（仲景《伤寒论》辨六经为病，非辨风寒也，其方亦以上下表里寒热为治，非专治伤寒
也。
或变，
寒论
桂枝汤，和剂祖方也。
白虎汤，寒剂祖方也。
四逆汤，温剂祖方也。
麻黄汤，汗剂祖方也。
栀豉汤，吐剂祖方也。
承气汤，下剂祖方也。
栀豉汤、瓜蒂散，宣可决壅也。
五苓散、十枣汤，通可行滞也。
附子汤、理中丸，补可扶弱也。
陷胸汤、承气汤，抵当汤，泄可去闭也。
麻黄汤、葛根汤，轻可散实也。
龙骨牡蛎汤，重可镇怯也。
石脂丸、桃花汤，涩可去脱也。
猪胆导、蜜煎导，滑可去着也。
麻黄连翘赤小豆汤，燥可去湿也。
黄连阿胶汤，润可去枯也。
白虎汤，寒能胜热也。
白通汤、四逆汤，热可制寒也。
桂枝汤，解肌表之汗，是宣发形肉之阳气也。
麻黄汤，发经络之汗，是疏通血脉之阴气也。
葛根汤，解肌肉之汗，是升提津液之清气也。
大青龙汤，泄胸中之汗，清内扰之阳气也。
小青龙汤，发心中之汗，涤内蓄之水气也。
麻黄汤，邪伤营而不伤形者，竟发汗以散邪也。
桂枝汤，邪伤卫而已伤形者，服之 粥渍形以为汗也。
麻黄细辛汤，用附子升肾液以为汗也。
附子汤，用人参固肾液以止汗也。
柴胡汤，重用寒凉，阳经之邪不欲其太升也。
乌梅丸，重用辛热，阴经之邪不欲其太收也。
麻黄汤，病从外之内者，仍治其外也。
栀豉汤，病从内之外者，仍调其内也。
桂枝汤，病虽入里而表症仍在者，当先和其表也。
调胃承气汤，症虽有表而里症甚者，当先调其内也。
大柴胡汤、小柴胡汤，从半表半里者，当和其内外也。
小柴胡汤，治轻邪在腠理。
大柴胡汤，治浊邪入募原。
桂枝汤，仅解太阳初感之邪。
柴胡汤，可调三阳半表之症。
麻黄附子汤，治邪从阳分注经之症。
附子汤，治邪从阴分内注于骨之症。
小青龙汤，治表热里寒。
大青龙汤，治表寒里热。
四逆散，解少阴里热。
当归四逆汤，散厥阴表寒。
通脉四逆汤，救少阴亡阳。
茯苓四逆汤，救太阳亡阴。
白虎汤、承气汤，存中焦之阴，以和胃气。
白头翁汤、四逆散，救下焦之阴，以清脾气。
麻黄附子细辛汤、黄连阿胶汤、甘草汤、桔梗汤、猪肤汤、半夏汤、苦酒汤，治阳邪伤
少阴
桃花汤、猪苓汤，治阳邪伤少阴之阴。
附子汤、吴茱萸汤，治阴邪伤少阴之阳。
通脉四逆汤、茯苓四逆汤、干姜四逆汤，治阴邪伤少阴之阴。
附子督麻黄，从少阴出太阳。
大承气不设监制，从太阴入阳明。
麻黄汤，发营中热汗。
瓜蒂散、栀豉汤，吐胸中寒饮。
瓜蒂散，吐上焦之重剂。
栀豉汤，吐中焦之轻剂。
十枣汤、大陷胸丸，治中焦之水，泻之于内也。
桂枝去桂加茯苓术，治下焦之水，引而竭之也。
小青龙汤，治动而逆上之水。
五苓散，治静而不行之水。
十枣汤，治弥漫之水。
大陷胸，治痞满之水。
真武汤，治沉着之水。
小青龙，治寒邪未解之水，故温以汗之。
十枣汤，治阳邪未解之水，故引而竭之。
小青龙，入太阳治阳水，功兼外散。
真武汤，入少阴治阴水，功专下渗。
乌梅丸，治阴经厥利，故兼温补。
白头翁汤，治阳邪热利，故专凉散。
十枣汤、五苓散，下太阳水道之邪。
大柴胡汤，下少阳气分之邪。
三承气汤，下阳明谷道之邪。
桂枝加大黄汤，下太阴转阳明之邪。
桂枝加芍药汤，和太阳转太阴之邪。
柴胡汤加芒硝，下少阴转阳明之邪。
大柴胡汤，下少阳无形之邪。
柴胡汤加芒硝，下少阳有形之邪。
桂枝加芍药汤，下太阴无形之邪。
三物白散，下太阴有形之邪。
四逆散，下少阴无形之邪。
大、小承气汤，下诸经有形之邪。
桂枝汤，太阳表剂，多从是汤加减。
栀豉汤，阳明表剂，多从是汤加减。
小青龙汤，义重半里，故加减中麻黄可删。
小柴胡汤，义重半表，故加减中柴胡必存。
桂枝汤，加附子，加大黄，是方外随症可复。
青龙汤加减，真武汤加减，即于方内求义损益。
附子汤、吴茱萸汤，加人参从阳固阳。
白虎汤、泻心汤，加人参从阴济阴。
当归四逆汤，不去芍药，和肝阴也。
白头翁汤，重用芩连，泄肝热也。
乌梅丸，黄连一斤，黄柏六两，重泻肝热也。
复脉汤，生地一斤，麦冬八两，急救肝阴也。
柴胡汤，有加减法者，少阳有变动之用。
乌梅丸，无加减法者，厥阴为止静之体。
桂枝汤，有疑似症；柴胡汤，亦有疑似症。
柴胡汤，有坏病；桂枝汤，亦有坏病。
桂枝汤症罢，桂枝不中与，随症治之，仍不离桂枝。
柴胡汤不中与，设法救逆，仍不出柴胡。
桂枝一味，外邪未离营卫，六经皆可用。
柴胡一味，邪留腠理半表，三阳皆可用。
桂枝汤、麻黄汤，主治太阳营卫，亦可治阳明营卫之邪。
真武汤，主治少阴水气，亦可治太阳汗后亡阳。
四逆汤，主治太阴下利清谷，亦可治太阳脉反沉者。
五苓散，主治太阳消谷水逆，亦可治阳明饮水多者。
猪苓汤，主治少阴下利，亦可治阳明小便不利。
抵当汤，主治太阳瘀血在里，亦可治阳明蓄血。
瓜蒂散，主治阳明胸中痞硬，亦可治少阴温温欲吐。
大青龙汤，脉微汗出恶风者，不可与。
白虎汤，脉浮发热无汗者，不可与。
瓜蒂散，诸亡血虚者，不可与。
栀子汤，病患旧微溏者，不可与。
猪苓汤，阳明病汗出多者，不可与。
承气汤，表邪未解，热不潮者，未可与。
建中汤，呕家不可与。
桂枝汤，酒家、亡血虚家不可与。
Zhang Zhongjing, in *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), differentiates diseases according to the Six Meridians (Six Stages of disease progression), not merely differentiating wind-cold pathogens. His formulas are also based on treating the upper/lower, exterior/interior, and cold/heat patterns, rather than specifically treating only cold damage.
Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is the ancestral formula for harmonizing agents.
Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is the ancestral formula for cooling agents.
Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) is the ancestral formula for warming agents.
Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is the ancestral formula for diaphoretic agents.
Zhichi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction) is the ancestral formula for emetic agents.
Chengqi Tang (Assist the Qi Decoction) is the ancestral formula for purgative agents.
Zhichi Tang and Gouti San (Melon Seed Powder) use dispersing methods to resolve stagnation.
Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) and Shizao Tang (Ten Jujubes Decoction) use unblocking methods to move stagnation.
Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) and Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) use tonifying methods to support weakness.
Xiantong Tang (Chest-Thrashing Decoction), Chengqi Tang, and Didang Tang (Defeat the Stasis Decoction) use draining methods to remove obstruction.
Mahuang Tang and Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) use light/pungent methods to scatter excess.
Longgu Muli Tang (Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction) uses heavy/sinking methods to calm fright.
Shizhi Wan (Red Stone Earth Pill, referring to Heshiyu Liang Wan) and Taohua Tang (Peach Blossom Decoction) use astringent methods to stop leakage/prolapse.
Zhudan Dao (Pig Bile Suppository) and Miyuan Dao (Honey Suppository) use lubricating methods to remove adherent dryness.
Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia, and Red Bean Decoction) uses drying methods to remove dampness.
Huanglian Ejiao Tang (Coptis and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction) uses moistening methods to treat dryness/withering.
Baihu Tang’s cold nature overcomes heat.
Baitong Tang (White Tongue Decoction) and Sini Tang’s hot nature controls cold.
Guizhi Tang releases sweating from the muscle layer; this is the diffusion of the Yang Qi of flesh and muscles.
Mahuang Tang induces sweating from the meridians; this is the unblocking of the Yin Qi of blood vessels.
Gegen Tang releases sweating from the muscle tissue; this is the ascending of the clear Qi of body fluids.
Da Qinglong Tang (Great Blue Dragon Decoction) drains sweating from the chest; it clears internally disturbed Yang Qi.
Xiao Qinglong Tang (Lesser Blue Dragon Decoction) induces sweating from the heart region; it washes out internally accumulated water qi.
Mahuang Tang addresses pathogenic invasion of Ying (Nutritive) level without damaging form; it directly induces sweating to scatter pathogens.
