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

• Drains heat and generates fluids:  used when heat injures the fluids, giving rise to thirst and irritability, thirst from yin deficiency, and wasting and thirsting disorder.  Also used for cough and thick sputum or blood-streaked  sputum.*
• Clears and drains Lung heat, transforms phlegm, and moistens Lung dryness:  for phlegm-heat above the diaphragm, especially when the heat has led to dryness.*
• Resolves toxicity and expels pus:  for hot toxic carbuncles and sores.  Especially appropriate for breast abscess.  For this purpose, it can be used both internally and topically.*