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Cao Dou Kou (Tsaoko Fructus, peeled, wrapped in flour and roasted, 10 pieces) Mu Zhu Ling (Polyporus Umbellatus), Shi Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal Rhizome), Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, removed radicle), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, roasted, peel and umbilicus removed), Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba, roots removed), Nong Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, peel removed, stir-fried with ginger juice), Ben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma, soil removed by roasting), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus, pulp removed, stir-fried with bran), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, removed radicle), Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, processed with ginger juice, each half liang), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, one liang, roasted), Fu Ling (Poria).
The above herbs are crushed to the size of hemp seeds. Each dose is five qian bi (a small scoop), boiled with one zhong and a half of water until reduced to eight-tenths. Strain and take hot. The remaining dregs from two doses are combined for one dose, decocted again, and taken on an empty stomach.

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, two liang), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, each three fen), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, washed in boiling water, one liang and a half), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus, twelve pieces, broken).
The above herbs are crushed to the size of hemp seeds. Boil with three sheng of water until reduced to one liang and a half. Strain, then decoct again to obtain nine he. Take three he warm, three times a day. This is the ancient method. Now it can be made into a coarse powder. Each dose is three qian, three dates, five slices of ginger, and one zhong and a half of water. Decoct until reduced to eight-tenths, take warm. For those with strong qi and rapid, severe disease, increasing to four or five qian is acceptable; strain before taking. This is from Zhang Zhongjing's Formula. I have adjusted the dosage according to current weights. Sun Zhao renamed it Huang Long Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction). In recent years, this medicine has become very popular. It is often given to patients with Shang Han (Cold Damage) regardless of yin/yang or exterior/interior differentiation. This is a great error. Although Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) indicates this formula for dozens of syndromes, there are five specific syndromes where it is most appropriate and effective:
1. Fever with nausea or vomiting: This is common in Shang Han and is the primary indication for Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). However, if vomiting is caused by drinking water due to thirst, do not use it. If the body is not warm, do not use it.
2. Chills: Use if there are alternating chills and fever.
3. Tide-like fever: Use if tidal fever occurs.
4. Vexation, fullness in the hypochondrium, with or without thirst: Use in these cases.
5. Recurrent fever after recovery from Shang Han: Use if fever returns after the initial illness has subsided.
If any one of these five syndromes is present, there should be no hesitation in using it; it will surely cure the disease. If two or three syndromes are present, it is even more appropriate. For other symptoms, one must carefully examine the syndrome differentiation and pulse conditions before using it; do not use it indiscriminately. People generally know that Xiao Chai Hu Tang treats Shang Han and take it for any symptom. Not only is it ineffective, but it may also cause harm because this formula is slightly cold. Only for these five syndromes is it accurate and undoubtedly effective. It is the most important medicine for Shang Han. Every household has a copy, but fear is that it is not used with sufficient detail. Here, I elaborate clearly so that it is easy to understand.
The original formula has modification methods. Even if not within these five syndromes, they are effective. They are recorded here as follows:
- If vexation in the chest without vomiting: Remove Ban Xia, add Ren Shen to make one liang total, plus Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) one liang.
- If abdominal pain: Remove Huang Qin, add Shao Yao three fen. This is very effective for abdominal pain.
- If hardness/fullness in the hypochondrium: Remove Da Zao, add Mu Li (Ostreae Concha) one liang.
- If palpitations in the epigastrium and difficult urination: Remove Huang Qin, add Fu Ling (Poria) one liang.
- If no thirst but slight external heat: Remove Ren Shen, add Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) three fen. Cover warmly to induce slight sweating for recovery.
- If cough: Remove Ren Shen, Da Zao, and Sheng Jiang. Add Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) half liang and Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) half liang. During the epidemic in Yuan Nian, everyone coughed, and this cured them. For ordinary phlegm obstruction, taking this according to the main formula after meals and before bed is excellent. It is especially effective for red and white dysentery; no other dysentery medicine is as miraculous. Dysentery is often caused by latent summerheat; this formula resolves summerheat toxicity well. For anyone suffering from summerheat, regardless of specific symptoms, continuous administration of several doses will resolve the condition.