麻黄，味甘、辛，气寒，轻清而浮，升也，阳也，无毒。入手足太阳经，手太阴本经、
阳明
经。荣卫之药，而又入足太阳经、手少阴经也。发汗解表，祛风散邪，理春间温病，消黑斑
赤痛，祛荣寒，除心热头痛，治夏秋寒疫。虽可为君，然未可多用。盖麻黄易于发汗，多用
恐致亡阳也。
或问麻黄既是太阳经散荣表肌圣药，凡太阳经有荣邪未散，而表症未解者，似宜多用之
矣，
而子何戒人多用也？夫君药原不论多寡也。太阳荣邪，能用麻黄，即为君主，用之则邪自
外泄，而不必多用之者，盖麻黄少用，邪转易散；多用则不散邪，而反散正矣。
或问麻黄易于发汗，用何药制之，使但散邪，又不发汗耶？曰∶麻黄之所尤畏者，人参
也。
用麻黄而少用人参，则邪既外泄，而正又不伤，何致有过汗之虞。倘疑邪盛之时不宜用参，
则惑矣。夫邪轻者，反忌人参。而邪重者，尤宜人参也。用人参于麻黄汤中，防其过汗亡阳
，此必重大之邪也，又何足顾忌哉。
或问麻黄误汗，以致亡阳，用何药以救之乎？曰∶舍人参无他药也。夫人参止汗之药，
何以
能救麻黄之过汗。盖汗生于血，而血生于气也，汗出于外，而血消于内，非用人参以急固其
气，则内无津液之以养心，少则烦燥，重则发狂矣。此时而欲用补血之药，则血不易生；此
时而欲用止汗之药，则汗又难止。惟有人参补气，生气于无何有之乡，庶几气生血，而血生
汗，可以救性命于垂绝，否则，汗出不已，阳亡而阴亦亡矣。
或问麻黄善用之则散邪，不善用之则散正，何不示人以一定之法，无使误用也。夫用麻
黄，
实有一定之法，而世人未知也。麻黄散营中之邪也。见营中之邪，即用麻黄，又何误哉。惟
其不能明辨营中之邪，所以动手即错。而营中之邪，又尤易辨也。凡伤寒头疼除，而身热未
退，即邪入营矣，便用麻黄，邪随解散，又宁有发汗亡阳之虑哉。夫亡阳之症，乃邪未入于
营，而先用麻黄以开营之门，而方中又不入桂枝，以解卫中之邪，复不入石膏以杜胃中之火
，此所以邪两无所忌，汗肆然而大出也。倘合用桂枝、石膏、麻黄三味同入，必不至有阳亡
之祸矣。
或疑麻黄一味乱用，已致出汗亡阳，何以合桂枝、石膏同用，反无死亡之祸，此仆所未
明也
。不知药单用则功专，同用则功薄。麻黄单用，则无所顾忌，专于发汗矣。苟有桂枝同用，
则麻黄寒，而桂枝热，两相牵掣，而有以夺其权。苟有石膏同用，则石膏重，而麻黄轻，两
相别而得以争其效，虽汗出而不致亡阳，又何有暴亡之惨哉。
或疑慎用麻黄，宜少而不宜多，乃何以亦有少用而亡阳者乎？此盖用之不当，虽少，阳
亦亡
也。故医贵辨症分明，不在用药谨饬也。
或疑麻黄有初病伤寒而即用，亦有久病伤寒而仍用者，又是何故？盖在营之风邪未散也。
而
在营之风邪未散，何从而辨？身热而畏寒者是也。凡见伤寒之症，虽时日甚久，而身热未退
，又畏风寒，非前邪未退，即后邪之重入，宜仍用麻黄散之，但戒勿多用耳。盖初感之邪其
势盛，再感之邪其势衰。邪盛者，少用而邪难出；邪衰者，多用而邪易变也。
或疑麻黄善变，何法以安变乎？不知麻黄未尝变也，人使之变耳。如宜汗不汗，不用麻
黄□
□□□□□□□□汗之，又用麻黄始汗大出，甚则出而不已，邪亦□□□□不死者幸也。
可见，防变之道，不在麻黄之不汗，而在麻黄之过汗也。宜麻黄之发汗，汗之而变不生；不
宜麻黄之发汗，汗之而变必甚。然则防过汗可也，何必防麻黄，而求安变之法哉。
或问麻黄性寒，而善治风邪，殊不可解矣。伤寒初入于卫，原是寒邪。因入于卫，得卫
气之
热，而寒变为热矣。邪既变为热，倘仍用桂枝汤，欲以热散热，安得而不变为更热乎。故仲
景夫子不用桂枝之热，改用麻黄之寒，祛邪从营中出也，从来治风之药，未尝不寒者，以寒
药散寒邪，似乎可疑，今以寒散热，又何疑乎。
或问麻黄气温，而吾子曰气寒，缪仲醇又曰味大辛，气大热，何者为是乎？曰∶麻黄气
寒，
而曰微温犹可，曰热则非也。盖麻黄轻扬发散，虽是阳药，其实气寒。若是大热，与桂枝之
性相同，用桂枝散太阳寒邪，不必又用麻黄散太阳热邪矣。惟其与桂枝寒热之不同，虽同入
太阳之中，而善散热邪，与桂枝善散
寒邪迥别。故桂枝祛卫中之寒，而麻黄解营中之热。不可因桂枝之热，以散太阳之邪，而亦
信麻黄为大热也。
或疑麻黄性温，而吾子辨是性寒，得毋与仲景公伤寒之书异乎？夫仲景夫子何曾言麻黄
是温
也。观其用麻黄汤，俱是治太阳邪气入营之病。邪在卫为寒邪，入营中为热，此仲景夫子训
也，铎敢背乎。此所以深信麻黄是寒，而断非热也。
或问麻黄发汗，而麻黄根节止汗，何也？此一种而分两治者，亦犹地骨皮泻肾中之火，
而枸
杞子补精而助阳也，原无足异。惟是麻黄性善行肌表，引诸药至卫分，入腠理，则彼此同之
，故一用麻黄之梗，发汗甚速，一用麻黄之根节，而止汗亦神也。
或问麻黄世有用之数两以示奇者，宜乎？不宜乎？此杀人之医也。麻黄易于发汗，多用
未有不
亡阳者，安能去病而得生哉。然而世人敢于多用者，必郁结之症，有可解之状，多用麻黄，
以泄其汗，则汗出而郁亦解，犹可。倘见身热无汗，绝非郁症，而多用麻黄，未有不汗出如
雨，气喘而立亡者，可不慎哉！
或问人不善用麻黄，以致发汗亡阳，将何药同麻黄共用。以救其失乎？夫麻黄，发汗之
药也
，制之太过，则不能发汗矣。宜汗而制之使不汗，本欲制麻黄以救人，反制麻黄以杀人乎。
无已则有一法，遇不可不汗之症，而又防其大汗，少用麻黄，多用人参，同时煎服，既得汗
之益，而后无大汗之虞，则庶乎其可也。
或问王好古论麻黄治营实，桂枝治卫虚，是以二物为营卫之药也。又曰心主营为血，肺
主卫
为气，故以麻黄为手太阴肺之剂，桂枝为手少阴心之剂，即李时珍亦以麻黄为肺分之药，而
不以为太阳经之药。其论可为训乎？曰∶不可也。盖桂枝入卫，而麻黄入营，虽邪从皮毛而
入，必从皮毛而出，但邪由皮毛既入于卫，必由卫而非于营矣。是邪在太阳，而不在肺也。
传经伤寒，无由营卫而入心者。若入于心，且立死矣，桂枝亦何能救乎，若二人之论，皆似
是而实非，子不得不辨之以告世也。
麻黄，味甘、辛，气寒，质地轻清而浮升，属于阳药，无毒。它主要进入手足太阳经，以及手太阴肺经和手阳明大肠经。它是调和营卫的药物，同时也进入足太阳膀胱经和手少阴心经。具有发汗解表、祛风散邪的功效，可治疗春季的温病，消除黑斑及赤痛，祛除营分之寒，清除心热引起的头痛，治疗夏秋季节的寒疫。虽然可以作为君药使用，但不宜多用。因为麻黄容易发汗，用量过多恐怕会导致亡阳（阳气脱失）。
有人问：麻黄既然是太阳经疏散营分表肌之邪的圣药，凡是太阳经受营分邪气侵袭且表证未解的情况，似乎应该多用才对，为什么您却告诫人们不要多用呢？回答说：君药的选用原本不在于剂量的多少。对于太阳经的营分邪气，能用麻黄将其作为君主药来主导治疗，使用后邪气自然从体外泄出，而不必多用。原因在于麻黄少量使用时，邪气反而容易消散；若大量使用，不仅不能消散邪气，反而会耗散人体的正气。
有人问：麻黄容易发汗，用什么药物来制约它，使其只发散邪气而不致过度发汗呢？回答说：麻黄特别畏惧人参。在使用麻黄时配合少量人参，则邪气既可从外泄出，正气又不会受到损伤，哪里会有过汗的忧虑呢？如果怀疑在邪气盛的时候不宜用人参，那就是错误的理解了。邪气轻浅时，反而忌讳用人参；而邪气深重时，尤其适宜用人参。在麻黄汤中加入人参，是为了防止过汗导致亡阳，这针对的是重大的邪气，又有什么值得顾忌的呢？
有人问：如果误用麻黄发汗，导致亡阳，用什么药物来抢救呢？回答说：除了人参没有其他药物了。人参本是止汗的药，怎么能救治麻黄导致的过汗呢？这是因为汗由血化生，而血由气化生。汗液出于体表，体内的血液就会消耗。如果不立即用人参急固其气，那么体内就没有津液来滋养心脏，轻微会出现烦躁，严重则会发狂。此时如果想用补血药，血不容易生成；此时如果想用止汗药，汗又难以停止。只有人参能补气，在无何有之乡（指元气根本之处）生气，进而气生血，血生汗，才能在生命垂危之际挽救性命，否则，汗出不止，阳气亡失，阴液也会随之亡失。
有人问：麻黄善于使用就能散邪，不善于使用就会散正，为什么不给人一个固定的法则，以免误用呢？回答说：使用麻黄确实有一定的法则，只是世人不知道罢了。麻黄是疏散营中邪气的。看到营中有邪气，就使用麻黄，怎么会误用呢？之所以出错，是因为不能明辨营中的邪气。而营中的邪气其实很容易辨别。凡是伤寒头疼消失，但身体发热仍未退去，就是邪气入营了，这时便使用麻黄，邪气随即解散，哪里还有发汗亡阳的顾虑呢？所谓亡阳的症状，是因为邪气尚未入营，却先用麻黄打开营门，而方剂中又不加入桂枝以解除卫中之邪，也不加入石膏以遏制胃中之火，因此邪气无所顾忌，汗液肆意大量流出。如果合用桂枝、石膏、麻黄三味药同时使用，必然不会有亡阳的祸患。
有人疑惑：单用麻黄乱用已导致出汗亡阳，为什么合用桂枝、石膏同用，反而没有死亡的祸患，这一点我不明白。不知道药物单独使用功效专一，共同使用功效则变薄。麻黄单独使用，则无所顾忌，专门用于发汗。如果有桂枝同用，则麻黄性寒，桂枝性热，两者相互牵制，从而削弱了麻黄的发汗权力。如果有石膏同用，则石膏质重，麻黄质轻，两者性质不同而得以竞争药效，虽然会出汗，但不至于亡阳，又怎么会有暴亡的惨状呢？
有人疑惑：慎用麻黄，应该是少用而不应多用，那为什么也有少用却导致亡阳的情况呢？这是因为使用不当，即使量少，阳气也会亡失。所以医生贵在辨证分明，不仅仅在于用药谨慎。
有人疑惑：麻黄有初得伤寒即使用的，也有久病伤寒仍然使用的，这是什么原因？这是因为营中的风邪尚未消散。而营中的风邪未散，如何辨别呢？身体发热且畏寒的就是。凡是见到伤寒的症状，虽然时日很久，但身体发热未退，又畏风寒，不是前面的邪气未退，就是后面的邪气重新深入，应当仍然使用麻黄来疏散，只是告诫不要多用罢了。大概初次感受的邪气势头盛，再次感受的邪气势头衰。邪气盛时，少用则邪气难出；邪气衰时，多用则邪气易变（消散）。
有人疑惑：麻黄善于变化（指病情变化或药效变异），有什么方法能使它安定不变呢？不知道麻黄本身未曾变化，是人使它变化的。比如该发汗而不发汗，不用麻黄……（此处原文有缺字，推测为“不发汗”），又用麻黄才大汗出，甚至汗出不停，邪气也……（此处原文有缺字，推测为“未尽”），不死也是侥幸。可见，防止变化的道理，不在于麻黄是否发汗，而在于麻黄是否过汗。适宜麻黄发汗，发汗后变化就不会产生；不适宜麻黄发汗，发汗后变化必然严重。既然如此，只要防止过汗就可以了，何必防范麻黄，而去寻求安定的方法呢？
有人问：麻黄性寒，却善于治疗风邪，实在不可理解。伤寒初入卫分，原是寒邪。因为进入卫分，得到卫气的热量，寒邪就变成了热邪。邪气既然变成了热邪，如果仍然使用桂枝汤，想用热药散热邪，怎么能不变得更热呢？所以张仲景先生不使用桂枝的热性，改用麻黄的寒性，让邪气从营中排出。从来治疗风邪的药物，没有不是寒性的，用寒药散寒邪，似乎可疑，现在用寒药散热邪，又有什么可怀疑的呢？
有人问：麻黄气温，而您说气寒，缪希雍又说味大辛，气大热，哪种说法正确呢？回答说：麻黄气寒，说微温还可以，说热就不对了。因为麻黄轻扬发散，虽然是阳药，其实气寒。如果是大热，就和桂枝的性质相同了，用桂枝疏散太阳寒邪，就不必再用麻黄疏散太阳热邪了。正因为它们寒热不同，虽然都进入太阳经，但麻黄善于散热邪，与桂枝善于散寒邪截然不同。所以桂枝祛除卫中之寒，而麻黄解除营中之热。不能因为桂枝性热以散太阳之邪，就相信麻黄是大热的。
有人疑惑：麻黄性温，而您辨析说是性寒，难道与张仲景的《伤寒论》不同吗？张仲景先生何曾说过麻黄是温性的呢？观察他使用麻黄汤，都是治疗太阳邪气入营的病证。邪在卫分为寒邪，入营中则为热，这是张仲景先生的教诲，我陈士铎怎敢违背呢。这就是为什么深信麻黄是寒性，断定绝非热性的原因。
有人问：麻黄发汗，而麻黄根和节止汗，为什么呢？这是一种药材分为两种治法，也就像地骨皮泻肾中之火，而枸杞子补精助阳一样，本来没有什么奇怪的。只是麻黄性善行走肌表，引导诸药到达卫分，进入腠理，所以麻黄的茎梗发汗很快，麻黄的根节止汗也很神奇。
有人问：世上有用麻黄达到数两以示奇特的，这样合适吗？不合适。这是杀人的医生。麻黄容易发汗，多用没有不导致亡阳的，怎么能去除疾病而获得生存呢？然而世人敢于多用的，一定是郁结的病症，有可以缓解的迹象，多用麻黄以泄汗，则汗出而郁结也解开，还可以。但如果见到身体发热无汗，绝不是郁症，而多用麻黄，没有不出汗如雨、气喘而立刻死亡的，能不谨慎吗！
有人问：人不善于使用麻黄，导致发汗亡阳，将什么药物与麻黄共用，以补救其过失呢？回答说：麻黄是发汗的药，制约得太厉害，就不能发汗了。该发汗却制约它不让发汗，本意是想制约麻黄来救人，反而是制约麻黄来杀人吗？如果没有办法，则有一法，遇到不得不发汗的病症，而又防止其大汗，少用麻黄，多用人参，同时煎服，既得到发汗的好处，而后没有大汗的忧虑，这样就差不多了。
有人问：王好古论述麻黄治疗营实，桂枝治疗卫虚，认为这两味药是营卫之药。又说心主营属血，肺主卫属气，所以把麻黄作为手太阴肺经的药，桂枝作为手少阴心经的药，就连李时珍也把麻黄作为肺分的药，而不认为是太阳经的药。他们的论述可以作为准则吗？回答说：不可以。因为桂枝入卫，而麻黄入营，虽然邪气从皮毛而入，也必须从皮毛而出，但邪气由皮毛进入卫分后，必定由卫分传入营分。所以邪气在太阳经，而不在肺经。传经伤寒，没有通过营卫直接进入心的情况。如果进入心，立刻就会死亡，桂枝又怎么能救呢？如果像他们两人的论述，看似正确实则错误，我不得不辨析清楚告知世人。
Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) has a sweet and pungent taste, and a cold nature. It is light, clear, and floating, ascending and yang in property, and non-toxic. It enters the Taiyang channels of the hand and foot, as well as the Lung (Shou Taiyin) and Large Intestine (Shou Yangming) channels. It is a herb that harmonizes Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi), and also enters the Taiyang channel of the foot and the Shaoyin channel of the hand. It induces sweating to release the exterior, dispels wind and pathogenic factors, treats warm diseases in spring, eliminates black spots and red pain, removes cold from Ying, clears heart heat and headaches, and treats cold epidemics in summer and autumn. Although it can serve as the sovereign drug, it should not be used in large doses. This is because Ephedrae Herba easily induces sweating; excessive use may lead to the collapse of Yang Qi (collapse of Yang).
Someone asked: Since Ephedrae Herba is the supreme medicine for dispersing Ying-pathogens from the muscle layer in the Taiyang channel, for cases where Taiyang channel Ying-pathogens have not dispersed and exterior symptoms are unresolved, it seems appropriate to use it frequently. Why do you warn against frequent use? I reply: The selection of a sovereign drug does not depend on quantity. For Ying-pathogens in the Taiyang channel, using Ephedrae Herba as the sovereign agent allows pathogens to exit naturally without needing large doses. The reason is that small doses disperse pathogens easily, while large doses fail to disperse pathogens and instead scatter healthy Qi.
Someone asked: Ephedrae Herba easily induces sweating. What herb can restrain it so that it only disperses pathogens without inducing excessive sweating? I reply: Ephedrae Herba particularly fears Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参). When using Ephedrae Herba with a small amount of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, pathogens exit externally while healthy Qi remains undamaged, avoiding the risk of excessive sweating. If one doubts that Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma should not be used when pathogens are abundant, this is a misconception. When pathogens are light, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is contraindicated; but when pathogens are heavy, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is especially suitable. Adding Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) prevents excessive sweating and Yang collapse, addressing severe pathogens, leaving no room for hesitation.
Someone asked: If mistaken sweating leads to Yang collapse, what herb can rescue it? I reply: There is no herb other than Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma. Although Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is an antihidrotic, how can it cure excessive sweating caused by Ephedrae Herba? Sweat is generated from Blood, and Blood is generated from Qi. When sweat exits the body, internal Blood is consumed. Without urgently securing Qi with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, there will be no Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) to nourish the Heart, leading to irritability or even mania. At this stage, blood-nourishing herbs cannot easily generate Blood, and antihidrotic herbs cannot easily stop sweating. Only Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma can tonify Qi, generating Qi from the "land of nothingness" (origin of Yuan Qi), thereby generating Blood and then Sweat, saving life from imminent death. Otherwise, unceasing sweating leads to Yang collapse and subsequent Yin collapse.
Someone asked: Proper use of Ephedrae Herba disperses pathogens, while improper use scatters healthy Qi. Why not provide a fixed method to prevent misuse? I reply: There is indeed a fixed method, unknown to the world. Ephedrae Herba disperses pathogens in Ying. Seeing pathogens in Ying and using Ephedrae Herba is not a mistake. Errors arise from failing to clearly distinguish Ying-pathogens. Ying-pathogens are easy to identify: if headache resolves but fever persists after Shanghan (Cold Damage), the pathogen has entered Ying. Using Ephedrae Herba then disperses the pathogen, eliminating concerns about Yang collapse due to sweating. Yang collapse occurs when the pathogen has not yet entered Ying, but Ephedrae Herba is used prematurely to open the Ying gate, without Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to resolve Wei pathogens or Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) to suppress Stomach fire. Thus, pathogens face no resistance, causing profuse sweating. Combining Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), and Ephedrae Herba would prevent Yang collapse.
Some doubt: Single-use of Ephedrae Herba causes sweating and Yang collapse, yet combining it with Guizhi and Shigao prevents death. Why? Drugs used singly have focused effects, while combined they have diluted effects. Ephedrae Herba alone acts solely on sweating. With Guizhi, its cold nature contrasts with Guizhi's hot nature, restraining each other and reducing Ephedrae Herba's power. With Shigao, its heaviness contrasts with Ephedrae Herba's lightness, competing for efficacy. Sweating occurs without Yang collapse.
Some doubt: Careful use implies less rather than more, yet some die from small doses. This is due to incorrect application; even small doses cause Yang collapse if misused. Physicians must excel in syndrome differentiation, not just caution in dosage.
Some doubt: Ephedrae Herba is used early in Shanghan and late in chronic cases. Why? Because Wind-pathogens in Ying remain unresolved. How to identify this? Fever with aversion to cold indicates it. Even with long-standing Shanghan, if fever persists with aversion to wind and cold, either previous pathogens remain or new ones re-enter. Ephedrae Herba should still be used to disperse them, with caution against overuse. Initial pathogens are strong; secondary pathogens are weak. Strong pathogens require careful dosing to exit; weak pathogens disperse easily with larger doses.
Some doubt: Ephedrae Herba causes changes (complications). How to stabilize it? Ephedrae Herba itself does not change; human error does. If sweating is indicated but not induced, and Ephedrae Herba is later used causing profuse sweating, complications may arise. Survival is lucky. Prevention lies in avoiding excessive sweating, not fearing the herb itself. Indicated sweating prevents complications; contraindicated sweating worsens them. Prevent excessive sweating, and there is no need to seek methods to "stabilize" the herb.
Someone asked: Ephedrae Herba is cold yet treats Wind-pathogens, which is confusing. Shanghan begins as Cold in Wei. Upon entering Wei, Wei-Qi heat transforms Cold into Heat. If Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) were used, heating heat would worsen it. Zhang Zhongjing therefore replaced hot Guizhi with cold Ephedrae Herba to expel pathogens from Ying. Historically, wind-dispersing herbs are cold. Using cold to disperse cold seems paradoxical, but using cold to dissipate heat is logical.
Someone asked: You say Ephedrae Herba is cold, but Miao Zhichun says it is pungent and hot. Who is correct? I reply: Ephedrae Herba is cold; saying it is slightly warm is acceptable, but hot is wrong. It is light and ascending, Yang in nature, but actually cold. If it were hot like Guizhi, Guizhi alone would suffice for Taiyang Cold, making Ephedrae Herba redundant for Taiyang Heat. Their difference lies in Guizhi dispersing Cold in Wei, while Ephedrae Herba disperses Heat in Ying. One should not assume Ephedrae Herba is hot because Guizhi is hot.
Some doubt: Your view contradicts Zhang Zhongjing's Shanghan Lun. Did Zhang ever say Ephedrae Herba is warm? His Mahuang Tang treats Taiyang pathogens entering Ying. Pathogens in Wei are Cold; in Ying, they become Heat. This is Zhang's teaching. I dare not contradict it. Hence, I firmly believe Ephedrae Herba is cold, not hot.
Someone asked: Ephedrae Herba induces sweating, but its root and nodes stop sweating. Why? Like Digupi (Phellodendri Cortex) clearing Kidney Fire while Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus) nourishes Essence and aids Yang, this duality is normal. Ephedrae Herba stems guide drugs to Wei and interstices, inducing rapid sweating. Roots and nodes stop sweating miraculously.
Someone asked: Is it appropriate to use several taels of Ephedrae Herba for dramatic effect? No, this kills patients. Ephedrae Herba easily induces sweating; excessive use causes Yang collapse. Those who use large doses usually treat stagnation syndromes where sweating resolves stagnation. However, for fever without sweating not due to stagnation, large doses cause rain-like sweating, panting, and sudden death. Caution is essential.
Someone asked: To remedy Yang collapse from improper Ephedrae Herba use, what herb should be combined with it? Ephedrae Herba induces sweating; over-restraining it stops sweating. Restricting necessary sweating harms rather than helps. A solution: for mandatory sweating cases, use small doses of Ephedrae Herba with large doses of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, decocted together. This achieves sweating benefits without excessive loss.
Someone asked: Wang Haogu stated Ephedrae Herba treats Ying Excess and Guizhi treats Wei Deficiency, classifying them as Ying-Wei herbs. He also linked Ephedrae Herba to Lung (Yin/Wei) and Guizhi to Heart (Yang/Ying), a view shared by Li Shizhen. Is this valid? No. Guizhi enters Wei, Ephedrae Herba enters Ying. Pathogens enter via skin/hair into Wei, then move to Ying. Thus, pathogens are in Taiyang, not Lung. Transmission diseases do not enter Heart directly via Ying-Wei; if they do, death is immediate, and Guizhi cannot save. These theories seem plausible but are false. I must clarify this for the world.