WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

It is the dried root and rootstalk of Ephedra sinica stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C.A.Mey., family Ephedraceae. The medicinal material is collected after the beginning of autumn (one of the traditional Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms). After the fibrous roots are removed, it is dried in the sunshine and cut into segments. The raw form is utilized as a medicine.

[Medicinal Properties]: Sweet, slightly astringent, and neutral; relate to the lung meridian.

[Medicinal Efficacies]: Strengthen superficies and stop sweating.

[Clinical Application]: Spontaneous sweating and night sweating                   For spontaneous sweating due to deficiency of qi, it can be used combined with Huangqi and Muli, such as in the formula Muli Powder. In cases of night sweating due to yin deficiency, it is usually used together with Shudihuang and Danggui. To treat frequent perspiration after delivery due to asthenia, it can be used in combination with Danggui and Huangqi. Also, it can be used with Muli and prepared as powder for external application, for any sweating syndrome, due to asthenia.

[Usage and Dosage]: 3-9g is used for oral use. For external application, the amount should be appropriate.

[Precautions]: It is contraindicated in those patients who have contracted exogenous pathogens.

麻黄根为麻黄科植物草麻黄 Ephedra sinica stapf 或中麻黄 Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C.A.Mey.的根及根茎。主产于河北、山西、内蒙古、甘肃、四川等地。立秋后采收。剪去须根，干燥切段。生用。