论曰中焦者在胃中脘，不上不下，主腐熟水谷，其气和平，能传糟粕，蒸津液，变精微
，上注于肺，通行营卫，仲景曰、热在中焦，则为坚，故其气实，则闭塞不通，上下隔绝，
热则身重目黄口甘脾瘅之证生焉。
治中焦热结闭塞，上下不通。关隔不吐不利，腹膨胀喘急。泻热九味汤方
大黄（锉炒） 黄芩（去黑心） 泽泻（锉） 升麻（各一两） 羚羊角（镑） 栀子
仁（各一两
一分） 生干地黄（焙一两） 玄参（二两半） 芒硝（研一两）
上九味粗捣筛，每服三钱匕，水一盏，煎至七分，去滓温服、日三
治中焦热结，肠胃不通，引饮无度。栝蒌根丸方
栝蒌根（五两） 王瓜根（三两） 铁粉（研） 苦参 黄连（去须） 朴硝（研） 芒
硝（研各
二两） 白石英（研） 泽泻（锉） 龙胆 白英 水萍焙 菇根（各一两）
上一十三味，捣罗为末，炼蜜丸如梧桐子大，每服十五丸，早晚食前用温米饮下。稍增
至三十丸，以知为度。
治中焦热结，唇肿口生疮，咽喉壅塞。舌本强硬，烦躁昏倦。射干汤方
射干 升麻 枳壳（去瓤麸炒） 大黄（制炒各一两） 羚羊角（镑） 柴胡（去苗） 木
通（
锉） 玄参 甘草（炙各半两） 龙胆 马牙硝（各一分）
上一十一味，粗捣筛，每服三钱匕，水一盏，入竹叶二七片，同煎至七分，去滓放温食
后服。
治中焦热结，水谷下痢。蓝青丸方
蓝青汁（一升） 黄连（去须二两） 黄柏（去粗皮） 白术（锉炒） 地榆（各三分）
地骨
皮（半两） 阿胶（炙燥一两一分） 乌梅（去核炒三分）
上八味，将后七味捣罗为末，用蓝青汁煎为膏，丸如梧桐子大，每服十丸至十五丸。空
腹粥饮下、日三。
治中焦热结，胃气郁伏，身发黄胆。白英丸方
白英（五两） 白蔹（三两） 紫草 芒硝（研） 大黄（锉以上各二两） 茵陈蒿 葶
苈子（
纸上炒） 浓朴（去粗皮生姜汁炙透） 枳壳（去瓤麸炒各一两）
上九味，捣罗为末，炼蜜丸如梧桐子大，每服二十丸，早晚食前用蜜汤下，以知为度。
治中焦蓄积瘅热，食已如饥。 根散方
根（锉二两） 松脂（三分） 槐花（炒半两）
上三味，捣罗为散，每服二钱匕，早晚食前、温糯米饮调下，稍增至三钱匕，以知为度
治中焦结热，下赤白沃。鼠尾草散方
鼠尾草（五两） 槐花（炒三两） 犀角（镑） 黄连（去须） 栀子仁（各二两） 黄
芩（去黑
心） 白芍药 地榆（锉） 甘草（生锉各一两）
上九味，捣罗为散，每服二钱匕，早晚食前。用温酒调下，稍增至三钱匕，以知为度。
治中焦热痹，善忘不乐。 茹散方
茹（三两） 甘草（炙二两） 硝石（研一两）
上三味，捣罗为散，于初更时及鸡鸣后，各用温酒调下一钱匕，稍增至二钱匕，以知为
度。
治中焦热结，目睑赤烂。冬除散方
栾华（五两） 莎草根（炒去毛三两） 丹砂（研） 硝石（研） 石决明（各二两） 石
膏（碎）
上九味，捣罗为散，于早晚食前，用沙糖水调下一钱匕，稍增至二钱匕。以知为度。
治中焦热结，唇焦面赤，或时烦躁，四肢倦。解肌地骨皮汤方
地骨皮 人参 柴胡（去苗） 栀子（去皮） 甘草（生锉各一两）
上五味，粗捣筛，每服三钱匕，水一盏，入竹叶七片，同前至六分，食后去滓温服。
治中焦热结，唇口生疮。五倍子散方
五倍子 羌活（去芦头） 防风（去叉等分）
上三味，并生捣罗为散，每服一钱匕，蜜汤调下，食后服。
Commentary states: The Middle Jiao (Middle Burner) is located at the Zhongwan point of the stomach, situated between the Upper and Lower Jiao. Its primary function is to rot and ripen food and drink. When its Qi is harmonious, it can transmit waste products, steam body fluids, transform them into essence and subtle nutrients, which then ascend to the Lung, circulating Ying Qi (Nutritive Energy) and Wei Qi (Defensive Energy). Zhang Zhongjing stated, "Heat in the Middle Jiao leads to hardness [of stool]." Therefore, if the Qi is excessive, it causes blockage and obstruction, severing communication between the upper and lower parts. If heat arises, symptoms such as heaviness of the body, yellowing of the eyes, and sweet taste in the mouth (Pi Dan / Spleen Damp-Heat) will manifest.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with blockage, where upper and lower passages are obstructed. Symptoms include Guan Ge syndrome (obstruction preventing vomiting or defecation), abdominal distension and fullness, and rapid breathing. Use Xiere Jiwei Tang (Nine-Ingredient Decoction for Draining Heat):
Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome, crushed and stir-fried), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root, remove black heart), Zexie (Alisma Rhizome, crushed), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizome, each 1 liang), Lingyangjiao (Antelope Horn, shaved), Zhizi Ren (Gardenia Seed, each 1 liang 1 fen), Sheng Gan Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, dried and baked, 1 liang), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix, 2.5 liang), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, ground, 1 liang).
