Ma Huang Gen麻黄根
Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma · Ephedra Root
Overview
The root and rhizome of the same plant that gives Ma Huang, and its exact opposite in use. Where the stem opens the pores and drives sweat out, the root closes them and holds sweat in: sweet, astringent and neutral, it is the standard herb for daytime spontaneous sweating and for night sweats, whichever deficiency lies underneath. It does not release the exterior and has none of the stimulant character of the stem. Powdered, it is also dusted on the skin for localised sweating.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, slightly astringent · NeutralChannels
LungTypical Dosage
3–9 g in decoctionActions
2 core actions
- Stops sweatingSpontaneous daytime sweating from qi deficiency and night sweats from yin deficiency — always given with herbs that address the deficiency itself.
- Checks local sweating (external)Ground with Mu Li 牡蛎 and dusted on for sweaty palms and underarms, or for heavy postpartum sweating.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Ma Huang Gen
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Spontaneous daytime sweating of qi deficiency
- Night sweats of yin deficiency
- Heavy postpartum sweating
- Localised sweating of the palms and underarms (external)
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Astringent only: it holds sweat in but does nothing about the deficiency that is causing it, so it belongs alongside the herbs that treat the root, not on its own. It must not be used while there is still an exterior pattern to release — closing the pores during a fever with chills traps the pathogen inside. The root and the stem (Ma Huang 麻黄) act in opposite directions and must never be substituted for one another; check the label before dispensing, since only the stem carries the stimulant alkaloids and the regulatory restrictions that go with them. Our dispensary data flags no toxicity and no allergy risk for the root.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; it is commonly used for heavy postpartum sweating
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu《本草经集注》 (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》.
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.