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Treats cough with upward rushing of Qi, which is Lung distension (Fei Zhang). The patient wheezes, eyes protrude as if falling out, and the pulse is floating and large.
Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) 6 liang, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 0.5 jin, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang) 3 liang, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) 2 liang, Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) 0.5 sheng, Jujubae Fructus (Dazao) 15 pieces.
The above six herbs are boiled in 6 sheng of water. First boil Ephedrae Herba, remove the foam, then add the remaining herbs. Decoct to obtain 3 sheng of liquid, divide into three warm doses.

Treats Lung distension (Fei Zhang), cough with upward rushing of Qi, irritability with wheezing, floating pulse, and fluid retention in the epigastrium (Xin Xia You Shui Qi).
Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) 3 liang, Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) 3 liang, Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) 3 liang, Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao) 3 liang, Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) 0.5 sheng, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 3 liang, Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang) 3 liang, Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) 0.5 sheng, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) 3 liang.
The above nine herbs are boiled in 1 dou of water. First boil Ephedrae Herba, remove the foam, then add all other herbs. Decoct to obtain 3 sheng of liquid. Robust individuals take 1 sheng per dose; frail individuals reduce the dose. Take three times a day. Children take 4 ge per dose.
[Collected Annotations] Yu Chang stated: The former formula (Yuebi Jia Banxia Tang) modifies Maxing Shigan Tang by replacing Guizhi and Xingren with Shigao, because the large pulse indicates heat. Adding Shengjiang and Dazao makes the dispersing action mild and slow. The latter formula (Xiao Qinglong Jia Shigao Tang) adds Shigao to Xiao Qinglong Tang because the syndrome includes irritability. Although sweating to disperse cold-fluid is appropriate, one must guard against assisting heat and damaging fluids. Yuebi Tang contains both Shigao and Banxia, working together. Shigao clears heat; assisted by its acrid-warm nature, it also resolves phlegm. Banxia resolves phlegm; assisted by its acrid-cool nature, it also clears heat. In the previous Maidong Tang formula, descending Qi and stopping rebellion relies entirely on Banxia entering fluid-generating medicines. These two formulas also utilize Banxia entering clear-warming agents. Zhang Zhongjing's modifications of established formulas are nothing but adaptations for teaching later generations.

Sambucus Folium (Sangye) [frosted] 3 qian, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) [stir-fried] 2.5 qian, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) 1 qian, Sesami Semen Nigrum (Huma Ren) [stir-fried, ground] 1 qian, Ecorum Corii Asini Colla (Ejiao) 8 fen, Ginseng Radix (Renshen) 7 fen, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) 1.2 qian, Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) [skin removed, tip removed, stir-fried until yellow] 7 fen, Loquat Folium (Pipaye) [hairs removed, honey-fried] 1 piece.
The above nine herbs are boiled in 1 bowl of water until reduced to 0.6 parts. Take frequently, divided into two or three doses, while hot. If there is much phlegm, add Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) and Trichosanthis Radix (Gualou). If blood deficiency, add Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi). If heat is severe, add Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) or Saiga Tataricae Cornu (Lingyangjiao), or Niuhuang.
[Collected Annotations] Yu Chang stated: Regarding Qi stagnation and fullness belonging to the Lung, it belongs to Lung dryness. Yet ancient and modern formulas for Qi stagnation use acrid-aromatic Qi-moving drugs, with not a single one treating Lung dryness. Atrophy (Wei), wheezing (Chuan), and vomiting (Ou) belonging to the upper jiao also belong to Lung dryness. However, ancient and modern treatments attribute Wei and Ou to Yangming, and Chuan to the Lung. Thus, Ou and Wei belong to the middle and lower jiao, while only Chuan belongs to the upper jiao. Hence, no formula addresses Lung dryness. Even for Lung-related Chuan, treatments are either exterior-releasing or purgative, Qi-moving or Qi-draining. Occasionally, moistening agents are used, but they miss the key point. Now, this formula is named Qingzao Jiufei Tang, focusing primarily on the Stomach, as Stomach Earth is the mother of Lung Metal. Tiandong and Zhimu can clear Metal and nourish Water, but due to their bitter-cold nature, they are not used. Bitter-cold fire-descending drugs are especially contraindicated. Since Lung Metal has reached dryness, the remaining Yin Qi is but a thread. If bitter-cold drugs are used to drain Qi and damage the Stomach, will the patient survive? Indeed, modifying this formula to save from Lung dryness and its resulting syndromes may yield results. Ke Qin stated: Ancient formulas using aromatic-dry drugs for Qi stagnation fail because "fire follows dryness." Only Miu Zhongchun understood this, establishing principles using sweet-cool moistening drugs to clear Metal and protect the Lung. Yu Chang followed this principle, collecting various moistening agents to create Qingzao Jiufei Tang. Its intent is profound, herb selection apt, leaving no depth unexplored.
[Commentary] The Classic states: "Damage to the Lung requires tonifying Qi," because the Lung governs all Qi. However, Fire and Original Qi cannot coexist. Therefore, Renshen and Gancao are used for their sweet-warm properties to tonify Qi; when Qi is strong, Fire dissipates naturally. This is the method of using "minor fire" to generate Qi. Regarding Fire-Dryness Fullness-Stagnation in the Lung, without assisting with sweet-cold, fluid-rich herbs, Lung dryness cannot be nourished. Instead, Lung Qi is consumed by vigorous Fire, exacerbating dryness. Thus, Shigao, Maidong, Sangye, Ejiao, and Huma Ren are added to facilitate clear-descent functions, allowing vigorous Fire to dissipate through Qi transformation. The Classic says: "The Lung dislikes upward rushing of Qi; urgently eat bitter substances to descend it." Therefore, Xingren and Pipaye are added for their bitter taste to descend Qi. When Qi descends, Fire descends, and regulation is effective; when Qi moves, stagnation ceases, and Atrophy, Wheezing, and Vomiting are eliminated. One must know that in cases of Fullness-Stagnation, Lung Qi is severely deficient. If one adheres strictly to the theory of "Heat damaging the Lung" and omits Renshen, stagnation will not open, Fire will blaze, skin and hair will fall, and death will result from incessant Wheezing and Cough. This is called "saving the Lung," meaning cooling while tonifying. If one believes Excess Fire can be purged and uses Huangqin and Huanglian for long periods, the bitter nature transforms into Fire, and death awaits immediately.