Ephedra
Ephedrae Herba, Herba Ephedrae
Ma Huang

About

Properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Pungent; slightly bitter; warm

Part(s) used

Herbaceous twigs

Potential toxicity/side effects

Functions/effects it is traditionally believed to have

To induce perspiration for dispelling cold, to relieve asthma, and to cause diuresis.

Conditions/symptoms it is traditionally used to treat

Wind-cold exterior repletion syndrome, headache without sweating, headache and generalized pain, cough, fever, fever and aversion to wind, absence of sweating, congesting lung, non-diffusion of lung qi, cough and asthma, bronchial asthma, wind water edema, nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis, inhibited urination, wind-damp impediment pain, muscle numbness, wind papule itching, yin flat abscess and phlegm node.