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Treats Yin deficiency with fire, causing night sweats (Dao Han).
Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Recens), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex). The above seven ingredients are decocted in water and taken orally.

[Note] Sweating while awake is called spontaneous sweating (Zi Han); sweating while asleep is called night sweats (Dao Han). When Yin is excessive, Yang becomes deficient and cannot secure the exterior, resulting in spontaneous sweating. When Yang is excessive, Yin becomes deficient and cannot guard the interior, resulting in night sweats. In individuals with harmonious Yin and Yang, Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) travels through the Yang meridians during the day, keeping one awake, and through the Yin meridians at night, inducing sleep. With Yin and Yang mutually supporting, how could disease arise? Only in those with Yin deficiency and fire, when sleeping, Wei Qi enters the Yin. Due to Yin deficiency failing to nourish Yang, Yang fire becomes hyperactive and contends with Yin, causing Yin fluids to lose their hold and escape outward as sweat; upon waking, Wei Qi returns to the exterior, allowing Yin to rest, thus stopping the sweat. Dang Gui is used to nourish fluids, and Sheng Di Huang and Shu Di Huang are used to nourish Yin, so that Yin fluids receive nourishment. Huang Qin clears fire in the Upper Jiao, Huang Lian clears fire in the Middle Jiao, and Huang Bai clears fire in the Lower Jiao, bringing balance to the three fires. Furthermore, adding Huang Qi among these cold-natured herbs is misunderstood by mediocre physicians who consider it superfluous and claim it is unsuitable for those with excess Yang; they fail to realize its profound significance lies precisely here! Since Yang contends with Yin and sweating depletes Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), Wei Qi also becomes deficient accordingly. Therefore, doubling the dose of Huang Qi serves two purposes: first, to restore the already deficient exterior, and second, to stabilize the unsettled Yin. The Classic says: "When Yin is peaceful and Yang is firm, spirit and vitality are regulated." This is what is meant!

[Collected Annotations] Wu Kun stated: Night sweats in miscellaneous diseases differ from those in Shang Han (Cold Damage). In Shang Han, it is due to pathogenic factors lingering in the Half-Exterior and Half-Interior; in miscellaneous diseases, it is merely Yin deficiency with fire. Treatment for Shang Han focuses on harmonizing the exterior, whereas treatment for miscellaneous diseases urgently seeks to rescue Yin. Thus, yin-nourishing herbs are combined with fire-clearing herbs; discerning practitioners should distinguish between them.

Treats Xu Lao (Consumptive Disease) presenting with abdominal urgency and pain, palpitations, epistaxis, abdominal pain, nocturnal seminal emission, soreness and pain in the four limbs, vexing heat in the hands and feet, dry throat and mouth, and various syndromes of insufficiency.
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Jiao Yi (Malt Sugar), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus). The above seven ingredients are decocted in water and taken orally.

[Collected Annotations] Yu Chang stated: When Xu Lao progresses to loss of blood, loss of essence, and withered fluids, it is difficult to treat! The Nei Jing states that for conditions beyond the reach of acupuncture and moxibustion, one should regulate with sweet medicines. The Jin Gui Yao Lue follows this principle by establishing Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, urgently building the Qi of the Middle Jiao, so that dietary intake increases and fluids flourish, thereby generating blood and essence, and restoring the insufficiency of True Yin. It utilizes only the sweet nature inherent in grains (the element of Earth), excluding sour, acrid, salty, and bitter flavors, as there is no other effective method. However, medication must be applied without excess. Not only should patients with vomiting avoid the sweetness of Jian Zhong Tang, but even if slight Qi stagnation is perceived, one must worry that excessive sweet herbs may cause fullness in the middle jiao. Regarding Da Jian Zhong Tang, it greatly builds the Yang of the center; Xiao Jian Zhong Tang implies a minor creation; Li Zhong Tang implies regulation; Zhi Zhong Tang implies divided treatment; Bu Zhong and Wen Zhong all imply prioritizing the Central State (Spleen and Stomach). Because external pathogens in Shang Han force their way inward, standard methods cannot be fully applied. Zhang Zhongjing merely added the character "Xiao" (Small) to the formula name to subtly indicate his intent, until the Jin Gui Yao Lue fully expounded the meaning of building the center. Later generations extended this logic, creating Le Ling's Jian Zhong Tang and Shi Si Wei Jian Zhong Tang, elaborately unfolding the purport of building the center. Scholars should grasp the major principles in their minds and hands.