Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang
Star麻黄杏仁甘草石膏汤 (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun, is used to disperse and clear Lung heat; regulate Lung-Qi and relieve wheezing.
Presentation: exterior wind-cold with obstructed Lung-Qi generating intense heat; high fever; aversion to wind; chills; thirst; stifling sensation in the chest; shortness of breath; cough; tongue: thin white or yellow coating; pulse: slippery and rapid.
Syndrome: Wind-heat syndrome.
Composition strategy:
- Warm pungent herb plus heavy cold mineral together regulate Lung-Qi and clear heat.
- However high the fever, chills without sweating mean the exterior persists and pore-opening herbs are still needed.
- Ma Huang : Shi Gao about 1:4, so the formula is cold overall; use 1:5 if fever/heat predominates, 1:3 if there is no sweating.
- Bitter Xing Ren with pungent Ma Huang regulates Lung-Qi safely; sweet Gan Cao with cold Shi Gao nourishes Yin.
- Clinically effective for acute bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.
Cautions:
- Ma Huang is a strong herb; Xing Ren allows a lower Ma Huang dose.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 53.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Ma Huang (Ephedrae herba)
|
5g | 13.16% | Jun (Chief) | disperses Lung-Qi and restrained heat; expels exterior wind-cold |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum)
|
18g | 47.37% | Jun (Chief) | powerfully clears Lung heat, descends Lung-Qi, relieves wheezing |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Xing Ren (Armeniacae semen)
|
9g | 23.68% | Zuo (Assistant) | disperses and descends Lung-Qi, lets Ma Huang be dosed lower |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
6g | 15.79% | Zuo (Assistant) | protects the Stomach from cold heavy Shi Gao; with Shi Gao generates Lung Yin and fluid |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly cool (-0.58)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 47%, neutral 16%, warm 37%.
Pairs warm and cool. 37% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 47% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 30%
- sweet 40%
- bitter 30%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Stomach 63%
- Large intestine 24%
- Spleen 16%
- Heart 16%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Source cooks ma huang briefly before adding the others; today this is not done and all doses are reduced by 30-50 percent. The ma huang/shi gao ratio is adjusted to how much heat versus residual exterior there is.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 183.
Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- Wei Rui Tang = this formula + Bai Wei, Chuan Xiong, Du Huo, Qing Mu Xiang and Yu zhu
- Xu Ming Tang = this formula + Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Gan Jiang, Ren Shen and Rou Gui
- Jia Wei Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang = this formula + Ting Li Da Zao Xie Fei Tang + Di Gu Pi, Gua Lou Pi, Lian Qiao, Pi Pa Ye, Sang Bai Pi, She Gan and Wu Wei Zi
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang.
No notes yet.