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The disease of the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel is characterized by bitter taste in the mouth, dryness of the throat, and vertigo.

Note: The Shaoyang channel transforms Qi according to Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire). Its course lies posterior to the Yangming channel, traversing the hypochondriac region. It originates at the outer canthus of the eye, follows down along the ear to the neck, passes through the chest piercing the diaphragm, emerges from the interior of the hypochondrium to the exterior, then follows the dorsum of the foot to the fourth toe. When diseased, the channel Qi becomes stagnant and constrained, failing to descend smoothly, resulting in chest pain and hypochondriac fullness/stagnation. Ministerial Fire flares upward, causing bitter taste and dry throat; Yang Qi floats upward, leading to vertigo; turbid Qi obstructs, causing deafness. Located interior to the two Yang channels and exterior to the three Yin channels, excess Yang leads to heat, while excess Yin leads to cold, hence alternating chills and fever. Observing the three Yang channels, as Yang Qi is growing, the pulse is wiry and fine. In Cold Damage or Wind Strike, on the first day it affects the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel, on the second day the Yangming (Yang Brightness) channel, and on the third day it transmits to the Shaoyang channel. However, on the third day, if it enters Shaoyang but does not enter the Yangming Fu organs, and if it enters the Taiyin Zang organs, the various Shaoyang syndromes will not appear. After six days, when the meridian cycle completes, if sweating occurs and the exterior resolves but self-resolution fails, Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) and Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should be used to induce sweating; Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) and Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) are not necessary. If the pathogen transmits internally to the Zang-Fu organs and externally connects with the Shaoyang channel, only then do the various Shaoyang syndromes manifest. In such cases, onset need not be on the third day, nor resolution on the sixth day. The specific indications for Da Chai Hu Tang and Xiao Chai Hu Tang are unrelated to the Ma Huang Tang and Gui Zhi Tang of the Taiyang stage.

Note: For the primary disease of the Shaoyang channel, where channel Qi is constrained and interior-exterior disharmony exists, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is the principal formula. If the Taiyang exterior syndrome has not yet resolved but quickly transmits to Shaoyang, Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is indicated. If the Taiyang disease remains unresolved with an exterior excess pattern, Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is used. If the Shaoyang disease is established but there is interior deficiency, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is used. In a combined Taiyin-Shaoyang disease presenting with spontaneous diarrhea, Huang Qin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) is indicated. If vomiting is present, Huang Qin Jia Ban Xia Sheng Jiang Tang (Scutellaria Decoction plus Pinellia and Fresh Ginger) is used. If the exterior is unresolved and there is interior excess, Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) is used. If the exterior has resolved and there is interior heat, Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Direct Downward Decoction) is used. For women with Heat entering the Blood Chamber, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is used.

If the original Taiyang disease remains unresolved and transmits to Shaoyang, presenting with hardness and fullness below the costal margin, dry retching, inability to eat, and alternating chills and fever, if emesis or purgation has not yet been used and the pulse is deep and tight, administer Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). If emesis, sweating, warm needle therapy have already been applied, leading to delirious speech, and the Chai Hu syndrome has ceased, this is termed a "Huai Bing" (Complicated/Mishandled Disease). Determine what error was committed and treat accordingly.

Note: Shaoyang resides at the intersection of Yin and Yang, half-exterior and half-interior. Sweating, emesis, and purgation are contraindicated as they deplete Yin and Yang. If Yang becomes deficient, the pathogen enters the Taiyin Zang organs; if Yin becomes deficient, it enters the Yangming Fu organs; this constitutes a Shaoyang Huai Bing (Complicated Disease). For instance, if Taiyang disease cannot be resolved by sweating and transmits to Shaoyang, presenting with hardness/fullness below the costal margin, dry retching, anorexia, and alternating chills/fever, if emesis/purgation have not been used and the pulse is deep/tight, it is entirely a Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) syndrome, and this decoction should be administered. If sweating, emesis, purgation, or warm needles have already been used, resulting in confusion and delirium, and the Chai Hu syndrome has ceased, this is a Shaoyang Huai Bing. Investigate the errors committed via sweating, purgation, or warm needles and treat them to salvage the complicated condition.

Note: If a Shaoyang Huai Bing transmits to Yangming, and the pathway shows interior deficiency with palpitations and vexation, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is used. If interior deficiency presents with palpitations, Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction) is used. If interior deficiency presents with vexation, fullness, and delirium, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction) is used. If the primary Shaoyang disease has not ceased, continue using Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). If the exterior is unresolved with interior excess, use Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction). If the exterior is unresolved with interior heat, use Chai Hu Jia Mang Xiao Tang (Bupleurum plus Mirabilite Decoction). If transmitting to the Taiyin pathway with both exterior and interior unresolved, Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig, and Dried Ginger Decoction) is used.