Library

Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae, 8 liang) Long Dan (Radix Gentianae), Da Qing (Cortex Isatidis) (each 0.5 liang); Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Wei Rui (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati) (each 1 liang); Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Gui Xin (Bark of Cinnamon Twig; note: this should be Gui Zhi [Ramulus Cinnamomi], with the outer thin bark removed, hence called "Gui Xin". Examination of *Waitai Miyao* shows that whenever Zhang Zhongjing's formulas are cited using Gui Zhi, it is referred to as "Gui Xin", which carries the same meaning. If mistaken for Rou Gui [Cortex Cinnamomi] and the coarse outer bark is removed, it would be an error.) Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae), Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) (each 2 liang); Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, 3 liang).

The above twelve ingredients. Coarsely crush them. Use one dou of water, first boil Ge Gen until eight sheng of liquid remains. Add the remaining herbs and boil until three sheng of liquid remains. Divide into four doses. Take three times during the day and once at night.

Hu notes: The above formula is essentially a combination of Zhang Zhongjing's Ge Gen Tang (Pueraria Decoction) and Da Qing Long Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction), with Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) and Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) removed, and Long Dan, Da Qing, Sheng Ma, Wei Rui, and Huang Qin added (five herbs in total). The indications state: "body feels vexed, toxic, and hot." Therefore, these bitter-cold and acrid-sweet herbs are added to vent and dissipate the pathogenic factors. Furthermore, regarding Da Qing, Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* states: It grows everywhere. It is two or three chi tall, has round stems, leaves three to four cun long, green on the upper surface and pale on the lower, growing opposite each other on the nodes. After harvesting, it is dried in the shade, and both stems and leaves are used. It specifically treats epidemic headaches with high fever, epidemic toxic heat, and warm epidemics with chills and fever. Various materia medica texts record similar functions. However, contemporary physicians rarely know of it, which is truly lamentable. Regarding Wei Rui, known as Nu Wei in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, it treats sudden wind-stroke with fever and inability to move. Zhen Quan's *Yaoxing Lun* uses it to treat epidemic chills and fever. Currently, it is rarely used in the treatment of cold damage diseases, appearing only in formulas treating deficiency consumption.

Formula for Treating Cold Damage
Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae, 10 jin); Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 jin 12 liang, preferring golden-colored pieces); Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum, 3 dou 4 sheng).

The above three ingredients. Coarsely crush them. Soak Ma Huang in a cauldron placed on an east-facing stove using five hu of snow water for three nights. Add Da Huang and stir to mix well. Cook using mulberry wood fire until two hu of juice is obtained. Remove the dregs and return the liquid to the cauldron. Crush Xing Ren and add it to the juice. Cook again until approximately six or seven dou of juice remains. Strain to remove dregs and place in a copper vessel. Add three dou of snow water and decoct together. Stir to mix well until two hu 4 sheng of liquid remains. The medicine can be formed into pills. Allow to cool and solidify, forming pills the size of bullet seeds. For patients, take half a sheng of freshly boiled plain water, dissolve one pill in it, and drink when the temperature is suitable. Profuse sweating will occur immediately. If not cured, administer another pill. Store the medicine tightly sealed to prevent loss of medicinal qi.

Hu notes: The above formula treats Taiyang channel disease complicated by Yangming fu-organ excess. It is a formula that simultaneously applies sweating and purging methods. This is analogous to the Shaoyang-Yangming syndrome treated with Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction); the principle is the same.