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Ke Qin believed that Zhang Zhongjing divided diseases into six meridians and formulated prescription rules targeting the six conditions of exterior, interior, cold, heat, deficiency, and excess. Each of the six meridians possesses these six rules but has its own emphasis. Taiyang disease emphasizes exterior cold, Yangming disease emphasizes interior heat, Taiyin disease emphasizes deficiency cold, Jueyin disease emphasizes excess heat, while Shaoyang and Shaoyin bear the responsibility of pivot function, thus having no obvious bias. However, Shaoyang leans towards Yang, and Shaoyin leans towards Yin, so prescriptions are also biased accordingly. Nevertheless, Shaoyin's Yin contains Yang; therefore, its exterior symptoms originate from the interior, and heat symptoms often arise from cold. When treating exterior symptoms, one must first protect the interior; when treating heat symptoms, one often treats from the perspective of cold. This is because Yin is dominated by Yang; securing the primal Yang in the Kidney is precisely to preserve the true Yin of Shaoyin. Cases where Yang is excessively abundant and Yin fluid is deficient, causing irritability and inability to sleep within two or three days of onset, which can be treated with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Lianzi (Nelumbinis Semen), are extremely rare. The Kidney inherently lacks excess syndromes; so-called excess syndromes must transfer to Yangming, which is also due to Shaoyin deficiency. Knowing it is a deficiency syndrome allows one to grasp the key to the pathogenesis.

Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction)
Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Licorice Decoction):

Shaoyin governs the interior and theoretically should not have exterior symptoms; diseases originating from Yin should not present with fever. Now, fever appears immediately upon contracting wind-cold, resembling Taiyang disease yet belonging to Shaoyin, because there is no headache and only a desire to sleep (Dan Yu Mei). The *Neijing* states: "Violating the winter storage energy causes Shaoyin to fail to store, leaving Kidney Qi sinking alone." Therefore, when Shaoyin presents with fever and a deep pulse, Aconite (Fuzi) must be added to exterior-resolving formulas to preliminarily secure the interior. The Kidney symbolizes the Kan trigram (water containing fire); if the two Yins fail to store, the single Yang loses its cover, allowing Yin pathogens to invade internally, while isolated Yang scatters externally without attachment. Taiyang is the exterior of Shaoyin; fever without sweat necessitates opening the Taiyang exterior. A deep pulse indicates pathology in the interior, requiring the consolidation of the Shaoyin root. If only Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is used to open the pores and Xixin (Asari Radix) to disperse floating heat, without Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to secure primal Qi, Shaoyin's body fluids will leak out, and Taiyang's subtle Yang will escape externally, moving far from survival. Only when Fuzi and Mahuang are used together can both interior and exterior be harmonized; then wind-cold disperses, Yang returns naturally, essence is stored, and Yin is not disturbed. This represents interior pathology affecting the exterior, where a deep pulse indicates the need for sweating. This is diametrically opposed to exterior pathology affecting the interior, where a floating pulse permits sweating. If after two or three days the exterior heat remains unresolved and interior symptoms have not appeared, Mahuang should not be removed; instead, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)'s middle-harmonizing property should replace Xixin's acrid dispersion. Different roles of assistant and guiding herbs reduce the potency of Mahuang, aiming for slight sweating to achieve recovery; this is a mild formula for releasing the exterior in Shaoyin. Both formulas represent methods of supporting the interior and resolving the exterior for Shaoyin wind-stroke.

