A Guardian Through Two Hundred Years – The Legend of Ma Bailiang's Angong Niuhuang Wan

Founded in 1822, Ma Bailiang has dedicated two centuries to safeguarding the health of the Chinese people. Angong Niuhuang Wan is not just a pill, but a symbol of peace of mind passed down through generations.

A Glorious Mark in the Long River of History

In 1822, during the second year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign in the Qing Dynasty, Ma Bailiang's ancestors opened a pharmacy on Chaoyang Street in Foshan, Guangdong, with the aim of " prioritizing the welfare of the sick " and focusing on the study of ancient prescriptions. In 1875, they moved to Douchi Lane, using " Baolu" (precious furnace ) as their trademark, and officially named it "Guangdong Ma Bailiang Pharmacy." By the 1930s, their pills were exported to Southeast Asia, and the saying " In the north there is Tongrentang, in the south there is Ma Bailiang " quickly spread.

In 1949, the pharmacy moved to Hong Kong, and in 1958 it was registered as "Ma Pak Leung Pharmaceutical Factory Limited". In 2020, it joined Tmall Global, bringing this 200-year-old brand into the digital age, allowing Chinese people worldwide to access this traditional heritage anytime, anywhere .

Ancient Formula, Modern Application: The Scientific Secrets of Angong Niuhuang Wan

Angong Niuhuang Wan, derived from the Qing Dynasty physician Wu Jutong's "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," was originally designed to treat high fever and delirium caused by plague. Ma Bailiang adheres strictly to the ancient formula, carefully selecting natural bezoar and natural musk as the principal ingredients, and combining them with 11 authentic medicinal materials such as buffalo horn, Coptis chinensis, and Scutellaria baicalensis to achieve the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, calming the nerves and opening the orifices.

Ingredients and Efficacy Comparison Table

Natural bezoar

Clears the mind and resolves phlegm, calms the nerves and detoxifies – natural musk.

Concentrated buffalo horn powder for clearing the mind, invigorating blood circulation, and promoting menstruation

Cools the blood and calms the nerves, replacing rhinoceros horn, Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Gardenia jasminoides.

Clears heat and dries dampness, drains fire and detoxifies

Modern Scientific Evidence – A Breakthrough Discovery at the University of Hong Kong

Research from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong has confirmed that Ma Bailiang's Angong Niuhuang Wan can extend the golden period of thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke by 30 minutes and significantly reduce the risk of cerebral hemorrhage and mortality. The study found that six active ingredients in the formula, including baicalin , can clear key molecules that cause inflammation and blood-brain barrier damage, thus activating neuroprotective mechanisms.

Applicable Scenarios and Correct Usage

• High fever and delirium : A febrile disease affecting the pericardium causes high fever, restlessness, delirium, and incoherent speech.
• Stroke emergency care : Sudden loss of consciousness, flushed face, rapid breathing, rattling sounds in the throat
• Infantile convulsions : febrile seizures, persistent convulsions.

Dosage : Oral administration, 1 pill each time (half the dose for children), twice a day; for severe cases, three times a day. Can be dissolved in the mouth or taken with warm water.

Ma Bailiang vs. Other Brands Comparison

Main poster slogan

"Two hundred years, just for a single grain of peace of mind."
Ma Bailiang's Angong Niuhuang Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine)
Ancient remedies applied today: scientifically protecting against febrile seizures | stroke first aid | passed down through generations

Common Misconceptions

• ❌ This is not a health supplement and should not be taken long-term.
• ❌ Not suitable for pregnant women, people with low blood pressure, or those with G6PD deficiency (favism).
• ❌ Contraindicated in cases of cold-induced mental confusion (cold face and limbs).
• ✅ Emergency medications should be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

One pill, two hundred years of warmth.
From the streets of Foshan to the laboratory in Hong Kong
Ma Bailiang proved it with time:
True inheritance means ensuring that ancient remedies remain effective today.

A Guardian Through Two Hundred Years – The Legend of Ma Bailiang's Angong Niuhuang Wan

From Chaoyang Street in Foshan to Chai Wan in Hong Kong, from a small pharmacy in the second year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign to a century-old brand renowned worldwide, Ma Bailiang has spent two hundred years transforming a small pill of Angong Niuhuang Wan into a symbol of peace of mind for the Chinese world.

