Má Huáng (麻黄), known in English as Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), is a warm, acrid and slightly bitter Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Cold) category. It enters the Lung and Bladder channels. Its main action: induces sweating, releases exterior Wind-Cold.
| Pinyin | Má Huáng (Ma Huang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 麻黄 |
| English | Ephedra |
| Botanical name | Ephedra sinica |
| Category | Release exterior (Cold) |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Slightly bitter |
| Channels | Lung, Bladder |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Deficiency sweating; Yin deficiency; hypertension; insomnia |
Actions
- Induces sweating, releases exterior Wind-Cold
- Diffuses Lung qi, calms wheezing and cough
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Wind-Cold exterior excess with no sweating
- Wheezing due to Wind-Cold obstructing Lung
- Oedema with fever
How to remember Má Huáng
Release exterior (Cold) herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Cold) herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Diffuses Lung qi”
- Bladder channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Slightly bitter: unusual for Release exterior (Cold) herbs (most are acrid)
Formulas containing Má Huáng
Other Release exterior (Cold) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Má Huáng?
Má Huáng is warm and acrid and slightly bitter.
Which channels does Má Huáng enter?
Má Huáng enters the Lung and Bladder channels.
What are the actions of Má Huáng?
Induces sweating, releases exterior Wind-Cold; Diffuses Lung qi, calms wheezing and cough; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Má Huáng used for?
Wind-Cold exterior excess with no sweating; wheezing due to Wind-Cold obstructing Lung; oedema with fever.
Which formulas contain Má Huáng?
Má Huáng Tāng, Xiǎo Qīng Lóng Tāng, Dìng Chuǎn Tāng, Wū Tóu Tāng and Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng.
Practise Má Huáng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.