Guizhi Tang addresses pathogenic invasion of Wei (Defensive) level that has already damaged form; after ingestion, drinking warm congee aids sweating by soaking the body.
Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Tang (Ephedra, Asarum, and Aconite Decoction) uses Fuzi (Aconite) to ascend Kidney fluids to generate sweat.
Fuzi Tang uses Renshen (Ginseng) to secure Kidney fluids to stop sweating.
Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) heavily uses cold/cool herbs because Yang meridian pathogens should not be allowed to rise excessively.
Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) heavily uses pungent/hot herbs because Yin meridian pathogens should not be allowed to contract excessively.
Mahuang Tang: When disease moves from exterior to interior, treat the exterior first.
Zhichi Tang: When disease moves from interior to exterior, regulate the interior first.
Guizhi Tang: When disease has entered the interior but exterior symptoms remain, first harmonize the exterior.
Weichengqi Tang (Stomach-Regulating Assist-the-Qi Decoction): When exterior symptoms exist but interior symptoms are severe, first regulate the interior.
Da Chaihu Tang and Xiao Chaihu Tang (Lesser Bupleurum Decoction): For pathogens at half-exterior/half-interior, harmonize both interior and exterior.
Xiao Chaihu Tang treats mild pathogens in the Couli (interstices).
Da Chaihu Tang treats turbid pathogens entering the Muyuan (mucous membrane origin).
Guizhi Tang only resolves initial pathogenic invasion of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian.
Chaihu Tang can regulate half-exterior symptoms of the Three Yang meridians.
Mahuang Fuzi Tang treats pathogens injecting from the Yang aspect into the meridians.
Fuzi Tang treats pathogens injecting internally from the Yin aspect into the bones.
Xiao Qinglong Tang treats exterior heat and interior cold.
Da Qinglong Tang treats exterior cold and interior heat.
Sini San (Frigid Extremities Powder) resolves Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) interior heat.
Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Frigid Extremities Decoction) scatters Jueyin (Terminal Yin) exterior cold.
Tongmai Sini Tang (Pulse-Recovering Frigid Extremities Decoction) rescues Shaoyin collapse of Yang.
Fuling Sini Tang (Poria Frigid Extremities Decoction) rescues Taiyang collapse of Yin.
Baihu Tang and Chengqi Tang preserve Middle Jiao (Middle Burner) Yin to harmonize Stomach Qi.
Baitouweng Tang (Patrinia Decoction) and Sini San rescue Lower Jiao (Lower Burner) Yin to clear Spleen Qi.
Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang, Huanglian Ejiao Tang, Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction), Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction), Zhufu Tang (Pig Skin Decoction), Banxia Tang (Pinellia Decoction), and Kujiu Tang (Vinegar Decoction) treat Yang pathogens injuring the Shaoyin meridian.
Taohua Tang and Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) treat Yang pathogens injuring Shaoyin Yin.
Fuzi Tang and Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) treat Yin pathogens injuring Shaoyin Yang.
Tongmai Sini Tang, Fuling Sini Tang, and Ganjiang Sini Tang (Dried Ginger Frigid Extremities Decoction) treat Yin pathogens injuring Shaoyin Yin.
Fuzi assists Mahuang to guide pathogens from Shaoyin out to Taiyang.
Da Chengqi Tang (Great Assist-the-Qi Decoction), without restraining agents, guides pathogens from Taiyin (Greater Yin) into Yangming (Yang Brightness).
Mahuang Tang induces hot sweat from Ying level.
Gouti San and Zhichi Tang vomit cold fluid retention from the chest.
Gouti San is a heavy emetic for the Upper Jiao.
Zhichi Tang is a light emetic for the Middle Jiao.
Shizao Tang and Da Xianxiong Wan (Great Chest-Thrashing Pill) treat Middle Jiao water retention, draining it internally.
Guizhi Qu Gui Jia Fuling Baizhu Tang (Guizhi Decoction minus Cinnamon Twig plus Poria and Atractylodes) treats Lower Jiao water retention, guiding and exhausting it.
Xiao Qinglong Tang treats turbulent and rebellious water retention.
Wuling San treats static and stagnant water retention.
Shizao Tang treats diffuse water retention.
Da Xianxiong Tang treats water retention causing fullness and oppression.
Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) treats settled water retention.
Xiao Qinglong Tang treats water retention where cold pathogens have not resolved, thus using warmth to induce sweating.
Shizao Tang treats water retention where Yang pathogens have not resolved, thus using guidance to exhaust it.
Xiao Qinglong Tang enters Taiyang to treat Yang water, its function combining external dispersion.
Zhenwu Tang enters Shaoyin to treat Yin water, its function specializing in downward seepage.
Wumei Wan treats Jueyin cold-dysentery, thus combining warming and tonifying.
