Chinese Ephedrs Herb

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shanxi.

Ephedra sinica Stapf: Thin and long cylindrical, few branches, 1~2cm diameter. Sometimes has a few brown woody stems. Externally pale green to yellowish-green, with thin longitudinal ridges, rough to the touch. Obvious nodes, internodes are 2~6cm long. Nodes have membranous scales, 3~4mm long; 2(rarely 3) cracks, sharp triangular, apex is grayish-white, curled over, base connected together in tubes, reddish-brown. Light, brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface is slightly fibrous, edge is greenish-yellow, pith is reddish-brown, sub-spherical. faintly aromatic odor, astringent taste, slightly bitter. Ephedra equisetina Bge.: Relatively more branches, 1~1.5cm diameter, not rough to the touch. Internodes 1.5~3cm long; membranous scales’ 1~2mm long; 2 cracks (rare 3), upper portion is short triangular, grayish-white, apex is not often curled over, base is brownish-red to brownish-black. Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey.: Often branched, 1.5~3cm diameter, rough. Internodes 2~6cm long, membranous scale is 2~3mm long, 3 cracks (rare 2), apex is sharp. Fractured surface has triangular round pith.

Superior medicinal material has pale green or yellowish-green color, reddish-brown heart, bitter and astringent taste, not dropping when pulled by hands.

Acrid, slightly bitter; warm

Promotes sweating, disperses cold, diffuses the lung, calms panting, promotes urination, reduces swelling.

Honey ma huang: Dilute refined honey with boiled water, sprinkle in mu huang sections and stir evenly, covered, then fry in pots with slow fire, till not sticky to hands, take out and cool. Every 100kg ma huang sections need 20kg refined honey. Promotes the effect of calming panting. Ma huang floss: grind ma huang sections into floss, remove the powder. Moderate the nature of medicinal material. Honey ma huang floss: dilute refined honey with boiled water, sprinkle in mu huang floss and stir evenly, covered, then fry in pots with slow fire, till turned dark yellow and not sticky to hands, take out and cool. Every 100kg ma huang floss need 20kg refined honey. Promote the effect of calming panting.