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Warming and Tonifying Method
Warm the middle jiao (middle burner), tonify deficiency. It is used for constitutions that are inherently weak with interior cold, or for sudden deficiency-cold conditions following sweating, vomiting, or purging therapies. Discontinue use once the condition improves.

Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction): Treats abdominal pain due to Taiyin disease, spontaneous diarrhea without thirst, a deep and forceless pulse, hands and feet that are sometimes warm and sometimes cold, as well as symptoms of ascariasis convulsion and cholera.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) (each 2 qian), Gan Cao (Licorice Root) (1.5 qian).
Decoct in water and take warm. If prepared as pills, use 5 qian each of the first three herbs and 3 qian of Gan Cao, grind into powder, and form honey pills the size of bullet seeds. Dissolve one pill in warm water for each dose. Use pills for constipation; use decoction for diarrhea. The formula's intent relies on the acridity of Gan Jiang to warm the stomach and disperse cold; the sweetness of Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, and Gan Cao to moderate spleen qi and regulate the middle. The Classic states: "The spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume sweet substances to relax it." It also states: "When cold invades internally, pacify it with acrid-hot substances." If severe cold causes abdominal pain with tension and cold limbs, add Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). If there is moving qi below the umbilicus suggesting Ben Tun (rolling mass) syndrome, remove Bai Zhu and add Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex). For excessive vomiting, remove Bai Zhu and add Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens); for excessive diarrhea, retain Bai Zhu. For palpitations, add Fu Ling (Poria). For thirst, add Bai Zhu. For abdominal pain with interior deficiency, double the dosage of Ren Shen. For severe cold, double the dosage of Gan Jiang. For stomach deficiency causing qi stagnation and abdominal fullness, remove Bai Zhu and add Fu Zi. For incessant vomiting, reduce Gan Cao and add Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Rhizoma Juice). For vomiting roundworms, remove Gan Cao and add Wu Mei (Mume Fructus). For hiccups, add Ding Xiang (Caryophylli Flos) and Shi Di (Diospyri Calyx). For hiccups, add Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix). For cholera with muscle cramps, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum). For jaundice due to cold-dampness, add Yin Chen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba). For weak lung qi with incessant diarrhea and difficult urination, double Ren Shen and Bai Zhu, and combine with Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). For interior deficiency abdominal pain, combine with Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction).

Tao's Lizhong Tang: This is the aforementioned formula plus Rou Gui, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Fu Ling, decocted with Sheng Jiang and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus). Before taking, add one spoonful of stir-fried Chen Bi Tu (Old Wall Soil) to assist stomach qi. The treatment method is the same as above. For Jueyin disease with xiao ke (wasting-thirst), qi rushing up to the heart, hunger without desire to eat, vomiting roundworms immediately after eating, abdominal pain with solid stool, add Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and a small amount of honey to promote purgation. For soft abdominal fullness that decreases intermittently, remove Gan Cao. For vomiting, add Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Jiang Zhi. For curling up in bed, heaviness, incessant diarrhea, and body pain after diarrhea, add Fu Zi. For spontaneous diarrhea with abdominal pain, add Mu Xiang ground with Jiang Zhi.

Zhizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction): Treats Taiyin shanghan (cold damage), with warm hands and feet, spontaneous diarrhea without thirst, dry throat, abdominal fullness, stuffiness with intermittent pain, and a deep, fine pulse. Also treats headache due to food retention, fever with aversion to cold, and absence of body pain. It is Lizhong Tang plus Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) and Chen Pi in equal proportions, decocted in water.

Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction): Treats shanghan with a choppy pulse at the yang position and a string-taut pulse at the yin position, indicating acute abdominal pain according to medical principles, accompanied by sweating; and Shaoyin disease with aversion to cold, curled hands and feet that remain warm. For early-stage shanghan or after disease transmission, when sweating, vomiting, or purging are indicated but the chi (cun) pulse is slow, this formula should be taken first. It also treats palpitations and irritability occurring two to three days into shanghan, and various conditions of incessant sweating.
Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (5 qian), Rou Gui (3 qian), Gan Cao (2 qian), Yi Tang (Maltose) (half zhan).
Sheng Jiang (5 slices), Da Zao (4 pieces). Decoct in water, strain, dissolve Yi Tang, and take warm. Remove Yi Tang if loose stools or vomiting occur. The Classic states: "Constructing the middle means establishing the spleen." The spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume sweet substances to relax it. The sweetness of Yi Tang, Da Zao, and Gan Cao moderates the middle. Acridity disperses; when Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive qi) are insufficient, moisten and disperse them. The acridity of Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Sheng Jiang circulates Ying and Wei. Sourness collects and drains; when righteous qi is weak, collect and circulate it. The sourness of Bai Shao collects righteous qi. Palpitations indicate qi deficiency; irritability indicates blood deficiency. Due to internal deficiency of qi and blood, administer Xiaojianzhong Tang to first establish the interior.

Xuanwu Tang: See the preceding fu (rhapsody). Sanbai Tang (Three Whites Decoction), Renshen Sanbai Tang, Xinhuang Sanbai Tang: Any formula centered on "Three Whites" evolves from this Xuanwu Tang.

