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[Shenxiang San] Treats counterflow qi in the chest, diaphragm, and epigastrium that is difficult to resolve, accompanied by pain, vomiting, hiccups, distension and fullness, phlegm-fluid retention, dysphagia (obstruction of swallowing), and cases where other medicines have failed. This formula is most effective.
Dingxiang (Clove), Baidoukou Ren (Cardamom Seed Kernel) [or Sharen (Amomum Fruit) may be used instead], ground into powder in equal parts. Take 7 fen (approx. 2g) mixed with clear water for mild cases, or 1 qian (approx. 3g) for severe cases. The number of daily doses is unrestricted. If caused by cold qi...

(For diseases complicated by deficiency, harmonize by tonifying; complicated by stagnation, harmonize by promoting movement; complicated by cold, harmonize by warming; complicated by heat, harmonize by cooling.
The term "harmonizing" refers to...
Such as Tiandong (Asparagus Tuber), Rongrong (Cistanche Stem), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), Tongbian (Human Urine), etc., belong to this category.
If exterior pathogenic factors are unresolved, astringent herbs are contraindicated, such as Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), Zaoren (Ziziphus Seed), Diyu (Sanguisorba Root), Wen Ge (Arca Shell), etc.
In cases of Qi stagnation, obstructive herbs are contraindicated, such as Huangbo (Phellodendron Bark), Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Gancao (Licorice Root), etc.
Where pathogenic fire is located in the upper jiao, lifting herbs should not be used, as fire rises and will become more blazing.
Where deep cold is located in the lower jiao, descending herbs should not be used, as Yin being descended leads to further depletion.
Conditions characterized by hyperactivity should not be agitated further: for Fire hyperactivity, warm herbs are contraindicated; for Blood hyperactivity, acrid-aromatic herbs are contraindicated; for sweating hyperactivity, dispersing herbs are contraindicated; for Spirit hyperactivity, herbs that consume and damage are contraindicated.
Herbs with unstable natures and flavors must be used with caution. For those with even more violent and aggressive properties, their contraindications are self-evident.
Conditions characterized by stillness should not be made more static: such as a pulse that is deep, faint, fine, and weak, which is the stillness of the pulse; mental confusion and timid Qi, which is the stillness of the syndrome; cold and clear body tissues, which is the stillness of the exterior; cold sensitivity of the mouth and abdomen, which is the stillness of the interior.
Herbs with Yin and soft natures and flavors must be used with caution. For those with even deeper cold, their contraindications are self-evident.
Yang governs activity; using activity to aid activity is like adding oil to a fire, leading to burning and rotting.
Yin governs stillness; using stillness to add to stillness is like adding frost to snow, leading to寂灭 (extinction).
The above discussions cover only the general principles. Books cannot fully express words, and words cannot fully express meaning. By extending these categories, one can understand the true meaning of "Harmonizing".)

[Xiaochaihu Tang] (Zhang Zhongjing) treats Taiyang-Shaoyang combined patterns from Cold Damage and Wind Strike. Shaoyang syndrome, characterized by alternating chills and fever. (Chills belong to Yin, Fever belongs to Yang. Interior belongs to Yin, Exterior belongs to Yang. Pathogens lodge in the half-exterior, half-interior region. When Yin emerges to contend with Yang, Yin predominance causes chills. When Yang enters to contend with Yin, Yang predominance causes fever. Furthermore: The Taiyang channel runs along the posterior body, associated with Bladder Cold Water, governing the exterior. The Yangming channel runs along the anterior body, associated with Stomach Dry Metal, governing the interior of the exterior. Pathogens in the middle region, near the posterior Bladder Cold Water, cause chills; near the anterior Yangming Dry Metal, cause fever. Malaria has fixed timing for chills and fever; alternating chills and fever have no fixed timing. Because the heat is superficial in the exterior, pathogens contend with healthy Qi, causing chills. After chills, fever returns because the pathogen has not yet merged into the exterior or interior, hence the chills and fever are mild and untimed.) Chest and hypochondriac stuffiness and fullness, irritability, and frequent desire to vomit. (Half-exterior/half-interior belongs to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder channel, which runs through the hypochondrium. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao channel connects to the Pericardium. Wind pathogens invade, preventing Heart Qi from circulating freely, causing fullness, sometimes attacking the chest and hypochondrium, causing stuffiness and pain. Pathogens in the exterior do not cause irritability or vomiting; in the interior, they do. As the exterior pattern transmits to the interior, irritability and desire to vomit occur.) Silent demeanor and lack of appetite. (Pathogens in the exterior cause groaning and restlessness; in the interior, irritability and mental turmoil. As pathogens transmit from exterior to interior, the patient becomes silent and quiet. The Classics state: When Yang enters Yin, there is stillness. Pathogens in the exterior allow eating; in the interior, eating is impossible. Now, between exterior and interior, there is merely a lack of desire to eat, not complete inability to eat.) Alternatively, pain under the ribs, abdominal pain, thirst, or diarrhea. (Interior deficiency with協熱 [collateral heat]). Alternatively, cough, palpitations, or difficulty urinating. (Fluid retention in the interior). Deafness and bitter taste in the mouth. (Shaoyang Gallbladder channel connects to the ears; Gallbladder Qi overflows upward, causing bitterness). Wiry pulse. (Liver and Gallbladder both belong to Wood, hence the wiry pulse.) Alternatively, residual heat remaining after sweating, springtime coughs, malaria with chills and fever, or women with Cold Damage where heat enters the Blood Chamber. (Blood Chamber refers to the Chong Mai, present in both men and women)... (Text fragmentary) ...If there is a Chaihu pattern in Cold Damage or Wind Strike, observing one symptom suffices; it is not necessary for all symptoms to be present. Also stated: In the fifth or sixth day of Cold Damage, with fever and vomiting, if the physician purges with other medicines and the Chaihu pattern persists, administering Xiaochaihu Tang again will likely result in shivering and trembling, followed by fever, sweating, and recovery. Even in cases of damp-heat in the half-exterior/half-interior causing jaundice, Xiaochaihu Tang may still be used; this applies even to miscellaneous diseases.)

