The Complete Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine

[This book is for study purposes only. It is not for practical use.]

[Name of Chinese medicinal herb]: Ma Huang

[Family]: Ephedra family

[Medicinal part]: Herbaceous stems

[Main effects]:

(1) Induces sweating and releases the exterior: Ma Huang is good at dispersing lung qi, opening the interstices, and unblocking the pores. It promotes sweating to dispel pathogenic wind and cold, making it an important herb for treating exterior excess patterns caused by external wind and cold. For example, when a cold causes pronounced chills, fever, no sweating, headaches and body aches, and a thin white tongue coating, Ma Huang can help induce sweating and relieve the symptoms.

(2) Disperses lung qi and relieves asthma: Ma Huang can help lung qi flow freely and is effective in relieving symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. It is especially suited to wheezing and coughing caused by external wind and cold constraining the body and obstructing lung qi. For instance, during an acute asthma attack triggered by wind and cold, with chest tightness, coughing, and excessive phlegm, Ma Huang can effectively relieve the wheezing.

(3) Promotes urination and reduces swelling: By helping lung qi flow freely and regulating the water passages, it supports the body's fluid metabolism. It can treat excess-type edema, especially wind edema, which is caused by pathogenic wind. For example, Ma Huang can help reduce symptoms such as swollen eyelids that occur in the early stages of some cases of acute glomerulonephritis.