Wind is a Yang pathogen; even if occurring in Shaoyin, it manifests immediately, not restricted to the fifth or sixth day. Using Xixin and Mahuang treats wind, not cold; using Fuzi secures the root, not employing "treating heat with heat" as a counter-treatment. Cold is a Yin pathogen; even if in Taiyang, heat does not emerge abruptly, hence the phrase "may not yet manifest." Mahuang and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) excel at treating wind but are not primary agents for cold; thus, their main indications are fever and aversion to cold. If there is aversion to cold without fever, even with urgent exterior symptoms like stiffness and pain of the head and neck, one should use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) or Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) to rescue the interior. Because disease originates from Yin, Yang is already lost; one cannot take "excessive sweating leads to Yang loss" merely as a talking point. Shaoyin's Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang is like Taiyang's Mahuang Tang, a harsh agent for urgent sweating; Shaoyin's Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang is like Taiyang's Guizhi Tang, a mild agent for harmonious sweating. Taiyang is Yang within Yang and governs the exterior; its sweat is easy to produce, and its pathogens easy to scatter. Thus, initially using Mahuang and Gancao assisted by Guizhi, and subsequently using Guizhi and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) counter-assisted by Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba). Shaoyin is Yin within Yin and governs the interior; its sweat is hardest to produce, and its pathogens hardest to scatter. Thus, using Mahuang and Fuzi assisted by Xixin, and subsequently using Mahuang and Fuzi moderated by Gancao. Then, for Shaoyin wind-stroke, if the pulse is superficially weak and deeply floating, it indicates impending recovery; is it not necessary for Yin to emerge as Yang to resolve? However, one must carefully examine cases with a deep pulse and no interior symptoms before inducing sweating; knowing that a deep pulse with interior symptoms contraindicates sweating is crucial. These nuances must be understood. People say Mahuang treats Taiyang cold damage, unaware that Zhongjing used it to treat Shaoyin wind-stroke. Moreover, in Taiyang, only eight he of Mahuang are taken, not necessarily finishing the dose; the subtlety lies in switching to Guizhi Tang if sweating needs to be repeated. In Shaoyin, whether just contracted or after two or three days, one liter can be taken warm, three times daily. Classifying Mahuang solely as a Taiyang meridian herb in *Tangye Bencao* is like digging a well to find spring water yet claiming the water exists only there.

Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction):
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuzi, Fuling (Poria), Shaoyao.

This is a major warming and tonifying formula, a correct treatment for cold damage, serving to secure the root and resist pathogens in Shaoyin. Injury requires tonification; cold requires warming. Yet modern practitioners of cold damage rely on cooling and attacking methods, ignoring the true meaning of "cold damage" for a long time. Shaoyin is Yin within Yin and the storehouse of Yin Water. Severe cold damage often enters Shaoyin, making it the meridian with the most fatal cases. For example, in Shaoyin disease, body pain, cold hands and feet, bone joint pain, a neutral mouth feel, aversion to cold, and a deep pulse indicate a pure Yin, zero Yang syndrome. The formula uses two raw Fuzi for their sharp power and heavy responsibility. The mild fire Yang stimulates the kinetic Qi in the Kidney to resist invading Yin shadows. When the spirit guarding against pathogens has authority and the respiratory gate has locks, body and joint pains are eliminated, hands and feet become warm, and aversion to cold ceases. Renshen secures the source of vital Qi, giving roots to the five Zang and six Fu organs and twelve meridians, preventing the Kidney pulse from remaining solely deep. Among the three Yin meridians, Shaoyin is the pivot. If Yang is supported without nourishing Yin, and Yin is deficient with no attachment for Yang, it is not a good method. Thus, Baizhu cultivates Taiyin Earth, Shaoyao nourishes Jueyin Wood, and Fuling drains Shaoyin Water. When water flows smoothly, essence is stored; when Earth is stable, water is controlled; when Wood is moistened, Fire is generated. Supporting Yang to rescue from cold and benefiting Yin to secure the root is a perfect strategy. Those who fear using it and wait helplessly for death are countless. This differs greatly from Mahuang Fuzi Tang, although both treat Shaoyin exterior symptoms. The former involves external pathogens, with exterior heat but no interior heat, requiring warming combined with dispersal. The latter involves internal origin, with cold in both interior and exterior and upper deficiency, requiring major warming and tonification. However, the former uses Fuzi for fever, while this uses Shaoyao for non-fever, illustrating the principle of mutual root of Yin and Yang! This resembles Zhenwu Tang but is actually different. This formula doubles Baizhu and Fuzi, removes Shengjiang, and adds Renshen, entirely focusing on warming and tonifying to strengthen primal Yang. Zhenwu Tang uses Shengjiang but not Renshen, still focusing on warming and dispersing to drive out water qi. The divergence between tonification and dispersal lies in the rotation of a single herb!

Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction):
Fuzi, Shengjiang, Baizhu, Fuling, Shaoyao.

Zhenwu governs Northern Water. The Kan trigram symbolizes water, with a single Yang residing within, representing rigidity within softness, hence named Zhenwu. This name is chosen to treat Shaoyin water qi pathology. Water is inherently static; its continuous movement is due to Fire. If the Fire function in the Kan palace is not unblocked, the Kidney water system fails, failing to moisten downwards and instead reversing upwards, causing illness in the central palace and four limbs. Here, abdominal pain, diarrhea, heavy and painful limbs, and difficult urination result from Yang deficiency in Kan and cold in the lower jiao failing to control water. The method should strengthen primal Yang to eliminate Yin shadows, cultivate Earth to drain water, and remove stagnation. Thus, large-hot Fuzi is the sovereign herb to establish Yang within Yin; Shaoyao's sour-bitter nature acts as minister to restrain ascending inflammation; Fuling's light permeation stops downward moisture; Baizhu's sweet-warm nature controls water overflow; Shengjiang's acrid-warm nature disperses water in the four limbs. With a master for the Shaoyin pivot, opening and closing are appropriate, urination improves, diarrhea stops, and pathogens in the abdomen and limbs are resolved. If cough accompanies, it is caused by water qi shooting into the Lung; add Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) sour-warm to assist Shaoyao in collecting Kidney water qi, and Xixin acrid-warm to assist Shengjiang in dispersing Lung water qi, curing the cough. If vomiting accompanies, it is water qi in the Stomach due to middle jiao disharmony, affecting the four limbs. This disease does not involve Shaoyin but stems from Taiyin dampness transformation failure. It differs from treating Kidney water shooting into the Lung; Fuzi to warm Kidney water is unnecessary, while doubling Shengjiang to dispel Spleen dampness makes this a harmonizing formula, not a Kidney-treating one. If spontaneous loose stools occur with diarrhea, it means the Stomach is empty; abdominal pain is due to Stomach cold, and limb heaviness due to Spleen dampness. Thus, remove Shaoyao's yin-cold, add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) to assist Fuzi's acrid-heat, and even remove Fuling's sweet-p neutrality. This becomes a warming-middle formula, not a water-draining one. Note that Zhenwu modifications differ from Xiaochaihu Tang. Xiaochaihu Tang is a half-exterior formula for Shaoyang; removing only Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) allows it to still be called Chaihu Tang. Zhenwu consists of five herbs as a root-treating formula for Shaoyin; removing one herb destroys the formula. Thus, removing Shengjiang and adding Renshen names it Fuzi Tang, showing the distinction between Yin/Yang and motion/stillness in formulation.

Baitong Tang (White Connector Decoction):
Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), Ganjiang, Fuzi.

Baitong Jia Zhu Danzhi Tang (White Connector Decoction plus Pig Bile):
The previous formula plus Pig Bile.

Baitong connects the Yin qi of the lower jiao to reach the upper jiao. In Shaoyin disease, spontaneous diarrhea with thirst and white urine indicates lower jiao Yang deficiency, failing to generate mild fire. Unable to vaporize water qi to transport upwards to the Lung, thirst results; unable to generate Earth, diarrhea occurs. The method should use Jiang and Fu to振奋 (stimulate) primal Yang. Without ascending agents, diarrhea may stop but thirst persists; thus, Congbai is added to connect. Congbai inherits Western color/flavor, entering the Lung; then water emerges from the high source, and thirst stops. Generally, Yin deficiency causes difficult urination; those with diarrhea and thirst usually have obstructed or difficult urination, indicating Jueyin Fire hyperactivity, suitable for Zhuling Tang or Baitouweng Tang. Here, white urine belongs to Shaoyin Fire deficiency, hence "lower jiao deficiency." It says: "Deficiency leads to drawing water to self-rescue." Self-rescue refers to the patient's intent, not the physician's standard method. If Jueyin disease desires drinking water, give it sparingly.

Tongmai Sini Tang (Pulse-Connecting Frigid Extremities Decoction):
Gancao, Ganjiang, Fuzi, Cong.

Diarrhea with undigested food, interior cold with exterior heat, cold extremities, and faint pulse nearly imperceptible indicate a Taiyang complication transferring to Shaoyin, governed by Sini Tang. "Desire to sleep" links it to Shaoyin. If conversely not averse to cold, or with sore throat and dry retching, it indicates Yang collapse. Red face indicates Daiyang (floating Yang). This is extreme lower jiao deficiency. Fear that Sini Tang is insufficient to revive lower jiao primal Yang and reconnect the dying pulse. Thus, double the dosage to make a large decoction, adding Congbai to connect. Congbai inherits Eastern color, promoting Shaoyang generating mechanism; hollow body and acrid flavor enter the Lung to move Ying and Wei Qi. Jiang, Fu, Renshen, and Gancao achieve success in the collaterals with Congbai, and the pulse connects. When the pulse connects, deflected Yang returns to its position, exterior heat disappears, interior cold resolves, and all symptoms are safe. Note: This formula is designed for Yin symptoms mimicking Yang. Symptoms differ from Sini Tang in lacking aversion to cold and having red face; formula differs from Sini Tang in that without Cong, it would resemble Guizhi Jia Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang. Why add "Connecting Pulse"? Renshen connects blood vessels; why not use it when the pulse is about to vanish? Old editions state after the formula: "Add Cong for red face; add Renshen if pulse does not emerge after diarrhea stops." Is this not a scribe's error in the main formula and superfluous addition in modifications? Furthermore, "remove" in modification implies removing what is in the original formula. Saying "remove Cong, Shaoyao, Guizhi" indicates later additions.

