Ma Huang Tang麻黄汤
Ephedra Decoction
Ingredients4 herbs
Indications
Wind-cold excess pattern of the exterior: cold fastens the interstices, defensive qi cannot disperse, and Lung diffusion is blocked. The defining sign is absence of sweat with aversion to cold out of proportion to the fever.
Clinical Manifestations
- Sudden chills and fever with no sweating at all
- Headache with aching body and joints
- Wheezing or tight cough at the start of a cold
- Stiff neck and shoulders in early wind-cold
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Wheezing predominant, chills mild — reduce Gui Zhi 桂枝 or omit it and lean on Ma Huang 麻黄 with Xing Ren 杏仁
- Irritability from cold constraining to heat — add Shi Gao 石膏 — the shift toward Da Qing Long Tang
- Dampness in the joints with the cold — add Bai Zhu 白术 — the shift toward Ma Huang Jia Zhu Tang
- Abundant phlegm — add Zi Su Zi 紫苏子 and Chen Pi 陈皮
Contraindications
Not for exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, not for wind-heat, and not for a frail, blood-depleted, chronically bleeding or dehydrated patient — the classics single these out precisely because a forced sweat is dangerous in them. Stop dosing once a light sweat appears; a drenching sweat is an overdose.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Ma Huang is a strong diaphoretic with stimulant activity and the whole formula is built to force a sweat; avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Related Formulas
References
Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han
「太阳病，头痛发热，身疼腰痛，骨节疼痛，恶风无汗而喘者，麻黄汤主之。」
- 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）— 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.