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Cura x Cura

Sheng Ma升麻

Cimicifugae Rhizoma · Cimicifuga Rhizome · Bugbane Rhizome

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

Overview

An acrid, sweet and slightly cold rhizome with two quite different careers: at the surface it vents rashes that will not come out and clears fire from the Stomach channel, and in the interior it lifts qi that has sunk, which is the role it plays alongside Huang Qi and Chai Hu in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. The Chinese herb comes from Cimicifuga foetida, C. heracleifolia or C. dahurica and is not the same plant as Western black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) sold for menopausal symptoms — the two should not be substituted for one another. Dry-fried Sheng Ma 炒升麻 and honey-prepared Sheng Ma 蜜炙升麻 have their venting edge softened and are chosen when the aim is to raise sunken qi rather than to push a pathogen outward.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, slightly sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung · Spleen · Stomach · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
升麻Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Vents rashes, releases the exteriorEarly-stage measles and other eruptive patterns where the rash is slow to surface; wind-heat headache.
  • Clears heat, resolves toxicityMouth and gum ulcers, toothache, swollen painful throat and headache from Stomach fire — the pattern addressed by Qing Wei San.
  • Raises sunken yang qiBearing-down sensation, rectal or uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhoea and persistent uterine bleeding from sinking middle qi; used with qi tonics, and best in the dry-fried or honey-prepared form.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Sheng Ma

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Measles and eruptive rashes slow to surface
    - Mouth ulcers, swollen gums, toothache and sore throat from Stomach fire
    - Prolapse and bearing-down sensation from sinking qi
    - Chronic diarrhoea or uterine bleeding on a deficient, sinking background

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Mouth ulcersGingivitisSore throatRectal prolapseMeasles

Contraindications

Cautions

Strongly lifting and dispersing: not for Liver-yang rising, yin deficiency with flaring fire, rebellious qi with wheezing and fullness, or once a rash has fully surfaced. Doses above the usual range have been associated with nausea, dizziness, headache and tremor — stay within the range a practitioner sets. Not to be substituted for, or combined blindly with, Western black cohosh products.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No absolute prohibition, but its strong lifting action means it should never be self-prescribed in pregnancy — practitioner supervision is required.

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》.

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.