bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

Take the four ingredients on the right, boil them in nine sheng of water. First boil the Ephedra, reducing it by two sheng, and skim off the foam on the surface. Then add the other herbs, and boil until two and a half sheng remain. Strain the decoction, and take eight ge while warm. Cover yourself to induce slight sweating. There is no need to consume porridge. The rest should follow the Cinnamon Twig method for recuperation.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Releasing exterior with pungent-warm, ventilating lung and relieving panting.

bubble_chart Indications

Exterior excess type of external contraction wind-cold syndrome/pattern. Severe aversion to cold, mild fever, headache, joint pain, no sweating but panting, thin white tongue coating, and floating tight pulse.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

This formula is one of the representative formulas for treating external contraction in the theory of cold-damage disease, and has been widely used throughout history. In the formula, Ephedra is bitter, pungent, and warm, inducing sweating to release the exterior, ventilating the lung, and relieving panting; Cinnamon Twig releases the flesh and dispels wind, assisting Ephedra in inducing sweating; Bitter Apricot Seed promotes the descent of lung qi, enhancing the panting-relieving effect of Ephedra; and roasted Liquorice Root harmonizes the various herbs and prevents excessive sweating from damaging the body's fluids. The combination of these herbs induces sweating to release the exterior, dispels wind and disperses cold, opens the striae and interstices of the skin, and promotes the smooth flow of lung qi, allowing the pathogenic factors to be expelled through sweating and thus resolving the condition.

bubble_chart Syndrome Differentiation

1. fever and chills.
2. headache and body pain.
3. without sweating and panting.
4. floating and tight pulse.

bubble_chart Formula Modification

1. Dampness with cold: add White Atractylodes Rhizome to dissipate cold and eliminate dampness.
2. With interior heat: add Gypsum to clear interior heat.
3. Cough: add White Mulberry Root-Bark, Perilla Leaf, Dried Tangerine Peel, Poria to resolve phlegm and relieve cough.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

If external pathogens have entered the interior and transformed into heat, or if measles have already erupted, sores and ulcers have already ulcerated, or there are symptoms of deficiency-type edema, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, it should not be used.

bubble_chart Modern Application

This formula promotes sweating, reduces fever, relieves cough and asthma, enhances lung ventilation, and alleviates spasms of the tracheal (bronchial) smooth muscles. It is used for common cold, influenza, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infections, neuralgia, and arthritis.