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Loulou (Radix Euphorbiae Humifusae) also belongs to the Artemisia genus, but Qinghao (Herba Artemisiae Annuae) treats scabies with crusting and itching, where the heat is located between the bone joints; whereas Loulou treats malignant sores caused by damp-bi syndrome, where the heat is located in the skin and muscles.

Qinghao has an aromatic and bitter-cold nature, clearing both dampness and heat simultaneously, thus it is suitable for sores transforming from dampness to dryness. Loulou is black in color, salty in taste, and cold in nature; it disperses heat from the muscle surface, while the dampness... [The original text here appears incomplete or fragmented, implying the dampness is resolved]. In ancient formulas for treating "Fabei" (back carbuncle), Loulu Tang (Loulou Decoction) is considered the premier choice because the back is the domain of the Taiyang Cold-Water meridian. Loulou's salty and cold nature, combined with its white fuzz, perfectly corresponds to this pathology. And after the heat subsides... [Text fragment].

Loulou promotes lactation by draining heat accumulation, rather than directly promoting milk flow; it can relieve breast distension and pain, but it is not a general galactagogue.

Zou, in his commentary on Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), stated: The fruit of Mahuang is black inside and red outside; its stem resembles meridians and bone joints, being red in the center and yellowish-white on the outside. The fruit represents congenital essence (Xiantian), and the stem represents acquired function (Houtian). Congenital essence represents the nature of things, meaning transmission from Kidney to Heart; acquired function represents utility, meaning transmission from Heart to Spleen and Lung. From Kidney to Heart refers to "Kidney governs the five fluids, which transform into sweat upon entering the Heart"; from Heart to Spleen and Lung serves to distribute Heart Yang outward to the bone joints, muscles, and skin/hair, expelling all stagnation. Therefore, land planted with this herb does not accumulate snow in winter, as it can extend Yang Qi within extreme Yin, resisting condensation by severe cold. This discussion on Mahuang's properties and functions is extremely precise, surpassing other schools. According to the *Lingshu · Ben Cang* chapter: "Kidney harmonizes with Sanjiao and Bladder." Sanjiao and Bladder correspond to the Couli (interstices) and body hair. Although Mahuang enters the Kidney, its hollow and light-yang nature makes it a key herb for releasing the exterior and inducing sweating in Taiyang Cold Damage. The Lung governs the skin and hair; entering the Taiyang meridian means entering the Lung meridian, and entering the Lung and Heart means entering the Ying and Wei systems. Mahuang stems are not white; Zou's claim that it enters the Lung and is intentionally decorated is superfluous. Furthermore, Ye Tianshi and Chen Xiuyuan both stated that the Liver governs Shuxie (free flow and drainage), considering Mahuang's sweating action as Shuxie and entry into the Liver. However, they did not realize that the Liver can drain downward but not outward; this is extremely arbitrary.

The substances that assist Mahuang in treatment are primarily six: Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum), Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi), Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba/Rubra), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Gegen (Radix Puerariae), and Xixin (Radix Asari).

Xingren serves as an assistant to Mahuang. Mahuang opens the Couli, while Xingren unblocks the Lung collaterals; Mahuang is rigid in nature, while Xingren is soft; Mahuang expands outward, while Xingren suppresses inwardly; together, they eliminate pathogens completely. Examples include Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) for Wind-Cold, and Mahuang Xingyi Gancao Tang (Ephedra, Coix Seed, and Licorice Decoction) for Wind-Damp.

Guizhi compensates for Mahuang's insufficiency. Mahuang drains pathogens from Ying and Wei, while Guizhi harmonizes Ying and Wei Qi. With Guizhi, Mahuang prevents excessive sweating; with Mahuang, Guizhi regulates sweating. Together, they protect healthy Qi. This applies to all formulas using both. Generally, one must consider the severity of the syndrome... [Text fragment].

