Ephedra Sinica(Ma Huang)

Mahuang is the dried stem of Ephedra sinica stapf. In fall, the green herbaceous stem is reaped. After sun dried, wood stem, remained root and impurity are removed, it is cut into segments. The raw front is used, or after processed with honey or pounded into wool-shaped.

Medicinal Properties: Pungent, slightly bitter and warm

Meridian Tropism: Lung and bladder meridians

Medicinal Efficacies: Disperse cold, relieve exterior; ventilate lung, relieve dyspnea; promote urination and alleviate edema.

Clinical Applications:

Exterior syndrome of wind-cold: Mahuang treats wind-cold syndrome of exterior-excess type, manifesting as aversion to cold, no sweat, fever, headache, floating, and tense pulse, therefore known as the most significant medicinal to induce sweat to release superficies. The classic formula is Mahuag Decoction.

Usage and Dosage: 2-9g. It is good at inducing sweating to release superficies in raw form. For stopping cough and dyspnea, it is used after stir-baked.

Precautions: With spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency, night sweat due to yin deficiency, and dyspnea due to insufficiency of lung and kidney, should be cautious while using it.