【Chinese Name】 |
麻黃湯
|
【Phonetic】 |
Ma Huang Tang
|
【English Name】 |
Ephedra Decoction |
【Classification】 |
Exterior-releasing formulas |
【Source】 |
《Treatise on Cold Damage》Shang Han Lun《傷寒論》 |
【Combination】 |
Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 3 liang (9g), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 2 liang (6g), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 70 pieces (6g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 1 liang (3g) |
【Method】 |
Prepare Ma Huang Tang as a decoction. The source text points out that ma huang should be decocted first and the foam that collects at the top of the decoction needs to be removed before adding the other medicinals. The decoction should be taken warm and the patient should bundle up with an extra layer to induce a mild sweat. |
【Action】 |
Induces sweating to release the exterior, diffuses the lung to calm labored breathing. |
【Indication】 |
Ma Huang Tang is indicated for an externally contracted wind-cold exterior-excess pattern. The symptoms are aversion to cold, headache, generalized body pain, absence of sweating, and labored breathing. The tongue coating is thin and white, and the pulse is superficial and tight. |
【Pathogenesis】 |
This pattern is due to externally contracted wind-cold which causes the lung qi failing to diffuse. The invasion of the exterior by external wind-cold obstructs the wei yang, blocks and congests the striae and interstices, constrains ying yin, and obstructs the channels. The result is aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweating, headache, and generalized pain. The lung governs the qi and belongs to wei, which is connected with the skin and body hair at the body’s exterior. The regular diffusion and descent of lung qi is affected when the exterior of the body is restrained by wind-cold. The body’s exterior is linked internally with the lung. Therefore, the tension of the body’s exterior constrains the lung qi within. The constrained lung qi ascends counter-flow to induce labored breathing. Thin and white tongue coating and a superficial, tight pulse are indications of an exterior pattern fettered by wind-cold. The treatment is to induce sweating to release the exterior and diffuse the lung to calm labored breathing. |
【Application】 |
1. Essential pattern differentiation Ma Huang Tang is used to treat an externally contracted wind-cold exterior-excess pattern. It is both a fundamental and a representative formula. This clinical pattern is marked by aversion to cold, fever without sweating, labored breathing, superficial and tight pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of an exterior-excess wind-cold pattern: common cold, flu, upper respiratory tract infection, acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and rhinitis. 3. Cautions and contraindications To avoid qi consumption and fluid damage, this formula should not be overdosed because of its drastic sweat-inducing effect. It is not applicable for patients with patterns such as exterior-deficiency wind-cold, exterior wind-heat, and exterior wind-cold with a weak constitution. |
【Additonal formulae】 |
1. Ma Huang Jia Zhu Tang (Ephedra Decoction Plus White Atractylodes, 麻黃加朮湯) [Source]《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》Jin Gui Yao Lue《金匱要略》 [Ingredients] Ma Huang Tang add bai zhu 4 liang (12g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. Ma huang should be decocted first and the foam that collects at the top of the decoction needs to be removed before adding the other medicinals. The decoction should be taken warm and the patient should bundle up with an extra layer to induce a mild sweat. [Actions] Induces sweat to release the exterior, disperses cold and removes dampness. [Applicable Patterns] Exterior wind-cold complicated by damp bi syndrome. Symptoms include: generalized aches and irritability, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, a thin and white tongue coating and a superficial pulse. 2. Ma Huang Xing Ren Yi Yi Gan Cao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Coix and Licorice Decoction, 麻黃杏仁薏苡甘草湯) [Source]《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》Jin Gui Yao Lue《金匱要略》 [Ingredients] Ma huang 0.5 liang (6g), xing ren 10 pieces (3g), yi yi ren 0.5 liang (12g), zhi gan cao 1 liang (3g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. The decoction should be taken warm. [Actions] Induces sweat to release the exterior, dispels wind and eliminates dampness. [Applicable Patterns] Exterior wind-dampness complicated by constrained dampness transforming to heat. Symptoms include: generalized body pain, fever that worsens in the afternoon, absence of sweating, a thin and white tongue coating and a superficial pulse. 3. Da Qing Long Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction, 大青龍湯) [Source]《Treatise on Cold Damage》Shang Han Lun《傷寒論》 [Ingredients] Ma huang 6 liang (12g), gui zhi 2 liang (6g), zhi gan cao 2 liang (6g), xing ren 40 pieces (6g), shi gao 1 egg-sized piece (12g), sheng jiang 3 liang (9g), da zao 12 pieces (3g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. Ma huang should be decocted first and the foam that collects at the top of the decoction needs to be removed before adding the other medicinals. The decoction should be taken warm and the patient should bundle up with an extra layer to induce a mild sweat. [Actions] Induces sweat to release the exterior, clears internal heat. [Applicable Patterns] Externally contracted wind-cold with depressed internal heat. Symptoms include: aversion to cold, fever, headache, body aches, absence of sweating, vexation and agitation, thirst, and a superficial and tight pulse. 4. San ao Tang (Rough and Ready Three Decoction, 三拗湯) [Source]《Beneficial Formulas from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy》Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang《太平惠民和劑局方》 [Ingredients] Gan cao (30g), ma huang (30g), xing ren (30g) [Preparation and Administration] Grind to rough powder and use 5 qian (15g) per intake. Add 5 pieces of sheng jiang upon boiling. Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Diffuses the lung to release the exterior. [Applicable Patterns] Externally contracted wind-cold with lung qi failing to diffuse. Symptoms include: nasal congestion, deep, harsh or loss of voice, and cough and chest oppression. 5. Hua Gai San (Florid Canopy Powder, 華蓋散) [Source]《Extensive Relieving Formulas》Bo Ji Fang《博濟方》 [Ingredients] Zi su zi (dry-fried) 1 liang (30g), ma huang 1 liang (30g), chen pi 1 liang (30g), xing ren 1 liang (30g), sang bai pi 1 liang (30g), chi fu ling 1 liang (30g), gan cao 0.5 liang (15g) [Preparation and Administration] Grind to powder and use 2 qian (6g) per dose. Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Diffuses the lung to release the exterior, dispels phlegm and relieves cough. [Applicable Patterns] Phlegm-excessive constitution with external wind-cold attacking the lung. Symptoms include: cough with white phlegm, oppression and fullness in the chest and diaphragm area, nasal congestion, harsh voice, aversion to cold, fever, a white and moist coating, and a superficial and tight pulse. |
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