Prescriptions for Checking the Upward Adverse Flow of Qi
Houpo Mahuang Tang: Classic TCM Formula
Name
The Prescription of Houpo Mahuang Tang
Source
The book Jin Gui Yao Lue
Ingredients
Hou Po 15 g,Ma Huang 12 g,Gan Jiang 6 g,Xing Ren,Shi Gao,Ban Xia,Xi Xin 6 g,Xiao Mai,Wu Wei Zi.Explanation
Ma Huang: Relieving exterior syndrome, dispersing cold pathogen.
Shi Gao: Being pungent and sweet in flavor and very cold in nature, facilitating the flow of the lung-Qi to clear away the lung-heat and preventing the other drugs warm in nature from producing heat, with its dose as two times as that of Ma Huang.
Xing Ren: Promoting the flow of the lung-Qi.
Hou Po: Inducing Qi to flow downward and relieving distention.
Gan Jiang: Warming the lung and dispelling cold so as to eliminate retained phlegm and warming up the spleen-Yang to remove dampness.
Xi Xin: Warming the lung to dispel cold, assisting Gan Jiang in eliminating retained phlegm.
Wu Wei Zi: Astringing the Lung to relieve cough.
Xiao Mai: Strengthening superficies to check sweating, replenishing qi, clearing heat.
Ban Xia: Removing dampness, eliminating phlegm, checking upward adverse flow of Qi and arresting nausea.
The Effect of Houpo Mahuang Tang
Effect
Diffuse the lung and direct qi downward, resolve retained fluid and relieve cough.
Indications
Cough with dyspnea.
Administrations
Decoct in water for oral dose to be taken twice.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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