桂枝 芍药 生姜 大枣 甘草
头痛发热，恶风自汗，脉缓，太阳中风也，此方主之。
风之伤人也，头先受之，故头痛。风在表则表实，故发热。风伤卫故恶风，卫伤则津液无以固，故汗出。其
脉缓者，卫气不能鼓也。上件皆太阳症，故曰太阳中风。桂枝味辛甘，经曰辛甘发散，乃所以治风。然恐渠走泄
真气，故用芍药之酸以收之。佐以甘草、姜枣，散而兼和之意。若阳邪去表入里，此投承气之会。忌下、急下，
惟明者裁之。
麻黄 桂枝 杏仁 甘草
太阳伤寒，头痛发热，遍身疼痛，不则恶寒，无汗，脉紧，此方主之。
足太阳经，起目内 ，循头背腰 ，故所过疼痛不利。寒邪外束，阳气不能宣越，故发热。邪在表，不复任
寒，故恶寒。寒主闭脏，故无汗。寒气刚劲，故脉紧。麻黄辛温中空，能通腠理而散寒邪，为太阳无汗必用之药。
佐以桂枝，取其解肌。佐以杏仁，取其利气。乃甘草者，甘以缓之，不致汗出过多。经曰∶寒淫于内，治以甘热，
佐以苦辛。此方是已。风寒交作，筋急强直，无汗恶风，名曰刚 。合前方除杏仁、入葛根主之。
桂枝 芍药 甘草 麻黄 大枣 五味 半夏 细辛 干姜
伤寒表不解，心下有水气，干呕，或噎，或喘，此方主之。
表不解者，头痛、发热、身疼尚在也。发热必渴，饮水过多，水形已散，水气长存，格于心下，水寒射肺，
故无物可吐而但有声，曰干呕。或咳、或喘、或唾，皆此故也。爰用麻黄、桂枝、甘草发其表邪，半夏、细辛、
干姜散其水气，芍药敛阴，五味收耗。名曰青龙，取东方木神伏邪之义。又龙兴则云升雨降，品物咸亨。
Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), White Peony Root (Shaoyao), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang), Jujube (Dazao), Licorice Root (Gancao).
Headache, fever, aversion to wind, spontaneous sweating, and a moderate pulse indicate Wind-Strike of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel. This formula is indicated for this condition.
When wind pathogenic factors attack the human body, the head is affected first, hence the headache. When wind is in the exterior, it causes exterior excess, leading to fever. Wind damaging the Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) results in aversion to wind; when Defensive Qi is injured, body fluids cannot be secured, resulting in sweating. A moderate pulse indicates that Defensive Qi fails to propel the blood vessels. The aforementioned symptoms all belong to Taiyang disorders, thus termed Wind-Strike of the Taiyang. Cinnamon Twig is acrid and sweet; the Classics state that "acrid and sweet promote dispersion," which is precisely how wind is treated. However, fearing it might leak true Qi, Sour White Peony Root is used to astringe it. Assisted by Licorice, Ginger, and Jujube, the formula embodies the intent of dispersing while harmonizing. If Yang-pathogenic factors move from the exterior to the interior, this is the time to administer formulas like Chengqi Tang. Purging or urgent purging are contraindicated; only discerning practitioners can judge appropriately.
Ephedra Herb (Mahuang), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), Apricot Seed (Xingren), Licorice Root (Gancao).
Cold-Stagnation of the Taiyang channel presents with headache, fever, generalized body pain, possibly aversion to cold, absence of sweating, and a tight pulse. This formula is indicated.
The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus of the eye and follows the head, back, and waist; therefore, pain and stiffness occur along its pathway. Cold pathogens binding externally prevent the diffusion and transcendence of Yang Qi, causing fever. With pathogens in the exterior, the body can no longer withstand cold, resulting in aversion to cold. Cold governs closure, leading to an absence of sweating. The vigorous nature of cold pathogens results in a tight pulse. Ephedra Herb is acrid, warm, and hollow; it can open the interstices (Cou Li) and disperse cold pathogens, making it a mandatory herb for Taiyang conditions without sweating. Cinnamon Twig is added to resolve the muscle layer. Apricot Seed is added to facilitate the movement of Qi. Licorice Root, being sweet, moderates the action, preventing excessive sweating. The Classics state: "When cold invades internally, treat with sweet and hot methods, assisted by bitter and acrid." This formula exemplifies this principle. When Wind and Cold act together, causing tendon tension and rigidity, with no sweating and aversion to wind, it is termed Gang-Jing (Stiff Spasm). Combining the previous formula, remove Apricot Seed and add Pueraria Root (Ge Gen) as the principal herb.
Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), White Peony Root (Shaoyao), Licorice Root (Gancao), Ephedra Herb (Mahuang), Jujube (Dazao), Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi), Pinellia Tuber (Banxia), Asarum Root (Xixin), Dried Ginger (Ganjiang).
In Cold Damage where the exterior syndrome remains unresolved, and there is fluid retention in the epigastrium (Water Qi), presenting with dry retching, or a sensation of choking in the throat, or wheezing, this formula is indicated.
"Exterior syndrome unresolved" means headache, fever, and body pain persist. Fever inevitably leads to thirst; if too much water is drunk, although the form of water disperses, the Water Qi persists, obstructing the epigastrium. Cold water attacking the Lung causes dry retching—no substance is vomited, only sound. Coughing, wheezing, or expectoration of saliva are all due to this cause. Therefore, Ephedra Herb, Cinnamon Twig, and Licorice Root are used to disperse exterior pathogens; Pinellia Tuber, Asarum Root, and Dried Ginger are used to dissipate Water Qi; White Peony Root astringes Yin; and Schisandra Berry collects scattered Qi. Named Qinglong Tang (Azure Dragon Decoction), it takes the meaning of the Eastern Wood Spirit subduing pathogens. Furthermore, just as the rise of the dragon brings clouds and rain, allowing all things to flourish smoothly.