Syndrome and Pathogenesis Treated by Mahuang Shengmatang
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250496
- VernacularTitle:麻黄升麻汤方证和病机探索
- Author:
Xinyu WAN
1
;
Yin CHENG
1
;
Wenbo GAO
1
;
Zhiguo ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine，China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences， Beijing 100700，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Mahuang Shengmatang;
Treatise on Cold Damage （《伤寒论》）;
herbal indications;
syndrome of prescription;
pathogenesis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(3):253-258
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The prescription Mahuang Shengmatang in the Treatise on Cold Damage （《伤寒论》） has sparked considerable debate among medical practitioners throughout history， with varying opinions on its indications， pathogenesis described in the text， principle of compatibility， and clinical applications. Both ancient and modern interpreters of Mahuang Shengmatang often focus on herbal compatibility as a primary approach to deduce the pathogenesis and treatment methods. Building upon this foundation， this paper utilizes herbal dosage as a clue to discern the primary and secondary herbs in the prescription. It further analyzes the principle of compatibility based on herbal indications， summarizing the indications and therapeutic principles of this prescription. Ultimately， it reveals the underlying pathogenesis reflected in the text. The internal closure of heat and toxin leads to the stagnation of Qi， preventing Yang Qi from reaching the extremities and causing cold hands and feet. When the pathogenic Qi finds no outlet， it floods both the upper and lower regions of the body， attacking the throat and causing cough with expectoration of pus and blood， and descending to the large intestine to consume Yin fluids， resulting in persistent diarrhea. Based on this pathogenesis， the paper expands the scope of symptoms and signs associated with the prescription， providing a more detailed portrayal of the applicable patient population and enhancing the basis for clinical prescription references. Additionally， the paper presents considerations on several controversial topics， suggesting that the "lower pulse" described in the text refers to the lower limb arterial pulsation， and the symptoms and signs resemble those of septic shock in modern medicine. Therefore， Mahuang Shengmatang should be categorized as a prescription for treating warm diseases and it is not developed by ZHANG Zhongjing. By employing a detailed discussion on the syndrome， pathogenesis， and clinical application in the texts of Mahuang Shengmatang from the dosage， principle of compatibility， and herbal indications， this paper not only enriches the theoretical foundation of Mahuang Shengmatang but also provides a comprehensive perspective and fresh ideas for understanding its clinical application.
