What are the effects and functions of ephedra

The use of many medicines in life has its own rules. Not all medicines can be used casually, just like ephedra. Although ephedra is a common Chinese medicinal material, its effects and functions are also targeted. It can relieve diseases related to wind and cold, but you should also pay attention to the dosage.

1. Ephedra is used to treat wheezing and coughing caused by wind-cold binding outside the body and stagnation of lung qi. Ephedra can invigorate the lungs, dispel wind and cold and relieve asthma. Ephedra is combined with apricot kernel and licorice, namely Sanao Decoction, which can enhance the anti-asthmatic effect; if there is also cold phlegm in the body, ephedra can be combined with asarum, dried ginger, pinellia, etc. to warm the cold phlegm and relieve asthma and cough, such as Xiaoqinglong Decoction; if the asthma and cough are caused by heat evil blocking the lungs, ephedra can be combined with gypsum, apricot kernel, licorice, etc. to clear the lungs and relieve asthma, namely Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction.

2. Ephedra is used for external wind-cold, aversion to cold and fever, headache and body pain, nasal congestion, no sweating, floating and tight pulse and other external symptoms. Ephedra can promote lung qi, open the pores, dispel wind and cold, and induce sweating to relieve exterior symptoms. Ephedra is often used together with cinnamon twig to enhance its diaphoretic and antipyretic effects, such as Mahuang Decoction.

3. Ephedra has the effect of warming and dispersing cold evil, and when combined with other corresponding medicines, it can treat rheumatic pain, yin carbuncle, phlegm nodule and other symptoms. Ephedra is used for edema with external symptoms. Ephedra can induce sweating and diuresis, which helps to dissipate edema. Ephedra is often used together with ginger, Atractylodes macrocephala, etc., such as Yuebi Jiashu Decoction.

4. In addition to its pungent and warm properties of inducing sweat, relieving exterior symptoms and dispersing cold, ephedra also has a significant effect of clearing the lungs and relieving asthma. Ephedra can be used to treat any exogenous cough and wheezing caused by the invasion of wind and cold and the blockage of pores that prevent the lung qi from flowing freely. Even if the external symptoms have been relieved but the patient still has wheezing and coughing, ephedra can still be used for treatment. At this time, roasted ephedra can be used instead.