主治喘咳、水气也。旁治恶风、恶寒、无汗、身疼骨节痛、一身黄肿。
考 证
麻黄汤证曰∶身疼腰痛、骨节疼痛、恶风无汗而喘。
甘草麻黄汤证曰∶里水。
麻黄醇酒汤证曰∶黄胆。
以上三方，麻黄四两，或三两，而为君药。
大青龙汤证曰∶恶寒、身疼痛、不汗出而烦躁。
越婢汤证曰∶恶风、一身悉肿。
越婢加术汤证曰∶一身面目黄肿。
越婢加半夏汤证曰∶其人喘、目如脱状。
以上四方，麻黄皆六两。
麻黄杏仁甘草石膏汤证曰∶汗出而喘。
牡蛎汤，证不具也。（说在互考中）
以上二方，麻黄皆四两。
葛根汤证曰∶无汗恶风。
小青龙汤证曰∶心下有水气、咳而微喘。
乌头汤证曰∶历节疼痛。
以上三方，麻黄皆三两。
麻黄附子甘草汤，证不具也。（说在互考中）
麻黄附子细辛汤，证不具也。（说在互考中）
以上二方，麻黄二两。
上历观此数方。麻黄主治喘咳、水气也明矣；故其证而恶风恶寒、无汗身疼、骨节痛、
一身黄肿者，用麻黄皆治也。
互 考
甘草麻黄汤、麻黄醇酒汤。唯云里水黄胆，而不审其证。为则按∶黄家兼有喘咳。恶寒
骨节痛之证者，麻黄之所主治也。
牡蛎汤，此甘草麻黄汤而加牡蛎蜀漆方也；牡蛎治动气，蜀漆主逐水，然则世所谓疟疾，
动
麻黄附子甘草汤、麻黄附子细辛汤二方，其条所谓少阴病者，恶寒甚也，而有无汗之证，
故用麻黄也。
辨 误
甚矣世医之怖麻黄也。其言曰∶吾闻之麻黄能发汗，多服之则漉漉汗出不止，是以不敢
用焉。恶是何言也？譬怯者之于妖怪，足未尝踏其境，而言某地真出妖怪也。为则尝试麻黄
之效，可用之证而用之，汗则出焉。虽当夏月而无漉漉不止之患，仲景氏言服麻黄后，覆取
微似汗，宜哉，学人勿以耳食而饱矣。
品 考
麻黄 本邦之产未闻，而亦有形状相似者，是木贼而非麻黄也。朱震亨、李时珍言其与
麻黄同功，则学人试可乃已。甄权曰∶根节止汗，试之无效也，不可从矣。仲景氏曰∶先煮
麻黄去上沫，今汉舶所载而来者，煮之无上沫，共诸药煮之而可也。
Indications: Mainly treats wheezing and coughing, and water qi (pathogenic fluid retention). Adjunctively treats aversion to wind, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, body pain with bone and joint soreness, and generalized yellowish edema.
Textual Research
The syndrome of Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) presents as: body pain, lower back pain, bone and joint pain, aversion to wind, absence of sweating, and wheezing.
The syndrome of Gancao Mahuang Tang (Licorice and Ephedra Decoction) presents as: Li Shui (internal water retention).
The syndrome of Mahuang Chunjiu Tang (Ephedra in Fermented Wine Decoction) presents as: Huang Dan (jaundice).
In the above three formulas, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is used in doses of four taels or three taels as the Jun Yao (sovereign drug).
The syndrome of Da Qing Long Tang (Major Blue Green Dragon Decoction) presents as: aversion to cold, body pain, absence of sweating, and irritability.
The syndrome of Yue Bi Tang (Crossing the Curtain Decoction) presents as: aversion to wind and generalized edema.
The syndrome of Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang (Crossing the Curtain Decoction plus Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) presents as: generalized and facial yellowish edema.
The syndrome of Yue Bi Jia Banxia Tang (Crossing the Curtain Decoction plus Pinelliae Tuber) presents as: patient's wheezing and eyes protruding as if about to fall out.
In the above four formulas, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is consistently used in a dose of six taels.
The syndrome of Mahuang Xingren Gancao Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Seed, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction) presents as: sweating accompanied by wheezing.
Muli Tang (Oyster Shell Decoction): The syndrome description is incomplete. (See Mutual Verification).
In the above two formulas, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is consistently used in a dose of four taels.
The syndrome of Gegen Tang (Puerariae Radix Decoction) presents as: absence of sweating and aversion to wind.
The syndrome of Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Green Dragon Decoction) presents as: water qi under the heart, coughing with slight wheezing.
The syndrome of Wutou Tang (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Decoction) presents as: Li Jie Teng Tong (pain in all joints).
In the above three formulas, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is consistently used in a dose of three taels.
Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang (Ephedra, Prepared Aconite Root, and Licorice Decoction): The syndrome description is incomplete. (See Mutual Verification).
Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Prepared Aconite Root, and Asarum Decoction): The syndrome description is incomplete. (See Mutual Verification).
In the above two formulas, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is used in a dose of two taels.
Having observed these formulas comprehensively, it is clear that Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) mainly treats wheezing, coughing, and water qi. Therefore, when symptoms such as aversion to wind and cold, absence of sweating, body pain, bone and joint pain, and generalized yellowish edema are present, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is effective.
Mutual Verification
Gancao Mahuang Tang (Licorice and Ephedra Decoction) and Mahuang Chunjiu Tang (Ephedra in Fermented Wine Decoction) only mention Li Shui (internal water retention) and Huang Dan (jaundice), without detailing the specific syndromes. Based on this analysis: Patients with Huang Dan (jaundice) who also present with wheezing, coughing, aversion to cold, and bone/joint pain are precisely within the therapeutic scope of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba).
Muli Tang (Oyster Shell Decoction) is a modification of Gancao Mahuang Tang (Licorice and Ephedra Decoction) adding Muli (Ostreae Concha) and Shuqi (Pteridis Argyrei Rhizoma); Muli (Ostreae Concha) treats Dong Qi (agitated qi), and Shuqi (Pteridis Argyrei Rhizoma) primarily expels water. Thus, regarding the malaria commonly referred to in later times...
For Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang (Ephedra, Prepared Aconite Root, and Licorice Decoction) and Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Prepared Aconite Root, and Asarum Decoction), the "Shao Yin Bing" (Shaoyin Disease) mentioned in the clauses refers to severe aversion to cold. Since there are symptoms of absence of sweating, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is used.
Correction of Misconceptions
It is alarming how fearful physicians of later generations are of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). They say, "I have heard that Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) induces sweating; taking too much causes profuse, unceasing sweating, therefore I dare not use it." What kind of talk is this? It is like a coward facing a monster, never having stepped into its territory, yet claiming that monsters truly exist in that place. I have tested the efficacy of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba); when used for appropriate syndromes, sweating occurs naturally. Even in midsummer, there is no risk of profuse, unceasing sweating. Zhang Zhongjing stated that after taking Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), one should cover up to obtain a slight sweat, which is appropriate. Scholars should not blindly believe hearsay.
Product Verification
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is not known to be produced in our country (Japan), although there are plants with similar shapes, such as Equiseti Herba (Horse Tail), which is not Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). Zhu Zhenheng and Li Shizhen claimed it has the same efficacy as Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba); scholars should test it before accepting this view. Zhen Quan stated that the root nodes stop sweating, but my trials showed no effect, so this should not be followed. Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Boil Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) first and remove the foam on top." However, the Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) imported via Han merchant ships today does not produce foam upon boiling; it can be boiled together with other herbs directly.