Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang
Star麻杏苡甘汤 (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Coicis, and Licorice Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Coicis, and Licorice Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Ma Huang Tang.
Actions: Releases the exterior; Dispels dampness.
Presentation: Pain all over the body with fever most prominent in the afternoon.
Composition: Ma Huang Tang minus Gui Zhi, plus Yi Yi Ren, with drastically reduced doses
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 43.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 1.5g [6g]
|
6g | 22.22% | — | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum, chao (dry-fried)) 10 kernels [6g]
|
6g | 22.22% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 3g
|
3g | 11.11% | — | |
|
Yi Yi Ren
as printed: Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 1.5g [12g]
|
12g | 44.44% | Cool herb used to dispel dampness instead of warm Gui Zhi/Bai Zhu |
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 neutral (0.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 44%, neutral 11%, warm 44%.
Pairs warm and cool. 44% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 44% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 11%
- sweet 33%
- bitter 33%
- bland 22%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Large intestine 67%
- Stomach 56%
- Spleen 56%
- Kidney 44%
- Heart 11%
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 text: grind coarsely, cook 12g with 1.5 large bowls of water down to 80%, take strained and warm; avoid wind if sweating occurs. Today prepared as decoction with bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
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.
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