Single Herb Glossary
Shēng Má 升麻
| Pharmaceutical name | Cimicifugae Rhizoma bugbane rhizome, black cohosh rhizome |
| Category | Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior |
| Key Properties | Raises yang qi Disperses heat Resolves toxicity |
| Properties | Sweet Acrid Sl. Cold |
| Tropism | LI, LU, SP, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Discharges Exterior Conditions, vents (rashes &) Measles 2) Clears Heat, resolves Toxicity (Fire Toxin) 3) Raises Yang, lifts the Sunken (Middle Jiao Qi Def) |
| Dosages | 3-9 g; bring to upper body |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution with bleeding in upper body, floating Yang w/ Yin Def, wheezing & chest fullness w/ Qi rebelling upward; Measles after rash |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Triterpenoids 4.17% (cimigenol, xyloside, dahurinol, 12-hyrdroxycimigenol arabinoside), visnagin, visamminol, norvisnagin, cimifugin, isoferulic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, cimicifugoside, cimicifogine |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Cardiovascular: inhibitory effect lowers blood pressure and heart rate • Antibiotic: inhibitory effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, dermatomyces, many pathogenic fungi • Antipyretic: oral ingestion of extract at 1-2 g/kg lowered body temperature in rats with artificially-induced fever • Others: mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin (Magnolia Flower Drink to Clear the Lungs) 辛夷清肺飲 Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Pry Out Pain) 當歸拈痛湯 Ji Chuan Jian (Benefit the River [Flow] Decoction) 濟川煎 (济川煎) Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (Universal Benefit Drink to Eliminate toxin) 普濟消毒飲 (普济消毒饮) Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder) 清胃散 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang (Decoction to Disperse Swelling and Ulcerate What is Hard) 散腫潰堅湯 Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang (Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction) 升麻葛根湯 Shi Shen Tang (Ten-Miracle Decoction) 十神湯 Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang (Augment the Qi and Increase Acuity Decoction) 益氣聰明湯 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the middle to augment the qi decoction) 補中益氣湯 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.