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Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) 5 liang, White Peony Root (Shaoyao) 3 liang, Licorice Root (Gancao), roasted, 2 liang, Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) 3 liang, Jujube (Dazao) 12 pieces.
The above five herbs are boiled with seven sheng of water over a gentle fire until three sheng remain. The dregs are removed, and one sheng is taken warm per dose.

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Ben Tun (Rushing Pig Syndrome) manifests as Qi rushing up to the chest, abdominal pain, and alternating chills and fever; Ben Tun Tang (Rushing Pig Decoction) is the primary formula for treatment.
[Annotation]
When Ben Tun Qi rushes up to the throat, causing severe suffering that feels like impending death, this is severe Ben Tun. When Qi rushes up to the chest accompanied by abdominal pain and alternating chills and fever, this is mild Ben Tun. Severe cases are treated with Guizhi Jia Gui Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Cinnamon Twig) to expel Yin pathogenic factors from the Kidney and descend rebellious Qi. Mild cases are treated with Ben Tun Tang to harmonize Blood from the Heart and dissipate rebellious Qi.

Licorice Root (Gancao) 2 liang, Szechuan Lovage Rhizome (Xiongqiong/Chuanxiong) 2 liang, Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui) 2 liang, Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) 4 liang, Scutellaria Root (Huangqin) 2 liang, Kudzu Root (Shengge/Gegen) 5 liang, White Peony Root (Shaoyao) 2 liang, Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) 4 liang, Almond Tree Root Bark (Ganligen Baipi) 1 sheng.
The above nine herbs are boiled with two dou of water until five sheng remain. One sheng is taken warm per dose, administered three times daily and once at night.
[Collected Exegesis]
Shen Mingzong stated: Using Chuanxiong, Danggui, Bai Shao, and Gancao nourishes the righteous Ying and Wei of the Jueyin and Shaoyang channels, causing pathogens to exit outwardly. Combined with Gegen, Huangqin, Banxia, and Shengjiang assisting Liggen Baipi, it resolves half-exterior half-interior chills and fever, allowing rebellious Qi to dissipate. Although Ben Tun belongs to Kidney pathology, there are instances where it arises concurrent with Jueyin and Shaoyang pathogens. Zhang Zhongjing’s use of this formula clearly indicates that it is not caused solely by Cold pathogens.

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After sweating therapy, if palpitations occur below the umbilicus, indicating impending Ben Tun, Fuling Guizhi Gancao Dazao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Licorice, and Jujube Decoction) is the primary formula.
[Annotation]
After sweating therapy, palpitations in the epigastrium indicate deficiency of Heart Yang and disease within the channel itself. Palpitations below the umbilicus indicate Kidney pathogens invading the Heart due to deficiency. Ben Tun refers to Qi moving below the umbilicus and rushing upward. "Impending Ben Tun" refers to symptoms resembling Ben Tun that are about to manifest but have not yet fully developed. Fuling Guizhi Gancao Dazao Tang supplements Fire (Heart/Spleen Yang) to suppress Water pathogens. The previous paragraph elucidated that external Cold pathogens can cause Ben Tun; this paragraph further clarifies that internal Water dampness can also cause Ben Tun.
[Collected Annotations]
Xu Bin stated: Zhang Zhongjing often combines several paragraphs to exhaust variations in argumentation. He discusses Ben Tun arising from fright, Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the throat, accompanying abdominal pain and alternating chills and fever, accompanying scrofula nodules without other diseases, and post-sweating palpitations below the umbilicus indicating impending but unformed Ben Tun, thereby clarifying the depth and progression of the disease. Treatments include harmonizing methods, suppressing Kidney pathogens, and the nuanced choice between using or not using Cinnamon Twig. For the syndrome of Ben Tun, etiology, symptoms, and treatments are comprehensively covered without omission. If one fails to comprehend Zhang Zhongjing’s intent in formulating these prescriptions, one may fear using potent medicines or find mild agents ineffective. Is it truly that ancient formulas are unsuitable for modern times?
Zhou Yangjun stated: Sweat is the fluid of the Heart. Palpitations in the lower abdomen after sweating indicate Heart Qi deficiency and reckless movement of Kidney Qi.