Library

Taiyang disease (Disease of the Taiyang channel), after eight or nine days, presents with symptoms resembling malaria, characterized by alternating fever and aversion to cold, with more heat than cold. The patient does not vomit, and bowel movements and urination are basically normal. If the pulse is slightly slow and moderate, it indicates that the condition is about to heal. If the pulse is slight and accompanied by aversion to cold, this signifies a deficiency of both Yin and Yang, and methods such as sweating, purging, or vomiting should not be employed. If the face appears reddish and hot, the pathogen has not yet resolved; because little sweat cannot be produced to vent the Yang Qi, the body will likely itch. Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-and-Half Decoction) is appropriate.

Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 1 liang 6 zhu, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 1 liang, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, removed nodes) 1 liang, Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 1 liang, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried) 1 liang, Dazao (Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus, broken open) 4 pieces, Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, skin and tip removed) 24 pieces. These seven ingredients are boiled in 5 sheng of water. First, boil Mahuang until it boils one or two times, remove the foam on the surface, then add the remaining herbs. Boil until 1.8 sheng of liquid remains, strain the dregs, and take 0.6 sheng warm.

[Annotation] In Taiyang disease, after eight or nine days, chills and fever resembling malaria may occur. When there is more heat than cold, and the patient does not vomit, with clear urine, it indicates that the interior is harmonious and not invaded by pathogens; although self-healing is possible, one must carefully observe if the malaria-like chills and fever occur lightly two or three times a day. If the pulse is slight and slow, it confirms that the pathogenic factor is declining and the healthy Qi is recovering, suggesting that the exterior and interior are about to harmonize, marking the onset of recovery. If the pulse is slight but not slow, and aversion to cold persists, it indicates that the pathogen has not declined and the healthy Qi has not recovered. Although self-healing is unlikely, previous treatments involving sweating, vomiting, or purging have already weakened the exterior and interior; therefore, these methods should not be used again. A slight pulse and aversion to cold indicate deficiency in both exterior and interior, which should manifest as a pale face. However, if the face is red, it suggests that residual exterior pathogens are stagnating and preventing the production of slight sweat to vent Yang Qi, resulting in facial redness and body itching, indicating that the disease has not yet resolved. Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-and-Half Decoction) should be used to induce slight sweating, thereby harmonizing Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, leading to recovery.