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(This powder originally comes from the Heji Bureau Formulary. Here, the dosage is reduced to suit the condition.)
Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 2 qian, peeled) Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, stir-baked with ginger juice) Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) Gaoben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) (each 1 qian).
The above herbs are ground into a coarse powder. Add one and a half cups of water, three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), and two Zao (Jujubae Fructus). Decoct until seven-tenths remains. Take hot at any time. Cover with warm clothing to induce sweating.
Hu notes: The aforementioned indications mention that this is Taiyang disease caused by cold pathogen invasion. However, the formula contains Gaoben, which is the guiding herb for the Hand-Taiyang meridian. This shows that Shanghan (Cold Damage) does not exclusively affect the Foot meridians. The remaining herbs also traverse the Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin meridians. This is a formula that broadens the middle, releases the exterior, and disperses cold-dampness.
Wang Yutai treated a woodblock carver. The patient had recently married and was exposed to cold in winter, presenting with complete exterior symptoms. Wang prescribed a decoction of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Zisu Jingye (Perillae Folium, each 1 liang). After drinking it, the patient sweated and recovered (This case is cited in the "Shanghan Fever" section of *Zhunsheng*).
Hu notes: The aforementioned indications state that exposure to cold in winter with complete exterior symptoms implies the patient must have headache, aversion to cold, fever, and anhidrosis. Based on the timing and symptoms, this can be considered typical Shanghan. According to Zhang Zhongjing's method, Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) should be used to induce sweating. However, Wang reasoned that as a laborer who had recently married, excessive sweating might lead to Yang collapse and severe depletion of Jin-Ye (Body Fluids). Therefore, he used the acrid-warm nature of Zisu Ye to replace Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum). He also used the sweet-warm nature of Renshen to replace Zhigancao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). This is a mild formula that protects deficiency while releasing the exterior. If later scholars only read Zhang Zhongjing's books and strictly apply his methods, they may cause many errors.
Miao Zhongchun said: In Taiyang disease, symptoms include fever, aversion to cold, aversion to wind, headache, stiffness of the neck and back, stiffness of the waist and spine, generalized bone pain, and a floating, surging pulse. Sweating should be induced first to release the exterior pathogen. The primary medication is Qianghuo Tang (Notopterygii Decoction).

Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 3 qian) Qianhu (Peucedani Radix, 2 qian) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 8 fen) Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix, 2 qian) Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 slices) Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, 2 pieces) Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 9 grains, peeled and crushed). Decoct in water and take orally.
In late autumn and winter, this formula should be used. Zi Su (Perillae Folium) and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) can be added as appropriate. If in severe winter weather, illness occurs immediately upon pathogen invasion, and no sweat is produced after taking this medicine, add Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 1 qian) and four slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) to the base formula, totaling seven slices of ginger. Once sweat is produced, do not take further doses.
Hu notes: The aforementioned discussion states that a floating and surging pulse indicates that Taiyang disease involves the Yangming meridian. Hence, Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) are used in the aforementioned decoction.
Hu further notes: This formula is a slight modification of Zhang Zhongjing's Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) and Gegen Tang (Pueraria Decoction). The inclusion of Qianhu (Peucedani Radix) and Zisu (Perillae Folium) targets the Hand-Taiyin meridian to disperse wind-cold and direct rebellious Qi downward. Who says cold pathogens do not simultaneously injure the Hand meridians? Scholars should gain insight from this, and their medical treatments will likely achieve near-perfect results.
(Hu) General Note: The formulas and theories of various ancient and modern masters for treating Taiyang disease differ, yet all serve to supplement Zhang Zhongjing's work. I believe that those treating Shanghan must study Zhang Zhongjing's treatises to refine their knowledge; otherwise, their learning is incomplete. However, after studying them, one must fear becoming dogmatic about ancient formulas. Thus, without reading other schools' works, one's perspective remains narrow. Only by integrating these readings and thoroughly investigating the differences in their formulas and theories day and night can one eventually achieve sudden enlightenment. One will then understand that the source of medical Dao is indeed the inheritance and elaboration by later generations upon ancestral teachings. Although their theories differ, they are interconnected; although their formulas vary, all are applicable. As someone from the Southeast, I observe that contemporary physicians there fail to understand Zhang Zhongjing's theories or recognize the formulas of various schools. They blindly adhere to Tao Hua's (Tao Jian'an) books to treat Shanghan. Shanghan is a major disease; how can Tao's single school of thought suffice to cover its complexities? This is stealing the name of saving lives while actually harming them. Like the "hypocrite" who disrupts virtue, as Lou Quanshan described, they are "thieves of medicine." They secretly damage Yin virtue, and divine spirits will not bless them. Can one not be cautious?