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Ephedra root, Ma Huang Gen 麻黄根

Ma Huang Gen (TCM)
Ephedra spp.
Alpini, P., De plantis exoticis libri duo, 1629

Above: Ephedra sinica growing wild near Urumqi, Xinjiang, China (Adam, 2017)

Botanical name:
Ephedra sinica, E. intermedia

Parts used:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Sweet

Classification:
R. Astringent

Uses:
1. Astringes to Stop Sweating:
-Spontaneous Sweating from Qi deficiency
-Night Sweating from Yin deficiency, or Deficient Heat
-Postpartum Sweating
-externally, the powder can be used to stop sweating


DOSE:
In Decoction: 3–9 grams
Of the Powder: 1–3 grams

COMMENT:
Ephedra root has an opposing effect to Ephedra herb. Ephedra herb clears the exterior by promoting Sweat. The root, however, astringes the exterior to stop Sweating.

Main Combinations:
1. Spontaneous Sweating:
i. Ephedra root, Oyster Shell (Mu Li), Astragalus Huang Qi (equal parts) (as in Mu Li San)
ii. from Qi deficiency, Ephedra root, Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng
iii. from Yang deficiency, Ephedra root, Astragalus Huang Qi, Wheat (Fu Xiao Mai), Oyster shell (Mu Li).
2. Night Sweats from Yin deficiency:
i. Ephedra root with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
ii. from Yin deficiency, Ephedra root, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Paeonia Bai Shao, Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
iii. Ephedra root with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Platycladus seed Bai Zi Ren, calcined Oyster shell (Duan Mu Li)
3. Postpartum Sweating:
i. Ephedra root with Oyster Shell (Mu Li)
ii. Ephedra root, Astragalus Huang Qi, Dang Gui.

Major Formulas:
Mu Li San


Cautions:
1. Not used in exterior (acute) conditions. In these cases, sweating is desired.

Main Preparations used: