Mi Ma Huang (Honey-processed Ephedra)

Mi Mahuang is the honey-fried dried herbaceous stem of Ephedra sinica, Ephedra intermedia or Ephedra equisetina, Latin name Ephedrae Herba Praeparata. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on inducing sweating and releasing the exterior, diffusing the lung and calming dyspnea, and promoting urination and reducing swelling. Raw Mahuang has strong sweating power for diffusing the lung. Guizhi induces sweating and releases the muscles while warming and unblocking. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Mi Mahuang. Caution in exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating.

Pharmacopoeial name Mi Mahuang, Latin Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey. or Ephedra equisetina Bge. Pungent and slightly bitter in taste, warm in nature, enters the Lung and Bladder meridians. Functions to induce sweating and release the exterior, diffuse the lung and calm dyspnea, and promote urination and reduce swelling. Used for wind-cold common cold, chest oppression with dyspnea and cough, and wind-water edema; bronchial asthma. Diffuses the lung and calms dyspnea.

Herbaceous stem is honey-fried. Raw product has strong sweating power; honey-processing moderates sweating and enhances moistening the lung, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.