Source:

She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang

 Composition:

Bai Guo (Ginkgo Seed), Ma Huang (Ephedra Herba), Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot Flower), Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark), (processed) Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Su Zi (Perilla Seed), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), Gan Cao (Licorice Root)
(9 herbs)

 Classification Group:

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Gan Cao

<Clear Heat and Dry Dampness>: Huang Qin

<Dispel Exterior with Acrid Warmth>: Ma Huang

<Transform Phlegm>: Ban Xia

<Stop Cough and Calm Asthma>: Xing Ren, Kuan Dong Hua, Bai Guo, Sang Bai Pi, Su Zi

Formula Rationale:

Fang Ji Xue Tang: Ma Huang, acrid and warm, disseminates the Lungs to calm asthma and dispels exterior pathogens; Bai Guo, sweet and astringent, constricts the Lungs to calm asthma, dispels phlegm, and stops cough, serving as the principal herbs in the formula. The combination of these two herbs, one dispersing and one constricting, enhances the effect of calming asthma and prevents Ma Huang‘s acrid nature from excessively depleting the Lungs. Xing Ren, Su Zi, Kuan Dong Hua, and Ban Xia descend Qi to calm asthma, transform phlegm, and stop cough, assisting the principal herbs in enhancing the effects of calming asthma and dispelling phlegm, serving as the secondary herbs. Sang Bai Pi, sweet and cold, and Huang Qin, bitter and cold, clear and drain Lung heat, stop cough, and calm asthma, serving as the assistant herbs. The combination of secondary and assistant herbs addresses the internal accumulation of phlegm-heat. Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs, serving as the envoy herb.

 Functions:

Disseminate the Lungs to calm asthma, clear heat, and transform phlegm.

 Indications:

Asthma caused by exterior wind-cold and internal phlegm-heat accumulation, characterized by copious phlegm, chest tightness, wheezing in the throat, or accompanying symptoms of aversion to cold and fever.

 Syndromes Treated:

Chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchial asthma triggered by the common cold.

 Mnemonic:

Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (without Shi Gao) + This summer and winter, two old people with white hair are comfortable (芩 夏 冬 白果 桑白 蘇)

 Pharmacological Actions:

The individual herbs in this formula possess antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-mutation effects, as well as actions such as calming asthma, suppressing cough, expectorating phlegm, reducing fever, relieving pain, and calming the mind.