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Treats cases where the exterior syndrome of Shanghan (Cold Damage) is not resolved, with fluid retention in the epigastrium, presenting as dry retching, fever, and cough. Or thirst, or dysentery, or a sensation of obstruction in the throat, or difficulty in urination with fullness in the lower abdomen, or wheezing. It is also used for miscellaneous diseases such as skin edema and general edema, to induce sweating and promote diuresis.

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, removed nodes) 3 liang, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 liang, Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) half sheng, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried) 3 liang, Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 2 liang, Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber, washed) half sheng, Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 3 liang, Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) 3 liang. The above eight ingredients are decocted with one dou of water. First, boil Mahuang, reduce the volume by two sheng, and remove the foam on the surface. Then add the remaining herbs, boil until three sheng of liquid remains, filter out the dregs, and take one sheng warm. If there is thirst, remove Banxia and add Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix) 3 liang. If there is a sensation of obstruction in the throat, remove Mahuang and add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed) one piece. If there is difficulty in urination and fullness in the lower abdomen, remove Mahuang and add Fuling (Poria) 4 liang. If there is wheezing, remove Mahuang and add Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, peeled and tip removed) half sheng. If there is mild dysentery, remove Mahuang and add Raohua (Stellerae Radix) the size of an egg (stir-fried until red).

[Commentary] "Add Raohua the size of an egg, stir-fried until red" is likely a transcription error. According to Materia Medica, Raohua belongs to the same category as Yuanhua (Daphnes Genkwa Flower). Used to attack water retention, its power is extremely fierce; five fen can cause dozens of bowel movements. How could one use an egg-sized dose of Raohua to treat mild dysentery caused by retained fluids? It should be corrected to adding Fuling (Poria) 4 liang.

[Annotation] There are two types of fluid retention in the Taiyang (Greater Yang) stage: one is Fengzhong (Wind Strike), characterized by exterior deficiency and sweating, which corresponds to the Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) syndrome; the other is Shanghan (Cold Damage), characterized by exterior excess and absence of sweating, which corresponds to the Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) syndrome. Since it is exterior excess without sweating, it combines the formulas of Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) and Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to resolve the exterior. Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) is removed because its nature is cloying. Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) is removed because there is no wheezing; if wheezing occurs, it is added. Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) is removed because Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) is already present; however, if there is vomiting, Shengjiang may still be used. Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) act as assistants, being extremely warming and dispersing, causing both cold and water to be resolved through sweat. Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber) assists in driving out phlegm-fluids to clear residual fluids. Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) assists in astringing Lung Qi to gather depleted Qi. If there is thirst, remove Banxia and add Huafen (Trichosanthis Radix) to avoid dryness and generate fluids. For mild dysentery, throat obstruction, difficulty in urination, and lower abdominal fullness, remove Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) to move away from the exterior and focus on the interior. Add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to remove throat obstruction and disperse cold, thus stopping the obstruction. Add Fuling (Poria) to promote diuresis, thus eliminating mild dysentery and lower abdominal fullness. This formula, along with Yuespi Tang (Yue Bi Decoction), treats water-fluids overflowing into the exterior, resulting in skin edema and general edema suitable for resolution via sweating; they are effective immediately. Yuespi Tang treats conditions with heat, so Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is used as the sovereign herb to dissipate Yang-water. Xiaoqinglong Tang treats conditions with cold, so Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) are used as assistants to dissipate Yin-water.