Products Featuring This Herb:
Pueraria Combination
Pueraria Nasal
Minor Blue Dragon

More Information:

Other Common Names
Ephedra

Page Number In Radiant Health
220

Pharmaceutical Latin
Herba Ephedrae

Pinyin
Ma Huang

Treasures
None

Treasure Rating

Atmospheric Energy

Taste
Bitter and Acrid

Organ Meridian Systems
Lung and Bladder

Part Used and Form
The dried herbaceous stems

Primary Functions
Decongestant, diaphoretic, cardio-respiratory stimulant, diuretic, thermogenic and surface relieving.

Qualities
Truly a remarkable herb, Ephedra is simultaneously one of the most wonderful and yet most controversial natural substances being used in herbalism today. Ephedra ranks up with Ginseng in importance in Chinese herbalism, but it is not a tonic herb. Because it is a medicinal herb with potential for side effects, it must be used properly and carefully to be safe and effective. Ephedra has substantial therapeutic value for a wide range of disorders, many of which are well understood scientifically. But it also has the potential to be abused and misused, and that has resulted in the controversial marketing and usage of Ephedra in the American market over the last few years as a diet (weight reducing) herb.

Ephedra, which is widely known by its Chinese name of Ma Huang, is an extremely versatile herb in the hands of a professional, knowledgeable herbalist. Ma Huang is a powerful diaphoretic and decongestant. Ma Huang has a thousand uses. The ancient herbal masters believed that the doctor who understood how to use Ma Huang was the ultimate healer. It can be used, and is used, for many common disorders including the common cold, flus, sinus problems, headaches, fevers, edema, arthritis and rheumatism. Ma Huang is used in Chinese herbalism for chronic Lung disorders such as asthma and bronchitis. As a diaphoretic, it causes perspiration, and is therefor said to "relieve the surface."

Ma Huang is a powerful thermogenic agent---that is, it increases the burning of calories in the body by stimulating special tissue known as "brown fat" which in turn stimulates the burning of the much more abundant white fat that is the bane of so many Americans. Ma Huang became the rage as a diet herb in the 1980's when the thermogenic action was clearly elucidated by scientists around the world and when most safety studies suggested that reasonable use of Ma Huang has no side effects. The fact that there have been very few people who have claimed serious injury due to Ma Huang, even though it has been estimated that 30 million people have used it in the United States, testifies to its actual safety. However, it can cause a rise in blood pressure under certain conditions and therefor should be used cautiously.

The thermogenic studies showed that when Ma Huang is combined with caffeine and aspirin, or aspirin analogs, its effects are greatly improved in the fight against fat. Therefor, dozens of products were released in the early 1990's which had these three ingredients as lead items. The formula is in fact extremely effective for people who suffer from cold, slow metabolism. It is much less effective for overweight people who have red faces and fiery constitutions, since the Ma Huang only serves to cause more heat. Therefor, the thermogenic principle works for many people, but not all people.

Many people have been attracted to Ma Huang because of its stimulating effect. Ma Huang contains substantial amounts of ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine, both central nervous system stimulants. Being a CNS stimulant, Ma Huang stimulates the adrenals, lungs, mind and general energy. Millions of people have used Ma Huang instead of coffee or other caffeine containing stimulants. Entire companies have risen and fallen around Ma Huang in the past decade. The ephedrine in Ma Huang, however, builds tolerance more quickly than does caffeine and many people become disillusioned with Ma Huang in short order.

The fact is, although Ma Huang has traditionally been used in Asia primarily for lung and sinus congestion, it does have a history of being used as a stimulant. There is a legend that the guards of Ghengis Khan, the infamous Mongolian tyrant, would be summarily beheaded if they were caught dozing while on duty. They therefor resorted to a Ma Huang-based tea which kept them awake through long winter nights of guard duty. In addition, it is well established that many Chan Buddhist monks have used Ma Huang as a stimulant to aid them in their meditation. It is still used today for this purpose in Japan. It not only clears the mind and keeps it alert and awake, but it stimulates breathing, which is of course the central focus of many of the meditation techniques practiced in the Orient. Since the depleting nature of Ma Huang is well understood by the Daoists, it is generally avoided by practitioners of the art of radiant health unless being used for a short period of time to relieve sinus or lung congestion.

The dangers of relying on Ma Huang for energy, though, cannot be overemphasized. Ma Huang is a stimulant and must be used very cautiously. It does not provide any qi to the body. In fact, it diverts energy away from the internal organs. This diverted energy can burn calories, relieve the surface and clear the sinuses, but in a weak individual (a person low in qi), this cannot be sustained for long without causing exhaustion and side effects. If it is necessary to take Ma Huang for any sustained period of time, it should be a requirement that tonics be provided as well. In particular, Ma Huang appears to deplete the Kidneys. Therefor it is wise to provide a yin tonic which contains such herbs as Rehmannia, Lycium Fruit, Ligustrum, Schizandra, etc. Furthermore, Pueraria Root seems to modify many of the side effects of Ma Huang while enhancing its beneficial effects. Therefor, Pueraria Root should always be used with Ma Huang.

Primary Combinations
Combine with:

1. Cinnamon twig (a hot herb) for cold disorders
2. Gypsum (a cold herb) for hot disorders
3. Pueraria Root to relieve the surface and break through blockage

Varieties and Grading
There is a range of qualities of Ma Huang. Ma Huang should be a golden color. If it is too green, it will have a harsh effect. The nodes must be removed, since these are slightly toxic. Mormon Tea is related, but is not the same herb.

Contraindications
Not to be used by those with heart disease or high blood pressure without the permission and supervision of their doctor and herbalist.