Shaoyao acts as the pivot of a formula. Taking Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction) as an example: external Cold combats internal fluid retention, causing dry heaving, fever, and cough—these are necessary symptoms, not optional ones. Mahuang and Guizhi scatter external Cold, Xixin and Banxia dispel internal fluids, Ginger and Wuweizi stop cough reversal, and Gancao harmonizes the herbs. Cold is resolved via sweating, fluids are removed according to the condition. However, Mahuang enters Taiyang and ascends, causing Bladder Qi to fail to descend, leading to difficult urination and lower abdominal fullness, which is expected. Adding Shaoyao tames Mahuang's nature, allowing fluids to drain downward. If urination were already difficult, Mahuang would be removed entirely. Since the formula prioritizes dispelling fluids over scattering Cold, it is named Xiao Qinglong Tang. Referencing Wutou Tang (Aconite Decoction): Mahuang is light in qi, driving out Wind-Cold in the skin/muscles; Wutou (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) is heavy in qi, driving out Wind-Cold in the Zang-Fu. Mahuang removes dampness as it leaves with Wind-Cold; Wutou removes dampness as Wind-Cold scatters externally and dampness dissipates internally. Mahuang extends Yang without tonifying; Wutou tonifies Yang while extending it. These two must be used together for Li Jie syndrome (painful inability to flex/extend joints). Although both induce sweating and rarely enter the interior, joint diseases cannot be cured by a single sweat; thus, Shaoyao is added to收敛 (astringe/gather) them, allowing the medicinal force to circulate through the limbs and eliminate the disease. Huang [missing character] disperses Ying-Wei Qi, serving as Shaoyao's vanguard. Gancao cultivates the Middle Earth to harmonize. Because Shaoyao allows Mahuang and Wutou to descend... [Text fragment].

When Taiyang Cold Damage is about to transmit to Yangming, Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is essential. The term "Zhong Feng" (Wind Strike) in Da Qing Long Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction) is presented in parallel with "Shang Han" (Cold Damage) in Xiao Qinglong Tang. Mahuang Tang treats Shang Han, noting floating-tight pulse and no sweat; this case also has floating-tight pulse and no sweat. Another clause in Da Qing Long Tang mentions Shang Han with floating-slow pulse. If floating-slow implies Shang Han, how could floating-tight lack it? Moreover, on day one of Shang Han, if the pulse is quiet, there is no transmission; if there is desire to vomit, irritability, and rapid pulse, there is transmission. This irritability arises from exterior excess preventing pathogen release, transmitting to Yangming. Shen Yaofeng attributed irritability to latent heat, not realizing Yangming Fu-excess causes irritability; it is illogical to have internal Fu-excess while still having exterior fever and aversion to cold. Using Shigao to treat irritability as resulting from Taiyang transmitting to Yangming aligns with Zhongjing's theories. Irritability involves Heart and Kidney, but treatment focuses on Yangming, which is not meaningless. Taiyang is fundamentally Cold with superficial Heat, connecting to Heart above and Kidney below. Taiyang heat closure disturbs Heart and Kidney. Untreated Taiyang inevitably transmits to Yangming. Thus, irritability is not a primary disease of Heart/Kidney, but Yangming is the pathway that needs clearing. Clearing heat from the exterior and interior resolves irritability spontaneously. Shigao clears Lung heat, thereby clearing Taiyang heat; Taiyang's defensive Qi combines with the Lung via the skin/hair. Shigao is both light and heavy, clearing Lung and Stomach, making it effective alone for post-sweat heat and with Mahuang for non-sweating heat. If it enters Yangming to form Fu-excess, Shigao is insufficient.

As Taiyang approaches Yangming, Gegen (Radix Puerariae) is also essential. Zhongjing's texts require cross-referencing. Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) syndrome is described as Taiyang syndrome with stiff neck/back, no sweat, and aversion to wind. Though named Taiyang, the formula is named after Gegen. Gegen is the herb for transition between Taiyang and Yangming. Why? Yangming syndrome features body heat and profuse sweating, yet Gegen treats high heat without addressing profuse sweating, instead resolving the muscle layer and inducing sweat. Although it induces sweat, it does not scatter initial Taiyang Cold; hence, it treats Taiyang approaching Yangming. Taiyang Cold transforms to Heat, consuming fluids, causing stiffness. Gegen raises Yin Qi to lubricate, turning stiffness to flexibility, comparable to Mahuang's treatment of no-sweat/aversion-to-cold. However, these two herbs suffice for this syndrome; why add Guizhi Tang? Sweating indicates exterior deficiency; following with harmonizing Yin-Yang herbs ensures attack and tonification occur simultaneously, preserving Yuan Qi. This is the method of manipulation in Zhongjing's formulas.

