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General Principle: In spring, the emetic method is suitable. When using an emetic decoction, stop as soon as the pathogenic factor is eliminated; there is no need to consume the entire dose. If the symptoms resemble those of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) syndrome—specifically Taiyang Wind-Strike deficiency syndrome—but without headache or stiffness of the neck, with a slightly floating pulse at the Cun position, chest oppression and hardness, Qi rebelling against the throat causing dyspnea, this indicates cold in the interior and should be treated with emesis. (Another view suggests this is due to long-standing phlegm in the interior, making emesis appropriate.) For conditions involving various excess pathogens in the upper chest, with stifling pain in the chest, inability to eat, salivation upon palpation, and diarrhea occurring more than ten times a day, where the pulse is surprisingly slow and the Cun position pulse is slightly slippery, emesis may be used; the diarrhea will cease after vomiting. In Shaoyin disease, if food is vomited immediately upon entering the mouth, accompanied by central irritability and a desire to vomit but inability to do so, emesis is indicated. Similarly, for retained food in the upper Jiao presenting with reversed coldness of the hands and feet, intermittent knotted pulse, rebellious Qi in the chest, epigastric fullness and irritability, and an inability to eat despite hunger, where the pathology is located in the chest, emesis is indicated.

Wu stated that for diseases located above the diaphragm with a large pulse, chest fullness, and abundant phlegm; or for food stagnation at the stomach opening with a slippery pulse, emesis is suitable. Hua Tuo stated that for Shanghan (Cold Damage) disease on the third or fourth day, when the pathogen is in the chest, emesis is indicated. Generally, for emetic treatment, Gengti San (Melon Seed Powder) can be used, or light salt water, or warm tea. For weak patients, Ren Shen Lu Tang (Ginseng Rhizome Decoction) can be used to induce vomiting. If there is excessive phlegm, Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) taken warm in one cup, followed by stimulating the throat with a finger, will induce vomiting. Emetic methods are contraindicated for elderly individuals with frailty, patients with Xu Lao (Consumption and Overstrain) and internal injury constituting deficiency, and women during pregnancy or postpartum with blood deficiency and weak pulses. Medicines such as Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), and Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit), when decocted alone and taken warm, can induce vomiting. This is because improper use of emesis damages the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Upper Jiao, causing significant harm; therefore, caution is essential.

In Taiyang disease, aversion to cold and fever are expected. However, if the patient has spontaneous sweating and lacks aversion to cold or fever, with a fine and rapid pulse at the Guan position, this is an error caused by the physician's inappropriate use of emesis. If emesis is used within one or two days of contracting the disease, it results in abdominal hunger but an inability to eat. If used on the third or fourth day, it leads to a dislike for millet gruel, a craving for cold food, and regurgitation of morning food by evening; these are consequences of the physician's erroneous emesis. This constitutes a minor adverse reaction. If emesis is applied to Taiyang disease, but the patient who should have aversion to cold instead shows no aversion to cold and dislikes wearing clothes, this indicates internal irritability caused by the emetic procedure. In Shaoyin disease, if food is vomited immediately upon entry, with central irritability and a desire to vomit but inability to do so, accompanied by cold extremities and a wiry, slow pulse at onset, this indicates excess in the chest; purgation is contraindicated. If dry heaving is caused by cold-fluid retention above the diaphragm, emesis is also contraindicated; warming therapy is required. In Shaoyang Wind-Strike, characterized by deafness, red eyes, chest fullness, and irritability, neither emesis nor purgation should be used; improper application leads to palpitations and fright. Patients with cold extremities and deficiency, as well as postpartum women with faint pulses, are all contraindicated for emesis.