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Treats Spleen and Stomach deficiency (Xu, 虚), manifesting as lassitude and a desire to lie down, heaviness and drooping of the four limbs. When the autumn dryness command is in effect, and damp-heat is just receding, symptoms include heavy body, joint pain, dry mouth and tongue, loss of taste, irregular bowel movements, frequent urination, indigestion, accompanied by Lung disease symptoms such as aversion to cold with shivering, depression and unhappiness, and an unhealthy complexion.
Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). Decoct in water and take orally.

[Collected Notes] Wu Kun stated: The Spleen Earth is weak and cannot control dampness, hence the heavy body and joint pain; it cannot transform and transport essence and nutrients, hence the dry mouth and loss of taste; since the Middle Qi is weak, transmission and transformation are disordered, hence irregular bowel movements and frequent urination. Aversion to cold with shivering indicates weak Lung Qi and exterior deficiency. An unhappy complexion indicates that Yang Qi is not extending. In this formula, Banxia and Baizhu can dry dampness; Fuling and Zexie can leach out dampness; Qianghuo, Duhuo, Fangfeng, and Chaihu can raise clear Yang Qi; Huanglian treats damp-heat; Chenpi regulates Stomach Qi; Renshen, Huangqi, and Gancto tonify the Stomach; Baishao, being sour and astringent, is used to harmonize Ying (Nutrient) Blood, and to coordinate with the acrid-dispersing nature of Qianghuo and Chaihu. Generally, ancients used acrid-dispersing herbs together with sour-astringent ones to prevent the harshness and severity of the former, similar to military discipline and restraint.

[Commentary] Renshen belongs to tonifying herbs. If one does not know that when it serves as the Sovereign herb paired with Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Houpo (Magnolia Bark), it constitutes "tonifying the center while purging," then... [Note: Text implies contrast]. Qianghuo and Fangfeng belong to dispersing herbs. If one does not know that when they serve as Assistant herbs paired with Renshen and Huangqi, they constitute "raising within tonification," then... Modern physicians, upon seeing Qianghuo and Fangfeng, immediately say: "Dispersing methods should not be used lightly." They fail to examine which herbs they are assisting. This is due to incomplete study of texts and ignorance of the subtle principles of creation/nature.

Treats Spleen Yin and Blood deficiency, and weak Stomach Yang Qi. It applies when spring cold persists, or after excessive consumption of cold foods, which suppress and obstruct the clear Qi of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang), causing stagnation within the Spleen Earth. Symptoms include fatigue and heat sensation in the four limbs, muscle heat, heat between bones and sinews, and exterior heat feeling like fire burning the skin and muscles, hot to the touch. These conditions are all suitable for taking this prescription.
Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Duhuo, Qianghuo, Baishao, Renshen (each 5 qian); Gancao (Zhi, Honey-fried) 3 qian; Chaihu 3 qian; Fangfeng 2 qian; Gancao (Sheng, Raw) 2 qian. Pound the above into pieces the size of hemp seeds. Take 5 qian per dose, decoct in two cups of water until one cup remains, strain, and take warm at any time. Avoid cold and cooling foods.

[Collected Notes] Wu Kun stated: The Classics say: "Minor Fire generates Qi." Heaven cannot produce things without this fire; humans cannot sustain life without it. When raised, it shines; when suppressed, it extinguishes. Now, because spring cold has not dissipated, it suppresses and depresses Yang Qi; dietary cold foods fill the realm of Extreme Yin, causing the ascending and generating Qi to nearly cease. Therefore, Shengma, Chaihu, Qianghuo, Duhuo, and Gegen are used. These are all acrid-wind herbs that stimulate the generating Qi of Shaoyang. Once Clear Yang emerges from the upper orifices, Turbid Yin naturally returns to the lower orifices, and food transmission and transformation will no longer suffer from suppression. Shaoyao (Baishao) is sour and can drain Wood excess within Earth. Renshen is sweet and can tonify Qi in the Central Region. Raw Gancao can drain depressed Fire from the Spleen; subsequently, when honey-fried, it strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and harmonizes the Middle. Li Gao, who mastered the physiology of the Spleen, always prioritized raising Yang in his treatments. Vulgar physicians know only descending methods and do not understand ascending methods; this is extinguishing the Minor Fire. How can one expect them to preserve health? If Qi is not deficient, remove Renshen and Duhuo from this formula and add Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), naming it Huoyu Tang (Fire Depression Decoction). The treatment indication is the same.