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Taiyang disease (Disease of the Taiyang Channel) presenting with fever and sweating indicates that Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is weak while Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is strong, causing the sweating. To treat this pathogenic wind, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should be administered as the primary formula.

The concept of "Ying weakness and Wei strength" corresponds to the meaning of "Yang floating and Yin weak" mentioned in the previous chapter, where Wei Qi becomes obstructed and restricts Ying Blood. The term "pathogenic wind" refers to what the classics call "empty evil and thief wind." Wind resides in eight directions according to the eight solar terms. Wind blowing from the current season's direction is called "proper wind" and does not harm humans; wind blowing from the opposite direction is called "thief wind" and harms humans. For instance, wind blowing from the south at the summer solstice is proper wind; if it comes from the north, it is from the opposing direction. This principle is detailed in the *Ling Shu: Nine Palaces and Eight Winds* chapter.

If a patient has no internal organ pathology but experiences periodic fever and spontaneous sweating that does not resolve, it is due to disharmony of Wei Qi. Sweating should be induced prior to the onset of symptoms to achieve cure, with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) as the main prescription.

In Yangming Fu-organ syndrome, excessive sweating leads to greater dryness in the stomach, so fever and sweating do not resolve the disease. However, when a patient’s visceral qi is peaceful without other signs of stomach heat, yet they suffer from periodic fever and spontaneous sweating that persists, it is because Wei Qi is constrained by wind, becoming agitated and disharmonious. In such cases, inducing sweat with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) before the onset of symptoms will lead to recovery; delaying treatment risks the development of other complications.

Patients who frequently experience spontaneous sweating have harmonious Ying Qi. The reason for sweating despite harmonious Ying Qi is external disharmony between Ying and Wei Qi, specifically because Wei Qi fails to harmonize with Ying Qi. Since Ying Qi circulates within the vessels and Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels, re-inducing sweating allows Ying and Wei Qi to harmonize, leading to recovery. Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is appropriate.

Frequent spontaneous sweating indicates that Ying Qi is dispersing, which reflects a state of Ying Qi harmony. However, since Ying Qi is inherently harmonious, the issue lies in its lack of coordination with Wei Qi externally. Wei Qi is constricted by wind and internally suppresses Ying Blood, failing to harmonize with Ying Qi. As Ying moves inside the vessels and Wei moves outside, Wei Qi tends to contract inward while Ying Qi tends to disperse outward. Fundamentally, Wei Qi is not fully constricted, nor is Ying Qi fully dispersed, resulting in sweating without the resolution of wind pathogens. Re-inducing sweating prevents Wei Qi from closing up and allows Ying Qi to reach the exterior; when the two energies harmonize, the disease resolves spontaneously. Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is indicated. If Wei Qi completely closes and Ying Qi becomes stagnant, Ying Qi is disharmonious. If Wei Qi is not fully closed and Ying Qi escapes through sweat, Ying Qi remains relatively harmonious. This relative harmony exists because Wei Qi is constrained by wind but not fully closed. Once fully closed, Ying Qi becomes disharmonious. Since Wei Qi naturally tends to contract and lacks harmony with Ying Qi, complete closure is inevitable. Inducing sweat causes Ying Qi to disperse, thereby harmonizing the two energies.

In Taiyang disease, if a patient feels aggravated or vexed after the first dose of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) without relief, one should first needle Fengchi (GB20) and Fengfu (GV16), then administer Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) again for recovery.

Fengchi (GB20) is an acupoint of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel, and Fengfu (GV16) is an acupoint of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). They are located above Dazhui (GV14) at the back of the neck. The Du Mai and Taiyang Bladder Channel both run along the back, while the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel also traverses the back of the neck. These two points are often open and susceptible to pathogenic invasion; once invaded, the pathogen transmits to the Taiyang channel. Taiyang wind-stroke diseases originate from these two points. After taking Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), the wind should dissipate. If vexation persists, it indicates that wind pathogens are internally blocked in Fengchi and Fengfu and cannot be dispersed. Needling these points first to vent the wind, followed by Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), ensures recovery.