Chaihu (8 liang), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Gancao (Licorice Root), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger, 3 liang), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber, half sheng), Dazao (Jujube Fruit, 12 pieces, split). Decoct in 1 dou 2 sheng of water...

If vomiting and counterflow occur, add Shengjiang to disperse counterflow and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) to regulate Qi. If irritability without vomiting occurs, remove Banxia and Renshen, add Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit) to clear stagnant heat. If thirsty, remove Banxia, add... (text breaks, implies Tianhuafen/Trichosanthes Root).

(The hypochondrium is... epigastric thus... pain add Chuan... )
The Gallbladder is a pure and clear organ, having no exit or entry, its channel located in the half-exterior/half-interior. Sweating, vomiting, and purging are contraindicated; the method should be harmonization. (Zhang Zhongjing said: Shaoyang Wind Strike...)
Shaoyang...
Da...
Then no fever. When Yin gathers at Yang, chills occur. Huangqin descends Yin Qi, preventing it from entering Yang, thus preventing chills. Also stated: The bitter-cold nature of Chaihu and Huangqin reduces fever; the acrid-warm nature of Banxia and Shengjiang reduces chills; the sweet-warm nature of Renshen, Dazao, and Gancao assists Healthy Qi.) Banxia is acrid and warm, able to strengthen the Spleen and harmonize the Stomach, dispersing counterflow Qi and stopping vomiting. Renshen and Gancao tonify Healthy Qi and harmonize the Middle, preventing pathogens from re-entering the interior, serving as Assistant herbs. Pathogens in the half-exterior/half-interior cause contention between Ying and Wei, (Exterior belongs to Wei, Interior belongs to Ying.) hence Jiang (Ginger) and Zao (Jujube) with acrid-sweet properties are used to harmonize Ying and Wei as Envoy herbs. (Tao Jie'an said: In this classic pattern, epigastric fullness without prior purging is not Jie Xiong (Chest Binding), but exterior pathogens transmitting to the chest. Not yet entered the Zang organs, still in the exterior, requiring Xiaochaihu Tang plus Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root). If ineffective, use this formula combined with Xiao Xian Xiong Tang plus Zhike and Jiegeng; one dose brings sudden relief, efficacy like spirit. Li Shizhen said: Although Shaoyang patterns are in the half-exterior/half-interior, epigastric stuffiness actually involves pathogens of the Upper Jiao Heart and Lungs. Irritability, vomiting, silence, and anorexia involve the Middle Jiao Spleen and Stomach. Thus Huangqin treats the Ministerial Fire of Hand and Foot Shaoyang; Huangqin is also a Shaoyang herb. Yu Jiayan said: Cold Damage treatment divides into Exterior, Interior, and Middle. When Exterior and Interior pathogens are both excessive, harmonize from the Middle, using Renshen, Gancao, Banxia, Shengjiang, Dazao to assist Spleen Qi. Only include one portion of Chaihu to penetrate the Exterior, and one portion of Huangqin to penetrate the Interior. Upon ingestion, ascending Stomach Qi carries Chaihu out to the Exterior; descending Stomach Qi carries Huangqin into the Interior. One harmonization resolves both Exterior and Interior pathogens. Remaining issues are treated subsequently without conflict. Xu Zhongke said: Xiaochaihu Tang is the main harmonizing formula for pathogens transmitting to Shaoyang, exactly in the half-exterior/half-interior, and can also dissipate blood stasis and Qi accumulation in various channels. Thus, for any pathology mixing Exterior and Interior, borrow this formula to extract pathogens to Shaoyang for dispersion via the channels. Chaihu, Gancao, and Shengjiang are fixed herbs; others are added/subtracted according to patterns. Wu Shou said: Xiaochaihu Tang is a half-exterior/half-interior formula; it cannot resolve Taiyang Exterior Heat or Yangming Mark Heat. If Yang Qi is deficient and cold, with red face, fever, deep pulse, and cold feet, taking it leads to immediate danger. And if there is interior deficiency-cold with loose stools...)