Baitouweng Tang treats Yang-pathogen heat dysentery, thus specializing in cooling and dispersing.
Shizao Tang and Wuling San purge pathogens from the Taiyang water pathways.
Da Chaihu Tang purges pathogens from the Shaoyang Qi aspect.
San Chengqi Tang (Three Assist-the-Qi Formulas) purge pathogens from the Yangming grain pathway.
Guizhi Jia Dahuang Tang (Guizhi Decoction plus Rhubarb) purges pathogens transferring from Taiyin to Yangming.
Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang (Guizhi Decoction plus Peony) harmonizes pathogens transferring from Taiyang to Taiyin.
Chaihu Tang plus Mangxiao (Mirabilite) purges pathogens transferring from Shaoyin to Yangming.
Da Chaihu Tang purges formless pathogens from Shaoyang.
Chaihu Tang plus Mangxiao purges formed pathogens from Shaoyang.
Guizhi Jia Shaoyao Tang purges formless pathogens from Taiyin.
Sanwu Baisan (Three-Ingredient White Powder) purges formed pathogens from Taiyin.
Sini San purges formless pathogens from Shaoyin.
Da and Xiao Chengqi Tang purge formed pathogens from all meridians.
Guizhi Tang is the exterior formula for Taiyang; many formulas are modified from it.
Zhichi Tang is the exterior formula for Yangming; many formulas are modified from it.
Xiao Qinglong Tang emphasizes the half-interior, so Mahuang may be deleted in modifications.
Xiao Chaihu Tang emphasizes the half-exterior, so Chaihu must be retained in modifications.
Guizhi Tang, when adding Fuzi or Dahuang (Rhubarb), shows that external modifications can be repeated based on symptoms.
Modifications of Qinglong Tang and Zhenwu Tang seek损益 (benefits and losses) within the internal logic of the formula.
Fuzi Tang and Wuzhuyu Tang add Renshen to secure Yang from the Yang aspect.
Baihu Tang and Xiexin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) add Renshen to assist Yin from the Yin aspect.
Danggui Sini Tang does not remove Shaoyao (Peony) to harmonize Liver Yin.
Baitouweng Tang heavily uses Qin (Scutellaria) and Lian (Coptis) to drain Liver Heat.
Wumei Wan uses one jin of Huanglian and six liang of Huangbai to heavily drain Liver Heat.
Maishu Tang (Pulse-Recovering Decoction) uses one jin of Dihuang and eight liang of Maidong to urgently rescue Liver Yin.
Chaihu Tang has modification rules, indicating the Shaoyang meridian has dynamic utility.
Wumei Wan has no modification rules, indicating the Jueyin meridian is a state of stillness.
Guizhi Tang presents ambiguous symptoms; Chaihu Tang also presents ambiguous symptoms.
Chaihu Tang involves complicated cases (Huabing); Guizhi Tang also involves complicated cases.
When Guizhi Tang symptoms cease, Guizhi Tang is no longer administered; treat according to symptoms, yet the principle remains rooted in Guizhi Tang.
When Chaihu Tang is no longer applicable, employ methods to rescue adverse conditions, yet the scope remains within Chaihu Tang.
A single herb of Guizhi can be used across all Six Meridians when external pathogens have not left Ying and Wei.
A single herb of Chaihu can be used across all Three Yang meridians when pathogens remain in the Couli (half-exterior).
Guizhi Tang and Mahuang Tang primarily treat Taiyang Ying-Wei pathogens, but can also treat Yangming Ying-Wei pathogens.
Zhenwu Tang primarily treats Shaoyin Water Qi, but can also treat Taiyang collapse of Yang after sweating.
Sini Tang primarily treats Taiyin diarrhea with undigested food, but can also treat Taiyang pulse appearing deep.
Wuling San primarily treats Taiyang polydipsia with water regurgitation, but can also treat Yangming excessive water intake.
Zhuling Tang primarily treats Shaoyin diarrhea, but can also treat Yangming difficult urination.
Didang Tang primarily treats Taiyang blood stasis in the interior, but can also treat Yangming blood accumulation.
Gouti San primarily treats Yangming epigastric hardness, but can also treat Shaoyin sensation of wanting to vomit.
Da Qinglong Tang is contraindicated in patients with faint pulse, sweating, and aversion to wind.
Baihu Tang is contraindicated in patients with floating pulse, fever, and absence of sweating.
Gouti San is contraindicated in patients with blood loss or deficiency.
Zhizi Tang (Gardenia Decoction) is contraindicated in patients with chronic loose stools.
Zhuling Tang is contraindicated in Yangming patients with excessive sweating.
Chengqi Tang is contraindicated when exterior pathogens have not resolved and fever is not tidal.
Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Building Decoction) is contraindicated in patients who vomit frequently.
Guizhi Tang is contraindicated in alcoholics and patients with blood loss or deficiency.