Ephedrae Herba Praeparata cum Melle
Aliases：Zhi Mahuang, Mi Longsha, Mi Gougu, Mi Beixiang, Mi Beiyan (pinyin transliterations; these appear to be regional or less common names for honey‑fried Ephedra, but their standard medicinal name remains Mimahuang.)
Mimahuang (Honey‑fried Ephedra Herb) is a processed product of the Chinese medicinal Mahuang (Ephedra Herb). It is produced from the dried herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey., or Ephedra equisetina Bge. (family Ephedraceae) by stir‑frying with refined honey.
Efficacy & Actions
Moisten the lung and stop cough, diffuse the lung and relieve wheezing, promote diuresis and reduce edema (after honey‑frying, the diaphoretic effect is moderated, while the antitussive and antiasthmatic effects are enhanced).
Indications
Cough and wheezing, wind-cold exterior pattern (exterior excess with absence of sweating), wind‑water edema, bronchial asthma, etc.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiasthmatic: Ephedrine relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and relieves wheezing. Antitussive and expectorant: Suppresses cough through central and peripheral actions and promotes sputum expulsion. Diaphoretic: The diaphoretic effect is weakened after honey‑frying, but it still has some exterior‑releasing action. Diuretic: Pseudoephedrine has a mild diuretic effect. Anti‑inflammatory: Inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators. Central nervous system stimulation: Ephedrine has a central stimulant effect, which is mitigated after honey‑frying.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, etc. Volatile oils: Terpenoids such as α‑pinene, β‑terpinene, etc. Flavonoids: Ephedra flavonoids, etc. Others: Honey components (added after honey‑frying), polysaccharides, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 2–9 g in decoction. After honey-frying, the herb becomes more moist in nature and should be added later (near the end of decoction). Precautions for use: Do not decoct for a prolonged period to avoid loss of active volatile components. Contraindicated in cases of spontaneous sweating, night sweats, or deficiency wheezing due to body weakness.
Contraindications
Contraindicated populations: Contraindicated in cases of deficiency wheezing (due to lung‑kidney deficiency), spontaneous sweating and night sweats, and yin deficiency with blazing fire. Use with caution in: Patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, tachycardia, glaucoma, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Incompatibilities with Western medications: Should not be used together with ephedrine or other sympathomimetic drugs (to avoid duplicate effects), nor with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Dietary precautions: During the course of medication, avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods.
Selected Formulas
With Xingren (Apricot Seed): Disperses lung, stops cough, relieves wheezing. Indicated for wind‑cold cough and wheezing (San'ao Tang). With Shigao (Gypsum): Clears lung heat, relieves wheezing. Indicated for lung‑heat cough and wheezing (Maxing Shigan Tang). With Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig): Induces sweating, releases exterior. Indicated for wind‑cold exterior excess with anhidrosis (Mahuang Tang). With Baizhu (Atractylodes) and Gancao (Licorice): Induces sweating, promotes diuresis. Indicated for wind‑water edema.
Medicinal Parts
herbaceous stem
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects. The honey-fried product contains sugar and is prone to moisture absorption; it should be stored in an airtight container.