Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Chinese: 麻黄细辛附子汤
Pinyin: Má Huáng Xì Xīn Fù Zǐ Tāng
Other names: Ephedra, Asarum, and Aconite Accessory Root Decoction
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MeaslesMigraineSciatica and thirteen other conditions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Contraindications: This formula should be used safely to release the Exterior only in cases where... This formula should be used safely to release the Exterior only in cases where the underlying Yang Deficiency is mild. When the Deficiency is severe, this formula should be avoided because it can seriously damage the Yang. 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 Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ephedra (Ma Huang) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency. Its main actions are: 1) tonifes the Yang and 2) releases the Exterior.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the three ingredients in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang helps treat.
The three ingredients in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ma Huang is warm and acrid. It promotes sweating, releases the Exterior, and disperses the Cold. Ephedra and Prepared aconite is a good pair in this formula. Ephedra opens the skin pores to expels pathogen, while Prepared aconite boosts the Interior Yang Qi to push the pathogen.
Zhi Fu Zi is a deputy ingredient in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi)
Zhi Fu Zi acrid and warm. It warms the Kidneys and also boosts the Yang. Ephedra and Prepared aconite is a good pair in this formula. Ephedra opens the skin pores to expels pathogen, while Prepared aconite boosts the Interior Yang Qi to push the pathogen.
Xi Xin is an assistant ingredient in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
3. Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Xi Xin assists the key Herb in releasing the Exterior and the Deputy Herb in dispersing the Interior-Cold. It also acts as an envoy by entering the Lesser Yin Kidney Channel, where it aids in focusing the formula's actions on the Lesser Yin-Warp Symptoms.
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