Library

Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.5 qian), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 1.5 qian), Baishao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian).
For body pain following sweating in Taiyang disease (disease of the Taiyang channel), with a slow and weak pulse, this formula is indicated.
Body pain after sweating occurs because excessive sweating depletes Yin Qi (the cooling, moistening aspect of vital energy), failing to nourish the sinews and bones, thus causing body pain. Yang Qi deficiency causes a slow pulse; the state after sweating causes a weak pulse. The sweetness of Huangqi and Gancao tonifies Middle Qi (digestive energy); however, Guizhi contains acridity, and their combined use sufficiently benefits Wei Qi (defensive energy circulating on the surface) and consolidates the exterior. The sourness of Shaoyao collects Yin Qi; combined with the heat of Guizhi, it sufficiently promotes Ying Blood (nutritive blood flowing within vessels) and tonifies deficiency. This formula is named "Jianzhong" (Establishing the Middle) because it establishes Middle Qi, enabling the generation of Ying and Wei Qi, and the circulation of Jin-Ye (body fluids), so that the exterior is not deficient and body pain heals spontaneously.

Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 3 liang, stir-fried), Gancao (2 liang), Shaoyao (2 liang, stir-fried), Dazao (Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus, 12 pieces).
In He Bing (combined disease) involving both Taiyang and Shaoyang channels, characterized by spontaneous diarrhea, this formula is indicated.
Taiyang-Shaoyang He Bing presents with Taiyang symptoms such as headache, fever, and stiffness of the spine, alongside Shaoyang symptoms such as deafness, hypochondriac pain, alternating chills and fever, vomiting, and bitter taste in the mouth. Spontaneous diarrhea occurs due to excess in the exterior and deficiency in the interior, with pathogenic heat gradually attacking inward. If Taiyang and Yangming He Bing present with spontaneous diarrhea, the pathology is in the exterior, and Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) should be used to induce sweating; if Yangming and Shaoyang He Bing present with spontaneous diarrhea, the pathology is in the interior, and Chengqi Tang formulas can be used for purgation. In this case of Taiyang-Shaoyang He Bing with spontaneous diarrhea, the pathology is at the half-exterior half-interior level, where neither sweating nor purgation is appropriate; therefore, Huangqin Tang is administered. The Master stated: For deficiency without fullness, use bitter flavors to firm and sour flavors to astringe; thus, Huangqin and Shaoyao are used to firm and astringe the intestines and stomach. For weakness without fullness, use sweet flavors to tonify; thus, Gancao and Dazao are used to tonify the intestines and stomach.

Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, de-haired, stir-fried), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, stir-fried), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, stir-fried), Gancao (each 3 liang), Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix, 2 liang), Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber, half sheng), Dazao.
For Shanghan (cold damage) presenting with heat in the chest causing nausea and cold in the stomach causing pain, this decoction is given to regulate the ascending and descending of Yin and Yang.
The bitterness of Huanglian clears upper heat and descends Yang; the acridity of Ganjiang, Guizhi, and Banxia disperses middle cold and ascends Yin; the sweetness of Renshen, Gancao, and Dazao moderates central urgency and benefits Stomach Qi. In this formula, the cold nature of Huanglian is assisted by the acridity of Ganjiang and Guizhi, preventing stagnation of the cold; the heat of Ganjiang and Guizhi is guided by the bitterness of Huanglian, preventing dryness from heat. The interaction of cold and hot is like the mutual reliance of unorthodox and orthodox strategies. Moreover, the benefit to Stomach Qi by Renshen and Gancao serves to govern the Middle and establish the pivot (Zhong Shu).