盗汗者，睡则汗出，寤则汗收也。自汗属阳虚，盗汗属阴虚。盖阳为卫气，阴为荣血，血之
所主心也，所藏肝也。热搏于心，故液不能内敛，而外泄于皮肤。人卧则静而为阴，觉则动
而为阳，故曰自汗属阳，盗汗属阴也，多因心肾不交，水火不能既济。肾虚则闭藏之令失守
，故有是症宜用六味丸、十全大补汤。血虚内热者，当归六黄汤。心经有热者，导赤散。肝
经虚热者，六味地黄丸。血脱盗汗者，当归补血汤。肝胆风热者，柴胡清肝散。食积内热者
，二陈、枳实、山栀。胃气虚热者，六君子汤及浮麦散。血气俱虚者，人参养荣汤。余症见
自汗，当参览之。
治验
一小儿十一岁，面色青白，或恶寒发热，鼻间黄白，盗汗自汗，胸膈不利，饮食少思，常怀
畏惧，用二陈、黄连、酸枣、茯神之类不应，余以为脾肺俱虚，不信，自用朱砂安神丸，更
寒热往来，泄泻不食，余用六君、当归、黄 而愈。
一小儿五岁，腹中作痛，大便不实，患盗汗，鼻间左腮皆白，此脾肺俱虚而食积所致也，用
六君、山楂、神曲四剂，腹痛顿止；去查曲，又四剂大便调和，乃用四君、归、 而汗止。
一小儿十二岁，患盗汗，形气瘦弱，面色或赤或白，右腮白两颊赤，鼻间微青，此禀足三阴
经虚也，朝用补中益气汤；夕用六味地黄丸而愈。
一小儿久患盗汗，夜热昼凉，饮食少思，大便酸臭，此食积内作也，先用三棱散消导积滞，
又用五味异功散，补脾进食而瘥。
一女子十四岁，自汗寒热，肝脉弦洪，此肝火所致，用加味逍遥散而愈。后饮食停滞，吐痰
眩晕，头面不时汗出，两寸脉不及本位，用补中益气汤加半夏、蔓荆子而痊。
一小儿三岁，盗汗不食，闻药即呕，此胃气伤也，用浮麦炒为末，以乳调服钱许，旬余呕止
食进，佐以六君子汤而愈。
一小儿发热呵欠，顿闷切牙，至夜盗汗，属肝胆火症，用小柴胡汤加山栀二剂，又用地黄丸
料，煎服而愈。
一小儿盗汗甚多，久不愈，寸口脉沉伏，饮食少思，稍多食则腹痛汗不止，余谓脾虚食积，
用六君、升麻、柴胡，月余脾气渐健，饮食渐加，汗亦少止，乃佐以异功散乃痊。
一小儿苦盗汗，肢体消瘦，因功课劳役，更加自汗，余用补中益气、十全大补二汤而愈。次
年因劳心，前症复作，更加梦遗，仍用前二汤各五十余剂而愈。毕姻后，前症俱作，手足并
冷，前药又各加姜、桂一钱，数剂少应；至六十余剂而愈。因大劳，盗汗如雨，手足如冰，
再以前二药加桂、附各一钱，数剂方愈。
当归六黄汤 治血虚盗汗，内热晡热者。
当归 熟地（各五分） 生地黄（炒，三钱） 黄连（炒黑） 黄柏（炒黑） 黄芩（炒黑。各三分） 黄 （炒，
五分）
上水煎服。
团参汤 治虚汗、盗汗。
新罗人参（三两） 当归（三钱）
上为末，用雄猪心一个切三片。每服以猪心一片，煎汤调服二钱。
白术散 治自汗、盗汗。
白术（三两） 小麦（一合，炒）
上用水一钟，半煮干，去麦为末，以炒黄 煎汤，量儿大小调服。忌萝卜、辛、辣、炙 之
六味地黄丸（方见肾脏）
人参养荣汤
十全大补汤（二方见自汗）
导赤散（方见心脏）
柴胡清肝散
当归补血汤（二方见发热）
二陈汤（方见寒吐）
六君子汤
四君子汤
五味异功散
加味逍遥散（四方见内钓）
小柴胡汤（方见 症）
三棱散（方见白浊）
补中益气汤（方见虚羸）
Dao Han (Night Sweats) refers to the phenomenon where sweat flows out during sleep and stops upon waking. Zi Han (Spontaneous Sweating) belongs to Yang deficiency, whereas Dao Han belongs to Yin blood deficiency. This is because Yang constitutes Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and Yin constitutes Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood). The Heart governs the blood, and the Liver stores it. When Heat pathogens contend in the Heart, body fluids cannot be contained internally and thus leak out onto the skin. When a person sleeps, the body is still and corresponds to Yin; when awake, the body moves and corresponds to Yang. Therefore, it is said that spontaneous sweating relates to Yang, and night sweats relate to Yin. This condition often arises from the failure of communication between the Heart and Kidney, preventing the mutual interaction of Water and Fire. Kidney deficiency leads to the loss of the closing and storing function, resulting in this symptom. It is appropriate to use Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) or Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Complete Great Tonifying Decoction). For cases with blood deficiency and internal heat, use Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (Angelica Sinensis and Six Yellow Decoction). For heat in the Heart Meridian, use Dao Chi San (Direct Outward Red Powder). For deficiency heat in the Liver Meridian, use Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill). For night sweats due to blood depletion, use Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus Decoction). For wind-heat in the Liver and Gallbladder, use Chai Hu Qing Gan San (Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Powder). For internal heat due to food stagnation, use Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) combined with Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit). For deficiency heat in Stomach Qi, use Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) and Fu Mai San (Floating Wheat Powder). For dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, use Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Spirit Decoction). For other symptoms, refer to the section on Spontaneous Sweating for consultation.
