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When initially contracting an external pathogen, presenting with fever, headache, bone pain, neck stiffness, limb spasms, nausea, and food stagnation, it is first appropriate to induce vomiting using light salt water. If vomiting does not occur after taking medicine, digestive-promoting drugs should be combined; the patient should lie in bed covered with thick blankets, with legs and feet wrapped tightly, and baked until extremely warm, before taking the medication.

Main Formula (Qianghuo Chonghe Tang / Notopterygium Decoction for Harmonizing): Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) (each 1.5 qian), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 1 qian), Sheng Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) (1 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (0.7 qian), Beixixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) (0.5 qian).
Add three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), three scallion heads, decoct twice in water, and take hot. Recovery occurs when sweating extends to the feet. In cool weather, reduce the dosage of Sheng Dihuang and Huangqin, and add Zisu (Perillae Folium) 1 qian; if there is chest fullness and food stagnation, add Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) (2 qian), Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) (1 qian), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) (0.6 fen); in summer heat, add Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) (3 qian) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) (1.5 qian) to the main formula.

If the pulse is floating and tight, with no sweat and aversion to cold, it belongs to Cold injuring Ying (Nutritive Qi); it is appropriate to release the exterior and scatter pathogens, ensuring peace through sweating, based on the main formula. If the pulse is floating and slow, with sweat and aversion to wind, it belongs to Wind injuring Wei (Defensive Qi); it is appropriate to consolidate the exterior and disperse pathogens, ensuring peace by stopping sweat, based on modifications.

Remove Cangzhu and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) (1.5 qian) and Zaoju (Jujubae Fructus) (two pieces); if slight sweat occurs, use Cangzhu and Baizhu (each 1 qian) together; if sweat is excessive, remove Cangzhu and add Huangqi (Astragali Radix) (honey-fried, 1.5 qian); if there is food stagnation, add Shanzha, Maiya, and Shenqu; if sweat does not stop, add Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (0.5 fen) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (1 qian). The above two formulas are used from Spring Equinox to Frost's Descent. They may also be used if the weather warms up after Frost's Descent.

In winter, contracting true Shanghan (Cold Damage), with a floating and tight pulse, no sweat, aversion to cold, headache, bone pain, and fever, it is appropriate to induce sweating using Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). Remove Cangzhu, Sheng Dihuang, Huangqin, and Xixin; add Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) (2 qian), Guizhi (0.3 qian), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) (1 qian), Shengma ( Cimicifugae Rhizoma) (0.5 fen), Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Cong (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Maogen (Imperatae Rhizoma), and Shenqu. If food is not digested, burn the ingested substance to ash and ingest it; additionally, apply Congyun (scallion moxibustion) (see below).

In winter, contracting true Shangfeng (Wind Damage), with a floating and slow pulse, sweat, aversion to wind, headache, spinal stiffness, and fever, it is appropriate to stop sweat using Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). Remove Cangzhu, Sheng Dihuang, Huangqin, Xixin, and Congbai; add Guizhi (0.5 fen), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) (1 qian), Baizhu (1 qian), Zaoju (two pieces), Shanzha, Maiya, and Shenqu. The above two formulas are used from Frost's Descent to Spring Equinox. If the weather is cold after Spring Equinox or there is slight sweat, use Mahuang (0.7 fen) and Guizhi (0.3 fen).

Lianggan Shanghan (Dual-Channel Cold Damage), where pathogens transmit daily to both Yin and Yang channels, causing simultaneous exterior and interior disease, is considered a fatal condition; treat with Chonghe Lingbao Yin (Harmonizing and Spirit-Preserving Drink). Modify the main formula by removing Cangzhu and Congbai, adding Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Zaoju (two pieces), and Heidou (Sojae Semen Nigrum) (a handful), decoct and take to induce slight sweat. Subsequently, regulate treatment according to the theory of Lianggan.

After taking Mahuang or Guizhi medicines, if the face becomes red, the body itches, but no sweat comes out, drink hot decoction of Zisu (Perillae Folium), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) to assist sweating. If sweat has already occurred, do not over-release the exterior.

