自汗者,不因劳动,不因天暑,不因热饮食,时时汗自出,故曰自汗也。乃卫
气虚而不能固密,心液因之漏泄。(宜当归补血汤倍黄 、玉屏风散、保元汤、黄 建中汤之类。)若表中
风邪者,亦能令卫腠空疏,而汗时自出。此邪去则汗止。(宜桂枝汤。)
当归补血汤(见第十六)
得效玉屏风散 治自汗。
防风 黄 (各一两) 白术(炒,二两)
每服三钱,水二盏,姜三片,煎六分,不拘时温服。
保元汤 治自汗无休止。
黄 (蜜炙,三钱) 人参(二钱) 甘草(炙,一钱)
水二盏,煎七分,温服。
黄 建中汤(见第三十三)
桂枝汤(见第十九)
盗汗者,睡中偷出。多发于夜,如盗之乘人不觉而夜出也。属阴虚。盖人之卫
气昼行于阳,出外;夜行于阴,入内。入内则内热。内热,则不足之阴受其蒸。入
内则表虚。表虚,则蒸泄之液无从固。于是阴失其守,阳失其卫,而汗淋漓于睡梦
间者有矣。(宜当归六黄汤、大建中汤之类。)
当归六黄汤 治盗汗久不愈。面白黄,肌瘦,或夜热骨蒸,饮食减少,四肢无力,
足膝 疼,发无虚夜。服此神效。
当归 生地黄 熟地黄 黄柏 黄芩 黄连(各一钱) 黄 (二钱)
上作一服,水二钟,煎一钟,临卧服。
大建中汤 治虚热盗汗,百节 疼,肢体倦怠,日渐羸弱,口苦舌涩,心怔短气。
绵黄 (炙) 远志(灯心煮,去心) 当归(酒洗) 泽泻(各二钱) 白芍药 龙骨(
)人参(各一钱五分) 炙甘草(一钱)
上作一服,水二钟,姜五片,煎一钟,食前服。气弱,加炮附子(二钱),腰痛筋急,加官桂(去皮一钱)。
Sweating without exertion, known as spontaneous sweating (Zihan), occurs when sweat flows out continuously without physical labor, hot weather, or consumption of hot food and drink. This condition arises from the deficiency of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) failing to secure the exterior, causing Heart fluids to leak. (Appropriate formulas include Danggui Buxue Tang [Angelica Sinensis Decoction] with increased Huangqi, Yupingfeng San [Jade Windscreen Powder], Baoyuan Tang [Protect the Origin Decoction], and Huangqi Jianzhong Tang [Astragalus Decocted in Middle-Warming Formula].) If wind pathogen invades the exterior, it can cause Wei Qi and Cou Li (pores) to become loose and sparse, leading to spontaneous sweating. In such cases, once the pathogen is expelled, the sweating stops. (Guizhi Tang [Cinnamon Twig Decoction] is appropriate.)
Danggui Buxue Tang (See Section 16)
Effective Yupingfeng San treats spontaneous sweating.
Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 25g), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 25g), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, fried, 50g).
Take 9g per dose, add 400ml water, 3 slices of ginger, decoct until reduced to approximately 240ml, take warm at any time.
Baoyuan Tang treats incessant spontaneous sweating.
Huangqi (Astragali Radix, honey-fried, 9g), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 6g), Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, 3g).
Add 400ml water, decoct until reduced to approximately 280ml, take warm.
Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (See Section 33)
Guizhi Tang (See Section 19)
Night sweating, known as盗汗 (Daohan), refers to sweating secretly during sleep. It mostly occurs at night, like a thief acting while people are unaware. This belongs to Yin deficiency. Generally, Wei Qi circulates in the Yang aspect during the day, emerging outward; and circulates in the Yin aspect at night, entering inward. Upon entering inward, internal heat is generated. Internal heat steams the deficient Yin. Entering inward also causes exterior deficiency. Exterior deficiency means there is no way to secure the fluids steamed and excreted. Thus, Yin loses its hold, Yang loses its protection, and profuse sweating occurs during dreams and sleep. (Appropriate formulas include Danggui Liu Huang Tang [Angelica Hexa-Herbal Decoction] and Da Jianzhong Tang [Greatly Warming the Middle Decoction].)
Danggui Liu Huang Tang treats chronic night sweating that does not heal. Symptoms include sallow complexion, emaciation, or night fever with bone-steaming sensation, decreased appetite, weakness in limbs, pain in feet and knees, and unexplained hair loss. Taking this formula yields miraculous effects.
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Sheng Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shu Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, each 3g), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 6g).
Combine as one dose, add 600ml water, decoct until reduced to 300ml, take before retiring.
Da Jianzhong Tang treats night sweating due to deficiency-heat, pain in all joints, limb fatigue, gradual emaciation and weakness, bitter taste in mouth, dry tongue, palpitations, and shortness of breath.
Mian Huangqi (Astragali Radix, roasted), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix, boiled with Centelli Herba, heart removed), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, wine-washed), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma, each 6g), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi, calcined), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, each 4.5g), Zhigancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, 3g).
Combine as one dose, add 600ml water, 5 slices of ginger, decoct until reduced to 300ml, take before meals. For weak Qi, add Paofuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, 6g); for lower back pain and tendon stiffness, add Guigui (Cinnamomi Cortex, peeled, 3g).