Ephedra 6 gm (de-noded), Cinnamon Twig 4 gm (peeled), Licorice Root 3 gm (roasted), Apricot Kernel 9 gm (peeled, tip removed).

bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

Take the above 4 ingredients, add 900 ml of water, first boil Ephedra, remove the scum, then add the other herbs, decoct until reduced to 300 ml, remove the dregs, administer 150 ml while warm, and cover up to induce slight sweating.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Inducing sweating to releasing exterior, ventilating lung and relieving panting.

bubble_chart Indications

External contraction wind-cold, aversion to cold with fever, headache, body pain, joint pain, absence of sweating, wheezing and cough, absence of thirst, thin white tongue coating, and floating tight pulse. Currently used for influenza, bronchitis, and bronchial asthma presenting with the above symptoms.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

In the formula, Ephedra disperses wind-cold, ventilates the lung, and relieves panting as the sovereign; Cinnamon Twig, acrid and warm, releases the flesh as the minister; Bitter Apricot Seed diffuses and descends lung qi, stops coughing, and calms panting as the assistant; Prepared Liquorice Root harmonizes the various herbs as the envoy. The combination of these four ingredients has the effect of inducing sweating to release the exterior, ventilating the lung, and relieving panting.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, and those with external contraction of wind-heat or physical weakness should avoid use.