Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
麻杏石甘汤 · Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng
A classical heat-clearing formula traditionally used in TCM for patterns characterised by Lung Heat with cough and wheezing.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Lung Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear Lung Heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Diffuse the lung, clear heat, and calm wheezing
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical heat-clearing formula traditionally used in TCM for patterns characterised by Lung Heat with cough and wheezing.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Lung Heat has become more pronounced than the exterior Cold, with fever, thirst and wheezing rather than plain chills — placing far greater emphasis on clearing Heat than Ma Huang Tang, while acting on a deeper, more severe stage than the mild early wind-heat cough addressed by Sang Ju Yin.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
Classical Composition
- Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 4 liang (9g)
- Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 50 pieces (9g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 2 liang (6g)
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 0.5 jin (18g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Acrid-cool to scatter the exterior
- clear heat
- and calm labored breathing.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for patterns of externally contracted wind causing pathogenic heat to obstruct the lung.
- Signs and symptoms include continuous fever, cough with rapid qi counterflow or even flaring of nostrils, thirst, presence or absence of sweat, a thin white or yellowish tongue coating, and a superficial and rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by exterior pathogens that penetrate the interior and transform into heat.
- The heat obstructs the lung which then fails to diffuse.
- When external wind-heat invades the exterior and is not released, thereby constrained, wind-cold transforms into heat that penetrates the interior.
- With heat obstructing the lung, the lung fails to diffuse and descend.
Clinical presentation
- Consequently, both the exterior and interior heat up and cause the symptoms of continuous fever, sweating, thirst, yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse.
- This causes cough, rapid qi counterflow, and even flaring of the nostrils.
- The absence of sweating, a thin white coating, and a superficial pulse are signs of residual exterior pathogens.
Treatment strategy
- The correct treatment method is to use acrid-cool medicinals to vent the pathogen, clear the lung, and calm panting.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang | Ma Huang Tang | Sang Ju Yin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Clear Lung Heat | Release exterior Wind-Cold, stop wheezing | Disperse Wind-Heat, stop cough |
| Formula Category | Heat-Clearing Formulas | Exterior-Releasing Formulas | Exterior-Releasing Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Lung Heat | Wind-Cold | Wind-Heat |
| Main Conditions | Cough·Asthma & Wheezing | Cough·Dry Cough·Fever·Cold Limbs | Cough·Dry Cough·Sore Throat·Fever |
| Main Herbs | Ephedra Herb·Gypsum·Bitter Apricot Kernel·Honey-fried Licorice | Ephedra Herb·Cinnamon Twig·Bitter Apricot Kernel·Honey-fried Licorice | Mulberry Leaf·Chrysanthemum Flower·Forsythia Fruit·Mentha / Peppermint·Platycodon Root |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases, Wu Jutong, 1798) |
Clinical Perspective
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Ma Huang Tang, and Sang Ju Yin all address externally-contracted cough, but differ by pattern: Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang clears lung heat with more pronounced fever and thirst, Ma Huang Tang releases wind-cold with chills and absence of sweating, and Sang Ju Yin disperses wind-heat at a milder, earlier stage.
Clinical Differentiation
- Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang is used to treat patterns of unresolved external pathogens complicated by pathogenic heat obstructing the lung with labored breathing and cough.
- Due to the fact that shi gao is double the dosage of ma huang, its action is more on clearing heat and diffusing the lung, and much less on inducing sweat.
- This clinical pattern is marked by fever, coughing and labored breathing, thin and yellow tongue coating, and rapid pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for cough and labored breathing caused by wind-cold with phlegm-heat obstruction.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang?
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang has the actions of diffusing the lung and clearing heat, stopping cough and calming wheezing, and relieving lung heat. It is primarily used for symptoms caused by exuberant lung heat, including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, yellow phlegm, and fever.
Which modern diseases is Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exuberant lung heat, including Acute Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, viral upper respiratory infection, and Post-Infectious Cough.
Is Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang suitable for improving cough and wheezing?
For presentations of frequent coughing, thick yellow phlegm, rapid breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and fever — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms exuberant lung heat — TCM commonly applies Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Related Articles
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang: Traditional Chinese Herbal Formula for Cough, Wheezing, and Lung Heat
Sang Ju Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Early-Stage Wind-Heat, Cough & Sore Throat
Ma Huang Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Wind-Cold Excess & No Sweating
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.