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Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (each 1.5 liang); Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 liang).
Crush the above herbs. Take 5 qian per dose, with 3 slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), 1 Zao (Jujubae Fructus), decoct in water. Take three times during the day and twice at night. If the pulse remains deep and slow, administer another dose.
Wang Hu notes: The above formula is essentially Zhang Zhongjing's Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) with Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) added. Generally, for individuals with a constitution that has always been deficient, when affected by external wind-cold, the primary approach should be nourishment, supplemented by methods to disperse pathogens. Thus, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) already belongs to tonifying deficiency formulas. Because the patient's chi (cun-kou) pulse is slow and weak, Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) are added to supplement blood and qi. Although Xu Shi stated it supplements blood and solidifies, it actually supplements both qi and blood; this is suitable only when the patient's ying (nutritive) and wei (defensive) qi are both weak and there is sweating due to wind-strike. Otherwise, do not administer lightly.
Han Zhihe said: When a patient's pulses on both hands are floating and rapid, or tight, or relaxed, and the cun (inch) pulse is short, being weaker than the guan (bar) and chi (cubit) pulses, this is named Yin excess and Yang deficiency. The *Suwen* states that excess Yin leads to profuse sweating and coldness of the body; one may then administer exterior-releasing agents that eliminate Yin and assist Yang. If the time is after Lichun (Start of Spring) but before Qingming (Clear and Bright), Liuwu Mahuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Ephedra Decoction) is indicated as the main treatment.

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, tips removed, 1 liang); Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) (each 7.5 qian); Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried) (each 0.5 liang).
Crush the above herbs. Take 5 qian per dose, with 1 cup of water and 2 Zao (Jujubae Fructus), decoct until reduced to 70%, and take hot. If after 3–5 doses sweating has not ceased and aversion to wind persists, add Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica) 7 qian. If sweating continues, add Dingxiangpi (Syzygii Armati Cortex) 0.5 liang.
Wang Hu notes: The above formula is essentially Zhang Zhongjing's Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) with Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) removed, and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix) added. Generally, for individuals with Qi deficiency suffering from Taiyang and Yangming meridians' Shanghan (Cold Damage) without sweating, this decoction is suitable. For those with sweating, do not use lightly. The preceding discussion states that Yin excess and Yang deficiency imply that Yin-cold pathogens, taking advantage of exterior deficiency, lodge between the ying (nutritive) and wei (defensive) levels. The patient's whole-body Yang qi cannot reach the exterior. The treatment method should employ Yang-assisting agents to release the exterior, allowing sweat to emerge so the exterior harmonizes; thus Yang qi recovers and Yin pathogens dissipate. Therefore, in the aforementioned decoction, the acrid-warm properties of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) are used to penetrate the exterior and eliminate Yin. Since the pulse anterior to the guan position is short and small, indicating insufficiency of the true Qi of the Lung and Spleen, Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and honey-fried Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), sweet-warm substances, are added to tonify the middle and assist Yang. This demonstrates the flexibility and comprehensiveness of formula formulation. Essentially, the former formula treats wind-strike in deficient persons, while this formula treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) in deficient persons; they follow the same principle. Who says there is no tonification method for Shanghan (Cold Damage)?
Wang Hu further notes: The preceding discussion cites the *Suwen*: "Excess Yin leads to profuse sweating and coldness of the body." This describes a syndrome of True Yang deficiency and collapse, with direct invasion by Yin-cold. Physicians urgently administering Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Shufu (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) might still fear failing to prevent Yang exhaustion; how could one dare use heavy diaphoretic drugs like Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix)? Moreover, Han Shi's original discussion also states: "Spontaneous sweating and aversion to wind indicate pathogenic factors in the exterior, attributed to excess Yin," and prescribes medication according to three seasonal periods. Including the previous ones, there are three formulas in total, all containing Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). Does he not know Zhang Zhongjing's principle that Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is contraindicated in cases with sweating? It is evident that Han Shi's formula discussions are self-contradictory. To this day, the book *Weizhi* lacks complete copies in the world. Probably its transmission is hindered by its inappropriate statements. Furthermore, his post-formula notes say: "If sweating does not cease and there is aversion to wind, do not remove Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) but instead add Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica)." And again: "If sweating persists, add Dingxiangpi (Syzygii Armati Cortex)." I fear that although Dingxiangpi (Syzygii Armati Cortex) is acrid-warm and similar to Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), adding Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) directly would be superior. Han Shi's method of resolving according to time is largely misunderstood; thus, only the above formulas are excerpted to show that there are indeed suitable medicines for Shanghan (Cold Damage) in deficient persons. Students should merely adopt the formulas and not adhere rigidly to his theoretical discussions.
Liu Hejian treated Shanghan (Cold Damage) where the exterior was excess with no sweating, headache and stiff neck, stiffness of the waist and spine, fever and aversion to cold, tension and tightness of the shoulders and back, slight coldness of the fingertips, and a floating, rapid, and tight pulse. This indicates pathogenic heat in the exterior, which corresponds to Zhang Zhongjing's Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) syndrome. One should use Qingjie San (Clear and Release Powder) combined with Tianshui San (Heavenly Water Powder) to induce sweating.