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The *Neijing* states: Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) is originally used to resolve the muscle layer (*jieji*). If the patient's pulse is floating and tight, with fever but no sweating, it must not be administered. One must always keep this in mind to avoid errors. Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) primarily treats Taiyang Wind Strike syndrome (*Taiyang Zhongfeng*). In cases where the interstices are dense, Ying and Wei pathogenic factors are substantial, body fluids are consolidated, and Cold pathogen prevails, Guizhi Tang cannot disperse the pathogen. It can only be used when the skin pores are loose and the patient has spontaneous sweating, indicating that Wind pathogen has invaded the Wei Qi. Zhang Zhongjing considered "resolving the muscle layer" as a mild method and "inducing sweating" as a heavy method. Therefore, after inducing sweating, vomiting, or purging, if body pain persists, Guizhi Tang should be given rather than Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). This is because Mahuang Tang is specifically for strong diaphoresis; after sweating, vomiting, or purging, internal body fluids are depleted. Even if exterior pathogenic factors remain, only resolving the muscle layer is appropriate, so Guizhi Tang is used to gently harmonize.

Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), pungent and hot, serves as the Sovereign drug. The character "Gui" is akin to "Gui" (jade tablet), signifying the guidance of other herbs, acting as a pioneer. This aligns with the principle that "pungent and sweet flavors disperse and belong to Yang." Dispersing Wind pathogen must primarily rely on pungent flavors, hence Guizhi is the Sovereign. Shaoyao (White Peony Root), bitter and sour, slightly cold, and Gancao (Licorice Root), sweet and neutral, serve as Minister and Assistant drugs. As stated in the *Neijing*: "When Wind excess prevails, pacify with pungent, assist with bitter, ease with sweet, and astringe with sour." Thus, Shaoyao is the Minister, and Gancao is the Assistant. Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), pungent and warm, and Dazao (Jujube), sweet and warm, serve as Envoy drugs. As the *Neijing* states: "When Wind is internal, ease with sweet and disperse with pungent." Hence, Ginger and Jujube are Envoys. Although their pungent and sweet flavors allow for dispersion, their role here extends beyond mere dispersion. Since the Spleen governs transporting fluids for the Stomach, the function of Ginger and Jujube is to specifically move the Spleen's fluids and harmonize Ying and Wei. Mahuang Tang does not use Ginger and Jujube because its focus is solely on inducing sweating, which does not require fluid transformation for patency, as fluids naturally flow. Practitioners using various formulas should study these principles carefully.

Guizhi (Sovereign, 3 liang, bark removed) Shaoyao (Minister/Assistant, 3 liang) Gancao (Minister/Assistant, 2 liang, honey-fried) Dazao (Envoy, 12 pieces, split) Shengjiang (Envoy, 3 liang, sliced)

Crush the above five ingredients. Boil in 7 sheng of water over low heat until reduced to 3 sheng. Remove the dregs. When the temperature is suitable, drink 1 sheng. Shortly after ingestion, consume more than 1 sheng of hot thin porridge to assist the medicinal power. Cover with blankets for about one hour until the entire body shows slight perspiration, which is ideal. Do not allow profuse sweating like flowing water, otherwise the disease will not be resolved. If sweating occurs after the first dose and the illness resolves, stop subsequent doses; there is no need to finish the remaining decoction. If no sweating occurs, administer another dose according to the previous method. If still no sweating, shorten the interval between subsequent doses, aiming to complete three doses within half a day. For severe cases, administer continuously over day and night, observing for 24 hours. If symptoms persist after finishing one prescription, prepare and administer another. If sweating still does not occur, up to two or three prescriptions may be used. Avoid consuming raw/cold foods, sticky/greasy foods, meat, wheat, the "Five Pungents," alcohol, dairy products, and foul-smelling substances.