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Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma preparata with honey (Zhigancao), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang) (each 3 liang).
The above four ingredients are crushed, sifted into powder, and mixed with honey to form pills the size of a chicken egg yolk. Dissolve one pill in several he of boiling water by grinding it, and take warm. Take three times a day, and twice at night. If warmth is not felt in the abdomen after taking the medicine, increase the dose to three or four pills per administration. However, this formulation is less effective than the decoction. For the decoction method, use the four ingredients according to the specified weights, cut them, add eight sheng of water, boil until three sheng remain, remove the dregs, and take one sheng warm, three times a day. If there is a pulsating sensation above the umbilicus, indicating movement of Kidney Qi (Shenqi), remove Baizhu and add Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) 4 liang. If vomiting is frequent, remove Baizhu and add Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) 3 liang. If diarrhea is frequent, continue using Baizhu. If palpitations occur, add Poria (Fuling) 2 liang. If there is thirst for drinking water, increase Baizhu to 4.5 liang total. If there is abdominal pain, increase Ginseng Radix (Renshen) to 4.5 liang total. If there is coldness, increase Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang) to 4.5 liang total. If there is abdominal fullness, remove Baizhu and add Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi) one piece. After taking the decoction, about the time it takes to eat a meal, drink approximately one sheng of hot porridge to maintain slight warmth; do not uncover clothing or blankets.

The Classic states: After a major illness has resolved, frequent spitting and prolonged inability to clear it indicate Cold in the Stomach (Wei Shang You Han). It should be treated with pill formulations, specifically Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill). In Huoluan (Huo Luan, a disease characterized by sudden vomiting and diarrhea) presenting with headache, fever, body pain, and predominance of Cold with no desire for water, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is appropriate. "Lizhong" refers to regulating Cold in the Middle Jiao (Zhong Jiao). When Cold is located above the Stomach, the warmth of the pill formulation allows it to linger in the upper part to warm the Stomach and disperse Cold. In cases of Huoluan where Cold overwhelms Heat, urgent warming is required, so pills are unsuitable and decoctions are preferred. Slow conditions suit pills; urgent conditions suit decoctions. This is the established method of the Sages and must not be violated. Furthermore, the modification principles of Lizhong Tang share the same logic as those of Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) and Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction); they should be studied carefully and not read hastily.

Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) 4 liang, peeled; Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi) 3 pieces, prepared, peeled, broken into eight slices; Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) 3 liang, sliced; Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma preparata with honey (Zhigancao) 3 liang; Jujubae Fructus (Dazao) 12 pieces, split open.
The above five ingredients are boiled in six sheng of water until three sheng remain. Remove the dregs and divide into three warm doses.

In Taiyang Disease (Taiyang Bing) lasting eight or nine days, Wind-Dampness (Feng Shi) intertwines, causing severe bodily pain and inability to turn over independently, without vomiting or thirst, and with a pulse that is floating, deficient, and choppy. Guizhi Fuzi Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Aconite Decoction) is indicated. Commentary: Severe bodily pain and inability to turn over indeed belong to the pattern of Wind-Dampness intertwining. However, Wind-Dampness intertwining can belong to Damp-Warmth (Shi Wen) or Cold-Dampness (Han Shi). How to distinguish? From symptoms: Vomiting and thirst indicate Warmth; absence of vomiting and thirst indicates Cold. From pulse: Excess and rapid pulse indicates Warmth; floating, deficient, and choppy pulse indicates Cold. Carefully examining this syndrome and pulse confirms the indication for Guizhi Fuzi Tang without doubt.

Xu Lingtai stated: This formula is essentially Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Fuzi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction minus Peony plus Aconite). In that formula, Guizhi is used in 3 liang and Fuzi in one piece, treating post-error-purgation with a hurried pulse and chest fullness. Here, Guizhi is increased by one liang and Fuzi by two pieces, treating Wind-Dampness intertwining with body pain and a floating, choppy pulse. The same base formula treats vastly different conditions, and the names differ; dosage adjustments cannot be ignored, demonstrating profound principle. How can later practitioners casually modify ancient formulas?