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(Li Dongyuan) Treats internal injury caused by overexertion, with symptoms such as fever (Fe Re), restlessness (Fan Xin), headache (Tou Tong), aversion to cold (E Han), reluctance to speak (Lan Yan), anorexia (E Shi), a large but empty pulse (Mai Hong Da Er Xu), shortness of breath (Qi Duan), and thirst (Ke); or spontaneous sweating (Zi Han) due to Yang deficiency. (It is appropriate to add Euphorbiae Humifusae Caulis (Mahuanggen, 麻黄根) and Triticum Levis Semen (Fuxiaomai, 浮小麦) to this formula; Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) should be stir-fried with honey water.) Or it treats conditions where Qi deficiency fails to raise the Yuan Qi, leading to malaria (Nie Ji), dysentery (Li Ji), and Spleen deficiency that persists for a long time without healing, as well as all syndromes of sinking of clear Yang (Qing Yang Xia Xian) and insufficiency of Middle Qi (Zhong Qi Bu Zu).

Huangqi (Astragali Radix, stir-fried with honey, 1.5 qian) Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, stir-fried, 1 qian) Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, stir-fried in soil) Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, retaining the white pith) Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 0.5 fen) Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 0.3 fen) Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 slices) Zao (Jujubae Fructus, 2 pieces). [This is Li Dongyuan's original formula. In the original, Huangqi was only 1 qian, and the other herbs were each 3 fen. Li Qi commonly used Renshen at 1.5 qian, Baizhu and Danggui at 1 qian each, Chenpi at 0.7 qian, and Shengma and Chaihu at 0.5 fen each. If the condition is severe, Renshen can be increased to 3 qian or 5 qian, added according to the syndrome. (Li Dongyuan chose light and clear ascending herbs, hence the small dosage. Li Qi often used it to rescue critical conditions, hence the increased dosage according to the syndrome.) Gao Gufeng said: For any six-meridian exogenous pathogenic syndromes, as well as fever due to fatigue during the summer months with incessant sweating, simply use this formula plus Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1 qian). If abdominal pain from dysentery has ceased but diarrhea persists, this indicates Spleen Qi sinking; add Jiu Chao Baishao (Alcohol-stir-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian). If malaria has persisted for a long time, the body is emaciated, and there is phlegm-fluid retention in the Stomach, add Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 1 qian). If there is internal fire-heat, add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 1 qian). For women with pre-pregnancy Qi deficiency leading to restless fetus, miscarriage, or metrorrhagia, or postpartum blood deficiency causing fever, simply add Jiu Chao Baishao (Alcohol-stir-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba, 2 qian). This formula is suitable for all cases of Middle Palace (Zhong Gong) deficiency and improper regulation after illness. Ni Shi said: Internal injury from the seven emotions first damages the Spleen and Stomach; treating by first tonifying the Spleen Earth is exactly this formula. If Blood is insufficient, add Danggui; if spirit and energy are lacking, add Renshen and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus); if Lung heat causes cough, remove Renshen; if dry throat occurs, add Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix). (Wind-dispelling herbs are mostly drying; Gegen alone can quench thirst because it can ascend the clear Qi of the Stomach, enter the Lung, and generate fluids.) For headache, add Manjingzi (Vittadini's Vitex Fruit); for severe pain, add Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma); for brain pain, add Ben Cao (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix) and Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma). For wind-dampness intermingling causing whole-body pain, add Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). For phlegm, add Banxia and Shengjiang; for Cold Qi stagnation in the Stomach, add Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Kou Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Yizhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus). For abdominal distension, add Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Muxiang, and Sharen (Amomi Fructus). For abdominal pain, add Baishao and Gancao. For hot pain, add Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma); for ability to eat but epigastric fullness/stuffiness, add Huanglian. For sore throat, add Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix); for Cold, add Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex); for excessive dampness, add Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). For Yin Fire, add Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma); for Yin deficiency, remove Shengma and Chaihu, add Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), and Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma); for constipation, add Jiu Wei Dahuang (Wine-baked Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma). For cough, add Xuanfu (Inulae Flos) and Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos) in spring, Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wuweizi in summer, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Huangqin in autumn, and Mahuang in winter. Do not remove root nodes; in cold weather, add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). For diarrhea, remove Danggui, add Fuling (Poria), Cangzhu, and Yizhi Ren. If in winter there is aversion to cold, fever, and no sweating with a floating and tight pulse, add Mahuang; if the pulse is floating and slow with sweating, add Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix). (Li Dongyuan's formula was originally intended for internal injury within exogenous pathogenic syndromes. Thus, this formula supplements what the Shanghan Lun did not cover; it is not merely a deficiency-tonifying formula. Nowadays, practitioners of exogenous diseases dare not use it, regarding it only as a regulatory tonic food, which is erroneous. Regulatory tonification is merely applying its principles in a modified manner.)

