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Ma Huang麻黄

Herba Ephedrae · Ephedra · Chinese Ephedra Stem

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药《神农本草经》

Overview

The jointed green stem of ephedra, and the most forceful exterior-releasing herb in the materia medica — the chief of Ma Huang Tang, given for a wind-cold attack that has locked the surface tight: strong chills, fever, body ache, no sweat at all. It does three things at once, opening the pores to sweat, opening the Lung so a wheeze settles, and opening the water passages so oedema drains. It is also the herb in this reference that demands the most caution: its alkaloids are stimulants, it raises blood pressure and heart rate, and it is legally restricted in many countries. Honey-preparing it blunts the sweating action and leaves the cough-and-wheeze effect, which is the form used when the surface does not need opening.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, slightly bitter · Warm

Channels

Lung · Bladder

Typical Dosage

2–9 g in decoction
麻黄Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Releases the exterior, promotes sweatingWind-cold attack with a tightly closed surface — pronounced chills, fever, headache, body ache and no sweating.
  • Diffuses the Lung, calms wheezingWheezing and cough from Lung qi that cannot spread, with or without an exterior pattern; the honey-prepared stem is used when only this action is wanted.
  • Promotes urination, reduces oedemaAcute oedema that appears in the upper body and face along with an exterior pattern — what the classics call wind oedema.
  • The honey-prepared formHoney-frying moderates the diaphoretic force and moistens, so it is the choice for wheeze and cough in patients who must not be made to sweat; the raw stem is reserved for genuinely locked-tight exterior cold.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ma Huang

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Wind-cold with chills, fever, body ache and absence of sweating
    - Wheezing and cough from constrained Lung qi
    - Acute wind oedema of the face and upper body
    - Painful obstruction of wind-cold-damp, in appropriate combination

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

AsthmaBronchospasmCommon coldNasal congestionEdema

Contraindications

Cautions

This herb needs real care and should only be used on a practitioner's prescription. Its ephedrine-type alkaloids are cardiovascular and central stimulants: they raise blood pressure and heart rate and can cause palpitations, tremor, sweating, agitation and insomnia. Do not use it in hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary or other heart disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, prostatic enlargement with urinary retention, or in anyone with insomnia or anxiety it would aggravate, and do not combine it with MAO inhibitors, other stimulants including large amounts of caffeine, or medicines for blood pressure or heart rhythm without medical advice. Avoid it where sweating is already present, in surface deficiency, and in yin-deficient or Lung-heat cough. Ephedrine-alkaloid products are banned or restricted in the United States, several European countries and elsewhere, and it is a prohibited substance in competitive sport. Keep courses short, stop it as soon as sweating breaks and the surface opens, and never self-prescribe it or take it for weight loss or performance.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy — it induces strong sweating and is a cardiovascular stimulant; it is used during pregnancy only if a practitioner judges it necessary, which is uncommon.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》; national regulations on ephedrine-alkaloid products vary — check local law.

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.