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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients:

• Má huáng (麻黄 Ephedrae Herba, ephedra) 3–6g
• Fù zǐ (附子 Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, aconite [accessory root]) 6–10g
• Xì xīn (细辛 Asari Rhizoma et Radix, asarum) 2–3g

Action: Assists yáng and resolves the exterior.

Indication: External contraction of wind-cold in yáng vacuity constitutions with signs such as pronounced aversion to cold, slight heat effusion, absence of sweating, and headache. Pulse: Sunken rather than floating.

Category: Exterior-resolving formulas / Right-supporting exterior-resolving formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Exterior patterns due to external contractions are resolved through sweating. If there is yáng vacuity, the evil cannot be expelled. In such cases, yáng-assisting agents are required. In this formula, warm acrid Má huáng is the sovereign agent since it resolves the exterior by effusing sweat. Fù zǐ is the minister agent because it warms yáng and supports right qì, helping the body to expel the evil. Xì xīn helps the Má huáng to resolve the exterior and helps the Fù zǐ disperse cold.

Variations:

• Headache and generalized aching: Add Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]) and Bái zhǐ (白芷 Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Dahurian angelica).

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