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Taiyang disease (disease of the Taiyang channel), characterized by headache, fever, sweating, and aversion to wind, is primarily treated with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). In Taiyang Zhongfeng (Wind Strike), the pulse is floating on the superficial level (Yang) and weak on the deep level (Yin). A floating Yang pulse indicates spontaneous heat emission; a weak Yin pulse indicates spontaneous sweating. When accompanied by shivering aversion to cold, chilly aversion to wind, mild fever resembling feathers covering the body, nasal congestion (Bining), and dry retching, Guizhi Tang is also indicated. In Taiyang disease, if there is fever and sweating, this is due to weak Ying (Nutrient) Qi and strong Wei (Defensive) Qi, causing sweating. To rescue from pathogenic wind, Guizhi Tang is indicated. If a patient has no internal organ diseases but experiences intermittent fever and spontaneous sweating without recovery, this is due to disharmony of Wei Qi. Sweating should be induced prior to the onset of symptoms to achieve cure, primarily using Guizhi Tang. Frequent spontaneous sweating indicates that Ying Qi is harmonious internally, but external disharmony exists because Wei Qi does not harmonize with Ying Qi. Since Ying Qi circulates within the vessels and Wei Qi circulates outside, inducing sweat again will restore harmony between Ying and Wei, leading to recovery; Guizhi Tang is suitable. In Taiyang disease, if after the first dose of Guizhi Tang, vexation persists or worsens, one should first puncture Fengchi (GB20) and Fengfu (GV16) acupoints, then administer Guizhi Tang for recovery. If the exterior syndrome of Taiyang disease remains unresolved and the pulse is floating and weak, sweating should be induced to resolve the exterior; Guizhi Tang is suitable. If the exterior syndrome of Taiyang disease is unresolved, purgation must not be used; doing so is contrary to treatment principles. To resolve the exterior, Guizhi Tang is indicated. For patients with a large, floating pulse who report only hard stools, purgation is a major error. Hard stools indicate excess; resolution through sweating is appropriate because a floating pulse requires sweating to resolve. Patients with Jiu Ke Bing (alcohol-induced pathology) should not receive Guizhi Tang, as it may cause vomiting due to their intolerance to sweet flavors. Those who vomit after taking Guizhi Tang may subsequently expectorate pus and blood. Guizhi Tang is intended to release the muscle layer; if the pulse is floating and tight with fever but no sweating, it is contraindicated. This distinction must be carefully noted to avoid errors. In Shanghan (Cold Damage), if sweating fails to resolve the condition and vexation recurs within half a day with a floating, rapid pulse, further sweating may be induced using Guizhi Tang. If Shanghan presents with constipation for six to seven days, headache, and fever, Chengqi Tang is considered; however, if urination is clear, the pathogen is confirmed to remain in the exterior rather than the interior, requiring sweating. Severe headache may lead to epistaxis; Guizhi Tang is suitable. If Taiyang disease persists after initial sweating and subsequent erroneous purgation, but the pulse remains floating, the disease is unhealed because the floating pulse indicates an exterior location, and purgation was inappropriate. With a floating pulse indicating an exterior pathogen, resolving the exterior with Guizhi Tang is necessary. In Shanghan, if erroneous purgation leads to persistent diarrhea with undigested food and body pain, urgent treatment of the interior is required. Once bowel movements normalize and body pain persists, urgent treatment of the exterior with Guizhi Tang is indicated. After severe purgation followed by sweating in Shanghan, if epigastric fullness (Xia Pi) and aversion to cold occur, the exterior remains unresolved. Epigastric fullness should not be attacked until the exterior is resolved; Guizhi Tang is suitable for releasing the exterior. For patients with vexation and heat that resolve with sweating but recur like malaria with afternoon fever (Ri Bu Shi Fa Re), the pattern belongs to Yangming. A solid pulse indicates purgation is suitable; a floating, deficient pulse indicates sweating is suitable, specifically Guizhi Tang. In Yangming disease, a slow pulse, profuse sweating, and slight aversion to cold indicate unresolved exterior syndrome; sweating with Guizhi Tang is appropriate. In Taiyin disease, a floating pulse allows for sweating with Guizhi Tang. In cases of diarrhea, abdominal fullness, and body pain, the interior should be warmed first, followed by attacking the exterior with Guizhi Tang. Taiyang disease presenting with headache, fever, body ache, lower back pain, joint pain, aversion to cold, anhidrosis, and wheezing is primarily treated with Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). A floating pulse indicates an exterior pattern treatable by sweating with Mahuang Tang. A floating, rapid pulse also permits sweating with Mahuang Tang. In Taiyang disease, a floating, tight pulse with fever and anhidrosis may resolve spontaneously via epistaxis. In Shanghan, if a floating, tight pulse is not treated with sweating, leading to epistaxis, Mahuang Tang is indicated. If Taiyang disease with a floating, tight pulse, anhidrosis, fever, and body pain persists for eight to nine days without resolution, and exterior signs remain, sweating with Mahuang Tang is required. After administration, if symptoms slightly improve but the patient becomes vexed, desires to close their eyes, and severe epistaxis occurs, the disease resolves upon bleeding due to excessive Yang Qi stagnation. A floating, tight pulse typically presents with body pain and requires sweating. However, if the Chi position pulse is slow, sweating is contraindicated due to insufficient Ying Qi and blood deficiency. In Yangming disease, a floating pulse with anhidrosis and wheezing responds to sweating with Mahuang Tang. In combined Taiyang and Yangming disease presenting with wheezing and chest fullness, purgation is contraindicated; Mahuang Tang is indicated. If Taiyang disease lasts ten days or more, with a fine, floating pulse and a desire to lie down, the exterior is resolved. If chest fullness and abdominal pain occur, Xiaochaihu Tang is given. If only a floating pulse remains, Mahuang Tang is administered. For Taiyang disease with stiffness of the neck and back, anhidrosis, and aversion to wind, Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) is indicated. In combined Taiyang and Yangming disease presenting with spontaneous diarrhea, Gegen Tang is the primary formula.

