Ephedra and Atractylodes Decoction，From *The Secret Treasures of the Orchid Chamber*, Volume 2.，In autumn and winter, coughing occurs every night at the fifth watch, continuing unceasingly until dawn and high noon, when it finally subsides. Symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, pain beneath both flanks, fullness and oppression beneath the heart, frequent startling while lying down, muscle spasms, pain in the joints, phlegm, saliva, and froth; by evening, the patient becomes drowsy and yawns frequently, and is unable to eat or drink.
Ephedra and Atractylodes Decoction
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Formulas Name : Ephedra and Atractylodes Decoction
Chinese Name : 麻黄苍术汤
Drug Formulation
Ephedra 8 qian, Atractylodes lancea 5 qian, Astragalus 1 qian 5 fen, Cardamom 6 fen, Bupleurum 5 fen, Notopterygium 5 fen, Raw licorice 4 fen, Angelica sinensis tips 4 fen, Saposhnikovia 4 fen, Fried licorice 3 fen, Scutellaria 3 fen, Schisandra berries 9.
Source
From *The Secret Treasures of the Orchid Chamber*, Volume 2.
Benefits
In autumn and winter, coughing occurs every night at the fifth watch, continuing unceasingly until dawn and high noon, when it finally subsides. Symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, pain beneath both flanks, fullness and oppression beneath the heart, frequent startling while lying down, muscle spasms, pain in the joints, phlegm, saliva, and froth; by evening, the patient becomes drowsy and yawns frequently, and is unable to eat or drink.
Instructions for Use
Coarsely crush the ingredients and divide into two doses. Decoct with 2 zhan of water until reduced to 1 zhan; take while still slightly warm just before bedtime.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *The Secret Treasures of the Orchid Chamber*, Volume 2., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 26, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 26, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 26, 2026
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Ephedra and Atractylodes Decoction,In autumn and winter, coughing occurs every night at the fifth watch, continuing unceasingly until dawn and high noon, when it finally subsides. Symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth, pain beneath both flanks, fullness and oppression beneath the heart, frequent startling while lying down, muscle spasms, pain in the joints, phlegm, saliva, and froth; by evening, the patient becomes drowsy and yawns frequently, and is unable to eat or drink.