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Treats cases where the pathogen of Cold Damage (Shanghan) has penetrated deeply, yet the exterior syndrome remains. Heat accumulates in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), the pulse is slightly deep, there is no chest binding or mania, but the lower abdomen is distended and hard, and urination is normal and spontaneous; this indicates a Blood Stasis syndrome. Alternatively, if Yang organ heat accumulation causes mania, and although the stool is hard, it is surprisingly easy to pass and black in color, this also indicates accumulated blood. Both conditions are suitable for this formula.

Tao Ren (Seven seeds) Dahuang (2.5 qian) Shuizhi (Stir-fried) Mengchong (Each ten, remove wings and feet, stir-fried). Divide into two doses. Use one zhong of water, decoct until half a zhong remains. Take warm. If bowel movement does not occur, take again.

Treats cases where Yang pathogens enter the interior, the exterior syndrome is not yet resolved, and the interior syndrome is urgent.

Chaihu (8 liang) Huangqin (3 liang) Zhishi (Four pieces, roasted) Shaoyao (3 liang) Shengjiang (5 liang) Banxia (0.5 jin) Dazao (Twelve pieces, pitted) Dahuang (2 liang, washed with wine). Use twelve dou of water, boil down to six sheng. Remove dregs, then decoct again to obtain one sheng. Take three times daily.

Cheng Wuji stated: For severe fullness and excess, Chengqi Tang should be used. If the stool is not particularly hard and full, but only extreme pathogenic heat requires purgation, a mild and slow-acting agent is necessary; this is Dahuang Chaihu Tang. In Cold Damage, if purgation is indicated, it is due to heat. To subdue heat, bitter flavors must be used. Therefore, Chaihu is the Sovereign herb, and Huangqin is the Minister herb. The Classic states: "Sour and bitter induce vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin." To purge excess and subdue heat, sour and bitter agents are essential. Thus, Shaoyao and Zhishi are the Assistant herbs. Pungent flavors disperse. To disperse rebellious Qi, pungent flavors are required. Sweet flavors moderate. To moderate healthy Qi, sweet flavors are needed. Thus, Banxia, Shengjiang, and Dazao are the Envoy herbs. Adding Dahuang specializes in scouring and cleansing; without it, purgation would be difficult, so it serves as an Envoy herb. The unresolved exterior syndrome manifests as alternating chills and fever, along with persistent hypochondriac pain and bitter taste in the mouth. The urgent interior syndrome manifests as difficult and dry, solid stools. This is a formula that resolves both exterior and interior simultaneously.

Treats Cold Damage after five or six days, presenting with alternating chills and fever, oppression and fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, hypochondriac pain, deafness, silence with lack of appetite, irritability and frequent vomiting, or irritability in the chest without vomiting, thirst, abdominal pain, epigastric stuffiness, palpitations under the heart, dysuria, absence of thirst, slight body heat, or cough. These indicate the pathogen is in the Shaoyang channel, representing a Half-Exterior Half-Interior syndrome.

Chaihu (8 liang) Huangqin Renshen Gancao (Roasted) Shengjiang (Each 3 liang) Banxia (0.5 sheng) Dazao (Twelve pieces, pitted). Use twelve dou of water, boil to obtain six sheng. Remove dregs, decoct again to obtain three sheng. Take one sheng warm, three times daily.

Cheng Wuji stated: Pathogen on the exterior causes chills; pathogen on the interior causes heat. Being in the Half-Exterior Half-Interior state results in alternating chills and fever. On the exterior, there is no fullness; on the interior, there is distension. Mentioning only chest and hypochondriac oppression indicates the location is between exterior and interior. The Shaoyang channel runs along the side of the body; the chest and hypochondrium are the regions of Shaoyang. Its pulse circulates through the hypochondrium and connects to the ear, hence chest/hypochondriac pain and deafness. On the exterior, there is groaning; on the interior, there is restlessness. The Classic states: "When Yin enters Yin, there is stillness." Silence indicates the pathogen is between exterior and interior. On the exterior, one can eat; on the interior, one cannot. Lack of desire to eat indicates the pathogen is between exterior and interior, not yet reaching the point of inability to eat. On the exterior, there is no irritability or vomiting; on the interior, there is. Irritability and frequent vomiting indicate the pathogen is on the exterior and transmitting inward. The Classic states: "When heat floods internally, use bitter flavors to vent it." The bitterness of Chaihu and Huangqin vents the heat of the transmitting pathogen. When interior deficiency exists, use sweet flavors to moderate it. The sweetness of Renshen and Gancao moderates the central Qi. When the pathogen is half-inside, interior Qi rebels; pungent flavors disperse it. Banxia eliminates irritability and vomiting. When the pathogen is in the Half-Exterior, Ying and Wei contend; pungent and sweet flavors resolve it. Shengjiang and Dazao harmonize Ying and Wei. This is a formula for the Half-Exterior Half-Interior state. It cannot resolve the exterior heat of the Taiyang channel or the branch heat of the Yangming channel. If there is Yang deficiency and cold, with red face, fever, deep pulse, and cold feet, taking this will lead to immediate danger. Even if the stool is loose and the pulse is small and weak, it is strictly contraindicated. Indeed, improper prescription can kill, not just harsh formulas. Recent physicians do not distinguish between exterior/interior, cold/heat, or deficiency/excess. Upon seeing fever, they generally use this formula, removing Renshen for perceived safety. If applied to deficiency syndromes, the error would be profound!