芍药(三两) 甘草(二两炙) 附子(一枚泡去皮切八片)
以上三味。以水五升。煮取一升五合。去滓。分温服。
此桂枝汤去桂姜枣。加附子。亦桂枝汤之变方也。经云。发汗病不解。反恶寒者。虚故也
。此
汤主之。发汗后之恶寒。其非表邪可知。若因其恶寒而投以桂枝。误也。故以附子合芍药甘
草。从阴分敛戢其阳。阳回而虚自止矣。
凡汗后之恶寒属虚。汗不出之恶寒属实。不得以汗不出之恶寒。拦入阳虚一路。此又仲
景言外之意。宜识之。
桂枝(四两去皮) 甘草(二两炙)
上二味。以水三升。煮取一升。去滓顿服。
此于桂枝汤中摘取二味。遂变和营固卫之方。而为理虚护阳之剂也。经云。发汗过多。
其人叉手自冒心。心下悸。欲得按者。桂枝甘草汤主之。
汗者心之液。发汗过多。则心气虚。虚故悸。叉手冒心。心阳失护而求卫也。因虚而悸
。故
欲得按。乃于桂枝汤中尽撤生姜之辛散。大枣之泥滞。并无藉于芍药之酸收。独任桂枝入心
营以助阳。又得甘草逗遛中土。载还阳气。则心君复辟。中宫谧泰矣。
徐灵胎曰。此乃亡阳之轻者。同一心下悸证。若其人头眩身 动。振振欲擗地。又属真
武汤矣。一证而轻重不同。用方迥异。其义精矣。
茯苓(半斤) 桂枝(四两去皮) 甘草(二两炙) 大枣(十二枚擘)
上四味。以甘澜水一斗。先煮茯苓。减二升。纳诸药。煮取三升。去滓。温服一升。日三
服。作甘澜水法。取水三斗。置大盆内。以杓扬之。水上有珠子五六千颗相逐。取用之。
发汗后。其人脐下悸者。欲作奔豚。此汤主之。按心下悸。是心阳虚。脐下悸。是肾气
动。
肾气一动。便有凌心之势。若俟其奔豚既作。则补救已晚。亟当乘此欲作未作之时。预伐其
谋。桂枝保心气。茯苓泄肾邪。甘草大枣培土制水。煮以甘澜水。取其力薄。不致助水也。
再论桂枝加桂汤。不用茯苓者。以气已从少腹上冲心。难恃茯苓渗泄之力。故寄重任于
桂枝。以助心阳而伐肾气。此则水势尚在下焦。尚堪培土以制水也。
Peony Radix (San Liang) [Paeoniae Radix Alba]
Licorice Root, prepared with honey (Liang) [Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum cum Melle]
Aconite Lateral Root, processed, peeled, cut into eight slices (One piece) [Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata]
The above three herbs. Boil in five sheng of water. Reduce to one sheng and five he. Strain the dregs. Divide into two doses and take warm.
This is a modified formula of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), where Cinnamon Twig, Fresh Ginger, and Jujube are removed, and Prepared Aconite Root is added. The Classics state: "After sweating, if the disease does not resolve but chills appear instead, it is due to deficiency."
This decoction is indicated for this condition. Chills appearing after sweating indicate that it is not an exterior pathogenic factor. To administer Guizhi Tang solely because of chills would be an error. Therefore, Prepared Aconite Root is combined with Peony Radix and Licorice Root to restrain floating Yang from the Yin aspect. Once Yang returns, the deficiency ceases.
Generally, chills after sweating belong to deficiency; chills without sweating belong to excess. One must not categorize chills without sweating under the pathway of Yang deficiency. This is the implicit meaning of Zhang Zhongjing, which should be recognized.
Cinnamon Twig, peeled (Si Liang) [Cinnamomi Ramulus]
Licorice Root, prepared with honey (Liang) [Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum cum Melle]
The above two herbs. Boil in three sheng of water. Reduce to one sheng. Strain the dregs and take in one dose.
By extracting only two herbs from Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), the formula transforms from one that harmonizes Ying and Wei to protect the exterior, into an agent that treats deficiency and protects Yang. The Classics state: "If excessive sweating leads to a patient crossing their hands over the heart region, experiencing palpitations, and desiring pressure, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is indicated."
Sweat is the fluid of the Heart. Excessive sweating depletes Heart Qi. Due to deficiency, palpitations arise. Crossing hands over the heart indicates that Heart Yang has lost protection and seeks support. Because of deficiency-induced palpitations, there is a desire for pressure. Thus, the pungent dispersing nature of Fresh Ginger and the cloying stagnation of Jujube are completely removed from Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). There is no reliance on the sour astringency of Peony Radix. Instead, Cinnamon Twig alone is employed to enter the Ying level of the Heart to assist Yang. Combined with Licorice Root, which lingers in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner) to carry and restore Yang, the Heart Sovereign is re-established, and the Central Palace becomes tranquil.
Xu Lingtai stated: "This represents a mild case of Yang collapse. In cases of palpitations in the epigastrium, if the patient experiences dizziness, body tremors, and a sensation of being unable to stand firm, it belongs to Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction). Although the symptom is similar, the severity differs, and the formulas used are distinct. The principle is subtle and profound."
Poria (Ban Jin) [Poria]
Cinnamon Twig, peeled (Si Liang) [Cinnamomi Ramulus]
Licorice Root, prepared with honey (Liang) [Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum cum Melle]
Jujube, split (Twelve pieces) [Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus]
The above four herbs. Use one dou of Ganlan Water (Gently Stirred Water). First boil Poria until the volume reduces by two sheng. Add the remaining herbs. Boil to obtain three sheng. Strain the dregs. Take one sheng warm, three times daily.
Method for preparing Ganlan Water: Take three dou of water, place in a large basin. Use a ladle to stir the water vigorously until thousands of pearl-like bubbles chase each other on the surface. Use this water.
After sweating, if the patient experiences palpitations below the umbilicus, indicating impending Ben Tun (Running Piglet), this decoction is indicated. Note: Palpitations in the epigastrium indicate Heart Yang deficiency; palpitations below the umbilicus indicate Kidney Qi agitation. When Kidney Qi agitates, it has the tendency to overwhelm the Heart. If one waits for Ben Tun to fully manifest before remedying, it will be too late. One must act while it is about to occur but has not yet, to preemptively curb its momentum. Cinnamon Twig protects Heart Qi; Poria drains Kidney pathogens; Licorice Root and Jujube nourish Earth to control Water. Using Ganlan Water implies utilizing its gentle nature so as not to aid Water accumulation.
Regarding Guizhi Jia Gui Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Added Cinnamon Twig): Poria is not used because the Qi has already rushed from the lower abdomen to the Heart, making it difficult to rely on the draining power of Poria. Thus, the heavy responsibility is placed on Cinnamon Twig to assist Heart Yang and subdue Kidney Qi. In this current case, the Water pathogen remains in the Lower Jiao, allowing for the strategy of nourishing Earth to control Water.