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For any syndrome presenting with headache and aversion to cold, it is all Cold Damage (Shanghan); if absent, it is not. Why? Because Cold Damage causes aversion to cold, while food retention causes aversion to food; this is the natural principle. However, in winter, aversion to cold is particularly severe. This is because winter is the time of true Cold Damage; the weather is strictly cold and congealed, wind and cold are fierce, and those who are exposed will experience severe aversion to cold. In other seasons, although there may be some aversion to cold, it is mild and not as severe as in winter. Although Cold Damage occurs in all four seasons, treatment cannot be generalized. In winter, the climate is cold, and the Cou Li (skin pores and interstices) are tight and dense; non-acrid, sweet, and warm herbs are indispensable, so Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and similar formulas are used for treatment. However, Wind and Cold often influence each other. When Cold damages Ying (Nutritive Qi), symptoms include aversion to cold and headache, with a floating, tight pulse and no sweating; Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is used to open the Cou Li and disperse the pathogen, and recovery follows once sweating occurs. When Wind damages Wei (Defensive Qi), symptoms include headache and aversion to wind, with a floating, moderate pulse and spontaneous sweating; Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is used to fill the Cou Li and disperse the pathogen, and recovery follows once sweating stops. The Classic states that "Acrid and sweet substances that diffuse belong to Yang," which refers to this situation. If both Ying and Wei are damaged, these two formulas are insufficient; Da Qing Long Tang (Major Blue Green Dragon Decoction) must be used. However, this formula is extremely potent and unsuitable for ordinary physicians. I have alternatives. Since winter is true Cold Damage with severe weather and fierce wind-cold, exposure requires acrid-warm dispersing agents. For non-winter cases presenting with aversion to cold and headache, acrid-cool agents should be used to unblock the exterior and interior and harmonize the body, leading to recovery. Using winter-specific acrid-warm drugs like Guizhi Tang for all cases would cause many deaths. Question: What are acrid-cool agents? Huoqu Chonghe Tang (Notopterygium Harmonizing Decoction) is one. It can also substitute Da Qing Long Tang and is very stable. Alas, one formula replacing three makes dangerous drugs as safe as flat roads; this is divine! Yet this is unknown to ordinary practitioners. Beyond this stage involves the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Yangming (Yang Brightness) meridians, located halfway between the exterior and interior, within the muscles, with pulses neither floating nor sunken. Exterior manifestations in Yangming include eye pain, nasal dryness, and insomnia, with a pulse resembling flooding and elongation; Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction), Ji Ji Tang (Release Muscle Decoction), or Shengma Tang (Cimicifuga Decoction) are used. In Shaoyang, symptoms include chest and hypochondriac pain and deafness, with a string-taut and rapid pulse; Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is modified to harmonize. (This formula has specific modification methods.) These two meridians are treated from the intermediate aspect rather than the root or branch. I have successfully treated combined Shaoyang-Yangming disease using Xiaochaihu Tang plus Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) and Baishao Radix (White Peony Root), as easily as picking up grass from the ground, but I keep this wonder secret from commoners. Further transmission enters the root of Yangming, signifying entry into the interior. Stools become solid, external symptoms cease (no headache or aversion to cold). Pulses are deep, solid, and not floating; delirium, aversion to cold, constipation for six to seven days, dry mouth/throat, and thirst occur. Mild cases use Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction); severe cases select San Yi Chengqi Tang (Three Yi Chengqi Decoction). Some ask: Since pathogens enter the interior causing excess, isn't it just about using bitter-cold purgatives like Dahuang Rhizome (Rhubarb)? Why such variety in formulas? I reply: Transmission paths differ, so treatments differ. If pathogens injure all three Jiao (Burners), Pi (fullness/oppression), Man (distension), Zao (dryness), and Shi (excess) are all present; Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) is appropriate. Houpo Bark (Magnolia Bark) clears Pi with its bitter-cold nature; Zhishi Immature Bitter Orange Fruit (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) drains Man with its bitter-cold nature; Mangxiar Crystal (Mirabilite) moistens Zao and softens hardness with its salty-cold nature; Dahuang Rhizome (Rhubarb) drains Shi and clears heat with its bitter-cold nature, curing the disease. Pathogens in the Middle Jiao present with Zao (dryness), Shi (excess), and Jian (firmness); Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order the Qi Decoction) is used. Gancao Licorice Root (Glycyrrhizae Radix) harmonizes the middle; Mangxiar Crystal (Mirabilite) moistens dryness; Dahuang Rhizome (Rhubarb) drains excess. Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange Fruit) and Houpo (Magnolia Bark) are omitted to avoid injuring the ethereal, light, and clear Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) of the Upper Jiao. The name "Regulate the Stomach" originates here. Injury to the Upper Jiao results in Pi (oppression) and Shi (excess); Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) is used. Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange Fruit) and Houpo (Magnolia Bark) remove Pi; Dahuang Rhizome (Rhubarb) drains Shi. Omitting Mangxiar Crystal (Mirabilite) avoids injuring the True Yin of the Blood aspect in the Lower Jiao, termed "not chopping the roots." As for Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction), it is indicated when exterior pathogens remain unresolved yet interior symptoms are urgent, requiring downward action; this formula unblocks exterior and interior while treating gently. It is unsuitable for the elderly, weak, or those with dual deficiency of Qi and Blood. When Three Yang pathogens reside in the interior causing illness, spring, summer, and autumn cases may lack headache/aversion to cold but feature thirst; this is Warm Disease (Wenbing). Summerheat disease is similar but hotter; Jiajian Xiaochaihu Tang (Modified Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is suitable. This formula treats Warm Disease in spring, Summerheat in summer, and moistens the lungs in autumn. Shengma Gegen Tang (Cimicifuga Kudzu Decoction), Ji Ji Tang (Release Muscle Decoction), and Baidu San (Detoxify Poison Powder) are also appropriate. For Summerheat with thirst, Xiaohu Shigao Tang (Bupleurum Gypsum Decoction) or Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction) are used based on thirst severity, always effective. The Classic states: "Fever without aversion to cold but with thirst is Warm Disease." Yin syndromes follow different rules and are not covered here.