Formulas · Release the Exterior 解表 · Samin (三因)

Ephedra Left Channel Decoction

Mahwangjwagyeong-tang

한글 마황좌경탕 · Pinyin Ma Huang Zuo Jing Tang

麻黃左經湯

Cut and made into one packet, decocted as above. **Note on modern practice: ephedra (麻黃) is a regulated medicinal, restricted or prohibited for general sale in many jurisdictions and requiring professional prescription.**

Composition 構成

Ganghwal Qiang Huo
羌活 강활 · Notopterygium

4 g
Chief 君
Mahwang Ma Huang
麻黃 마황 · Ephedra

2.8 g
Chief 君
Galgeun Ge Gen
葛根 갈근 · Kudzu Root

2.8 g
Deputy 臣
Baekchul Bai Zhu
白朮 백출 · White Atractylodes

2.8 g
Deputy 臣
Bangpung Fang Feng
防風 방풍 · Siler

2.8 g
Deputy 臣
Sesin Xi Xin
細辛 세신 · Asarum

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Jeokbokryeong Chi Fu Ling
赤茯苓 적복령 · Poria (red)

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Bangi Fang Ji
防己 방기 · Sinomenium

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Yukgye Rou Gui
肉桂 육계 · Cinnamon Bark

2.8 g
Assistant 佐 heart (桂心)
Saenggang Sheng Jiang
生薑 생강 · Fresh Ginger

6 g
Envoy 使 3 slices
Daejo Da Zao
大棗 대조 · Jujube

4 g
Envoy 使 2 pieces
Gamcho Gan Cao
甘草 감초 · Licorice

2.8 g
Envoy 使

Total 39.2 g per packet (첩) · representative dosage — verify against source texts.

Received this formula from your practitioner? Amounts shown here are classical reference values — granule and prepared products differ. Always follow your prescribed dosage and directions.

Actions 效能

Opens the greater-Yang channel where the four Qi have poured in
Resolves the chills fever and headache that come with it

Indications 主治

Pattern-based

The four Qi pouring into the foot greater-Yang channel (四氣流注足太陽經)
Lumbus and legs cramped numb and heavily painful
Chills and fever without sweating
or with spontaneous sweating
headache and dizziness

Biomedical correlates

Leg pain with febrile illness
Acute leg qi with systemic signs
Wind-damp of the posterior leg

Source text 原文

Donguibogam 東醫寶鑑

治四氣流注足太陽經, 腰脚攣痺重痛, 寒發熱, 無汗惡寒, 或自汗, 頭疼, 眩暈. 羌活一錢, 麻黃ㆍ乾葛ㆍ白朮ㆍ細辛ㆍ赤茯苓ㆍ防己ㆍ桂心ㆍ防風ㆍ甘草各七分. 右剉, 作一貼, 煎法同上. 《三因》

Translation

Treats the four Qi pouring into the foot greater-Yang channel, with the lumbus and legs cramped, numb, and heavily painful; chills and fever, no sweating and aversion to cold, or else spontaneous sweating; headache and dizziness. Notopterygium 1 don; ephedra, kudzu root, white atractylodes, asarum, red poria, stephania, cinnamon heart, saposhnikovia, and licorice, 7 fun each. Cut the above, make one packet, decoct as above. — Samin 三因 (Donguibogam · Jok)

Clinical commentary 臨床

The greater-Yang member of the set, and its composition matches that channel's territory — the back of the leg, and a presentation that looks like an exterior illness. Ephedra and notopterygium open the surface; kudzu root reaches the nape and back. What distinguishes leg qi here from an ordinary cold is that the legs are heavy and numb, which the chapter has already flagged as the sign to check. — Eui Young (Justin) Chung, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.