Excerpted from Bensky: Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.

Stops cough and calms wheezing: used quite broadly for many kinds of cough disorders caused by either heat or cold, depending on the combination. Because this herb is moist in nature, it is especially useful for externally-contracted dry cough.*
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels: this secondary nature of the herb derives from its high oil content.*