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Fuling (Poria) 2 liang, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 2 liang, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger, sliced) 3 liang, Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried) 1 liang.
The above four ingredients are boiled in 4 sheng of water until reduced to 3 sheng. The dregs are removed, and the decoction is divided into three doses to be taken warm.

[Fangjie: Analysis of the Formula]
This formula is derived from the principles of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), but with a reduced dosage and simplified method. Since there are exterior signs such as floating and rapid pulse with sweating, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) is used as the principal herb. Dazao (Jujube) and Shaoyao (Peony Root) are omitted because there is an interior condition of impaired urination; it is feared that their astringent properties might obstruct the relief of strangury (difficulty in urination). Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Zexie (Alisma Rhizome), and Zhuling (Polyporus) from Wuling San are omitted because the patient has no thirst or irritability, indicating little interior fluid retention; only promoting urination is needed for recovery. It is feared that these herbs might be too drying and draining, thereby damaging Yin fluids.

[Jijie: Collected Explanations]
Wang Hu stated: Both Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) and Fuling Jiangzhi Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, and Fresh Ginger Decoction) are formulas that treat simultaneous disease of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel and its associated fu organ, addressing both exterior and interior aspects. What is referred to as "biao" (branch/exterior)? It is the Taiyang channel. What is referred to as "ben" (root/interior)? It is the Bladder fu organ. The channel is located in the exterior, while the fu organ is in the interior. In Wuling San, the pathogenic factor has entered the fu organ, and the exterior syndrome is already mild; therefore, only one herb, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), is used to address the exterior, while the remaining four herbs address the interior. In the case of Fuling Jiangzhi Tang, the pathogenic factor remains in the channel, and interior syndromes are few; thus, Fuling (Poria) is used to address the interior, while the other three herbs address the exterior.

A floating and rapid pulse indicates that healing should occur through sweating according to standard methods. If purgation is mistakenly applied, resulting in heavy body sensation and palpitations, sweating should not be induced again. Healing will occur when spontaneous sweating takes place. This is because a faint pulse at the cunian (inch position on the radial artery, reflecting kidney/interior status) indicates interior deficiency. When both exterior and interior qi become solid and yin-yang fluids harmonize naturally, spontaneous sweating occurs, leading to recovery.

[Zhu: Commentary]
In cold damage (Shanghan) before fever appears, the pulse is often floating and tight, indicating excess cold. After fever appears, the pulse is often floating and rapid, indicating excess heat. Both conditions are suitable for treatment with Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) to induce sweating for cure. If sweating is not induced and purgation is mistakenly applied, cases that do not develop adverse complications indicate that the patient's interior qi was originally strong. Therefore, if one observes only the exterior sign of heavy body due to missed sweating and the interior sign of palpitations due to mistaken purgation, further sweating is contraindicated. One must wait for the natural harmony of exterior and interior, after which spontaneous sweating will resolve the condition. This is because missing sweating leads to exterior excess, while mistaken purgation leads to interior deficiency. With a faint pulse at the cunian, the exterior and interior are disharmonious, preventing immediate resolution. Recovery requires waiting until the interior also becomes solid and balances with the exterior. Balance leads to harmony; harmony allows yang jin (yang fluids) and yin ye (yin fluids) to interact harmoniously, resulting in spontaneous sweating and cure. The method to strengthen the interior is described in the next section using Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction).

[Jizhu: Collected Annotations]
Yu Chang stated: This is also a modified approach of establishing the middle jiao first, followed by inducing sweating. It must be understood that Zhang Zhongjing said: "If the cunian pulse is faint, sweating is contraindicated." He also said: "If the cunian pulse is faint, purgation is contraindicated." These statements explore the profound principles of human body fluids. Even if mistaken purgation results in a floating and rapid pulse requiring urgent sweating, one must carefully examine the cunian pulse and not act arbitrarily.

Zhang Lu stated: After mistaken purgation causing heavy body and palpitations, even if the pulse remains floating and rapid, further sweating is contraindicated. If the cunian pulse is faint, indicating original deficiency of interior yin, caution is especially warranted. A floating and rapid pulse indicates severe heat pathogen, suggesting impending sweating. Mistaken purgation causes heavy body and palpitations; Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) should be used to harmonize fluids, leading to sweating and cure.
"In cold damage lasting two to three days, if there are palpitations and irritability, Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is the primary treatment."

[Zhu: Commentary]
In cold damage lasting two to three days, without prior sweating or purgation, if palpitations and irritability appear, it indicates that the person's middle qi (spleen/stomach qi) was originally deficient. Although exterior signs exist, sweating is contraindicated. Palpitations indicate that yang qi is already weak, and irritability indicates that yin qi is already weak. Therefore, Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is used to first establish the middle jiao and simultaneously regulate Ying (nutritive) and Wei (defensive) qi.

[Jizhu: Collected Annotations]
Wang Kentang stated: "In cold damage lasting two to three days, if there are palpitations and irritability, Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is the primary treatment." In cold damage, if the pulse is fine and thin, it belongs to Shaoyang (Lesser Yang); sweating is contraindicated. Sweating leads to delirious speech and stomach disharmony, causing irritability and palpitations. Generally, irritability preceding palpitations indicates heat, while palpitations preceding irritability indicate deficiency. Treating diseases by seeking their root follows this principle.

Cheng Yingmao stated: This shows that the departure of yang qi entering yin has precursors. Skilled practitioners prevent this before it manifests. Palpitations and irritability indicate interior qi deficiency and yang being invaded by yin pathogens. Jianzhong Tang tonifies deficiency and harmonizes the interior, protecting the central jiao to support qi and blood production. Although palpitations and irritability are concurrent symptoms in Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), after only two to three days, interior signs may not yet be fully present, making Xiao Chaihu Tang unsuitable.

Wei Litong stated: Establishing the middle addresses the root. After establishing the middle, if the pathogen is still in the exterior, sweating should still be induced; since the central jiao is established, sweating will not cause loss of yang. If the pathogen has transmitted to the interior, purgation should be applied; since the central jiao is established, purgation will not cause sinking of yang. This is what is meant by treating the branch in acute cases and the root in chronic cases.