Sheng Ma
English Name: cimicifuga, bugbane rhizome
Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma Cimicifugae
Medica Category: Wind-Heat Releasing Herbs
Properties: Sheng Ma enters the Lung, Spleen, Large Intestine, and Stomach channels; it is acrid and sweet in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Sheng Ma?:
The Chinese Herb Sheng Ma is the dried root of cimicifuga, which is a perennial herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Three particular species that grow widely across China are used for medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Sheng Ma:
Sheng Ma releases the exterior and because of its ascending and dispersing nature is used to treat symptoms of toxic heat in the mouth and gums (to include tongue ulcerations, swollen, painful gums and toothache) as well headache and sore throat. Sheng Ma also is used to promote the eruption of measles (w/Ge Gen).