Herba Ephedrae
April 7, 2009 by Jack
Name: Herba Ephedrae
Resource: The herbaceous stem of Ephedra sinica Stapf,E.intermedia Schrenk et C.A.Mey.and E.equisetina Bunge,f
Characteristic: Stem slender-cylindrical,branching;bark yellow-green finely and longitudinally ridges;nodes noticeable,with membranous scale leaves;dull red pith seen at the cut surface.Acrid and slightly bitter in taste,warm in nature,and attributive to lung and urinary bladder channels.
Pharmacodynamics: 1.Induce sweating to expel the exogenous evils from the body surface:For common clod of wind-cold type with superficial stheniasyndrome manifested as chilliness,moderate fever and anhidrosis. 2.Open the inhibited lung-energy and relieve dyspnea:For cough and dyspnea due to wind-cold and stagnation of lung-energy.Usually used together with Semen Armeniacae Amarum and Radix Glycyrrhizae. 3.Promote diuresis to reduce edema:For edema,especially in the upper half of the body or those with superficial wind-cold syndrome. 4.Open the nasal passage,let out the skin eruptions,and alleviate itching:For stuffy nose,allergic rhinitis,urticaria attributive to invasion of windcold,and incomplete measles eruption.
Pharmacological: Ephedrine is the main active component.
Usage: 1.Its effects on cardiovascular system are similar to epinephrine in many aspects,but persist seven to ten times longer.The myocardial contractility and cardiac output are augmented and cardiac,cerebr
Caution:
Decoction:3-10g.Ephedrine tablet:25-30mg tid.PseudoEphedrine tablet:30mg tid.
