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Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, half jin), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, three liang), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum, half jin, washed), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, three liang), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, roasted, four pieces), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, two liang)
Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, five liang, sliced), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus, twelve pieces, torn open)
The above seven herbs. Decoct with one dou and two sheng of water. Boil down to six sheng. Strain the dregs. Re-decoct. Take one sheng warm each time, three times a day.
This is Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Gan Cao (Licorice Root) removed, and Zhi Shi, Shao Yao, and Da Huang added. It is a formula for treating the combined syndrome of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Yangming (Yang Brightness). The alternating chills and fever, with heat binding internally, indicates that the pathogenic factor has become internal excess. Because of this internal excess, purgation is used to resolve it. This is the method of "treating obstruction with unblocking" to remove blockage. The feeling of fullness and hardness in the heart region, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, indicates that the pathogenic factor has sunk inward. Because of this sinking, downward purging is employed to drain the excess. This is also the method of "using unblocking treatment for unblocking symptoms" (Tong Yin Tong Yong). Since the exterior syndrome has not resolved, Chai Hu-based formulas remain primary. Since the interior is already excess, Zhi Shi and Da Huang should be added. Ren Shen and Gan Cao are not used out of fear that they will moderate the middle jiao and retain the pathogen. Shao Yao is added to gather the Ying (Nutritive) level and preserve body fluids. Note: Shaoyang syndrome generally should not be treated with purgation. Here, however, heat pathogens bind in Yangming while Shaoyang symptoms persist. Therefore, this formula serves as a method to resolve both exterior and interior simultaneously.

Chai Hu (two liang and sixteen zhu), Huang Qin, Gan Cao (roasted), Ren Shen, Sheng Jiang (each one liang, sliced), Ban Xia (twenty zhu, washed), Da Zao
(four pieces), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas, two liang)
The above eight herbs. Decoct with four sheng of water. Boil down to two sheng. Strain the dregs. Add Mang Xiao. Cook again until slightly boiling. Divide into two doses and take warm. If not resolved, prepare another dose.
Xiao Chai Hu Tang original formula plus Mang Xiao, but with lighter dosages. Although tidal fever is indeed a sign of internal heat, the patient has already experienced mild diarrhea, indicating that the Qi of the interior is already flowing freely. It is merely because the previous purgation was improperly performed that the pathogenic factors in the fu organs have not yet resolved. Thus, the harsh purgation of Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) is unnecessary. For the part of the Chai Hu syndrome that has not yet resolved, Xiao Chai Hu Tang was already used first to resolve the exterior. At this point, there is no need for the full dosage of Chai Hu. Therefore, the dosages are further reduced, adding only Mang Xiao to gently clear the stagnation. This is the lightest of these formulas. Zhang Lingshao stated that Da Chai Hu Tang plus Mang Xiao should be used, which contradicts the intent of the classic text.
Xu Lingtai said: Adding Da Huang and Zhi Shi to Da Chai Hu Tang is equivalent to combining with Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction). Adding Mang Xiao here is equivalent to combining with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Order the Qi Decoction). Both are formulas for treating Shaoyang and Yangming simultaneously.