Ephedra 9 gm, Apricot Kernel 9 gm (peeled, tip removed), Licorice Root 6 gm (roasted), Gypsum 18 gm (crushed, wrapped in cotton fabric).

bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

The above 4 ingredients, with 1.4 liters (7 shēng), first boil Ephedra, reduce to 400 ml (2 shēng), remove the white foam; add the other herbs, decoct to 600 ml (3 shēng). Remove the dregs, administer 200 ml (1 shēng) while warm.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Ventilating the lungs to dissipate heat, relieve cough, and calm asthma.

bubble_chart Indications

Lung heat with wheezing and cough, severe cases may present with shortness of breath and flaring of the nostrils, with or without sweating, persistent fever, thirst, slippery and rapid pulse, and thin yellow tongue coating.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

In the formula, Ephedra serves as the monarch herb for ventilating the lungs and relieving panting; Gypsum acts as the minister herb for clearing lung heat; Bitter Apricot Seed functions as the assistant herb for descending qi and relieving cough; and Liquorice Root serves as the envoy herb to harmonize the other herbs. When these herbs are used together, they can promote the diffusion of lung qi, clear lung heat, and naturally stop panting and coughing.

bubble_chart Modern Application

It is currently used for pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, measles, whooping cough, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions characterized by pathogenic heat obstructing the lungs.