Clinical Cases:
An eleven-year-old child presented with a cyan-white complexion, alternating aversion to cold and fever, yellowish-white discoloration around the nose, both spontaneous and night sweats, chest and diaphragm discomfort, reduced appetite, and frequent fearfulness. Previous treatment with Er Chen Tang, Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), and Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) was ineffective. I diagnosed this as dual deficiency of the Spleen and Lung. The family disagreed and self-administered Zhu Sha An Shen Wan (Cinnabar Calming Spirit Pill), which resulted in alternating chills and fever, diarrhea, and refusal to eat. I subsequently treated with Liu Jun Zi Tang, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), and Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), leading to recovery.
A five-year-old child suffered from abdominal pain, loose stools, and night sweats, with whiteness observed on the nose and left cheek. This was attributed to dual deficiency of the Spleen and Lung complicated by food stagnation. Treatment with Liu Jun Zi Tang, Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit), and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) for four doses stopped the abdominal pain immediately. After removing Shen Qu, another four doses harmonized the stool. Subsequently, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four-Gentleman Decoction) combined with Dang Gui and Huang Qi was used to stop the sweating.
A twelve-year-old child suffered from night sweats, emaciation, and a complexion that alternated between red and white, with whiteness on the right cheek, redness on both cheeks, and slight blueness around the nose. This indicated congenital insufficiency and deficiency of the Three Yin Meridians. Morning administration of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) and evening administration of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan led to recovery.
A child suffered from chronic night sweats, nocturnal fever with daytime coolness, reduced appetite, and sour-smelling stools. This was caused by internal food stagnation. Initially, San Leng San (Curcuma Powder) was used to resolve stagnation, followed by Wu Wei Yi Gong San (Five-Ingredient Extraordinary Efficacy Powder) to tonify the Spleen and promote appetite, resulting in recovery.
A fourteen-year-old female presented with spontaneous sweating and alternating chills and fever. Her Liver pulse was wiry and surging, indicating Liver Fire. Treatment with Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) led to recovery. Later, due to food stagnation, she experienced vomiting of phlegm, dizziness, and intermittent sweating on the head and face. Her Cun pulses on both wrists were weak below the normal position. Treatment with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang plus Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) and Man Jing Zi (Vitex Fruit) resulted in recovery.
A three-year-old child suffered from night sweats, anorexia, and vomiting at the smell of medicine, indicating damage to Stomach Qi. Fried floating wheat powder mixed with breast milk (approximately one qian per dose) stopped vomiting and improved appetite within ten days. This was supplemented with Liu Jun Zi Tang for full recovery.
A child presented with fever, yawning, sudden chest oppression, teeth grinding, and night sweats. This belonged to Liver and Gallbladder Fire syndrome. Treatment with Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) plus Shan Zhi for two doses, followed by a decoction of Liu Huang Wan ingredients, led to recovery.
A child suffered from severe, chronic night sweats. The Cun pulse was deep and hidden. Appetite was poor, and slight overeating caused abdominal pain and profuse sweating. I diagnosed Spleen deficiency with food stagnation. Treatment with Liu Jun Zi Tang, Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), and Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) strengthened the Spleen Qi over a month, improving appetite and reducing sweating. Subsequent supplementation with Yi Gong San led to complete recovery.
A child suffered from night sweats and emaciation due to academic labor, exacerbated by spontaneous sweating. Treatment with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and Shi Quan Da Bu Tang led to recovery. The following year, mental exertion caused recurrence with added nocturnal emissions. Repeated use of these two decotions (over fifty doses each) cured the condition. After marriage, symptoms recurred with cold hands and feet. Ginger and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) were added to the previous prescriptions. After sixty-plus doses, recovery occurred. Due to extreme fatigue, night sweats became profuse like rain, and limbs turned ice-cold. Adding Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root) to the previous formulas cured the condition after several doses.
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang: Treats night sweats due to blood deficiency with internal heat and afternoon tidal fever.
Ingredients: Dang Gui (5 fen), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root, 5 fen), Sheng Di Huang (Fresh Rehmannia Root, fried, 3 qian), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome, fried black), Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark, fried black), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root, fried black, 3 fen each), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root, fried, 5 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally.
Tuan Shen Tang: Treats deficiency sweating and night sweats.
Ingredients: Xin Luo Ren Shen (Korean Ginseng Root, 3 liang), Dang Gui (3 qian).
Grind into powder. Take one slice of male pig heart, decoct in water, and mix with 2 qian of the powder for oral administration.
Bai Zhu San: Treats spontaneous sweating and night sweats.
Ingredients: Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, 3 liang), Xiao Mai (Wheat, 1 he, fried).
Decoct in one zhong of water until half dry. Remove the wheat, grind into powder, and mix with decoction of fried Huang Qi. Adjust dosage according to the child's size. Avoid radishes, spicy foods, and roasted items.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Formula see Kidney Section)
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Formulas see Spontaneous Sweating Section)
Dao Chi San (Formula see Heart Section)
Chai Hu Qing Gan San
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (Formulas see Fever Section)
Er Chen Tang (Formula see Cold Vomiting Section)
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Si Jun Zi Tang
Wu Wei Yi Gong San
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Formulas see Internal Hook Section)
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Formula see Malaria Section)
San Leng San (Formula see White Turbidity Section)
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Formula see Emaciation Section)