王 曰。小热之气。凉以和之。大热之气。寒以取之。发黄者。热之极也。非大寒之剂。
则不能彻其热。茵陈蒿味苦寒。酸苦涌泄为阴。酸以涌之。苦以泄之。泄甚热者。必
以苦为主。故以茵陈蒿为君。心法南方火而主热。栀子味苦寒。苦入心而寒胜热。
大热之气。必以苦寒之物胜之。故以栀子为臣。大黄味苦寒。宜补必以酸。宜下必
以苦。推除邪热。必假将军攻之。故以大黄为使。苦寒相近。虽甚热。大毒必祛除。分
泄前后。复得利而解矣。
茵陈蒿（君六两） 栀子（臣十四枚擘） 大黄（使二两去皮）
上三味。以水一斗二升。先煮茵陈蒿。减六升。内二味。煮取三升。去渣分三服小
盒饭利。尿如皂荚汁状。色正赤。一宿腹减。则黄从小便去也。
白虎西方金神也。应秋而归肺。热甚于内者。以寒下之。热甚于外者。以凉解之。其
有中外俱热。内不得泄。外不得发者。非此汤则不能解之也。夏热秋凉。暑 之气。
得秋而止。秋之令曰处暑。是汤以白虎名之。谓能止热也。知母味苦寒。内经曰。热
淫所胜。佐以苦甘。又曰。热淫于内。以苦发之。欲彻表热。必以苦为主。故以知母为
君。石膏味甘微寒。热则伤气。寒以胜之。甘以缓之。热胜其气。必以甘寒为助。是以
石膏甘寒为臣。甘草味甘平。粳米味甘平。脾欲缓。急食甘以缓之。热气内蕴。消燥
津液。则脾气燥。必以甘平之物缓其中。故以甘草粳米为之使。是太阳中 。得此汤则顿除之。即热见白虎而尽矣。立
秋后不可服。以秋则阴气平矣。白虎为大寒剂。秋王之时。若不能食。服之而气哕逆不能食。成虚羸者多矣。（春沂云立
秋后至多矣四十二字疑后人所加。）
知母（君六两） 石膏（臣一斤碎） 甘草（使二两炙） 粳米（使六合）
上四味。以水一斗。煮米熟汤成。去渣。温服一升。日三服。
Wang Shuhe said: For mild heat pathogens, cool-natured herbs are used to harmonize; for severe heat pathogens, cold-natured herbs are used to eliminate. Jaundice (Huangdan) is the extreme manifestation of heat. Unless a formula with strong cold properties is used, the heat cannot be thoroughly cleared. Yinchen Hao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) is bitter and cold. Sour and bitter flavors have the functions of inducing vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin. The sour flavor induces purging, while the bitter flavor drains downward. To drain extreme heat, bitter herbs must be primary; therefore, Yinchen Hao is used as the Sovereign herb. The Heart corresponds to Fire in the South and governs heat. Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) is bitter and cold. Bitter enters the Heart channel, and cold overcomes heat. Severe heat must be overcome by bitter-cold substances; thus, Zhizi is used as the Minister herb. Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) is bitter and cold. Tonification requires sour flavors, while purgation requires bitter flavors. To push out evil heat, one must rely on the "General" (a metaphor for Dahuang) to attack; hence, Dahuang is used as the Envoy herb. These herbs share similar bitter-cold properties. Although the heat is severe, the toxic pathogen will certainly be eliminated. By draining through both anterior and posterior orifices (urination and defecation), the pathogen is resolved through purgation.
Yinchen Hao (Sovereign, 6 liang) Zhizi (Minister, 14 pieces, broken) Dahuang (Envoy, 2 liang, skin removed)
Take these three herbs, add 12 sheng of water, first decoct Yinchen Hao until the volume reduces by 6 sheng. Then add the other two herbs, decoct until 3 sheng remains. Strain the dregs and divide into three doses. If urination becomes smooth and the urine resembles the juice of soap pods with a deep red color, abdominal distension will decrease overnight, and the jaundice will pass via the urinary tract.
Baihu Tang corresponds to the Metal Spirit of the West, aligns with Autumn, and associates with the Lung. When heat is severe internally, cold-purgative herbs are used to purge it; when heat is severe externally, cool-releasing herbs are used to resolve it. In cases where both interior and exterior are hot, with internal heat unable to vent and external heat unable to disperse, this formula is required for resolution. Summer is hot, Autumn is cool; the Qi of summer heat ceases upon the arrival of Autumn. The solar term for Autumn is "End of Heat" (Chushu). This formula is named Baihu (White Tiger) because it can stop heat. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) is bitter and cold. The *Neijing* states: "When heat is excessive, assist with bitter and sweet." It also says: "When heat lingers within, use bitter herbs to disperse." To thoroughly clear exterior heat, bitter herbs must be primary; therefore, Zhi Mu is used as the Sovereign herb. Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is sweet and slightly cold. Heat injures Qi, which is overcome by cold; sweetness moderates it. When heat overwhelms Qi, sweet-cold herbs are necessary as assistance; thus, Shigao's sweet-cold nature serves as the Minister herb. Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) is sweet and neutral; Jingmi (Oryza Sativa Germen) is sweet and neutral. The Spleen desires moderation; in urgency, sweet herbs are eaten to moderate it. When heat lingers internally, consuming dry fluids causes the Spleen Qi to become dry. Sweet-neutral substances are needed to moderate the middle Jiao; therefore, Gancao and Jingmi are used as Envoy herbs. This treats Taiyang Zhongshue (Heatstroke). With this formula, the pathogen is instantly removed; heat disappears completely upon encountering the White Tiger (Autumn Metal Qi). It should not be taken after Liqiu (Start of Autumn), because Yin Qi is already balanced in Autumn. Baihu Tang is a formula of great cold. During the time when Autumn Qi prevails, if a patient cannot eat, taking it may cause qi rebellion, hiccups, inability to eat, and result in many cases of deficiency and emaciation. (Chun Yi notes: The forty-two characters from "After Liqiu" to "many cases" are suspected to be later additions.)
Zhi Mu (Sovereign, 6 liang) Shigao (Minister, 1 jin, crushed) Gancao (Envoy, 2 liang, honey-fried) Jingmi (Envoy, 6 he)
Take these four herbs, add 10 sheng of water, decoct until the rice is cooked and the soup is ready. Strain the dregs. Take 1 sheng warm, three times daily.