Library

Treats cases where the exterior syndrome of Cold Damage (Shanghan) has resolved, presenting with epigastric fullness and obstruction (Xin Xia Pi), aversion to cold, and sweating.
Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 2 liang, Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 1 liang, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 1 liang, Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) one piece (processed, skin removed, decocted separately for juice).
The above four herbs: chop three of them (Da Huang, Huang Lian, Huang Qin), soak them in two sheng of boiling water (Ma Fei Tang) for a short while, then strain out the dregs, add the juice of the separately decocted Fu Zi, and take half warm, divided into two doses.

[Annotation] Epigastric hardness accompanied by pain indicates Jie Xiong (Chest Binding); hardness without pain indicates Xin Xia Pi (Epigastric Obstruction). Aversion to cold combined with sweating indicates not that the exterior pathogen remains unresolved, but rather deficiency of Exterior Yang. Therefore, Da Huang, Huang Lian, and Huang Qin are used to drain the heat causing the obstruction, while Fu Zi is used to warm the Exterior Yang, treating both interior and exterior simultaneously. The subtlety lies in soaking the three yellow herbs (San Huang) in boiling water briefly and straining them, while decocting Fu Zi separately; this implies a lighter intention to drain the obstruction's heat and a heavier intention to support Yang.

Treats Cold Damage or Wind Strike where the physician erroneously applied purgation. The patient does not develop Chest Binding but suffers from diarrhea dozens of times a day, undigested food in stool, borborygmus (rumbling in the abdomen), epigastric fullness and hardness, dry retching, vexation, and restlessness. Seeing the epigastric obstruction, the physician assumes the pathogen is not fully eliminated and applies purgation again, making the obstruction more severe. This is not due to accumulated heat, but rather stomach deficiency allowing hostile Qi to rebel upward, causing the sensation of hardness.
Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 4 liang, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 3 liang, Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 1 liang, Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 3 liang, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber) half sheng (washed), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) twelve pieces (split).
The above six herbs: decoct in ten dou of water until six sheng remain, remove dregs, and decoct again until three sheng remain. Take one sheng warm, three times daily.

[Annotation] Regardless of whether it is Cold Damage or Wind Strike, if the exterior is unresolved, purgation must never be used. Erroneous purgation leads to obstruction. Diarrhea dozens of times daily with undigested food and borborygmus results from gastric emptiness caused by erroneous purgation. Epigastric fullness/hardness, dry retching, and vexation result from pathogenic factors invading due to deficiency and rebelling upward. Seeing epigastric hardness, the physician mistakenly believes incomplete purgation occurred and purges again, worsening the obstruction. However, this is neither an obstruction of accumulated heat nor one of cold accumulation. It is an obstruction caused by gastric emptiness, rebellious hostile Qi, sinking of Yang, and coagulation of Yin. The formula is named after Gan Cao (Licorice) to signify its harmonizing and moderating intent. Gan Cao and Da Zao use their sweet-warm nature to tonify the Middle and relieve urgency, addressing the worsening obstruction. Ban Xia uses its acrid nature to break the rebellion of hostile Qi. Huang Qin and Huang Lian drain the heat of the obstructed, sunken Yang, while Gan Jiang disperses the cold of coagulated Yin. By relieving urgency, breaking rebellion, draining obstruction, and addressing cold and heat, the treatment is comprehensive.