Sheng Ma

Cimicifugae Rhizoma

Sheng Ma

Category: Cool, Acrid Release the Exterior

Dosage: 3-9g

Cautions & Contraindications:

• Because this herb has an ascending, floating nature, it should not be used whenever there is floating yang with yin deficiency, wheezing and fullness in the chest with a sense of qi rebelling upward, or for measles after the rash has been expressed.

Actions & Indications:

• Discharges exterior conditions and vents measles: for headache due to exterior wind heat or the early stages of measles.
• Clears heat and resolves toxicity: for various manifestations of fire toxin in the upper or superficial aspects of the body. It is commonly used for sore teeth, swollen or painful gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen throat, sores, or maculae from warm heat pathogen diseases.
• Raises the yang and lifts what has sunken: for middle qi deficiency leading to such symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue, and prolapse. Also used for Girdle vessel spasm and as a messenger to guide the effects of other herbs upward.