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Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 2 jin, crushed) Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, 6 liang) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 liang) Jingmi (Oryzae Sativa Semen, 6 he)

The above four ingredients. Use one dou of water. Boil until the rice is cooked and the decoction is ready. Strain to remove the dregs. Take one sheng warm each time, three times a day.

The Classic states: In San Yang He Bing (Concurrent disease of the Taiyang, Yangming, and Shaoyang channels), there are symptoms of abdominal fullness, heaviness of the body, difficulty in turning over, numbness of the mouth with a dirty complexion, delirium, and urinary incontinence. If sweating methods are used, delirium will worsen; if purgative methods are used, sweat will appear on the forehead, and the hands and feet will become cold. If there is spontaneous sweating, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) should be administered. I observe that in San Yang He Bing, the pulse is floating and large, the patient desires sleep, and sweats when closing the eyes. Carefully examining this, these are the signs of San Yang He Bing. The reason for abdominal fullness and body heaviness is that Yang Qi is excessive in the channels, causing the interior Qi to be unable to support itself. Numbness of the mouth and delirium occur because heat pathogens overflow within, obscuring the Shen Spirit. Consequently, turbid Qi steams upward causing a dirty complexion, and Yin fluids leak downward causing urinary incontinence. Both sweating and purging are sufficient to deplete Jin Ye (Body Fluids) and invite complications. The only strategy is to use Baihu Tang to descend Lung Metal Qi and clear Stomach Heat, so that exterior and interior pathogens resolve naturally.

Various books state that Baihu Tang mainly treats Yangming Channel Heat. Here it is San Yang He Bing, why is responsibility placed solely on Yangming? It is believed that Yangming resides in the center as Earth, where all things return. When pathogens combine from the three Yang channels, they are unified under Yangming treatment. Upon examination of the formula's usage, Shigao and Zhimu take the descending and clearing nature of Lung Metal to nourish the source of Kidney Water generation. Water originates from the high source, and Stomach Earth relies on it for irrigation. Additionally, Gancao and Jingmi carry the medicine to linger in the Upper Jiao, generating Jin Ye and resolving dryness, thus eliminating vexation and heat. This is what is meant by "treating diseases requires seeking the root."

Furthermore, the Classic states: In Shanghan (Cold Damage), if the pulse is slippery and there is Jue Ni (cold extremities), it indicates Heat in the interior. Baihu Tang should be administered. I consider that Jue Ni is generally a sign of pathogen entering the interior, but it differs in Cold and Heat. A fine pulse with Jue Ni is Han Jue (Cold Jue), while a slippery pulse with Jue Ni is Re Jue (Heat Jue). Previously, due to mismanagement, Jue occurred; if mismanaged again after Jue appears, the Heat pathogen will sink deeper, and the loss of Yin fluids will follow immediately. Therefore, it is urgent to use Baihu Tang to protect Yin fluids and drive out Yang Heat, thereby preventing the complication of deep heat leading to deep Jue.

Additionally, Da Qing Long Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction) and Baihu Tang both use Shigao, but their main treatments differ. Da Qing Long Tang governs Rain, like sweet rain covering fields, dissipating stagnation and oppression. Baihu Tang governs Wind, like cool breezes refreshing, making heat feel as if lost. Thus, Da Qing Long Tang is differentiated by the absence of sweating, while Baihu Tang is differentiated by the presence of spontaneous sweating.