The above nine ingredients are coarsely pounded and sifted. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water, decoct until 0.7 zhan remains, strain, and take warm. Three times daily.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with gastrointestinal obstruction and excessive thirst. Use Gualougen Wan (Trichosanthes Root Pill):
Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix, 5 liang), Wangguagen (Tetrastigomatis Caulis, 3 liang), Tiefen (Iron Powder, ground), Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, remove mustache), Puxiao (Mirabilitum, ground), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, ground, each 2 liang), Baishiyings (Barium Silicate, ground), Zexie (Alisma Rhizome, crushed), Longdan (Gentianae Radix), Baiying (Solanum lyratum whole herb), Shuiping (Lemna minor, baked), Gugen (unknown root, each 1 liang).
The above thirteen ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder, and mixed with refined honey to form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 15 pills per dose, morning and evening before meals, with warm rice beverage. Gradually increase to 30 pills, stopping when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with swollen lips, oral ulcers, pharyngeal congestion, stiff tongue base, restlessness, drowsiness, and fatigue. Use Shegan Tang (Belamcanda Decoction):
Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, remove pith and bran, stir-fried), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome, processed and stir-fried, each 1 liang), Lingyangjiao (Antelope Horn, shaved), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, remove seedling), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis, crushed), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried, each 0.5 liang), Longdan (Gentianae Radix), Mayaxiao (Natrii Sulfas, each 1 fen).
The above eleven ingredients are coarsely pounded and sifted. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water and 14 slices of Zhu Ye (Bambusa Leaves), decoct together until 0.7 zhan remains, strain, let cool slightly, and take after meals.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with dysentery of food and water. Use Lanqing Wan (Isatis Juice Pill):
Lanqing Zhi (Indigo Naturalis Juice, 1 sheng), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, remove mustache, 2 liang), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex, remove rough bark), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, crushed and stir-fried), Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix, each 3 fen), Digupi (Lycii Cortex, 0.5 liang), Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla, dry-fried, 1 liang 1 fen), Wumei (Mume Fructus, remove pit and stir-fried, 3 fen).
