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Treats Shaoyin syndrome (Shaoyin Syndrome) in cold damage (Shanghan), where upon initial onset, there is fever (Fever) contrary to expectation, and the pulse (Pulse) is deep (Deep Pulse). (Shaoyin syndrome is characterized by a faint and fine pulse, and a desire to sleep.)

Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) two liang; Asari Radix (Xixin, 细辛) two liang; Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi, 附子) one piece (prepared). Boil Ephedrae Herba first, remove the foam, then add the other herbs and decoct.

This is a formula for the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian. In Taiyang syndrome, fever should present with a floating pulse; here it is deep instead. In Shaoyin syndrome, a deep pulse should accompany no fever; here there is fever instead. Hence it is termed "contrary." Fever indicates pathogenic factors in the exterior, requiring sweating (Diaphoresis); a deep pulse belongs to Yin, requiring warming (Warming). Therefore, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata warms the Shaoyin meridians, Ephedrae Herba disperses Taiyang cold and induces sweating, and Asari Radix serves as an exterior-releasing herb entering the Kidney meridian, linking the two. This is a heavy sweating agent. (Zhao Sizhen stated: In the Taiyang chapter of Zhang Zhongjing's work, it says: If a patient has fever, headache, and a deep pulse, along with body pain, one should first rescue the interior, using Sini Tang (Four Reversal Decoction). For Shaoyin disease, if upon initial onset there is contrary fever and a deep pulse, Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asari Decoction) is used. Both present with fever and a deep pulse. Because headache is present, it belongs to Taiyang Yang syndrome; the pulse should be floating but is not, due to chronic interior deficiency-cold and decline of healthy Qi. With body pain, rescuing the interior is appropriate to strengthen internal healthy Qi, forcing pathogens out; Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi can also induce sweating to disperse pathogens. If the interior is not deficient-cold and the pulse is floating, it strictly belongs to the Taiyang Mahuang syndrome. Both present with deep pulse and heat, but without headache, hence named Shaoyin disease. Yin diseases should have no fever. The current fever indicates cold pathogens in the exterior, not yet fully transmitted to the interior, but causing skin constriction and fever. Thus, Mahuang and Xixin are used to release the exterior, and Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite) to warm the Shaoyin meridians. If cold pathogens enter the interior, there will likely be no external fever, but symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and cold limbs would appear, strictly belonging to the Shaoyin Sini Tang syndrome. From this, we see that superficial exterior pathogens with contrary fever are lighter; decline of healthy Qi with a deep pulse is heavier. Thus, Sini Tang is not less important than Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang. Furthermore, Shu Fuzi combined with Mahuang provides tonification within dispersion, while Sheng Fuzi (Raw Aconite) combined with Ganjiang provides dispersion within tonification. Zhang Zhongjing's principles are subtle. Note: When cold damage transmits to the Three Yin meridians, exterior syndromes on the meridians may still exist, such as Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang (Cinnamon Twig plus Peony Decoction) for Taiyin, Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang for Shaoyin, and Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Sinensis and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) for Jueyin; these are all exterior-releasing herbs for Yin meridians. Also note: Shaoyin may have contrary fever but no headache; Jueyin may have headache but no body heat, and the pain is less severe than in Yang meridians. If both body heat and headache are present, it belongs to Yang syndrome. *Yi Guan* states: Headache extending to the brain belongs to Shaoyin cold damage, treated with Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang; this must be known. Yu Jiayan stated: Zhang Zhongjing's Taiyang meridian only has Guizhi Jia Fuzi method, not Mahuang Jia Fuzi method. Taiyang does not present with faint pulse and aversion to cold, so Fuzi should not be used. If faint pulse, aversion to cold, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritability are seen, Yang collapse is imminent, and... Therefore, removing Xixin and adding Gancao (Licorice Root) from this formula creates Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Licorice Decoction) (from Zhang Zhongjing): It treats Shaoyin disease occurring for two or three days without severe interior symptoms, requiring mild diaphoresis (Two or three days is slower than initial onset; 'no symptoms' refers to absence of vomiting, diarrhea, and cold limbs/interior symptoms; this formula mildly induces sweating to disperse pathogens, making it a light sweating agent. Zhou Yangjun stated: Stating 'no interior symptoms' implies the existence of contrary fever and exterior syndrome. Both formulas treat Shaoyin exterior syndromes. Shaoyin generally lacks methods for sweating; sweating leads to Yang collapse. Only these two syndromes permit their use. *Jingui Yaolue* uses this formula to treat Shaoyin water syndromes, presenting with shortness of breath, deep pulse, and distension).