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Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig, 1 liang, bark removed) Gancao (Licorice Root, 2 liang, honey-fried) Muli (Oyster Shell, 2 liang, calcined) Longgu (Fossilized Bone, 2 liang)
Crush the above four herbs into powder. Add five sheng of water, boil to obtain two sheng of decoction, remove the dregs. Take eight ge warm per dose, three times a day.
The classics state: In cases where fire therapy caused adverse reactions, followed by purgation, and then burning needle therapy resulted in restlessness (Fan Zao), this decoction is indicated. This syndrome is slightly milder than the previous clause because the Primordial Yang (Yuan Yang) has not yet flown away and scattered, thus there is no need for the swift and violent nature of Shuqi (Coenogonium) to urgently pursue and disturb [the mind]. It is merely that errors in purgation and subsequent burning needle therapy led to restlessness through repeated mistakes. Therefore, this restlessness is not the restlessness without sweating seen in Taiyang disease, nor is it the restlessness after vomiting and diarrhea seen in Shaoyin disease; rather, it already exhibits signs of inability to sit or lie still, serving as a precursor to fright and mania (Jing Kuang), implying a latent mechanism of Yang collapse (Wang Yang). Hence, Guizhi is used as the chief herb to enter the Heart and assist Yang, supplemented with Gancao, Longgu, and Muli to calm the Middle Jiao and subdue rebellious Qi.

Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig, 1 liang 16 zhu, bark removed) Shaoyao (Peony Root) Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) Gancao (Licorice Root) Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, each 1 liang, nodes removed) Xingren (Prunus Armeniaca Seed, 24 seeds, soaked in hot water, skin and tips removed, excluding double-kernel ones) Dazao (Jujube Fruit, 4 pieces, torn open)
Take the above seven herbs, add five sheng of water, first boil Mahuang for one or two boils, remove the foam on the surface, then add the remaining herbs. Boil to obtain 1.8 sheng of decoction, remove the dregs, take warm.
Commentary: In Taiyang disease, after eight or nine days, the condition resembles malaria (Nue), with fever and aversion to cold, where heat predominates over cold. This occurs at a critical juncture of alternating victory and defeat between healthy Qi (Zheng Qi) and pathogenic factors (Xie Qi). One must worry about the pathogen transferring to other meridians, and also worry that the healthy Qi may be depleted; careful differentiation is essential. If the patient does not vomit and bowel movements are relatively normal, it indicates the pathogen has not entered the interior. If it occurs two or three times a day, it suggests the pathogen is moving outward. If the pulse is slightly slow (Wei Huan), it indicates sufficient Stomach Qi to resist the pathogen, which is a sign of impending recovery. However, if the pulse is fine (Wei) and aversion to cold is severe, this indicates deficiency of both Yin and Yang; one must not induce sweating, purge, or provoke vomiting, lest mis-treatment damage Yang and cause further complications. If the patient's face appears reddish, this is a sign of resolution that is incomplete. Because slight sweating cannot be achieved to ventilate and assist Yang Qi, causing Yang Qi, though not disturbing internally, to become constrained (Fu Yu) between the skin and muscles, the body will inevitably itch; this is clear evidence. Therefore, Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-Dose Decoction) is used with a reduced dosage, so that upon achieving sweating, the pathogen will be completely resolved.