Sini Tang (Reverse the Extremities Decoction): Treats direct invasion of yin syndromes. Initial symptoms include no headache, no fever, no thirst, aversion to cold with trembling, curling up in bed, heaviness, drowsiness, and a deep, slow, forceless, or imperceptible pulse. Also treats Taiyin abdominal pain, spontaneous diarrhea without thirst, cold extremities, cyanosis of nails and lips, vomiting of saliva/foam; or Shaoyin diarrhea with undigested food, cough, palpitations, interior cold with exterior heat, faint pulse nearly absent, restlessness with body warmth despite lack of aversion to cold, red face, abdominal pain, dry heaving, sore throat, vomiting with hiccups, or cessation of diarrhea with non-palpable pulse. This indicates severe yin cold internally repelling yang externally, preventing communication. Urgently use this decoction to scatter yin cold and unblock yang. Additionally, for shanghan exterior syndromes mistakenly treated with purgation leading to incessant diarrhea, or when exterior signs persist yet diarrhea continues, urgently use this decoction to rescue the interior. It is applicable whenever san yin (three yin) pulses are slow with body pain; it is a key medicine for yin du (yin toxicity).
Gan Jiang (5 qian), Fu Zi (Raw, 2.5 qian), Gan Cao (1 liang).
Decoct in water and take warm. The formula's intent lies in the combination of Gan Cao, Gan Jiang, and Fu Zi, creating an acrid-sweet, intensely hot agent to scatter yin cold and restore yang. The Classic states: "When cold invades internally, treat with sweet-hot substances." It also states: "When cold prevails excessively, pacify it with acrid-hot substances." If diarrhea stops but pulse does not return, add Ren Shen. If no pulse, add Zhu Dan Zhi (Porci Bile). If red face, add Lian Xu Cong Bai (Scallion White with Roots). If abdominal pain, add Bai Shao. For yin du causing hardness in the heart region and cold limbs, add a small amount of She Xiang (Moschus) and Zao Jia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina).

Tao's Sini Tang: This is Sini Tang plus Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, Ban Xia, Rou Gui, and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), decocted with Sheng Jiang. Before completion, add 3 li of She Xiang, mix, and take. Discontinue once hands and feet become warm. Treatment method is the same as above. For vomiting saliva/foam or lower abdominal pain, add Yan Chao Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus stir-fried with salt). For incessant vomiting, add Jiang Zhi. For incessant diarrhea, add Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma). For sore throat, add Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix).

Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Reverse the Extremities Decoction): Treats Jueyin disease with weak qi, cold extremities, lower abdominal pain, vomiting/hiccups, or retraction of the scrotum. Blood deficiency leads to a fine pulse nearly absent; it is also a key medicine for yin du.
Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Bai Shao (2 qian each), Rou Gui (1.5 qian), Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), Gan Cao (1 qian each), Sheng Jiang (5 slices), Da Zao (2 pieces). Decoct in water and take warm. The Classic states: "The vessels are the residence of blood." All blood belongs to the heart. To unblock the vessels, one must first tonify the heart and benefit blood. Bitter substances enter the heart first; the bitterness of Dang Gui assists heart blood. The heart dislikes laxity; urgently consume sweet substances to relax it. The sweetness of Tong Cao, Gan Cao, and Da Zao moderates yin blood. If chronic cold exists, add Wu Zhu Yu and double Sheng Jiang. If cold is severe, add Fu Zi. If pulse is absent, add Ren Shen.

Sanwei Canyu Tang (Three-Ingredient Ginseng and Evodia Decoction): Treats Jueyin disease with dry heaving and spitting saliva, extreme headache; and Shaoyin disease with vomiting and diarrhea, cold extremities, and severe irritability wishing for death; Yangming disease where eating grain induces vomiting and worsens upon taking this decoction, indicating upper jiao cold. These indications are particularly suitable.
Wu Zhu Yu (3 qian), Ren Shen (2 qian), Sheng Jiang (4 qian), Da Zao (2 pieces). Decoct in water and take warm. The Classic states: "When cold invades internally, treat with sweet-hot substances, assisted by bitter-acrid flavors." The acridity of Wu Zhu Yu and Sheng Jiang warms the stomach; the sweetness of Ren Shen and Da Zao warms the spleen. For yin reversal with cold extremities, cyanotic lips, black face, curled tongue, and retracted testicles, add Fu Zi and Xi Xin.

Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Ingredient Great Tonification Decoction) and Shisiwei Jianzhong Tang (Fourteen-Ingredient Construct the Middle Decoction): All potent tonifying agents evolve from Lizhong Tang, Jianzhong Tang, Sini Tang, etc.

Zhigancao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction): Treats shanghan with dai (intermittent) or jie (knotted) pulses, and palpitations.
Gan Cao (Honey-fried) (3 qian), Ren Shen (2.2 qian), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Gui Zhi, Ma Ren (Cannabis Semen), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) (each 2.5 qian), E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) (2 qian).
Sheng Jiang (3 slices), Da Zao (2 pieces), wine (7 fen), water (1 zhan 3 fen). Decoct until reduced to 1/3 volume, then take. The formula's intent: dai and jie pulses indicate qi and blood deficiency unable to sustain continuity; palpitations indicate deficiency of true qi. Therefore, the sweetness of Ren Shen, Gan Cao, and Da Zao is used to tonify insufficiency; the acridity of Gui Zhi and Sheng Jiang is used to benefit righteous qi. Materia Medica states: "Tonification removes weakness." The sweetness of Ma Ren, E Jiao, Sheng Di Huang, and Mai Dong moistens the meridians and benefits blood, restoring the pulse and unblocking the heart. The Classic states: "Consumption of fluids leads to withering." When five zang organs wither and ying/wei are exhausted, warming agents serve to moisten them. Dansheng Gancao Tang (Single Licorice Decoction), Ziyin Jianghuo Tang (Nourish Yin Descend Fire Decoction), Buyin Wan (Tonify Yin Pill), Shengmai San (Generate Pulse Powder), Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify Middle Boost Qi Decoction): All nourishing and tonifying agents evolve from this formula.