She Gan Ma Huang Tang
Star射干麻黄汤 (Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
She Gan Ma Huang Tang (Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Ventilates the Lung and dispels phlegm; Directs Lung qi downward and stops coughing.
Presentation: Tan yin (phlegm retention) with reversed flow of Lung qi: excessive coughing, dyspnea, profuse, clear, watery sputum, rattling sounds in the throat, a feeling of fullness and stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm, heaviness and pain of the body, swollen face and extremities, and a white, slippery tongue coating.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antitussive: 0.4 mL/10g markedly suppressed induced cough in mice
- Expectorant: marked effect in mice at high but not low doses
- Antiasthmatic: relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 80.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 12g [9g]
|
9g | 20% | Ventilates the Lung and relieves dyspnea | |
|
She Gan
printed dose 9g [6-g] (no single modern dose); as printed: She Gan (Rhizoma Belamcandae) 9g [6-g]
|
g | — | Dispels tan yin (phlegm retention) | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 12g [9g]
|
9g | 20% | Dissolves phlegm, clears the throat, directs rising qi down | |
|
Xi Xin
as printed: Xi Xin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari) 9g [3g]
|
3g | 6.67% | Dissolves phlegm, directs rising qi down | |
|
Zi Wan
as printed: Zi Wan (Radix et Rhizoma Asteris) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | Dissolves phlegm, directs rising qi down | |
|
Kuan Dong Hua
as printed: Kuan Dong Hua (Flos Farfarae) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | Dissolves phlegm, directs rising qi down | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 0.5 cup [9g]
|
9g | 20% | Dissolves phlegm, directs rising qi down | |
|
Wu Wei Zi
as printed: Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 0.5 cup [3g]
|
3g | 6.67% | Contains leakage of Lung qi and stops cough | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 7 pieces [3 pieces]
|
3pieces | 100% | Harmonizes the middle jiao |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 warm (+1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: warm 100%.
Taste
- pungent 70%
- sweet 3%
- sour 3%
- bitter 23%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Stomach 40%
- Spleen 40%
- Heart 13%
- Kidney 13%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
2 herbs without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: She Gan, Da Zao.
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: cook Ma Huang in 12 cups [2,400 mL] water, bringing to a boil twice; skim foam, add the rest and reduce to 3 cups [600 mL]; take warm in three doses daily. Today use bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Xiao Ban Xia Tang + Da Zao, Kuan Dong Hua, Ma Huang, She Gan, Wu Wei Zi, Xi Xin and Zi Wan
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.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
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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