The Lung is the root of Qi; Huangqi tonifies the Lung and consolidates the exterior as the Sovereign herb. The Spleen is the mother of the Lung (Earth generates Metal; when Spleen and Stomach are deficient, Lung Qi fails first). Renshen is sweet and warm, benefiting Original Qi, so that deficient heat naturally recedes; thus, it can also be called "draining" (referring to draining deficient heat). Baizhu dries dampness and strengthens the Spleen; Danggui harmonizes Blood and nourishes Yin as Assistant herbs (Tonifying Yang should concurrently harmonize Yin. Otherwise, Yang will become hyperactive). Shengma ascends the clear Qi of the Yangming meridian (ascending on the right to restore its proper position). Chaihu ascends the clear Qi of the Shaoyang meridian (rotating left and moving upward). When Yang ascends, all things grow; when clear Qi ascends, turbid Yin descends. Chenpi is added to facilitate the free flow of Qi (Chenpi acts as a tonic when combined with tonifying herbs, but drains the Spleen when used alone). Shengjiang is acrid and warm, Zao is sweet and warm; together they harmonize Ying and Wei, open the Cou Li (interstices), and promote the generation of Jin Ye (body fluids). For all kinds of deficiency and insufficiency, one must first establish the Middle. What is the Middle? It is the Spleen and Stomach.

Add stir-fried Huangqin and Shenqu, named Yiwei Shengyang Tang (Stomach-Benefiting and Yang-Raising Decoction). Treats irregular menstruation in women, or decreased appetite and watery diarrhea after hemorrhage. (Li Dongyuan said: Tonifying Qi after blood loss is the method of ancient sages; thus, one first tonifies the Stomach to assist the generating Qi.) Remove Baizhu, add Caokou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), Shenqu, Banxia, and Huangbai, named Shengyang Shunqi Tang (Yang-Raising and Qi-Promoting Decoction). Treats injury from diet and overexertion, characterized by chest and epigastric fullness/distension, shortness of breath, anorexia, loss of taste, and occasional aversion to cold. (Li Dongyuan said: Shengma and Chaihu have thin flavors and Yang nature; they guide the clear Qi of the Spleen and Stomach into the Yang pathways, nourishing the harmony of Spring Qi. They also guide Renshen and Gancao upward, filling the Cou Li to make the Wei Qi solid externally. This is why most Spleen and Stomach tonifying formulas are named Yang-Raising and Qi-Benefiting. He also said: Only by speaking of using acrid-sweet-warm agents and thin-flavored herbs for tonification—these are wind herbs—that one assists the ascending and floating of Spring and Summer; this is essentially draining the harvesting and storing of Autumn and Winter. In the human body, these correspond to the Liver and Heart. Only by speaking of using sour-cold agents and bland-draining drugs for draining—that one assists the descending and sinking of Autumn and Winter; this is essentially draining the growing and lengthening of Spring and Summer. In the human body, these correspond to the Lung and Kidney.) Wu Hegao said: Shengma and Chaihu are acrid-sweet and ascend the clear; when clear ascends, Yang Qi becomes smooth. Huangbai is bitter-cold and descends the turbid; when turbid descends, Yin Qi becomes smooth. Renshen, Danggui, and Gancao tonify deficiency; when deficiency is tonified, Righteous Qi becomes smooth. Banxia and Chenpi benefit the Diaphragm; when the Diaphragm is benefited, Phlegm-Qi becomes smooth. Doukou and Shenqu digest food; when food is digested, Grain Qi becomes smooth. Add Cangzhu doubled, Banxia, Huangqin, and Yizhi Ren each at 0.3 fen, named Shenzhu Yiwei Tang (Ginseng-Atractylodes Stomach-Benefiting Decoction). Treats internal injury from overexertion, dryness-heat, shortness of breath, thirst, loss of taste, and loose yellow stools. Remove Danggui and Baizhu, add Muxiang and Cangzhu, named Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang (Regulating the Middle and Benefiting Qi Decoction). Treats Spleen-Stomach disharmony, chest fullness, limb fatigue, decreased appetite, shortness of breath, loss of taste, and regurgitation of food. Add Baishao and Wuweizi, also named Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang. (All above are Li Dongyuan's formulas) Treats Qi deficiency with profuse sweating; other treatments are the same as above. (This formula purely uses sweet-warm herbs, as stated: "For exhaustion, use warmth; for deficiency, use warmth." Here, the sourness of Baishao and Wuweizi is added to gather scattered Qi. Having both dispersing and gathering aspects, this is Li Dongyuan opening a new path to expand the wonder of tonifying the Middle?) Add Qianghuo, Fangfeng, Xixin, and Chuanxiong, named Tiaoying Yangwei Tang (Regulating Ying-Nourishing Wei Decoction). (Jie'an) Treats labor-induced Shanghan (Cold Damage), headache, fever, slight aversion to cold and thirst, sweating with body pain, and a floating but forceless pulse. Add Baishao, Xixin, Chuanxiong, and Manjingzi, named Shunqi Hezhong Tang (Promoting Qi and Harmonizing the Middle Decoction). (Baojian) Treats failure of clear Yang to ascend, headache with aversion to wind, and a string-tight, slightly fine pulse. Add Huangbai and Shengdi, named Buzhong Yiqi Jia Huangbai Shengdi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Benefit Qi Decoction plus Phellodendron and Rehmannia). Treats Yin Fire overwhelming Yang, fever worse during the day, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, thirst, and loss of taste.