Remove Banxia, add Huafen (Trichosanthes Root), named Chaihu Qu Banxia Jia Gualou Gen Tang. (*Jin Gui Yao Lue*) treats alternating chills and fever with thirst, and Labor Malaria. (Yu Jiayan said...)
Chaihu...
Yang Pathogen...
Full text...
Retreat at...
Moisten dryness...
To treat...
Six days...
Those...
Inside...
Guizhi...
Add Gan...
Or only...
Mild or severe...
To guard...
Lying hidden...
Since none...
Tang...
Can...
Qin Lian...
Chills...
Partial...
Chills...
Da Xian...
Fu Zhi...
Remove and...
Jing...
This...
Sweat...
Say...
And make the pathways cut off. If pathways are cut off, the Sovereign (Heart) stands alone and in danger, hence heart fright and Spirit chaos. Irritability and delirious speech originally belong to the Stomach, here they involve the Heart. Difficulty urinating originally belongs to internal exhaustion of Jin Ye (Body Fluids), here it involves blazing Fire in the Small Intestine. Heaviness of the whole body, inability to turn, is a clear sign of internal Spirit chaos, failure of regulation, and loss of mastery over the hundred bones. When pathogens are just in the exterior/interior, harm has already reached the Spirit. To repair heaven and bathe the sun here, how could it be ordinary exterior/interior management? Hence use Renshen and Fuling's tonification to benefit Heart deficiency. Qian Dan (Lead Tetroxide)'s heaviness to calm heart fright. Longgu (Fossilized Bone) and Muli (Oyster Shell)'s astringency to serve as the boat carrying the Spirit. One formula achieves both pacifying the interior and repelling the exterior. Later generations, failing to observe, claim this is a method to harmonize the Three Yang channels together; is this so? According to Cold Damage, although it is said transmission affects Foot channels only and not Hand channels, in reality there are no boundaries. This pattern shows the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Master being forced by pathogens, Spirit internally chaotic, leading to incoherent delirium. Compared to delirium belonging to Stomach Excess in other patterns, the difference is vast. If treated again with Foot channel methods, there will be no hope. The formula contains only nine herbs, five entering the Heart, not considered redundant. And three heavy/astringent herbs, not considered harsh. As when the capital city shakes, forces must rush to aid; one cannot gamble on luck. As for Phlegm-Fluid binding in the diaphragm, most destructive, only Banxia is used. Exterior pathogens invading internally, starting the trouble, follow the Taiyang-Shaoyang example, using Guizhi and Chaihu. Yang pathogens entering Yin, urgently needing expulsion, only Dahuang (Rhubarb) is used. These are the critical points in treating Cold Damage, all falling to secondary status. Only after the Heart-treating herbs does the case conclude. Such skill, how can ordinary people recognize?)

Remove Chaihu and Huangqin, add Nong... (text breaks)
Due to Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency, Jin Ye condensing, Yin Qi moving internally, blocking to cause fullness. Hence treatment benefits Stomach, harmonizes Spleen, descends Qi, and clears fluids.) Remove Banxia, add Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baishao (White Peony Root), Dahuang (Rhubarb), named Chaihu Yin Zi. (Zi He) treats Muscle Heat, Steaming Heat, Accumulated Heat, residual heat after sweating, with surging, solid, wiry, rapid pulses, (Exterior is Muscle Heat, Interior is Steaming Heat, Blocking is Accumulated Heat.) also treats Malaria. (Yu Jiayan said: Applying slight tonification and purging within the Harmonizing method hits the mark deeply.) Add Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), named Chaihu Jiegeng Tang, treats Spring Cough. Combine with Pingwei San, named Chai Ping Tang, treats Damp Malaria, body pain, body heaviness. Add Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) to form pills, named Qingzhen Wan. (Jiegu) treats vomiting with wiry pulse, headache, and hot cough. One part of this formula, add two parts Siwu Tang, named Chaihu Si... (text ends)