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Treats the condition caused by excessive sweating, where the patient crosses their hands over the heart area, experiences palpitations in the epigastrium (heart region), and desires to be pressed upon.
Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) - Cinnamon Twig (Rougui/Cassiae Ramulus) 4 liang, Licorice Root (Gancao/Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [roasted] 2 liang. The above two ingredients are boiled in 3 sheng of water until reduced to 1 sheng, taken in one dose.

[Collected Annotations] Ke Qin stated: Excessive sweating depletes Heart Fluid (Xin Ye) and weakens Middle Qi (Zhong Qi), leading to palpitations. Crossing hands over the chest provides external protection, while pressing upon it provides internal support; such unbearable symptoms clearly indicate a deficiency pattern from observation. Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) is primarily a herb for regulating Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). When combined with Mahuang (Ephedra Herb), it promotes the outward release of Ying Qi as sweat, utilizing its pungent property; when combined with Shaoyao (Peony Root), it astringes Ying Qi to stop sweating, utilizing its sour property; when combined with Gancao (Licorice Root), it tonifies Middle Qi and nourishes Blood, utilizing its sweet property. Therefore, in this formula, Guizhi serves as the Sovereign herb, with Gancao acting alone as an Assistant to tonify Yang Qi and generate Heart Fluid. The harmony between sweet and warm properties harmonizes Qi and Blood, thereby calming palpitations naturally. Fuzi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata) is not required because, although sweating is excessive, Yang collapse has not yet occurred. Shaoyao is not required because sweating has ceased, and its yin-astringing property might be contraindicated.

In cases originally presenting as Taiyang Disease (Taiyang Syndrome), if the physician erroneously applied purgation, resulting in abdominal fullness and intermittent pain,
it belongs to Taiyin Disease (Taiyin Syndrome), and Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Peony Root) is the primary treatment. If there is severe fullness and pain, Guizhi Jia Dahuang Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Rheum Root) is the primary treatment.

To the prescription of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), add an additional 3 liang of Shaoyao (Peony Root), bringing the total to 6 liang. Prepare and administer according to the standard method for Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction).

To the prescription of Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Peony Root), add an additional 1 liang of Dahuang (Rhubarb Root).

[Collected Annotations] Ke Qin stated: Abdominal pain is a symptom present in both Taiyin Disease (Taiyin Syndrome) and Yangming Disease (Yangming Syndrome), yet their locations are similar while their functions differ. Taiyin governs expulsion; in Taiyin disease, putrid filth is expelled via diarrhea, hence presenting as fullness with intermittent pain; Yangming governs reception/retention; in Yangming disease, putrid filth becomes dry and obstructed, hence presenting as severe excess and pain. "Severe excess and pain" indicates Yangming Disease (Yangming Syndrome), not Taiyin Disease (Taiyin Syndrome). Zhang Zhongjing addressed this because the exterior syndrome remained unresolved while Yang pathogenic factors had sunk into the Taiyin channel; thus, doubling the dosage of Shaoyao (Peony Root) benefits the Spleen and regulates the Middle Jiao to relieve abdominal fullness and intermittent pain. This employs the method of "using Yin to harmonize Yang." If exterior pathogens remain unresolved while Yang pathogenic factors sink into the Yangming channel, adding Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) moistens the Stomach and unblocks accumulation to relieve severe excess and pain. This employs the method of "simultaneously resolving the exterior and interior." Erroneous purgation inevitably damages Stomach Qi; when Stomach Qi is deficient, Yang pathogens invade the Yin, causing a shift to Taiyin Disease (Taiyin Syndrome); when Stomach fluids are depleted, dual Yang pathogens contend, causing a shift to Yangming Disease (Yangming Syndrome). Shifting to Taiyin presents as abdominal fullness and intermittent pain without hardness, reflecting the deficiency of the Yin pathway; shifting to Yangming presents as abdominal fullness, severe excess, and pain, reflecting the excess of the Yang pathway. Fullness with intermittent pain is a precursor to diarrhea; severe excess with pain is a sign of dry fecal impaction. Therefore, doubling Shaoyao (Peony Root) represents a slight modification of Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction), while slightly adding Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) subtly indicates the principle of Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Direct Downward Decoction).