Sheng Ma (Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome) - Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Name: Sheng Ma
English Name: Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome

Clinical Usage and Indications

  • Releases the exterior, vents muscles - accelerates the early stages of skin rashes, headache from wind-heat (forehead - stomach channel).
  • Clears heat, relieves toxicity - toxins in the upper or superficial areas, swelling, painful, sore gums, lips, and/or throat.
  • Raises yang, lifts spleen qi sinking (strong than Ge Gen) - for middle qi deficiency leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, prolapse of stomach, uterus, or rectum.
  • Serves to guide other herbs upwards.

Functional Groups (Click for Summary/Study Notes)

Dosage and Preparation Notes

  • Dosage: 1.5-9g
  • Use honey-roasted version for collapsed conditions.

Channels/Meridians Influenced

Associated Temperature and Taste

Cautions and Contraindications

  • Avoid in cases of yin-deficient heat, upper-excesses and lower deficiencies.
  • Avoid with fully erupted measles.
  • Avoid in patients with breathing difficulties.

Staff Clinician Notes

Herbal Formulas Which Include This Herb

Below you will find Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which contain this particular herb (in alphabetical order). You may click on the name of the formula for more details or click on any of the products from our store to read usage information or purchase a particular formula.

  • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan

    Formula Functions...  

    For Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency - spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold, desire for warm beverages, shortness of breath, intermittent fever, weak speech/low voice, weak limbs, loose/watery stools.

    The Pulse will be deficient and rootless in the spleen position or simply deficient overall and the Tongue will be pale with a thin white coat.


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