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Ma Huang Fu Zi Gan Cao Tang麻黄附子甘草汤

Ephedra, Prepared Aconite and Licorice Decoction

Releasing the Exterior 解表剂Release the Exterior with Tonification 扶正解表

Ingredients3 herbs

麻Ma Huang麻黄去节6gOpens the surface to let the cold out甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙6gModerates both chief herbs so the sweat stays gentle
附Zhi Fu Zi附子炮，去皮，破八片9gWarms the Kidney yang that the sweat would otherwise drain

Indications

Warms yang and releases the exterior gentlyRaises a mild sweat without depleting yangModerates a strong warming pair

Shaoyin exterior cold of a milder degree: yang is still weak and the surface still holds cold, but neither is acute enough to warrant the sharper formula.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Mild lingering cold in a yang-deficient patient
  • Chills and body ache a few days into an illness
  • Cold-natured patient who tolerates strong sweating badly
  • Puffiness with cold and a deep pulse
TonguePale with a white coating
PulseDeep and faint

Health Categories

Heart & CirculationEnergy & FatigueCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Common cold in the elderlyChronic fatigueBradycardiaCold intoleranceMild oedema

Common adjustments

  • Chills severe with sleepiness — the sharper Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang fits better
  • Puffiness with scanty urine — add Fu Ling 茯苓 and Bai Zhu 白术

Contraindications

Not for any heat pattern, nor for yin deficiency with heat. Fu Zi must be the processed form, decocted first and long; numbness of the mouth or tongue, palpitations or nausea means stopping immediately and seeking care. Gan Cao is prominent here, so it is unsuitable for long courses in a patient with hypertension or oedema.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Both Ma Huang and Fu Zi are present; being the gentler of the pair of shaoyin formulas does not make it acceptable during pregnancy.

Related Formulas

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「少阴病，得之二三日，麻黄附子甘草汤微发汗。以二三日无里证，故微发汗也。」
— 《伤寒论》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— 附方 note under 麻黄细辛附子汤, pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.