Based on the above syndromes, whether wind injures Wei leading to Ying pathology, or cold injures Ying leading to Wei pathology, or the pathogen enters Yangming while Taiyang exterior signs persist (simultaneous disease of Wei Qi in both Yang channels), the patterns differ but fundamentally belong to cold pathogens in the exterior, requiring warm dispersal methods; thus, they are collectively categorized as Exterior Cold Syndrome.

Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Composition: Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 3 qian), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, 2 qian), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 qian), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, 4 pieces). Decoct in water, take warm. Immediately after ingestion, drink thin rice gruel and cover with blankets to induce slight perspiration. Contraindications include raw/cold foods, sticky/slippery foods, meat, wheat products, five pungent spices, dairy/wine, and foul-smelling substances. Commentary: Wind injures Wei, yet treatment targets Ying; therefore, Gancao and Dazao tonify Spleen essence to nourish Liver blood, Shengjiang regulates Zang-Fu and unblocks collaterals, Shaoyao clears heat in Ying, and Guizhi disseminates Ying stagnation. Once the pores open, Ying stagnation dissipates outward, curing Wind Strike.

Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction)
Composition: Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 3 qian), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 2 qian), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 3 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, 1 qian). Decoct in 2.5 cups of water; first boil Mahuang until reduced to 1 cup, then add other herbs and simmer to 0.8 cup. Take warm. Cover to induce slight perspiration; rice gruel is not required. Commentary: Cold injures Ying, yet treatment targets Wei; therefore, Gancao protects Middle Qi, Guizhi disperses Ying stagnation, Mahuang vents Wei Qi obstruction, and Xingren benefits Lung Qi, descends rebellious Qi, and stops wheezing. Once pores open, Wei stagnation dissipates outward, curing Cold Damage.

Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction)
Composition: Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix, 4 qian), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 3 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, 2 qian), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 2 qian), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 2 qian), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 2 qian), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, 4 pieces). Decoct in water; first boil Mahuang and Gegen to remove foam, then add other herbs and simmer. Rice gruel is not required. Commentary: Ying is injured by cold, binding the Wei Qi of Yangming and Taiyang; therefore, Gegen vents Yangming Wei Qi, Mahuang vents Taiyang Wei Qi, Guizhi and Shaoyao unblock collaterals and clear Ying blood, while Shengjiang, Gancao, and Dazao harmonize Stomach Qi and tonify Spleen essence.