Chinese: 麻杏石甘汤
Pinyin: Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng
Other names: Ephedra Apricot Kernel Gypsum and Licorice Decoction, Ephedra Apricot Kernel Licorice and Gypsum Decoction,
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
- Invigorates Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward
Contraindications: Contraindicated for wheezing due to Cold invasion. Also contraindicated for... Contraindicated for wheezing due to Cold invasion. Also contraindicated for whose condition lingers a long time because of normal Qi Deficiency. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Gypsum (Shi Gao) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates Lung Qi and 2) clears Heat.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang helps treat.
The four ingredients in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ma Huang invigorates Lung Qi so as to ease wheezing. Due to its warm nature, it must be balanced by the cold herb Gypsum, which is also a key herb of the formula. These two ingredients' dosage must be adapted based on specific patient's condition. For example, when the Lung Heat is severe with profuse sweating, Ephedra's dosage should be reduced, while Gypsum's should be increased. If Pernicious Evils haven't left the Exterior completely, Ephedra's dosage should be increased while the Gypsum's should be decrease.
Shi Gao is a king ingredient in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Shi Gao removes the Lung Heat and balances the Heat of Ephedra, which is also a key herb of the formula.
These two ingredients' dosage must be adapted based on specific patient's condition. For example, when the Lung Heat is severe with profuse sweating, Ephedra's dosage should be reduced, while Gypsum's should be increased. If Pernicious Evils haven't left the Exterior completely, Ephedra's dosage should be increased while the Gypsum's should be decrease. Gypsum also clears Stomach Heat so as to ease thirst. It also removes muscles Heat to relieve fever and spontaneous sweating.
Xing Ren is a deputy ingredient in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLung
Category: Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Xing Ren helps the key ingredient Ephedra in invigorating Lung Qi. The combination of these two are very powerful in directing the rebellious Lung Qi downward so as to stop wheezing.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
4. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients. It also moistens the Lungs and stops coughing.
Conditions and patterns for which Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang may be prescribed
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Symptoms: Acne Thirst Sweating High fever Feeling of heat Shortness of breath Cough with thin yellow sputum
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Lung Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as feeling of heat, thirst, high fever and cough with thin yellow sputum. Patients with Lung Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses.
Lung Heat can be acute or chronic.
When acute, it is one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory. In that case, it is caused by external invasion of the Lungs by Wind-Heat. The patients usually suffer from flaring of nostrils because the Lungs open to the... read more about Lung Heat
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Symptoms: Acne Fever Clump Thirst Asthma Phlegm Anxiety Coughing Wheezing Insomnia Dizziness Chest pain Constipation Chest fullness Feeling of heat Epigastric pain Phlegm in throat Shortness of breath Clumping in the chest Bitter taste in the mouth Epigastric focal distention Focal distention of the chest Stifling sensation in the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Feeling of heaviness of the head and body
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. This pattern leads to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and stifling sensation in the chest. Patients with Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as Red swollen tongue with a sticky yellow coating.
This pattern is similar to Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs, but with additional Heat features, such as feeling of heat, thirst and profuse sticky yellow or green sputum. The typical manifestations of Phlegm are the coughing, short of breath, Phlegm in the throat and chest oppression. The Phlegm can also... read more about Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
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