Side effects of roasted ephedra

Ephedra is a traditional Chinese medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine. It is described in Compendium of Materia Medica as "its taste is numb and slightly yellow". Ephedra became famous because of this. So what are the side effects of roasted ephedra? What are its effects?

1. Used for cold syndrome. This product has a strong pungent, warm and dispersing nature. It can open up the kidneys, penetrate the pores, and disperse the cold and dampness that invade the skin surface. Among the drugs for dispersing cold syndrome, it has the strongest diaphoretic effect and is the main diaphoretic and antipyretic drug. It is suitable for cold syndrome with external depression, kidney stagnation and no sweating. In the treatment of this syndrome, ephedra and cinnamon twigs can be used together to promote sweating, dispel cold and replenish deficiency. It also has the effect of relieving asthma, which is especially suitable for those with cold syndrome and asthma and cough, such as Mahuang Decoction in Treatise on Febrile Diseases. This product can also be used with other drugs for dispersing cold syndrome, such as Shishen Decoction in Hejijufang, which is combined with Perilla Leaf and other drugs.

2. Used for cough and wheeze. This product is pungent and slightly bitter, which can open the stagnation of the skin to make the lung qi clear and smooth; it can lower the upward qi to restore the normal function of the lung, so it is good at stopping wheeze and is the main medicine for treating cough and wheeze caused by lung qi deficiency and congestion, and is often supplemented by cough and asthma-relieving drugs such as sweet almonds. This product is most suitable for treating cough and wheeze caused by the lung qi being restrained by cold. Its effects of dispersing cold and stopping wheeze can comprehensively treat the pathogenesis of the syndrome, such as Sanao Decoction in "Hejijufang". For cough and wheeze caused by excessive lung heat and upward lung qi, this product can still be used to stop wheeze by descending the lung qi, such as Mahuang Sweet Almond Licorice Gypsum Decoction in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". For cough and wheeze with a lot of phlegm, it is still necessary to use cough and phlegm-relieving drugs, such as Dingchuan Decoction in "Shesheng Zongmiaofang", which is equivalent to coltsfoot flower, pinellia, and perilla seed.

3. Used for edema. This product is good for urination and swelling reduction, and can be used for edema and urinary obstruction. It can promote lung qi, promote sweating and replenish deficiency, so that the water in the skin can be dispersed from the pores, and the water channels can be regulated, and the water can be transported to the bladder to help urination. Therefore, it is suitable for the initial onset of edema and those with superficial symptoms. The Gancao Mahuang Decoction in "Golden Chamber" can be used together with licorice to achieve the desired effect. If it is combined with other sweating and antipyretic drugs and dampness-reducing and swelling-reducing drugs, the effect will be better, such as the Yuebi Jiashu Decoction in "Golden Chamber", which can be used together with ginger slices, white atractylodes and poria.

In addition, this product has the effect of dispelling cold, and can also treat cold-induced rashes or itchy skin, sinusitis, nasal congestion or runny nose caused by sinusitis. Its effect of dispelling cold and relieving stagnation can also be used for wind-cold arthralgia and swelling of genital carbuncle, and changes in color.

Limited usage: Dosage: 3-10g. This product has a strong sweating effect when used raw, and is suitable for symptoms of cold. Honey-roasted ephedra is good at stopping asthma, and is suitable for asthma and cough (especially asthma and cough due to lung heat). Ephedra flan has a more relieving effect, and is suitable for children, the elderly and those with weak constitutions.

Limited application: Use with caution in patients with fluctuating shortness of breath, hypertension and insomnia.