长夏湿热蒸炎。四肢困倦。精神减少。身热气高烦心。便黄口渴。而自汗脉虚者。此方
主之。清暑益气草参 。麦味青陈曲柏奇。二木葛根升泽泻。暑伤元气此为宜。(人参黄
甘草炙当归麦冬五味青皮陈皮神曲黄柏葛根苍术白术升麻泽泻。姜枣煎。)
KT 吴鹤皋方考。暑令行于夏。至长夏则兼湿令矣。此方兼而治之。炎暑则表气易泄。
兼湿则中气不固。黄 轻清散表气。又能领人参五味之苦酸。同达于表以实表。神曲消磨伤
中气。又能佐白术甘草之甘温。消补互用以调中。酷暑横流。肺金受病。人参五味麦冬。所
以补肺敛肺清肺。经所谓扶其所不胜也。火盛则水衰。故以黄柏泽泻滋其化源。津液亡则口
渴。故以当归干葛生其胃液。清气不升。升麻可升。浊气不降。二皮可降。苍术之用。为兼
长夏湿也。
治胁痛口苦。耳聋耳肿。筋痿阴湿热痒阴肿。血浊溲血。
龙胆泻肝通泽柴。车前生地草归偕。栀芩一派清凉品。湿热肝邪力可排。(胆草三分。
栀子黄芩泽泻柴胡各一钱。车前子木通各五分。当归三分。甘草生地各三分。)
龙胆柴胡。泻肝胆之火。佐以黄芩栀子木通车前泽泻。俾湿火从小便而出也。然泻之过
甚。恐伤肝血。故又以生地当归补之。肝苦急。急食甘以缓之。故以甘草缓其急。且欲以大
甘之味。济其大苦。不令过于泄下也。
During the late summer season, damp-heat steams and blazes. The limbs feel heavy and fatigued; mental spirit is diminished. There is body heat, rapid breathing (Qi Gao), vexation in the heart, yellow urine, thirst, spontaneous sweating, and a deficient pulse. This formula is indicated for such cases. Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang consists of Gancao (Licorice Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), Qingpi (Green Tangerina Peel), Chenpi (Tangerina Peel), Shenqu (Medicated Leaven), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), and Zexie (Alisma Rhizome). (Decoct Renshen, Huangqi, roasted Gancao, Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Maidong, Wuweizi, Qingpi, Chenpi, Shenqu, Huangbai, Gegen, Cangzhu, Baizhu, Shengma, and Zexie, with fresh ginger and dates.)
Wu Hegao discussed this in *Fang Kao*. The pathogenic factor of Summerheat prevails in summer, but by late summer, it combines with Dampness. This formula treats both simultaneously. In intense heat, the defensive Qi on the exterior easily dissipates; combined with Dampness, the Middle Qi becomes insecure. Huangqi is light and clear, dispersing exterior Qi, and can lead the bitter and sour properties of Renshen and Wuweizi to reach the exterior to consolidate the Wei (Defensive) level. Shenqu digests food stagnation to protect Middle Qi, and assists the sweet and warm nature of Baizhu and Gancao. Through the mutual use of reducing and tonifying methods, the Middle Jiao is regulated. When severe summer heat flows rampant, the Lung Metal suffers. Renshen, Wuweizi, and Maidong are used to tonify, astringe, and clear the Lungs. As the classics state, one should support what is unable to overcome [the pathogen]. When Fire is excessive, Water declines; thus, Huangbai and Zexie are used to nourish the source of transformation. When fluids are lost, thirst occurs; therefore, Danggui and Gegen are used to generate Stomach fluids. If Clear Qi does not ascend, Shengma can lift it; if Turbid Qi does not descend, Qingpi and Chenpi can direct it downward. Cangzhu is used to address the Dampness of late summer.
It treats hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, deafness, swelling of the ears, flaccidity of tendons, damp-heat itching of the genitals, swelling of the scrotum, turbid urine or hematuria. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang consists of Longdancao (Gentianae Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Gancao (Licorice Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), and Zexie (Alisma Rhizome). (Longdancao 3 fen, Zhizi, Huangqin, Zexie, Chaihu each 1 qian, Cheqianzi, Mutong each 5 fen, Danggui 3 fen, Gancao, Shengdi each 3 fen.)
Longdancao and Chaihu purge the Fire of the Liver and Gallbladder, assisted by Huangqin, Zhizi, Mutong, Cheqianzi, and Zexie, allowing the Damp-Fire to exit via urination. However, excessive purging may damage Liver Blood; therefore, Shengdi and Danggui are added to nourish it. The Liver dislikes constraint; when there is urgency, sweet flavors soothe it. Thus, Gancao is used to relieve this urgency. Furthermore, the great sweet flavor is intended to moderate the great bitter flavor, preventing the medicine from being overly draining and purgative.