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Rheumatism is caused by first being injured by dampness, and subsequently by wind. Its symptoms include pain throughout the entire body, which is even more severe than the body pain caused by Cold Damage (Shanghan). Therefore, it can be known as rheumatism. Wind pathogen enters from the upper part, while dampness pathogen enters from the lower part. Eventually, they condense together, pouring into the meridians and collaterals, flowing through the joints, and seeping between the bones, trunk, and body surface, reaching everywhere; thus, there is no place that does not hurt. The severity of the condition varies. In mild cases, the pulse is floating, wiry, and thin, with general soreness, weakness, and lack of strength in the whole body. It is appropriate to use Jiajian Chaige Tang (Modified Kudzu and Bupleurum Decoction). Since wind is on the exterior and dampness is on the interior, profuse sweating should be avoided, lest the wind dissipates but the dampness remains. Only this mild resolving agent can eliminate both exterior and interior pathogens. If sweating is followed by shortness of breath, aversion to wind, and a reluctance to remove clothing, with a pulse that is deep, fine, slow, and weak, it is appropriate to use Guizhi Baizhu Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction) to assist Yang Qi to expel dampness; this is an unchangeable method. In severe cases, there is intense pain throughout the body, and the pulse is floating, surging, and rapid; Jiajian Chaige Tang is also used here. If the head, face, and eyes are red, the body is hot, but the feet are cold, indicating that Yang Qi cannot descend to communicate with Yin, it is appropriate to use Chaichen Tang (Bupleurum and Pinellia Decoction) added with Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to purge downward. If, after dispersing treatment, the upper body has healed but pain in the lower body persists, Chailing Ermiao Tang (Bupleurum, Poria, and Two Marvels Decoction) is appropriate.

Jiajian Chaige Tang (Modified Kudzu and Bupleurum Decoction)
Ingredients: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Gange (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Zisu (Perillae Folium), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus).
The method for treating rheumatism indeed involves dispersing wind and eliminating dampness, but herbs that clear heat and promote Qi circulation are indispensable. This is because dampness pathogen stagnates in the meridians, causing Qi stagnation, which郁 (condenses) and transforms into fire.

Guizhi Baizhu Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction)
Ingredients: Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).

Jiajian Chaichen Tang (Modified Bupleurum and Pinellia Decoction)
Ingredients: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Baifu (Poria), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma).

Chailing Ermiao Tang (Bupleurum, Poria, and Two Marvels Decoction)
Ingredients: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chifu (Poria cum Rosa), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Xuduan (Dipsaci Radix), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex).

Wind-Warmth disease is caused by first being injured by wind, and subsequently by heat. Generally, when a person is first injured by wind, heat already exists within the meridians and collaterals. If one then contracts seasonal heat, and food entering the stomach causes Qi stagnation, transforming into thick phlegm and turbid fluids that adhere firmly and do not disperse, combined with new grain qi binding together to form disease, the symptoms include panting, thirst, excessive sleepiness, and flaccidity of the four limbs. It is appropriate to use Chaihu Huazhi Tang (Bupleurum Stagnation-Resolving Decoction). By simply clearing the Stomach heat, the disease will heal itself. However, this symptom is not only present after the mutual contraction of wind and warmth; whenever the weather remains warm for a long time, individuals who habitually have phlegm-fire often suffer from this ailment. Zhang Zhongjing feared that people would mistakenly identify this as a Cold pattern and recklessly use diaphoresis (sweating methods); therefore, he differentiated it within the Shanghan (Cold Damage) section. In reality, it is not Shanghan.

Chaihu Huazhi Tang (Bupleurum Stagnation-Resolving Decoction)
Ingredients: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).
If constipation is present, it is appropriate to add Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma).