Ephedra Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Ma Huang Tang
English Translation: Ephedra Decoction
Formula Type: Release Exterior Cold and Stop Wheezing
Actions: Releases exterior cold & arrests wheezing.
Indications: Fever & chills (chills predominant) without sweating, headache, generalized body aches, wheezing, a thin, white tongue coating, & a floating, tight pulse.
Contraindications: Contraindicated for patients with debility & copious urination, & for patients who are prone to bleeding (especially from the nose). Because of the adrenergic effects of Ma Huang, this formula should be used with caution in cases with hypertension. In addition, it is designed only to be used for very short periods of time.
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Ma Huang / Ephedra, aerial part of plant |
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Taste: Acrid, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for patterns of wind-cold exterior excess (greater yang stage of the six stages) with chills, fever, headache, absence of sweating, & a tight, floating pulse. This herb is very effective in opening the pores & interstices to release exterior disorders.
2. Facilitates the movement of Lung qi & controls wheezing: for cough & wheezing due to obstruction of Lung qi by wind & cold. The herb both encourages the Lung qi to flow more easily, & causes it to descend. It is important for either externally contracted or internally generated wheezing.
3. Promotes urination & reduces edema: especially for edema that accompanies an exterior pathogenic influence. |
MeridiansLung, Bladder |
CautionsIf too much of this herb is used, or for too long a period of time, it may cause heavy sweating that weakens the body. Toasting honey reduces this dispersing property. Use of the herb may also raise blood pressure or cause restlessness & tremors. Use with caution in cases of deficiency with sweating or wheezing. Toxicity: Three cases of ephedrine toxicity were reported after ingestion of as little as 15ml of a 1% solution. Symptoms included diaphoresis, temperature elevation (up to 39.2 c), epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting. Atropine was used successfully as an antidote. Especially in conjunction with cardiac glycosides, ephedrine can cause cardiac arrhythmias. |
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Gui Zhi / Cinnamon Twig |
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Taste: Acrid, Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Adjusts the nutritive & protective qi levels: for exterior cold from deficiency patterns where sweating occurs without any improvement in the patient's condition.
2. Warms the channels & disperses cold: for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction in joints & limbs, especially the shoulders. Also for gynecological problems, such as dysmenorrhea, caused by cold obstructing the blood.
3. Unblocks the yang & transforms the qi: for edema due to accumulation of cold phlegm or weak movement of the yang qi.
4. Warms & facilitates the flow of yang qi in the chest: for palpitations due to obstruction to the flow of yang qi in the chest. This can be due to either stagnation or deficiency.
5. Warms & facilitates the flow in the blood vessels: for dysmennorrhea with or without abdominal masses. |
MeridiansHeart, Lung, Bladder |
CautionsContraindcated for warm-febrile diseases, yin deficiency with heat signs, & heat in the blood with vomiting. Use with caution during pregnancy or excessive menstruation. |
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Xing Ren / Apricot Kernel |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Relieve Coughing & Wheezing |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Stops coughing & calms wheezing: used quite broadly for many kinds of cough disorders caused by either heat or cold, depending on the combination. Because the herb is moist in nature, it is especially useful for externally contracted dry cough.
2. Moistens the Intestines & unblocks the bowels: this secondary use of the herb derives from its high oil content.
Apricot Kernel - Northern - Bei Xing Ren is bitter. It is better for cough due to heat (excess condition).
Apricot Kernel - Southern - Nan Xing Ren is sweeter. It is better for cough due to deficiency. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung |
CautionsUse with caution in treating infants & in cases of diarrhea. May antagonize huang qi, huang qin, & ge gen. Slightly toxic. |
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Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi |
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.
2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs.
3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically.
4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs.
5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels.
6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically.
7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |