Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction
The Shang Han Lun formula for external wind-pathogen with heat congesting the Lung. Derived from Ma Huang Tang by removing gui zhi and adding shi gao, it transforms from acrid-warm to acrid-cool. Its core therapeutic principle is to clear and diffuse Lung heat for persistent fever, cough with rapid breathing or nasal flaring, thirst, and a floating rapid pulse.
Acrid-cool diffusion and drainage; clear the Lung and calm wheezing
Formula Rhyme
仲景麻杏甘石汤，辛凉宣肺清热良。邪热壅肺咳喘急，有汗无汗均能尝。
—— 方剂学教材 (traditional mnemonic)
Zhongjing's Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang — acrid-cool, diffuses the Lung, a fine clearer of heat; for pathogenic heat congesting the Lung with urgent cough-wheeze, it serves whether sweating is present or not.
Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction
Herb
Pinyin
Role
Dose
麻黄
Má Huáng
Jun (Sovereign)
5g
石膏
Shí Gāo
Jun (Sovereign)
18g
杏仁
Xìng Rén
Chen (Minister)
9g
甘草
Gān Cǎo
Shi (Courier)
6g
Preparation: 水煎服。石膏先煎。
This prescription is provided only by the dispensing TCM practitioner. Take as directed; do not modify the dose or share it. If you experience any adverse effect, stop immediately and contact your practitioner. The content of this platform is educational reference, not medical advice. Bencao Dian · https://bencaodian.org · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Cite this entry
+
@misc{bencaodian-ma-xing-shi-gan-tang,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng 麻杏甘石汤 (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/formulas/ma-xing-shi-gan-tang},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}