The above eight ingredients: pound the latter seven into powder. Use Lanqing Zhi to decoct into a paste, form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 10–15 pills per dose with porridge beverage on an empty stomach, three times daily.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with stagnant Stomach Qi, resulting in jaundice-like yellowing of the body. Use Baiying Wan (Solanum lyratum Pill):
Baiying (Solanum lyratum whole herb, 5 liang), Bailian (Pseudostellariae Radix, 3 liang), Zicao (Arnebiae Radix et Rhizoma), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, ground), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizoma, crushed, each 2 liang), Yinchenshao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), Tinglizi (Semen Sinapis, stir-fried on paper), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, remove rough bark, process with ginger juice), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, remove pith and bran, stir-fried, each 1 liang).
The above nine ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder, and mixed with refined honey to form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 20 pills per dose, morning and evening before meals, with honey water. Stop when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao accumulation of damp-heat, feeling hungry immediately after eating. Use [Missing Herb Name] Gen San (Powder):
[Missing Herb Name] Gen (Root, crushed, 2 liang), Songzhi (Pinus Resin, 3 fen), Huaihua (Sophorae Flos, stir-fried, 0.5 liang).
The above three ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder. Take 2 qianbi per dose, morning and evening before meals, mixed with warm glutinous rice beverage. Gradually increase to 3 qianbi, stopping when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao binding heat with passage of red and white purulent stools. Use Shuweicao San (Mouse Tails Grass Powder):
Shuweicao (Prunella vulgaris whole herb, 5 liang), Huaihua (Sophorae Flos, stir-fried, 3 liang), Xijiao (Rhino Horn, shaved), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, remove mustache), Zhizi Ren (Gardenia Seed, each 2 liang), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root, remove black heart), Baishaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Diyu (Sanguisorbae Radix, crushed), Gancao (Licorice Root, raw and crushed, each 1 liang).
The above nine ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder. Take 2 qianbi per dose, morning and evening before meals, mixed with warm wine. Gradually increase to 3 qianbi, stopping when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Bi (painful obstruction) with forgetfulness and unhappiness. Use [Missing Herb Name] Ru San (Powder):
[Missing Herb Name] Ru (Root/Rhizome, 3 liang), Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried, 2 liang), Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras, ground, 1 liang).
The above three ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder. At the beginning of the first watch and after the rooster crows, mix with warm wine and take 1 qianbi. Gradually increase to 2 qianbi, stopping when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with red and ulcerated eyelids. Use Chuchu San (Winter Removal Powder):
Luanhua (Koelreuteriae Fructus, 5 liang), Shaocaogen (Cyperi Rotundus Rhizoma, stir-fried and de-hair, 3 liang), Dansha (Cinnabar, ground), Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras, ground), Shijueming (Concha Arcae, each 2 liang), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, crushed).
The above nine ingredients are pounded, sifted into powder. Before morning and evening meals, mix with sugar water and take 1 qianbi. Gradually increase to 2 qianbi, stopping when effective.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with dry cracked lips, red face, occasional restlessness, and limb fatigue. Use Jieji Digupi Tang (Muscle-Releasing Lycium Bark Decoction):
Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, remove seedling), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit, remove skin), Gancao (Licorice Root, raw and crushed, each 1 liang).
The above five ingredients are coarsely pounded and sifted. Take 3 qianbi per dose, add 1 zhan of water and 7 slices of Zhu Ye (Bambusa Leaves), decoct until 0.6 zhan remains, strain, and take warm after meals.
To treat Middle Jiao Heat Binding with ulcers on lips and mouth. Use Wubeizi San (Chinese Gall Powder):
Wubeizi (Chinese Gall), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, remove rhizome head), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, remove forked tips, equal parts).
The above three ingredients are raw-pounded, sifted into powder. Take 1 qianbi per dose, mixed with honey water, taken after meals.