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Shengjiang (Cinnamon Twig, four liang) Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, half sheng) Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, one liang) Gancao (Licorice Root, three liang, honey-fried) Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, one liang) Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, three liang) Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, one liang) Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, twelve pieces)
The above eight herbs are decocted in ten dou of water to obtain six sheng of liquid. The dregs are removed, and the liquid is further concentrated by boiling until three sheng remain. Each dose is one sheng, taken warm, three times a day.

In cases of Shanghan (Cold Damage) or Zhongfeng (Wind Strike), if the physician erroneously employs purgation, the patient may suffer from diarrhea dozens of times a day, with undigested food, borborygmus (rumbling in the abdomen), epigastric fullness and hardness, dry heaving, irritability, and restlessness. Seeing the epigastric stuffiness, the physician might assume residual pathogenic factors and administer purgation again, exacerbating the stuffiness. This is not due to accumulated heat but rather to deficiency of Stomach Qi and rebellion of hostile Qi ascending, causing hardness. Gancao Xiexin Tang (Licorice Decoction for Draining the Epigastrium) is the primary treatment.

In Shanghan or Zhongfeng, the appropriate treatment should be release of the exterior. If purgation is erroneously used, it damages Middle Jiao Qi, leading to inability to digest food and fluids. Wood and Earth Qi become stagnant, and the ascending-descending mechanism reverses. Spleen Qi sinks and overacts on Liver Wood (Yi Wood), causing borborygmus and diarrhea; Stomach Qi rebels and attacks Gallbladder Wood (Jia Wood), causing epigastric stuffiness, hardness, and dry heaving. Ministerial Fire and Sovereign Fire both ascend, causing irritability. The physician mistakes the stuffiness for accumulated heat and purges again, worsening the condition. This is not accumulated heat but deficiency of Yang Qi in the Stomach, failing to contain Yin pathogens, allowing hostile Qi within Yin to rebel and occupy Yang positions, resulting in epigastric knotting and hardness. In Gancao Xiexin Tang, Gancao, Ganjiang, and Dazao tonify the Middle and warm Lower Cold; Banxia, Huangqin, and Huanglian descend rebellion and clear Upper Heat.

Gancao (Licorice Root, four liang) Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, twelve pieces) Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, three liang) Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, half sheng, washed) Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, three liang) Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, one liang)
The above six herbs are decocted in ten dou of water to obtain six sheng of liquid. The dregs are removed, and the liquid is further concentrated by boiling until three sheng remain. Each dose is one sheng, taken warm, three times a day.

After taking herbal medicine for Shanghan, if diarrhea persists without cessation and the epigastrium feels hard and stuffed, and after taking Xiexin Tang (Draining the Epigastrium Decoction), if other purgatives are administered and diarrhea still does not cease, the physician might use Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction). However, this will worsen the diarrhea. Lizhong Tang regulates the Middle Jiao; this diarrhea originates in the Lower Jiao. Chishizhi Yuyuliang Tang (Red Halloysite and Hematite Decoction) is the primary treatment. If diarrhea persists despite this, diuresis (promoting urination) should be employed.

If Shanghan patients erroneously take cold-natured medicines, damaging Middle Jiao Qi, they may suffer from persistent diarrhea and epigastric hardness. After taking Xiexin Tang, if diarrhea continues, the physician might suspect accumulated heat and purge again, causing collapse of Yang Qi and persistent diarrhea. If the physician then assumes Middle Cold and administers Lizhong Tang, the diarrhea worsens. Lizhong Tang only regulates the Middle Jiao; this diarrhea involves Lower Jiao sliding and uncontrolled expulsion. It cannot be stopped by regulating the Middle. Chishizhi Yuyuliang Tang should be used to secure the Lower Jiao and stop sliding. If diarrhea persists, it is likely due to dampness in Earth and fluid retention, where the anterior opening (urinary tract) is blocked, causing fluids to flow into the intestines. Diuresis should be employed; once the water pathways open, the grain pathway (anus) will close.