Cool, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Sheng Ma 升麻
Rhizoma Cimicifugae Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cool
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Spicy, Cool
- Channels Entered
- LI, LU, SP, ST
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Rhizoma Cimicifugae
- Chinese
- 升麻
- Tone Marks
- shēng má
- Translation
- Ascending Hemp
Chinese Herb Actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat and Vents Measles For headache, sore throat and used in the early stages of measles.
- Clears Heat and Toxins Used when toxins manifest in the upper parts of the body, including toothache, gingivitis, ulcerated lips or gums, and canker sores.
- Raises the Yang Qi Used for Middle Jiao Qi deficiency manifesting as fatigue, shortness of breath, and prolapse. Also used to guide other herbs to the upper regions of the body.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 1.5-9 grams.
- Part used: rhizome or root.
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Contraindicated in hyperactive fire symptoms, underlYing Yin Deficiency, excess in the upper, and deficiency in the lower. Also contraindicated in fully erupted measles.
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- Over dosage may cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, gastroenteritis, and tremors.
Chinese Herb Notes
- Toast with honey for middle Jiao prolapse.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt