Má Huáng Tāng

Ephedra Decoction

 Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutChinese MedicineCaution/Notes
Health Benefits
For: Fever • Chills but no sweating • Headache • Wheezing • Overall body ache
Atributes:
Constituents:
Products

Granules

Granules

Capsules

Capsules

Research

Category: Release Exterior ⌕ 
Subcategory: Wind Cold               Source: Shang Han Lun 
Actions: Releases exterior cold • Stops wheezing • Induce sweating
Diagnosis
Tongue: White      Pulse: Floating, tight    Other: 
Patterns: Tai Yang Cold Attack • Exterior Wind Cold Excess  
Indications: No sweating, aversion to cold, headache, body ache, wheezing
Contraindications: Hypertension, frequent urination, exterior deficiency, blood deficiency, yang deficiency • Use only when needed, do not overuse
Description
Name Variations: Ma Huang Tang, 麻黄汤, Ephedra Decoction,
Herb List: Ma Huang(K) • Gui Zhi(M) • Xing Ren(A) • Zhi Gan Cao(E)
Commentary:
Related Formulas: Da Qing Long Tang • Hua Gai San • San Ao Tang
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Ma HuangEphedra • 麻黄 Release Exterior Wind Cold
9g
Release exterior • Dispel cold • Induce sweating • Increase urination • Control cough • Ease wind damp Bi painTossing with honey lowers the dispersing effects antiviral, diaphoretic, diuretic, bronchodilator, hypertensive, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, CNS stimulant, anti-fungal, analgesic, anti-influenza, anti-metastic
Gui ZhiCinnamon Twig • 桂枝 Release Exterior Wind Cold
6g
Activate yang qi, warm yang, open channels, expel Wind Cold from muscle layer • warm Middle Jiao • regulate Wei Qi • improve circulation • relieve pain • thin mucus • treat chest BiPAIRS with Shao Yao and Fu Ling diuretic, anticoagulant, vasodilation, diaphoretic, antipyretic, emmenagogue, antiparasitic, cardiotonic, antibiotic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative
Xing RenApricot Seeds • 杏仁 Phlegm Cough + Wheezing
9g-12g
Stops cough • Calm wheezing • Moisten intestines • Unblock bowelUsed to treat cancer
Zhi Gan CaoHoney Fried Licorice • 炙甘草 Tonify Qi
3g
Increase the effectiveness of Gan Cao, particularly with: Tonify middle • Tonify Heart and Spleen Qi • Harmonize other herbs Honey is a cardiotonic. Zhi Gan Cao is different from Gan Cao in that it nourishes the heart. Hypoglycemic • Antiarrhythmic • Expectorant • Antidiarrheal • Antiulcer • Hepatoprotective • Antiulcer • Immunostimulant • Antitussive • Antiviral • Detox • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Emmenagogue • Antimicrobial • Spasmolytic
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions: The goal of this formula is to cause sweating.  All the ingredients are added to the decoction and cook for about 20 minutes.  It should be taken hot to help with sweating,   It should be decocted till about 2.5 to 3 cups.  The three cups would be taken 3 times a day.  Once sweating occurs, stop taking this medicine.
Modifications For
+ Huang Qi Yang deficiency
– gui zhi by half + Tian Hua Fen + She Gan Sore throat
+ Shi Gao Exterior cold and interior heat
+ Si Wu Tang Childhood psoriasis
+ Cang Er Zi + Xin Yi Hua Nasal congestion, nasal discharge 31
+ Cang Zhu + Yi Yi Ren Damp joint pain 31
+ Shi Gao + Huang Qin Interior heat, thirst, restlessness 31

Caution

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Ma Huang: Not for long term use • Hypertension • Diarrhea • Insomnia • Dysuria • Cardiovascular problems • Heart palpitations • Seizures • Heart disease • Kidney disease • Liver disease • Caffeine • Stroke
Gui Zhi: Pregnancy, Liver Wind, hyperactive Yang from Yin xu, Wind Heat, blood heat, heavy menses, measles, open skin sores
Xing Ren: Pregnancy • Infants • Diarrhea • Yin deficiency cough
Zhi Gan Cao:

Notes

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

Go to Bibliography

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *