Cimicifuga, Sheng Ma, 升麻
Bugbane, Black Cohoch
Sheng Ma (TCM)
Sheng Ma (TCM)
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Cimicifuga foetida
Zorn, J., Oskamp, D.L., Vervolg op de Afbeeldingen der artseny-gewassen (1813) |
Cimicifuga simplex
Addisonia, Eaton, 1917 |
Botanical name:
Cimicifuga spp.
1. C. foetida (syn Actaea foetida)
2. C. dahurica
3. C. heracleifolia,
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet, Pungent
Classifications:
A. Clear the Exterior
Cimicifuga spp.
1. C. foetida (syn Actaea foetida)
2. C. dahurica
3. C. heracleifolia,
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Sweet, Pungent
Classifications:
A. Clear the Exterior
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat, Promotes Expression of Rashes:
-Fever, acute Cold or Flu
-acute Headache from Wind-Heat
-early stages of Measles; incomplete expression of Toxic-Heat Rashes
2. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-swelling, pain, ulcers of the Mouth, Gums
-swelling and pain of the Throat
-Toxic Sores
3. Raises Yang Qi:
-shortness of Breath, Fatigue
-Prolapses due to falling Qi
DOSE:
Of the Powder: 1–3 grams
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
PREPARATION:
1. Carbonised, it is used to stop Bleeding
SUBSTITUTES:
It is not how similar Sheng Ma is to the American Black Cohosh. Despite having different uses, they may be synonymous in effect. This remains to be seen, however.
Of the Powder: 1–3 grams
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
PREPARATION:
1. Carbonised, it is used to stop Bleeding
SUBSTITUTES:
It is not how similar Sheng Ma is to the American Black Cohosh. Despite having different uses, they may be synonymous in effect. This remains to be seen, however.
Main Combinations:
1. Early stages or incomplete expression of Measles:
i. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Pueraria Ge Gen
ii. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Pueraria Ge Gen, Paeonia Bai Shao, Licorice (as in Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang from Yan Shi Xiao Er Fang Lun [Yan’s Prescriptions for Infantile Diseases]).
iii. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi)
iv. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Peppermint (Bo He), Burdock seed (Niu Bang Zi), Schizonepeta Jing Jie
2. Heat and Toxin:
i. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Fever, Gypsum (Shi Gao)
ii. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Coptis Huang Lian for Sores, Swellings and Ulcers of the Mouth and Throat
iii. Fever, swelling and pain in the Head, Mouth or Throat, Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Scutellaria Huang Qin, Coptis Huang Lian, Figwort root (Xuan Shen), Isatis root (Ban Lan Gen)
3. Swollen, painful Throat:
i. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Figwort root (Xuan Shen)
4. Wind-Cold Common Cold, Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Ephedra Ma Huang, Perilla Zi Su Ye, Angelica Bai Zhi, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong (as in Shi Shen Tang from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang [Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary]).
5. Toothache from Heat-Toxin, Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
6. Prolapse of the Rectum or Uterus:
i. Cimicifuga Sheng Ma with Bupleurum Chai Hu and Astragalus Huang Qi
Cautions:
1. Not for Yin deficient Heat
2. Not for Spitting of Blood
3. Avoid overdose
Main Preparations used:
1. Not for Yin deficient Heat
2. Not for Spitting of Blood
3. Avoid overdose
Main Preparations used: