Chinese Herbal Formulas That Release Exterior Cold Disorders

Ma Huang Tang

Ephedra Decoction

Main Actions for Ma Huang Tang

this herbal formula induces sweat, expels exterior wind cold excess conditions and regulates the lungs to stop wheezing.

Indications and Symptoms for Ma Huang Tang

Chills with fever, aversion to cold, tight headache, body soreness, body aching, no sweating, edema, hives, bi syndrome, rhinitis

Tongue – normal

Pulse – superficial, tense

Medicinal Ingredients of Ma Huang Tang

Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae, Ephedra Stem, ma-huang) – 9g.

Release exterior cold, create sweat, moves lung qi, promote urination

Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae, Cinnamon, Cassia Twig) – 6g.

Release exterior cold, warms channels, unblocks yang qi in chest

Xi Xin (Herba Cum Radice Asari, Chinese Wild Ginger, Asarum) – 6g.

Release exterior damp cold, body aches, warms lung, clear phlegm, aids nasal congestion

Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis, Licorice Root) - 3g.

Harmonize herbal formulas, moisten lung, tonify spleen/stomach

Preparation Instructions of Ma Huang Tang

9 cups/litres of water, add ma huang, boil down to 7 cups, scoop off frothy foam

add gui zhi, xi xin and zhi gan cao, keep boiling down to 4.5 cups

makes 2 servings of 2 cups each.

Additional Points on Ma Huang Tang

After each dose patient should be covered up with a blanket and sweating is encouraged. A good treatment may make the patient soak through their garments 2 times during the night.

Modifications of Ma Huang Tang:

Eye bleed – add Chi Shao 10g, Sang Bai Pi 10g, Sheng Jiang 3g, da Zao 3g.

Nose bleed – add Mai Dong 10g,Bai Mao Gen 10g,Sheng Jiang 3g,Bo He 3g,Da Zao 3g,

Psoriasis – take out Xing Ren and Gan Cao,

Add Si Wu Tang (-Chuan Xiong) add Chi Shao, He Shou Wu, Dan Shen, Bai

Itchy Flaking – add Wu Shao She, Quan Xie

Red Swollen – add Tu Mu Bie

On head – add Qian Huo

On limbs – add Wei Ling Xian