The founder's original aspiration story

In 1822, the second year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign, a young man named Ma Zhunheng took over his family's pharmacy on Chaoyang Street in Foshan, Guangdong. At that time, Foshan was a bustling commercial center with numerous pharmacies, but Ma Zhunheng had a different vision. He had witnessed too many tragedies of people unable to receive timely medical care due to poverty, especially the deaths of children from convulsions and high fevers. Therefore, he decided to transform the pharmacy into a pharmaceutical factory, specializing in the research and development of effective and reasonably priced medicines. This decision marked the beginning of Ma Bailiang's legendary two-hundred-year journey.

The Birth of Qili San

Ma Zhunheng discovered that the dosage of pediatric medications on the market at the time was generally too large, which was not only costly but also a burden on children's delicate bodies. After repeated experiments, he created "Qili San"—a good pediatric medicine that only required seven li (about 0.26 grams) to be effective. This innovation not only reduced costs but also made it affordable for ordinary people. Qili San quickly became popular in Foshan and gradually spread to Guangzhou, Guangxi, and even Southeast Asia.

Migration from Foshan to Hong Kong

In 1875, Ma Pak-leung opened its first branch on Yonghan North Road (now Beijing Road) in Guangzhou, marking the initial expansion of its business. By the 1930s, Ma Pak-leung's products were being sold as far as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and other places, making it one of the early pioneers in promoting traditional Chinese medicine internationally. In 1949, with social changes, Ma Pak-leung moved its headquarters to Hong Kong, and in 1958 it was officially registered as "Ma Pak-leung Pharmaceutical Factory Limited". This relocation not only preserved this century-old brand, but also allowed it to shine with new brilliance on the international stage.

Steadfastness amidst the flames of war

During the Sino-Japanese War from 1937 to 1946, Ma Pak Leung's branches both domestically and internationally were forced to close. Even in the most difficult times, the Ma family descendants upheld their ancestral motto of "putting the welfare of the sick first," protecting the pharmaceutical formulas and tools amidst the war. After the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan, Ma Pak Leung reopened, and thanks to its excellent reputation and superior quality, it quickly recovered, even expanding its business to distant Southeast Asia.

Modernization Transformation

In 1995, Ma Bailiang Pharmaceutical Factory underwent a large-scale renovation, introducing modern equipment and evolving from traditional fully handmade production to semi-automated production. This preserved the essence of traditional craftsmanship while improving production efficiency and quality stability. In 1997, the fifth-generation successor launched the "Tongluo Sanbao Series," repackaging and promoting the traditional Angong Niuhuang Wan, Qingxin Niuhuang Wan, and Renshen Zaizao Wan in a modern way, giving new life to the ancient formulas.

The Glory of Intangible Cultural Heritage

In 2014, the production technique of Angong Niuhuang Wan was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects. This is not only an affirmation of Ma Bailiang's two hundred years of dedication, but also the highest praise for the traditional culture of Chinese medicine. From a small pharmacy on Chaoyang Street in Foshan to a globally renowned century-old brand, Ma Bailiang has spent two hundred years demonstrating what "craftsmanship and inheritance" truly means. Every Angong Niuhuang Wan pill carries the hard work and wisdom of several generations, witnessing the enduring vitality of traditional Chinese medicine culture.

Ma Bailiang's Historical Milestones

• 1796 : Gui Ning Tang was founded by Ma Bailiang in Foshan, Guangdong.
• 1822 : Ma Zhunheng took over and officially established Ma Bailiang Pharmaceutical Factory.
• 1875 : The first branch opened on Yonghan North Road in Guangzhou.
• 1899 : Donated funds to cast bronze weapons and ceremonial guards for the Foshan Ancestral Temple.
• 1910 : Won a gold medal at the Nanyang Pharmaceutical Exhibition.
• 1949 : Relocated to Hong Kong to continue operations
• 1958 : Officially registered as Ma Pak Leung Pharmaceutical Factory Co., Ltd.
• 1995 : Modernization of the factory buildings completed.
• 2014 : The craft of making Angong Niuhuang Wan was listed as an intangible cultural heritage.
• 2022 : Celebrating the 200th Anniversary

"Two hundred years is enough for dynasties to rise and fall and cities to change, but Ma Bailiang's original aspiration to protect health has never changed. Every pill is a gift of time, carrying the wisdom and perseverance of generations."

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