Release Exterior: Wind-Cold

Question 1

Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction)

Answer 1

Releases exterior cold and arrests wheezing

Fever and chills (chills predominant) without sweating, headache, generalized body aches, wheezing

T: thin, white coat

P: floating, tight

Exterior Wind-Cold of Excess type

Caution: caution with hypertension; Contraindicated for debility or patients who are prone to bleeding

• Ma Huang
• Gui Zhi
• Xing Ren
• Zhi Gan Cao

Question 2

Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

Answer 2

Releases pathogenic influences from the muscle layer and regulates the nutritive and protective qi.

Exterior Wind-Cold of deficiency type: Fever and chills unrelieved by sweating, headache, aversion to wind, stiff neck, nasal congestion, dry heaves, no particular thirst.

T: thin, white, moist coat

P: floating, lax or frail

NOTE: Also for a similar presentation in patients recovering from serious illness or postpartum

• Gui Zhi
• Bai Shao
• Sheng Jiang
• Da Zao
• Zhi Gan Cao

Question 3

Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction)

Answer 3

Releases the exterior and muscle layer, and generates fluids

Exterior Wind-Cold of excess type with stiff neck: Fever and chills without sweating, stiff and rigid neck and upper back

Taiyang + Yangming: diarrhea due to simultaneous Taiyang + Yangming syndromes

T: thin, white coat

P: floating, tight

• Ge Gen
• Ma Huang
• Gui Zhi
• Bai Shao
• Sheng Jiang
• Da Zao
• Zhi Gan Cao

Question 4

Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction )

Answer 4

Releases the exterior, transforms thin mucus, warms the Lungs, and directs rebellious qi downward

Exterior Wind-Cold with congested Phlegm-fluid in the LU: Fever and chills (chills predominant) without sweating, cough, wheezing, sputum that is a copious, white, stringy, and difficult to expectorate, stifling sensation in the chest, generalized sensation of heaviness and body aches, no particular thirst

T: moist

P: floating, tight

• NOTE: insevere causes there may be superficial edema or considerable difficulty breathing when lying down*
• Children’s cough*
• Ma Huang
• Gui Zhi
• Gan Jiang
• Xi Xin
• Wu Wei Zi
• Bai Shao
• Ban Xia
• Zhi Gan Cao

Question 5

Xiang Su San (Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder)

Answer 5

Exterior Wind-Cold with Interior Qi Constraint

Chills and fever, chills predominant, absence of sweating, headache, focal distention and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, poor appetite

T: normal

P: floating

Note: Also for Wind-Cold disorders during pregnancy

• Zi Su Ye
• Xiang Fu
• Chen Pi
• Zhi Gan Cao