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Treats patients with dampness presenting with bodily restlessness and pain.
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) 3 liang, Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 2 liang, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum) 2 liang, Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) 70 pieces, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Preparatum) 4 liang. The above five herbs are boiled in nine sheng of water. First, boil Mahuang until the volume reduces by two sheng, then skim off the foam. Add the remaining herbs and boil to obtain two and a half sheng of decoction. Strain the dregs and take eight he of the liquid warm. After ingestion, cover the patient to induce a slight perspiration.

[Collected Annotations] Cheng Zhi stated: This decoction is a method for dispersing pathogenic factors from the exterior in patients with dampness. Bodily pain is due to dampness, while bodily restlessness is due to heat. Adding Baizhu to Mahuang Tang serves to assist in dispelling dampness and prevents excessive sweating; this is the correct method for treating dampness. The addition of Baizhu to dispersing formulas was pioneered by Zhang Jiegu and Wang Haogu.

Indicated for Taiyang disease persisting for eight or nine days, where wind-dampness intertwines, causing severe bodily pain and inability to turn over, without vomiting or thirst, and with a floating, deficient, and choppy pulse.
Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 4 liang, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) 3 pieces, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 2 liang, Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang, Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) 12 pieces. The above five herbs are boiled in six sheng of water to obtain two sheng of decoction. Strain the dregs and divide into three warm doses.

[Collected Annotations] Cheng Zhi stated: When dampness and wind intertwine and flow into the joints, bodily pain becomes extremely severe, yet symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and thirst are absent. A floating and deficient pulse indicates wind, while a choppy pulse indicates cold-dampness. Wind at the exterior is dispersed using the acrid-sweet properties of Guizhi and Gancao. Dampness in the meridians is driven out by the acrid-hot nature of Fuzi. Shengjiang and Dazao are acrid-sweet, promoting Ying and Wei circulation, unblocking body fluids, and harmonizing the exterior. Generally, when Yang deficiency leads to stagnant dampness, warming the meridians, assisting Yang, and dispelling dampness rely heavily on the potent power of Fuzi.

Indicated for cases where all Taiyang syndrome signs are present, accompanied by stiffness and rigidity of the body, and a pulse that is instead deep and slow. This constitutes Jing disease (spasm), which this decoction treats.
Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix) 2 liang, Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 3 liang, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 liang, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 2 liang, Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang, Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) 12 pieces. The above six herbs are boiled in nine sheng of water to obtain three sheng of decoction. Divide into three warm doses to induce slight perspiration. If perspiration does not occur, drink hot congee after about one meal's time to facilitate sweating.

[Collected Annotations] Yu Chang stated: In Shanghan formulas, Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang is used to treat neck and back stiffness. In that case, there is sweating and aversion to wind, indicating the pathogen is at the exterior. Here, all Taiyang syndrome signs are present, confirming the pathogen is also at the exterior. However, the deep and slow pulse indicates that the exterior pathogen is provoked by internal exhaustion of body fluids. Therefore, it should not be treated as an exterior wind-cold pattern, so Gegen (which releases the exterior and relaxes muscles) is not used. Instead, Gualougen, which is bitter, enters the Yin, and excels at generating body fluids, is used as the Sovereign herb. Guizhi is added to harmonize Ying and Wei and nourish the sinews to treat spasm. This changes the exterior-releasing method into a harmonizing method. Since Gualougen is the Sovereign herb, its dosage should be increased, and Guizhi, as the Minister herb, should be decreased.