What are the effects of ephedra? What can Ephedra treat?
Alternative names: Chinese ephedra, casuarina, mountain ephedra, hops, and Ephedra burdockii.
Medical property category: medicine for dispersing wind and cold
Nature, flavor and meridians: pungent, slightly bitter, warm. Returns to the lung and bladder meridians.
Functions and indications: sweating and dispersing cold, relieving lungs and relieving asthma, diuresis and reducing swelling. It is used for colds, chest tightness, wheezing and cough, feng shui edema and bronchial asthma. Honey ephedra moistens the lungs and relieves cough. It is mostly used for asthma and cough after superficial symptoms have been resolved.
Usage and dosage: 2~9g of Zhizhi Ephedra.
Storage: Store in a ventilated and dry place, away from moisture.
Clinical application:
1. Ephedra decoction ("Treatise on Febrile Diseases") for treating Taiyang disease, headache, fever, body pain, waist pain, joint pain, aversion to wind, no sweating and asthma: Ephedra 10g (remove joints), 6g cinnamon twigs (peeled), 3g licorice (broiled), 70 almonds (peeled and pointed). Take the above 4 flavors, take 9 liters of water, boil ephedra first, reduce 2 liters, remove the foam, add all the medicines, boil 2.5 liters, remove the dross, take 8 grams warmly, take it over and it will feel like sweating, no need to cut open and sip the porridge. The ephedra in the prescription dispels wind and cold.
2. Ephedra, almond, licorice and gypsum decoction ("Treatise on Febrile Diseases") can not be used to treat Taiyang disease and sweating, and Guizhi decoction should not be used. For those with sweating and asthma without severe fever: 12 g of ephedra (remove knots) , 50 almonds (peeled and sharpened), 6 g licorice (broiled), 25g gypsum (crushed, cotton bag). Take the above 4 flavors, boil ephedra with 7 liters of water, reduce 2 liters, remove the foam, add all the medicines, boil 2 liters, remove the dross, and take 1 liter warmly. The prescription uses ephedra as the king, which can relax the lungs and release evil heat.
3. Shegan Mahuang Decoction ("Synopsis of the Golden Chamber") is mainly used to treat cough and asthma caused by phlegm and fluid retention. Shegan 6g, Ephedra 9g, Ginger 9g, Asarum 3g, Aster 6g, Coltsfoot 6g, Jujube 3, Pinellia 9g, Schisandra chinensis 3g. Decoction in water, one dose per day. Use ephedra combined with Schisandra chinensis to make the Xuanzhong astringent, open and close.