Fuling Sini Tang (Poria Frigid Extremities Decoction):
Fuling, Renshen, Gancao, Ganjiang, Fuzi.

Ganjiang Fuzi Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction):
Previous formula minus Renshen, Gancao, Fuling.

After sweating or purging, if the disease remains unresolved and irritability occurs, Fuling Sini Tang governs. After purging followed by sweating, if irritability prevents sleep during the day but quietness at night, without vomiting or thirst, no exterior symptoms, faint deep pulse, and no significant body heat, Ganjiang Fuzi Tang governs. These two clauses describe Taiyang complications transferring to Shaoyin. Generally, improper sweating or purging in Taiyang disease may leave pathology in Taiyang, transfer to Yangming, link to Shaoyang, or tie to Taiyin, all involving Yang pathology. If sweating is followed by purging, or purging by sweating, Yang Qi is lost, transferring to Shaoyin. This is Yang transforming to Yin, and Yin mimicking Yang; physicians often cannot distinguish them. Using cooling medicines for irritability rarely fails to hasten death, due to ignorance that Shaoyin is the interior of Taiyang, and Shaoyin is the root of Taiyang. Pulse becomes deep and faint at Shaoyin; pathogens entering Shaoyin cause irritability. Irritability exists in all six meridians, but when appearing with Taiyang and Shaoyin, Taiyang is the branch of True Yin, and Shaoyin is the root. Yin/Yang root and branch manifest through irritability; the deficiency/excess of irritability is distinguished by Yin/Yang. Irritability without prior sweating/purging belongs to Taiyang, where Fan (mental restlessness) is Yang excess and Zao (physical agitation) is Yin deficiency. Irritability after sweating/purging belongs to Shaoyin, where Fan is Yang deficiency and Zao is Yin exhaustion. Yin and Yang do not attach, causing irritability. To distinguish Yang vs. Yin collapse, analyze the sequence of sweating/purging and resolution of exterior symptoms. Then, the degree of Yin/Yang imbalance is clear, preventing confusion and ensuring correct prescription. Sweating then purging is methodologically smooth; if exterior remains unresolved, it is wrongful purging causing Yin loss, dual deficiency of Yin/Yang causing irritability; thus Fuling Sini Tang secures Yin to gather Yang. Purging then sweating is methodologically reverse; if exterior resolves, interior has no vomiting/thirst, seemingly Yin/Yang self-harmonizing, but actually wrongful sweating causes Yang loss. Deflected Yang disturbs the Yang portion, causing daytime irritability; thus Ganjiang Fuzi Tang exclusively secures Yang to match Yin. Both formulas modify Sini Tang, differing in rescuing Yang vs. Yin. Fuling absorbs the Taihe Qi of heaven and earth, forming without roots, tonifying innate formless Qi, calming irritability from deflected Yang; thus it is sovereign. Renshen paired with Fuling tonifies lower jiao Yuan Qi; Ganjiang paired with raw Fuzi restores lower jiao Yuan Yang. Harmonized with Gancao's sweetness, it is milder than Sini Tang, as securing interior requires slowness. Jiang and Fu are Yang within Yang; using raw Fuzi without Gancao increases potency, making it harsher than Sini Tang, as rescuing Yang requires urgency. Removing Gancao and adding Fuling distinguishes slow/fast; the subtlety of modification shows the divine use of formulas!

Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction):
Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Renshen, Shengjiang, Dazao (Jujubae Fructus).

