or frothy sputum, Arrests cough and relieves wheezing. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory: sesquiterpene lactones (inulicin, britannin) inhibit NF-κB and COX-2 pathways; taraxasterol demonstrated significant reduction of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages and reduced paw oedema in rat carrageenan model; Antitussive and expectorant: aqueous decoction showed dose-dependent antitussive effect in ammonia water-induced cough model in mice and increased tracheal phenol red output (expectorant activity), consistent with classical Phlegm-transforming indication.

What are other names for Japanese Inula Herb?

Japanese Inula Herb is also known as Inula. In TCM: 金沸草 (Jin Fei Cao); Herba Inulae.

Is Japanese Inula Herb safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Japanese Inula Herb during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Japanese Inula Herb?

Japanese Inula Herb should not be used in: Yin deficiency with Dry-Heat cough (no phlegm or scanty sticky phlegm, dry throat); Damp-Heat phlegm with yellow thick sputum (warm herb … use with caution). Consult a qualified practitioner before use.