Prepared Ephedra
Herba Ephedrae Preparata
Zhi Ma Huang

About

Properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Warm; pungent; slightly bitter

Part(s) used

Potential toxicity/side effects

Functions/effects it is traditionally believed to have

Treatment of common cold with wind-cold syndrome (marked by chilliness and mild fever, headache, stuffed and running nose, general aching, but no sweating), edema in acute nephritis, bronchial asthma.herba ephedrae (processed with honey) cough in common cold at later stage when chilliness has been absent.

Conditions/symptoms it is traditionally used to treat

1. its effects on cardiovascular system are similar to epinephrine in many aspects, but persist seven to ten times longer. the myocardial contractility and cardiac output are augmented and cardiac, cerebral and muscular blood flows are increased.2. its bronchodilative effect is less prominent but more sustained than epinephrine.3. mydriatic upon local application to the eye.4. antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic.