Herbology 1 -- Ma Huang

Question 1

Ma Huang

麻黃

Pinyin: má huáng

Answer 1

Question 2

Category

Answer 2

Warm, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior

Question 3

Pharmaceutical Name

Answer 3

Ephedrae Herba

Question 4

Family

Answer 4

Ephedraceae

Question 5

Standard Species

Answer 5

Ephedra Sinica Stapf (草麻黄 cao ma huang)

Ephedra Intermedia Schrenk & C.A. Mey

(中麻黄 zhong ma huang)

Ephedra Equisetina Bge. (木賊麻黄 mu zei ma huang)

Question 6

English

Answer 6

Ephedra Stem

Ma Huang

Question 7

Japanese

Answer 7

Mao

Question 8

Korean

Answer 8

Mahwang

Question 9

Text in which first appeared

Answer 9

Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica

Question 10

Properties

Answer 10

Acrid

Slightly Bitter

Warm

Question 11

Channels Entered

Answer 11

Lung

Bladder

Question 12

Key Characteristics

Answer 12

Induces Sweating

Calms Wheezing

Promote Urination

Question 13

Dosage

Answer 13

2-9 Grams

Question 14

Cautions & ContraIndications

Answer 14

1. Spontaneous sweating from exterior deficiency
2. Night Sweating from yin deficiency
3. Kidney Deficiency Asthma
4. Cannot Use Long Term
5. Cannot Use with Hypertension

_______________________________________________

1. Because this herb has a rather strong effect of inducing sweating and opeing up the Lungs, the dosage should not be too large
2. Nor should it be prescribed, without some adjustment in the prescription:

• for those who are debilitated
• those with spontaneous sweating from exterior deficiency
• those with night sweats from yin deficiency
• those with wheezing associal with the failure of Kidneys to accept qi

Question 15

Actions & Indications

(Functions): 1 of 4

Answer 15

1. Induces sweating & release the exterior

• For patterns of wind-cold exterior excess (greater yang cold damage)
• chills, fever, headache, absence of sweating, and a tight, floating pulse.
• This herb is very effective in opening the pores and interstices to release the exterior

Question 16

Actions & Indications

Functions: 2 of 4

Answer 16

1. Disseminates and facilitates the Lung Qi, calms wheezing, and stops coughing: for cough and wheezing due to wind-cold obstructing the Lungs

• Encourages the Lung Qi to flow more easily and directs it downward.
• Important for treating either externally-contracted or internally-generated wheezing

Question 17

Actions & Indications

Functions: 3 of 4

Answer 17

1. Promotes Urination and reduces Edema

• Especially for edema that accompanies an exterior condition. This is Yang Shui – open the Lung Qi and water can flow down.
• Easier to flow if the top and bottom are open

Question 18

Actions & Indications

Functions: 4 of 4

Answer 18

1. Warms and disperses cold pathogens
   * Useful for wind-damp painful obstruction and deep-rooted toxic sores without a head

Question 19

Preparations

Answer 19

1. Sheng Ma Huang (raw)
   * Induces Sweating
2. Zhi Ma Huang (Prepared with honey)

• Stops cough and asthma
• Cannot use for deficiency asthma (kidney yang deficiency asthma)