Xixin (Radix Asari) and Xingren assist Mahuang but differ greatly. Xingren assists Mahuang in lateral expansion (Yin-Yang balance); Xixin assists Mahuang in direct penetration (specialized vs. universal). Mahuang drives out Yin pathogens and releases Yang Qi, widely used including in Shaoyin. Xixin is black (enters Kidney) and red/purple (enters Heart), growing straight up with pungent aroma, sharply breaking Shaoyin Cold congealment. Zhongjing uses Xixin for upper disorders: Xiao Qinglong Tang for fluid retention, Houpo Mahuang Tang for cough/reversal, Guigan Jiangzao Maxing Fuzi Tang for Qi-level disorders. Only Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang uses Xixin for Shaoyin syndrome, a meaning long obscured. Shaoyin and Taiyang are exterior-interior. If Zang Cold occurs, vomiting/diarrhea/cold limbs appear immediately without fever. Here, Shaoyin syndrome (desire to sleep) with fever indicates no interior Shaoyin syndrome but exterior connection to Taiyang, requiring Mahuang for sweating. Deep pulse requires urgent warming with Fuzi. Ke Yunbo said Xixin scatters floating Yang; Zou said Xixin increases sweating; Tang Rongchuan said deep pulse indicates sinking Yang, raised by Xixin. They missed Zhongjing's intent. Both Mahuang and Xixin reach upper and lower levels. Mahuang is hollow/light, needing assistance to descend. Xixin lacks exterior-releasing/sweating power (per *Ben Jing*), but specifically targets Wind-Cold attached to bone joints/orifices. Fangji Huangqi Tang adds Xixin for chronic Cold below, showing Xixin's specialty in dispersing Shaoyin meridian Cold, unmatched by Mahuang. Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang lacks Xixin; why does this one have it? Neither has interior syndrome. Zhongjing specifies "slight sweat" for Mahuang; this formula risks heavy sweat. One must examine the timing (initial vs. 2-3 days) and decoction methods. Classics state: violating Winter Qi causes Shaoyin failure to store, Kidney Qi sinks. Sinking Qi causes deep pulse. Even "fine/deep pulse, desire to sleep" implies deepness. "Deep" here emphasizes severity. Deep pulse is Shaoyin's characteristic. Saying "fever with deep pulse" rather than "deep pulse with fever" implies Shaoyin shouldn't fever; if it does, it should emerge via Taiyang. Fever with deep pulse risks becoming interior syndrome in 2-3 days. Thus, Fuzi warms the meridian, Xixin assists Mahuang to penetrate meridian pathogens. Mahuang boiled first to reduce volume directs Qi downward. No Gancao to avoid slowing the three herbs. This is the treatment for fever/deep pulse at onset. By day 2-3 without interior syndrome, Xixin is replaced by Gancao, and Mahuang boiled briefly to moderate interior entry and harmonize dispersion. This matches the 2-3 day stage. The omission of details in one formula versus another is parallel writing. Zhongjing's pathological consideration is exquisite.

Regarding Zhongjing's use of Mahuang, Xingren, and Shigao with different treatments: Da Qing Long Tang uses all three as a harsh sweating agent. Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang also uses all three but treats sweating, wheezing, and no significant heat. The text structure places "sweating" before "cannot use Guizhi Tang." Sweating suggests Guizhi might be appropriate, but this sweating is post-sweating resolution, not Guizhi syndrome sweating. Exterior resolved means no significant heat; wheezing indicates residual pathogen. Guizhi Tang is contraindicated; Da Qing Long Tang is also inappropriate. Thus, harshness is moderated: Mahuang 4 liang, Shigao doubled. This restrains Mahuang, allowing residual pathogens to clear. Doubled Shigao not only checks Mahuang's ferocity and clears sweat-heat but also forces Xingren to suppress upward movement, descending Qi to stop wheezing. Wheezing is usually Mahuang's domain, but here, Qi rebellion is high while exterior constraint is low, so Mahuang is reduced and Xingren increased. Herb dosage is critical.

In Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang, Shigao is double Mahuang, matching the treatment. In Da Qing Long Tang, Shigao also exceeds Mahuang, heavily restraining it, yet Xu Huixi worried about excessive sweating. Xu calculated Da Qing Long Tang (excluding dates) as ~16 taels, approx. 3+ taels modern weight, a heavy sweating agent. He felt slight Shigao was insufficient. Xu included Shigao in the 16 taels. Modern conversion varies: Wang Puzhuang calculated 1 ancient tael = 7.6 cun (approx. 2.8g). 6 liang Mahuang ≈ 1.5 modern jin? No, 6 liang ≈ 220g. Xu's "3 taels" calculation seems inconsistent with the "egg-sized" Shigao block, which I weighed at over 3 taels. Xu's total weight estimate is puzzling. Assuming 1 tael = 2 qian (approx. 7.5g), 6 liang Mahuang is substantial. Shigao egg-sized block is... [Text ends abruptly].