After taking the previous four exterior-releasing formulas, if headache, bone pain, and spasms decrease but residual heat remains, Chaige Jieji Tang (Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Relieve Muscles) can be taken at any season to disperse residual pathogens and clear heat, preventing transmission to Yangming and Shaoyang channels. If residual heat persists, modify Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) to clear it. If the chest remains unrelaxed, add Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), and Gualouren (Trichosanthis Semen), and combine with Jiang and Congyun. Do not use Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) prematurely; wait until food stagnation in the chest digests and pathogens descend to the umbilical and abdominal area before purging. If pathogenic heat gradually transmits to Yangming, with extreme thirst and unresolved fever, use Rushen Baihu Tang (Divine White Tiger Decoction). If the chest is relaxed but only the umbilical and abdominal area is hard and painful with constipation, use Dachaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) to purge. Even if pathogenic heat transmits to the root of Yangming, with extreme thirst, white tongue coating turning yellow/black, delirium, restlessness, kicking and waving limbs, removing clothes/bedding, cracked lips, red eyes, scanty dark urine, and severe constipation; or direct watery diarrhea with foul fluid leakage while dry feces remain in the intestines, use Liuyi Shunqi Tang (Six-One Regulating Qi Decoction). For urinary obstruction, use Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) combined with Liuyi San (Six-One Powder) plus Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) and Dengxincao (Junci Medulla). If dry hard feces have passed but heat is reduced yet not cleared, modify Xiaochaihu Tang. For severe heat, use Liangge San (Cooling Chest Powder) or Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Detoxification Decoction) to clear residual heat. For latent Yin syndrome or women with pathogens transmitting to Chong and Ren vessels and Blood Sea, presenting with a tongue like a roasted pork kidney, take Xiaochaihu Tang or Liangge San. If ineffective, use Guide Yangrong Tang (Angelica and Rehmannia Nourishing Harmony Decoction) for nourishment. For deficient patients falling ill for seven to eight days who suddenly experience chills and extreme cold due to struggle between pathogen and healthy qi, cover thickly, bake warmly, crush several liang of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), brew a pot of tea, place it near the patient's chest for frequent drinking to help healthy qi overcome pathogens, leading to sweat and heat removal. If high fever and extreme thirst persist for many days despite various antipyretics, termed "passing stages without resolution" or "ruined syndrome," regulate with Biejia San (Softshell Turtle Shell Powder) or Guide Yangrong Tang. If the illness recedes but consciousness is confused, speech is reluctant, shortness of breath and weakness prevail, use Renshen (Ginseng Radix), [missing character], Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) etc. to tonify Qi and Blood, calm the mind, strengthen Spleen and aid Stomach. Modify according to remaining symptoms. For mild acute Wind-Cold, one of the eight formulas from Shishen Tang to Renshen Su Yin may be adopted. If two or three doses of exterior-releasing herbs fail to produce sweat due to Yang deficiency unable to generate sweat, do not force sweating; use Zaizao Yin (Reviving Drink). For body heat and headache without irritability but with restless bowels, red face, desire to drink but inability to swallow, termed Daiyang Syndrome (Floating Yang Syndrome), use Yiyuan Tang (Benefit Origin Decoction). Without headache and aversion to cold, only body heat, thirst, black stool, and tasteless mouth, with pathogens transmitting to Heart and Spleen, termed Xiexue (Accompanying Blood Syndrome); if seeing hallucinations, use Danggui Huoxue Tang (Angelica Invigorating Blood Decoction). For headache, body heat, slight aversion to cold and sweat, body pain, sore and weak legs, deep and empty pulse, harmed by mistaken heavy sweating, termed Laoli Ganhan (Labor-induced Cold Invasion), use Tiaorong Yangwei Tang (Regulate Nutritive and Nourish Defensive Decoction). For excessive sweating leading to continuous sweat loss, use Wenjing Yiyuan Tang (Warm Channels Benefit Origin Decoction). For patients crossing hands over chest and groping bedsheets, indicating Heat attacking Lung channel, use Shengyang Sanhuo Tang (Raise Yang Scatter Fire Decoction). Post-illness without heat, clear urination and defecation, but gradual confusion, mutism or solitary talking, red eyes, cracked lips, no desire for water but swallowing thin porridge, indicates pathogens transmitting to Heart channel; use Daochi Geban Tang (Guide Red Half-Decoction).