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Treats external contraction of the irregular Qi of the four seasons, with internal stagnation of food. Manifestations include headache, aversion to cold and fever alternating, or cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, or malaria.
Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Agaricus Formulas for Rectifying Qi) contains Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zi Su Ye (Perillae Folium). Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) are all present. Add Xia Qu (Bromi Fermentatus), Da Fu Pi (Arecae Pericarpium), along with Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus). It can expel both exogenous and endogenous pathogenic factors such as miasma.
(Agaricus, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Arecae Pericarpium, Perillae Folium, Poria each 3 liang; Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Bromi Fermentatus, Platycodonis Radix each 2 liang; Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 1 liang. Take 5 qian per dose. Decoct with Ginger and Jujube.)
Chen Xiuyuan stated: The irregular Qi of the four seasons enters through the mouth and nose, which is different from pathogens injuring the meridians. Therefore, one should not use heavy sweating to release the exterior, but only employ aromatic herbs that promote Qi circulation, so that the pathogens entering through the mouth and nose may exit through the same route. Zi Su Ye, Bai Zhi, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po, and Jie Geng all rely on their aromatic properties. As Han Yu said, "When the Qi is vigorous, both large and small [pathogens] will float out." Practicing medicine is like writing essays. Fu Ling, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Bai Zhu, and Gan Cao are all sweet and neutral substances used to cultivate Middle Qi. As Mencius said, "Rectify oneself, and things will be rectified." The Way of Medicine is analogous to the Way of Governance. If pathogens injure the meridians, one must carefully examine the Six Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin) to select the appropriate formula; this formula should not be mixed indiscriminately, lest it cause death. ○ Note: Vomiting and diarrhea in summer are often due to latent Yin within. Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is the precise formula. Contemporary physicians, because this formula has examples of treating cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, mistakenly regard it as a universal remedy for summer vomiting and diarrhea, which is truly lamentable. In the Ding Si year of the Jiaqing reign, Physician Zheng Peizhai suffered from this condition. He self-administered Huoxiang Zhengqi San without effect, then consulted Xiao Lian Chen Zhuo. After taking another dose, his Yuan Qi (Original Qi) scattered shortly after, resulting in death due to severe panting and profuse sweating. This is a case of previously harming others now harming oneself. If there is consciousness underground, he would surely regret the fault of not studying enough.

Sanwu Xiangru Yin (Three-Ingredient Elsholtzia Decoction) consists of Xiang Ru (Elsholtviae Herba), Bian Dou (Vigna Semen), and Hou Po. (Xiang Ru is acrid, warm, and aromatic, dispersing; it enters the Spleen and Lung meridians, venting Yang Qi to dissipate steaming heat. Hou Po removes dampness and distension. Bian Dou clears summerheat and harmonizes the Spleen; named Sanwu Xiangru Yin.) If heat is excessive, add Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma). (Named Huanglian Xiangru Yin, recorded in *Huo Ren*, treats summerheat with excessive heat, thirst, and irritability.) Adding Fu Ling and Gan Cao to the previous formula creates Wuwu Yin (Five-Ingredient Formula), named Xiangru Wuwu Yin. Adding Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), and Bai Zhu completes the Shiwei Xiangru Yin (Ten-Ingredient Elsholezia Decoction).
Ye Zhongjian stated: Yin (infusions) and Tang (decoctions) differ slightly. Those taken in fixed numbers are called Tang; those taken freely at any time are called Yin. Yin is designed for thirst and is most suitable for warm diseases and summerheat. However, the Stomach dislikes dryness, and the Spleen dislikes dampness. Excessive drinking damages the Spleen, potentially leading to diarrhea. The treatment method is: if there is Water Qi (fluid retention) below the heart, induce sweating; if there is Water Qi in the abdomen, promote urination. Rather than treating water disorders after they occur, it is better to pre-select herbs that can induce sweating and promote urination. Xiang Ru is an aromatic herb, acrid and warm, capable of venting Yang Qi with effects reaching from top to bottom. Therefore, it is used as the Sovereign herb for treating summerheat, to release the exterior and promote urination. It is assisted by Hou Po to remove dampness and Bian Dou to harmonize the interior. Combined as an infusion.
Upon entering the Stomach, heat is removed and dampness does not remain, eliminating internal and external summerheat. If there is irritability and thirst, remove Bian Dou and add Huang Lian, named Huanglian Xiangru Yin. Add Fu Ling and Gan Cao, named Wuwu Yin. Add Mu Gua, Ren Shen, Ju Pi, and Bai Zhu, named Shiwei Xiangru Yin. Adjust according to symptoms to fully utilize Xiang Ru. However, for fatigue and internal injury, Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Boost Qi Decoction) must be used; for internal heat and extreme thirst, Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction) must be used. Using Xiang Ru would further deficiency the Exterior and instead aid internal heat. Xiang Ru is an exterior-releasing herb for summer, akin to Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) in winter. Those with Qi deficiency especially should not take it. Nowadays, people do not know that summerheat damages Yuan Qi and generally use it as tea substitute, which is like opening the door to invite thieves.