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When pathogenic cold transmits to the interior (Li), symptoms such as fever, dry mouth, chest fullness, irritability, and even delirium with uncovering of clothes appear; these all indicate Interior Excess (Li Shi). Attack is undoubtedly indicated, so why hesitate? However, one must not be unaware that the method of attacking the interior should be slow rather than rapid, mild rather than severe, focused rather than mixed, ascending rather than descending, and moistening rather than drying. Why is this so? When food enters the stomach, its digestion is managed by the Spleen (Pi), and its decomposition occurs in the Middle Jiao (Zhong Jiao), which is inherently easy. Once obstructed, relying on herbs to resolve it cannot yield results from morning to evening. The body is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, and the use of medicine has degrees of depth and sequence. If pathogens are in the Upper and Middle Jiao but purgatives are used hastily, conditions like Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) or Pi Qi (Stagnant Qi) will form. This illustrates "slow rather than rapid." What sustains human life is Stomach Qi (Wei Qi). Having already been injured by wind-cold and dietary factors, using drugs to attack it further causes double injury. Only by using acrid-warm and bitter-neutral formulas can sufficient transformation be achieved. This differs from large accumulations, which require harsh agents like Euphorbiae Lathyris Radix (Pengzhu) and Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) to sweep them away. Thus, Stomach Qi is not severely damaged, and complete recovery can be awaited. This illustrates "mild rather than severe." Since the injury is due to food, one must examine what was ingested and what herb can counteract it. For instance, Crataegi Fructus (Shanzha) resolves meat; Raphani Semen (Laifu) resolves wheat and beans; Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) resolves eggs; Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) resolves starches; Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen) resolves alcohol; and Camellia Sinensis Folium (Cha) resolves grain qi. Each substance has a specific treatment; determine the Sovereign (Jun) herb accordingly, assisted by other herbs, to ensure efficacy. Otherwise, indiscriminate prescribing cannot succeed. This illustrates "focused rather than mixed." Generally, for every ascending force, there is a descending one. If descending is excessive, stagnation and obstruction occur. Stomach Qi prefers ascending; Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen) can inspire it. Gallbladder Qi desires ascending; Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) can smooth it. Then, adding internal resolving herbs allows the pathways of ascending and descending to function, facilitating digestion. This illustrates "ascending rather than descending." The Large Intestine governs Jin Ye (Jin fluids); the Small Intestine governs Ye (Ye fluids); the Kidney (Shen) is the gate of the Stomach and governs the five fluids. Their ability to transform and conduct relies on these. If acrid-hot and drying drugs are used, they deplete fluids, leading to irritability, macules, jaundice, and delirium. For example, in Ping Wei San, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo) is bitter-warm; combined with Gegen, it becomes moistening; Qingpi and Zhi Shi are bitter and descending; when moderated with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) and Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), they become less harsh; Hawthorn Fruit (Shanzha) is sour, harmonizes the five flavors, and resolves greasiness; Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Guangpi) and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhiqiao) regulate Qi and relieve chest oppression. If women suffer from anger, Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) is added to regulate. Therefore, in treating Interior Cold Damage, after releasing the exterior and sweating, one must not use Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Costi Radix (Muxiang), Tsaoko Fructus (Caoguo), or Cardamomi Fructus (Doukou) to further deplete fluids. Observing cases of dryness and constipation treated solely with Porcini Bile (Zhichuang) or Honey Suppositories demonstrates this. This illustrates "moistening rather than drying."

Zhi Po Tang (Bitter Orange and Magnolia Decoction)
Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhiqiao, 麸炒 - bran-fried) [1 qian]
Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo, 姜汁炒 - ginger-juice fried) [1 qian]
Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) [1 qian]
Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [1 qian]
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Guangpi, 广皮) [1 qian]
Crataegi Fructus (Shanzha) [1.5 qian]
Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen) [1.5 qian]
Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 炙 - honey-fried) [2 fen]
Add Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Sharen) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang). Decoct in water. If cold remains, add Perillae Folium (Zisu) 1 qian. If injured by noodles, add Raphani Semen (Bozi/Laifu) 1 qian. If pathogen is in the lower part, add Qingpi and Zhi Shi 1 qian each; remove Zhiqiao and take for four to five doses. If the pathogen has transformed but constipation persists, use Porcine Bile or Honey Suppository.
According to the above methods for Exterior and Interior, the approach is most stable, provided fluids are not depleted. Why wait for clearing heat to achieve cure? Early use of cold-cooling herbs prevents digestion of food and stool, causing heat to flare up more fiercely. This is akin to "removing the firewood from under the boiling pot" rather than just blowing on the flames.