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Treats discomfort and pain in the abdomen (This is due to disharmony of Yin and Yang, Qi and Blood, where Liver Wood overacts on Spleen Earth. Abdominal pain can be categorized into Cold Pain, Heat Pain, Deficiency Pain, Excess Pain, Food Stagnation Pain, Damp-Phlegm Pain, Fixed Blood Pain, and Parasite Pain. In Cold Pain, the pain does not fluctuate in intensity, or is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea; in Heat Pain, the pain comes and goes, with abdominal fullness and hardness; in Excess Pain, the pain is severe with distension, and cannot be touched by hand; in Deficiency Pain, pressing stops the pain; in Food Stagnation Pain, severe pain leads to diarrhea, and pain decreases after defecation; in Fixed Blood Pain, the pain is located in a fixed place; in Damp-Phlegm Pain, the pulse is slippery, phlegm-Qi obstructs, preventing ascending and descending movements; in Parasite Pain, it occurs intermittently, with pale complexion and red lips. Generally, pain below the epigastrium extending to the large abdomen mostly belongs to Food Stagnation or External Pathogens; pain around the umbilicus belongs to Phlegm-Fire and accumulated heat; pain in the lower abdomen below the umbilicus belongs to Cold, or Fixed Blood, or difficult urination). Zhang Zhongjing uses this formula to treat cold limbs (Jue) caused by mistaken sweating therapy, leg cramps, and vomiting/reversal of Qi. First, Ganjiang Gancao Tang (Dried Ginger and Licorice Decoction) is used to restore Yang Qi. When the cold limbs resolve and the feet become warm, this decoction is prepared again to harmonize Yin Qi, at which point the legs extend (Sour and Sweet flavors combined are used to tonify Yin and Blood. Wang Haicang said: "Jiaose produces Sweet, Sweet corresponds to Ji [Earth]; Quzhi produces Sour, Sour corresponds to Jia [Wood]").

Baishao Yao (White Peony Root), Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried). Each 4 liang. If the pulse is slow indicating Water injury, add Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger); if the pulse is surging indicating Metal injury, add Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) and Dazao (Jujube Fruit).

These are herbs for the Foot-Taiyang and Foot-Yangming meridians. Because Qi and Blood are disharmonious, abdominal pain occurs. Baishao is sour and astringent, bitter and draining, capable of moving Ying-Qi; Honey-fried Gancao is warm and dispersing, sweet and relaxing, capable of harmonizing rebellious Qi. Furthermore, pain is caused by excessive Liver Wood suppressing Spleen Earth (all pains belong to Liver Wood); Baishao can drain the Liver, and Gancao can soothe the Liver and harmonize the Spleen (Yu Tianmin said: "Baishao not only treats Blood deficiency but greatly moves Qi. Abdominal pain is due to disharmony of Ying-Qi, rebelling within the muscle layers; obtaining Baishao to move its Ying-Qi, and using the sweet relaxation of Gancao...")

Removing Baishao from this formula and adding Ganjiang (Dried Ginger, 1 liang, processed), it is named Gancao Ganjiang Tang (Zhang Zhongjing. See also Cold Category). The *Jinkui Yaolue* uses this to treat Lung Wei (Flaccidity Syndrome) and Lung Cold, with symptoms of spitting saliva and foam, and frequent urination (using this to warm them). Adding Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) to this formula creates Shaoyao Gancao Fuzi Tang (Zhang Zhongjing. See also Cold Category). Adding Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) creates Huangqin Shaoyao Tang (*Lanshimibzang - Jiyao*): It treats Dysentery with Heat, abdominal pain with tenesmus, thick and sticky pus and blood, as well as persistent epistaxis, with a surging and rapid pulse (This is essentially Zhang Zhongjing's Huangqin Tang without Dazao). Adding Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) creates Baizhu Shaoyao Tang (*Lanshimibzang - Jiyao*): It treats Spleen Dampness causing watery diarrhea, heavy body, and fatigue (*Weisheng Baojian* states: "Diarrhea and dysentery that do not stop, or sudden profuse discharge, all indicate disease of the Taiyin; thus, Shaoyao cannot be omitted; humans do not get dysentery without receiving Dampness, thus Baizhu is necessary; for dysentery in four seasons, within Baishao and Baizhu: add Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) in Spring, Huangqin in Summer, Houpo (Magnolia Bark) in Autumn, Guizhi and Fuzi in Winter. Treat further according to external symptoms, such as adding Baizhu for bodily fatigue; spontaneous sweating, cold limbs, and faint breath, add Guizhi and Fuzi to warm; if there is tenesmus, thick and sticky pus and blood, even in deep winter, within warming medicines...")