For Shaoyin vomiting and diarrhea, cold extremities, and severe irritability desiring death, this formula governs. Note: Shaoyin disease with vomiting/diarrhea, irritability, and cold extremities is fatal; why prescribe here? Understand that "desiring death" indicates a chance of survival. "Si Ni" (Cold Extremities) includes calves and arms; "Shou Zu" (Hands and Feet) refers only to palms and soles, distinguishing severity. Qibo said: "Four extremities are the meeting of Yin/Yang, the great pathway of Qi. Four Streets are Qi meridians. If collaterals sever, meridians connect; if four extremities resolve, Qi merges." Merging occurs between elbows and knees, called Four Streets or Four Passes. If borders are chaotic but center is secure, Shaoyin's generating Qi remains. However, five Zang organs mutually generate; lack of generation means death. Shaoyin's generating Qi flows to Liver. Yin excess and cold water cause Liver Qi stagnation and Wood depression, leading to irritability; Liver Blood fails to nourish four extremities, causing cold. Water wanting to emerge from earth but unable causes Middle Earth unrest, leading to vomiting/diarrhea. Disease root is Kidney, mechanism is Liver; lack of generation leads to death. Must warm/tonify Shaoyin's mild fire to open Jueyin's exit. At the life-death juncture, only potent aroma-flavor herbs suffice for rebirth from despair. Wuzhuyu is acrid-bitter and large-hot, inheriting Eastern Qi/color, entering Liver. Liver warmth allows Wood to grow. Bitter warms Kidney, preventing cold water; acrid disperses pathogens, preventing Earth disturbance. Assist Renshen to secure Yuan Qi and calm Shen; assist Jiang/Zao to harmonize Ying/Wei and nourish four extremities. This is a formula for restoring order from chaos, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Mahuang/Fuzi's vanguard charge and Fuzi/Zhenwu's defense of the state. If Mingmen Fire declines, failing to cook grain, food induces vomiting. If dry retching, spitting saliva, and headache occur, it is Spleen/Kidney deficiency-cold, with Yin cold mounting Yang positions. Use this formula to stir innate mild fire, generating post-natal Earth; cultivate lower jiao True Yang, dispersing upper jiao cold. Opening Shaoyin's gate allows Three Yin to take their place; is this not this formula?

The above eleven Shaoyin formulas all employ warming-dispersing and warming-tonifying methods.

Huanglian Ejiao Tang (Coptis and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction):
Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shaoyao, Jizihuang (Galli Album).

Melt Ejiao completely, cool slightly, add Jizihuang, stir to mix, take seven he warm, three times daily. This is Shaoyin's Xiexin Tang. To drain Heart, Huangqin and Huanglian are essential, but guidance differs by Yin/Yang. In Three Yang, Stomach disharmony causing epigastric fullness/hardness: deficiency adds Renshen/Gancao to tonify; excess adds Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to purge. In Shaoyin, heart irritability and insomnia: neither Renshen/Gancao to aid Yang nor Dahuang to injure Stomach is allowed. Huanglian directly suppresses Heart Fire; Shaoyao atracts Spirit, thereby supporting Yin and benefiting Yang. However, for a condition of "desire to sleep" progressing to insomnia, and a fine/deep pulse showing irritability, unless blood/qi substances interact Heart/Kidney and sweet-neutral flavors nourish Yin/harmonize Yang, Water cannot rise and Fire descend. If Yin Fire does not return to its position, Shaoyin heat persists. Jizihuang inherits Southern Fire color, entering Heart, supplementing Li Palace Fire. Raw usage and stirring imply fluidity. Black donkey hide inherits Northern Water color, salty entering Kidney first, supplementing Kan Palace Essence, merging with Heart, with rapid downward tendency. Ajiao Well water essence condenses; melting into gelatin pairs with Jizihuang, combined with Huangqin/Huanglian/Shaoyao, forming a formula to descend Fire to origin. *Jing* says: "Below the Fire position, Yin Essence supports it. When Yin is balanced and Yang is secret, Spirit is regulated." This formula embodies this!

Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction):
Zhuling (Polyporus), Fuling, Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Huashi (Talcum), Ejiao.

Shaoyin disease, two to three days onset, heart irritability and insomnia indicate upper jiao excess heat, suitable for Huanglian Ejiao Tang to clear. Shaoyin disease, desire to vomit but cannot, heart irritability with desire to sleep, progressing to five-six days with spontaneous diarrhea and thirst, indicates lower jiao deficiency-cold, suitable for Baitong Tang to warm. This Shaoyin initial disease with diarrhea seems deficiency-cold, but by six-seven days, cough, vomiting, thirst, heart irritability, and insomnia appear. Is this upper jiao excess heat? No. It is due to excessive lower loss causing Yin collapse, essence deficiency failing to transform Qi, True Yang failing to store; resulting in upper jiao deflected Yang disturbance and manifestation of complications. Lower jiao Yin deficiency without cold is unsuitable for Jiang/Fu; upper jiao deficiency without excess heat is unsuitable for Qin/Lian; thus this formula is made. Zhuling and Fuling have no root or shoot, formed from cosmic primordial Qi, used to interact Heart/Kidney, connecting void and misty Qi. Ejiao's strong taste is a blood/qi substance; for essence deficiency, tonify with taste. Zexie's light-clear aroma...