Why can ephedra not only perspire and relieve exterior syndrome, but also induce diuresis and reduce swelling?

Ephedra sinica is a herbaceous plant recorded in China Pharmacopoeia. Its medicinal source is the dried stems of Ephedra sinica, Casuarina equisetifolia or Casuarina equisetifolia. Cut the stems of green grass in autumn and dry them. It is warm in nature, pungent in taste and slightly bitter, and has the effects of sweating, dispelling cold, dispersing lung qi and relieving asthma, inducing diuresis and reducing swelling. Can be used for treating common cold due to wind-cold, chest distress and asthma, geomantic edema, and bronchial asthma. Alias: Ephedra Stapf, Ephedra, Ephedraceae, Ephedra, 20-40 cm high; Woody stems is short or prostrate. There are three kinds of ephedra plants: Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina equisetifolia and Ephedra sinica, which are herbaceous shrubs and important medicinal plants.

The alkaloid content is rich, which is the main source of ephedrine extraction. Less woody stems, easy to process and refine; Because it is often born in plains, hillsides, riverbeds, grasslands and other places, it is easy to harvest. Ephedra has strong sweating ability, so it should be contraindicated or used with caution for patients with exogenous wind-cold, palpitation and insomnia and cough due to lung deficiency. The elderly, the infirm and children should use ephedra pilose antler. Chinese medicine for expelling wind and cold (named after its taste and color, Compendium of Materia Medica says: "Its taste is hemp, and its color is yellow").