Shēng Má · Cimicifuga Rhizome
Shēng Má (升麻, Cimicifuga Rhizome) is a herb of Cool nature and Pungent, Sweet flavor, in the “Exterior-releasing herbs” category. Tradition uses it to release the outside and eliminate heat toxins, Raise the Yang of the Spleen and Stomach, Relieve headache and fever.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Shēng Má
- Characters
- 升麻
- Botanical name
- Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Cool
- Flavor
- Pungent, Sweet
- Meridians
- Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine
- Category
- Exterior-releasing herbs
- Toxicity
- Slightly toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China, Korea, Russia
Actions according to tradition
- Release the outside and eliminate heat toxins
- Raise the Yang of the Spleen and Stomach
- Relieve headache and fever
Traditional uses
- Exanthems incompletely expressed in measles and rashes
- Yang of the descended spleen with organ prolapse
- Mouth ulcers, sore gums and heat-toxin sore throat
- Fever and headache due to wind-heat
- Hemorrhages due to heat in the blood (with astringent herbs)
Studied effects and current applications
- Disperses wind-heat and calms the outside
- Raises the Yang descended from the Spleen and Stomach (prolapses)
- Cleanses heat toxins in oral and throat infections
- Guides other medications to the upper body
- Antiinflamatorio y antiinfeccioso
Applications under investigation
- Prolapso uterino y rectal
- Menopause (rhizome phytoestrogens)
- Infecciones orales y faringitis
- Hot flashes (use with caution)
- Autoimmune diseases with Yang deficiency
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Liver disease (hepatotoxic at high doses)
- Ascending Liver Yang without Spleen Yang deficiency
- Yin deficiency with rising heat
Relative contraindications
- Measles already fully expressed
- Heat in the blood level with tendency to bleed
- Pregnancy
- Use with caution. Slightly toxic. Avoid high doses.
- Breastfeeding
- Use with caution.
- Children
- Use with caution. Slightly toxic in high doses.
- Older adults
- Useful for prolapse and sinusitis in the elderly. Avoid in liver diseases.
Possible adverse effects
- Nausea and vomiting in high doses
- Headache
- Possible liver toxicity at high doses
When to stop
- Detected liver disease
- Persistent nausea
- Signos de toxicidad
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatotoxic | High-dose acetaminophen (paracetamol), Estatinas, Isoniacida | Severe | Sheng Ma may be hepatotoxic at high doses; additive risk Avoid high doses. Monitor liver enzymes. |
| Estrogens and phytoestrogens | THS, Oral contraceptives | Mild | Sheng Ma contains phytoestrogens; may interfere with hormone therapy Monitorizar estado hormonal. |
With other herbs
- chai_hu Classic combination to raise Spleen Yang and treat prolapse (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 3-9 g daily
- Powder
- 1-3 g daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks under supervision
- Maximum
- Avoid continuous high doses
- Children
- Use with caution in children. Reduce dose.
Forms of preparation
Boil 3-9g in 3 cups of water for 30 min. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Elevate Yang, rashes, heat-toxin sore throat
Sheng Ma processed with honey (蜜升麻): less lifting, more invigorating.
Prolapse of organ deficiency
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Cycloartanic triterpenes (cimicifugosides) and phenolics (salicylic, ferulic acid)
Triterpenes cycloarthanic saponins · Elevates Yang, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory
Serotonergic receptor modulation, NF-κB inhibition · 0.5-2.0%
Phenolic acids · Antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
COX-2 inhibition, free radical scavenging · 0.1-0.5%
Isoflavones · Hormonal modulator, anti-inflammatory
Estrogen receptor β binding, SERM-like modulation · 0.05-0.2%
Heteropolysaccharides · Immunomodulator, antiviral
Interferon activation, immune response modulation · 5-15%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (September-October), 3+ year old plants
Rhizomes harvested in autumn. They are cleaned, dried in the sun or with heat. Cimicifuga heracleifolia, C. dahurica and C. foetida are the medicinal species.
Rhizome cut into slices or pieces and dried.
Slices sprinkled with wine and fried.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
