Use of Ma Huang (ephedra) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove smaller stems, residual roots and impurities, cut into sections and dry.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Ma Huang may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Common cold Fever Headache Acute nephritis Asthma Edema
Contraindications*: Not for those with high blood pressure, risks of cardiovascular diseases or those with insomnia or spontaneous sweating. Use of this herb for extended periods of time or in large doses is not recommended.
Common TCM formulas in which Ma Huang is used*
Ding Chuan Tang
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Lung Heat. Expectorant for asthma.
Conditions targeted*: Chronic bronchitisAsthma and others
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Ding Chuan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ding Chuan Tang, Ma Huang unblocks and redirects the Lung Qi, stops wheezing, and releases the Exterior.
Da Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Conditions targeted*: Upper respiratory tract infectionsInfluenza and others
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Da Qing Long Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Da Qing Long Tang, Ma Huang is a particularly strong diaphoretic that also disseminates the Lung Qi and treats wheezing.
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Conditions targeted*: Upper respiratory tract infectionsBronchitis and others
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xiao Qing Long Tang, Ma Huang releases the Exterior, arrests wheezing, and promotes urination.
Key TCM concepts behind Ma Huang's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ma Huang belongs to the 'Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior' category. Herbs that release the Exterior aim to to treat the early stages of diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the throat or the skin. TCM believes that External diseases such as colds or allergies can only invade the body if the External environment overwhelms our Wei Qi (the TCM version of the immune system). In order to counteract this invasion Warm/Acrid herbs aim to induce sweating by increasing the flow of sweat to our capillary pores. The belief is that this will expel the disease from the body and stop it from invading further.
As suggested by its category Ma Huang is Warm in nature. This means that Ma Huang tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Ma Huang can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Ma Huang also tastes Bitter and Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Ma Huang tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Pungent ingredients tend to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Ma Huang is thought to target the Bladder and the Lung. In TCM the impure water collected by the Kidneys that cannot be used by the body is sent to the Bladder for storage and excretion as urine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.
Research on Ma Huang
A dietary supplement containing a low potency ephedra/caffeine mixture appeared safe and effective in causing loss of weight and body fat, and improving several metabolic parameters.1
Ingestion of ephedra dry extract acutely and chronically affects autonomic nervous activity by tilting the sympathovagal balance toward increased sympathetic activity.2
Sources:
1. Hackman RM, Havel PJ, Schwartz HJ, Rutledge JC, Watnik MR, Noceti EM, Stohs SJ, Stern JS, Keen CL. (2006). Multinutrient supplement containing ephedra and caffeine causes weight loss and improves metabolic risk factors in obese women: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 30(10):1545-56.
2. Chen WL, Tsai TH, Yang CC, Kuo TB. (2010). Effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults. J Ethnopharmacol. , 130(3):563-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.056.