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Treats blood stasis congealed in the chest, so painful that it cannot be touched by hand; or blood accumulation in the middle jiao (middle burner), accompanied by alternating chills and fever, chest fullness, a desire to rinse the mouth with water but no desire to swallow, frequent forgetfulness, coma, and a manic-like state.

This formula consists of:
Tao Ren (Persicae Semen, 0.5 liang) Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang) Xiao Ming (Natrii Sulfas, 3 qian) Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 3 qian) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian)

For each dose of one liang, decoct with fresh ginger and water, and take orally.

Treats blood accumulation caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage disease); also treats Zheng Jia (abdominal masses), and is excellent for expelling parasites and attacking toxins.

Shui Zhi (Hirudo, scalded) Meng Chong (Ophryogenia, wings and feet removed, 30 each) Tao Ren (Persicae Semen, 20 pieces) Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 liang, washed with wine)

Take the above four ingredients, add five sheng of water, boil to obtain three sheng of liquid, remove the dregs, and take one sheng warm. If the blood is not expelled, take another dose. If still not expelled, crush these four ingredients into powder and make pills, divided into four pills.

Ke Yunbo said: The Bladder is the residence of water, and blood should not accumulate there. However, the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel governs all yang qi and is where qi is most abundant. Heat binding in its channels inevitably leads to severe pathological changes. Only potent agents are sufficient to reach the nest of the pathogen and shoulder this heavy responsibility; therefore, Didang Tang was established. Shui Zhi is an insect good at drinking blood and advantageous in water; Meng Chong is an insect good at sucking blood and fierce on land. By combining water-dwelling and land-dwelling insects skilled at taking blood to attack the stasis, we follow the principle of "like attracts like." Furthermore, assisted by the bitter-sweet nature of Tao Ren to push out the old and generate the new, and the bitter-cold Da Huang to cleanse evil heat, this is why it is named "Didang" (meaning "to resist/attack directly"). If the heat is severe but there is no mania, and the lower abdomen is full but not hard, the dosage should be reduced, and pills should be made for slow treatment. If external symptoms have resolved, the lower abdomen is urgent and knotted, and the person is manic-like, the pathogen has transferred to the Yangming (Yang Brightness) channel. Use Tiaowei Chengqi Tang added with Tao Ren and Gui Zhi (blood-moving herbs) within it, to slightly promote purgation. When the Stomach qi harmonizes, the patient recovers. This Taoren Chengqi Tang is an even milder method of treatment.

Treats Shanghan after five or six days, presenting with alternating chills and fever, bitter distension in the chest and hypochondrium, silent desire not to eat, mental irritability, frequent vomiting, deafness, and rapid pulse. This is Shaoyang disease (disease of the Shaoyang channel).

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 8 liang) Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [each 3 liang] Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 0.5 sheng) Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 liang) Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus, 12 pieces)

Take the above seven ingredients, add twelve dou of water, boil to obtain six dou of liquid, remove the dregs, and decoct again to obtain three dou of liquid. Take one dou warm, three times a day. If there is vexation in the chest without... [text missing] ...root four stools not... [text missing] ...cougher... [text missing]

Cheng Jiaoqian said: The formula is named Xiao Chai Hu Tang because its composition aligns with the Shaoyang channel and derives its meaning from it. Regarding the principles of formula construction and modification methods, as mentioned earlier, when the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) becomes unblocked... [text missing] entering the interior... [text missing] therefore... [text missing] therefore... [text missing]. The remaining cases mentioned occur because Shaoyang in the human body is a migratory region; any gaps in the exterior-interior meridians can manifest diseases following deficiency, representing unpredictable pathogens. Based on symptoms, these are conditions originally present in the Taiyang channel, but specifically appearing after five or six days, thus attributed to Shaoyang. Having both half-exterior and half-interior characteristics constitutes the Xiao Chai Hu Tang syndrome. In the formula, Chai Hu soothes the Wood qi, allowing half-exterior pathogens to be dispersed externally; Huang Qin clears fire, allowing half-interior pathogens to penetrate internally; Ban Xia opens condensed phlegm, clearing turbid qi to restore clarity; Ren Shen tonifies long-standing deficiency, nourishing Lung Metal to merge with Wood; Gan Cao harmonizes, further aided by Sheng Jiang and Da Zao to assist the generating qi of Shaoyang, preventing pathogens from moving inward. As for vexation without vomiting, fire has formed dryness and solidity pressing on the chest, so Ren Shen and Ban Xia are removed, and Gua Lou Shi (Trichosanthis Fructus) is added. For thirst, dryness has consumed fluids and pressed on the Lungs, so Ban Xia is removed and Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) is added. For abdominal pain, Wood qi has scattered into Earth, confining Stomach Yang, so Huang Qin is removed to settle Earth, and Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) is added to restrain Wood. For subcostal stuffiness and hardness, since pathogens remain, Wood qi is excessive, so the sweet and slowing Da Zao is removed, and Mu Li (Ostrea Shell) is added for its salty and softening properties. For epigastric palpitations and difficult urination, Earth is invaded causing Wood qi to rebel, so the bitter and draining Huang Qin is removed, and Fu Ling (Poria) is added for its bland and diuretic properties. For no thirst and slight body heat, half-exterior cold still stagnates in the muscles, so Ren Shen is removed and Gui Zhi is added to resolve it. For cough, half-exterior cold gathers in the Lungs, so Ren Shen and Da Zao are removed, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) is added, Sheng Jiang is replaced with Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) to warm, and although Lung cold exists, Huang Qin is not reduced, lest Wood lack restraint. In short, when the pathogen is in... [text missing]