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During the late summer season, when damp-heat steams and roasts, presenting with symptoms of four limbs fatigue, reduced spirit, body heat with high temperature, vexation, yellow urine, thirst accompanied by spontaneous sweating, and a deficient pulse, this formula is indicated.

Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Guangjupi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma, 1.5 qian), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Ginger (3 slices), Jujube (2 pieces, pitted). Decoct in water and take orally.

[Collected Annotations] Wu Kun stated: The pathogen of Summerheat prevails after the Summer Solstice, while during Late Summer, it combines with Dampness. This formula treats both simultaneously. Intense Summerheat easily causes the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) at the exterior to leak, and combined Dampness leads to instability of the Middle Qi. Huangqi is used to consolidate the exterior; Baizhu, Shenqu, and Gancao are used to regulate the Middle. When severe heat flows rampant, the Lung Metal is damaged; Renshen, Wuweizi, and Maidong are used to tonify, astringe, and clear the Lung, which corresponds to the classic principle of supporting the element that is overcome (i.e., strengthening Metal against Fire or Earth to generate Metal). When Fire is excessive, Water declines; thus, Huangbai and Zexie are used to nourish the source of transformation (Kidney Water). When fluids are lost, thirst occurs; therefore, Danggui and Gegen are used to generate Stomach fluids. If Clear Qi fails to ascend, Shengma can lift it; if Turbid Qi fails to descend, Chenpi and Qingpi can regulate it. The use of Cangzhu is for addressing the Dampness of Late Summer. Cheng Yingmao said: People know how to clear Summerheat, but I also tonify Qi because Summerheat damages Qi. Tonifying Qi not only allows Metal to counteract Fire, but any Qi that rises to become Jin (thin fluids) and Ye (thick fluids), when returned downward, becomes the Water within the Kidneys. When Kidney Water is sufficient, the excess of Fire naturally subsides.

To treat Wei-Jue syndrome (Atrophy and Paralysis), characterized by flaccidity and inability to move below the waist, abnormal gait, and deviated feet.

Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizome), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex, wine-fried), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) [each 1 fen], Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Dangguishen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix - Heart), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Zhuling (Polyporus), Zhigancao (Prepared Licorice Radix et Rhizoma), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) [each 2 fen], Renshen (Ginseng Radix), BaiFuling (Poria with Hostwood), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) [each 3 fen], Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) [each 5 fen], Cangzhu (Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizome, 1 qian), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.5 qian), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus, 9 pieces). Pound the above herbs into fragments the size of hemp seeds. Decoct in 2.5 cups of water until 1 cup remains, strain, and take warm on an empty stomach.

[Note] Both Qingshu Yiqi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Tonify Qi Decoction) and this formula (Qingzao Tang) are agents for treating Damp-Heat and Summerheat. Qingshu Yiqi Tang treats cases where Summerheat is predominant over Dampness, damaging Qi, manifesting as four-limb fatigue, reduced spirit, vexation, thirst, body heat, spontaneous sweating, and a deficient pulse. Therefore, it focuses on tonifying Qi, clearing Summerheat as secondary, and slightly adding damp-draining herbs to follow the dominant seasonal qi (Late Summer Dampness). This formula treats cases where Dampness is predominant over Summerheat, damaging the form/body. As Li Gao stated: Between the sixth and seventh lunar months, Dampness prevails greatly. "The child makes the mother full" (referring to the generative cycle or pathological transmission), Dampness assists Heat, causing it to flourish and attack Dry Metal (Lung), severing the source of Cold Water (Kidney) generation. When the source is severed, Kidney deficiency occurs, leading to Wei-Jue disease. Thus, the formula shifts from clearing Summerheat to clearing Dryness, assisting with heat-purging and damp-draining herbs to address the pathogenic factor. This formula is essentially Qingshu Yiqi Tang minus Gegen (Puerariae Radix) because there is no exterior muscle heat from external Summerheat invasion. Plus Zhuling and Fuling specifically to remove Dampness. Plus Huanglian and Shengdi specifically to purge Heat. Fuling and Zhuling assist Baizhu and Cangzhu, doubling the power of diuresis and drying Dampness. Huanglian and Shengdi assist Huangbai, enhancing the功 (merit) of saving Lung Metal to generate Kidney Water. When Middle Qi is benefited, Yin Fire extinguishes and the Lung clears. When Damp-Heat is removed, Dry Metal becomes肃 (solemn/clear) and Kidney Water generates. With a clear Lung and generated Kidney Water, the disease of Wei-Jue caused by Damp-Heat will inevitably heal. However, the herbs in this formula have properties biased towards leaching and purging. If applied in Winter or Spring to patients with exhausted Water, dried marrow, and bone atrophy, or those whose illness is not caused by Damp-Heat, it will instead劫 (plunder) Body Fluids, worsening the condition, which would be erroneous treatment.