The Efficacy and Functions of Ephedra

The main effects and functions of Ephedra (Ma Huang) include: - Promoting sweating to resolve exterior patterns: used to treat exogenous wind-cold conditions, such as aversion to cold, fever, headache, body aches, nasal congestion, absence of sweating, and a floating-tight pulse, which are symptoms of exterior excess syndrome; - Promoting diuresis and reducing edema: effective in treating edema and difficult urination; - Warming and promoting the flow of yang qi: helps warm yang, unblock meridians, relieve pain, stop bedwetting, and alleviate itching; - Regulating lung function and relieving asthma: used to treat cough and wheezing caused by stagnation of lung qi.