Ephedra ( 麻黄 ) ...Chinese Herb...
Latin
Plant Name
Ephedra Sinensis
Pinyin
Mandarin Name
Ma Huang
Common
English Name
Ephedra
Part
of Plant Used
Twigs and stems
Nature
Warm
Taste
Acrid, bitter
Meridians
Entered
Lungs, Bladder
Common
Usages
Ephedra is one of the major herbs used to treat wheezing (TCM: poor Lung
Qi circulation). It is also used in formulas that induce sweating where there
are symptoms of fever with no sweating, together with chills and headache
(TCM: exterior cold); also used to treat asthma and allergies (TCM: wind-cold
conditions).
Traditional
Usages and Functions
eleases exterior and disperses cold; facilitates normal circulation of Lung
Qi and controls wheezing; promotes urination and reduces edema.
Common
Formulas Used In
Ma Huang; Pueraria Combination.
Processing
Required
-
Remarks
Avoid using at night. Ephedra is a mild stimulant and may interfere with
sleep, especially if the person already has insomnia.
Cautions
in Use
Do not use this herb where there is high blood pressure or cardiac asthma.
Use with caution in deficient conditions with chronic sweating or wheezing.
Leave Ephedra
|