Ephedra (de-noded) 9 gm, Peony 9 gm, Asarum 3 gm, Dried Ginger 3 gm, Licorice (roasted) 6 gm, Cinnamon Twig 6 gm (peeled), Schisandra 3 gm, Pinellia 9 gm (washed).

bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

Take the above 8 ingredients, boil Ephedra in 1 liter of water, remove the scum, add the other herbs, decoct until reduced to 300 ml, remove the dregs, and administer 100 ml while warm.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Releasing the external and resolving retained fluid, relieving cough and calming asthma.

bubble_chart Indications

Wind-cold affecting the exterior, internal retention of fluid, aversion to cold with fever, absence of sweating, cough and wheezing, copious thin phlegm, white and slippery tongue coating, floating pulse; subcutaneous fluid retention, heavy body pain, generalized swelling of the skin.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

In the formula, Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig release the exterior, promote sweating, ventilate the lungs, and relieve panting; Dried Ginger and Asarum warm the lungs and resolve fluid retention; Pinellia dries dampness and resolves phlegm; Peony Root paired with Cinnamon Twig harmonizes the nutrient and defensive aspects; Schisandra Fruit astringes the lungs and relieves cough, while preventing the excessive warming and dispersing properties of the other herbs from depleting lung qi; Prepared Liquorice Root moderates the medicinal properties, tonifies qi, and harmonizes the middle. Combined, these ingredients form a formula that releases the exterior, resolves retained fluid, and relieves cough and panting.

bubble_chart Formula Modification

1. If thirsty, go to Pineilia, add Trichosanthes Root 9g;
2. If slightly beneficial, remove Ephedra, add Genkwa (roasted until red) 5g;
3. If choking, remove Ephedra, add Aconite Lateral Root (processed) 1 piece;
4. If dysuria, with slight abdominal distension and fullness, remove Ephedra, add Poria 12g;
5. If wheezing, remove Ephedra, add Bitter Apricot Seed (peeled and pointed) 9g.

bubble_chart Modern Application

Currently used for chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, lung qi swelling, etc., belonging to external contraction of wind-cold with internal retention of fluid.