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The pulse at the cunkou position that is faint indicates the loss of Yang Qi; a soggy (Ru) pulse indicates the loss of Blood; a weak pulse accompanied by fever indicates deficiency-heat arising from Yin deficiency; a tight pulse indicates an excess of Cold. When Cold pathogenic factors invade, they lead to Jue (cold extremities), Yu Mao (dizziness and confusion), and Bu Ren (numbness and lack of sensation). This occurs because the Stomach lacks Grain Qi, the Spleen's transformation is sluggish with blocked Qi mechanism, resulting in tightness of the mouth preventing speech, trembling, and shivering.

Cheng Wuji annotated: The Wei (Defensive) Yang Qi is faint, hence termed "loss of Yang"; the Ying (Nutritive) Blood is weak, hence termed "loss of Blood"; a weak pulse signifies Yin deficiency, and deficiency generates heat; a tight pulse signifies Yin excess, thus indicating Cold. "Various invasions by Cold" refers to a state where both Yin and Yang are deficient, allowing Cold pathogenic factors to take advantage. Cold invading areas of Qi deficiency suppresses and traps the Yang Qi, preventing its dissemination, thereby forming Jue syndrome. Yu Mao refers to mental confusion and unconsciousness; Bu Ren refers to stiffness and insensibility of the limbs, which belongs to the category of Corpse Jue. Because the Stomach lacks Grain Qi, causing the Spleen's Qi to become sluggish and the upper and lower mechanisms to be unconnected, tightness of the mouth and inability to speak occur. The term "Zhan" (trembling/shivering) indicates Cold in the Exterior; "Li" (shuddering/trembling) indicates Cold in the Interior.

Question: Why does the Ru (soggy) pulse correspond to the "Eleven Heads"?
Answer: Because the Five Zang and Six Fu organs influence each other, it corresponds to the Eleven Heads.
Cheng Wuji annotated: Ru and Weak pulses represent the state of Qi and Blood. The variations involve eleven heads; "Heads" refers to the total of five Zang and six Fu organs.

Question: How can one know if the pathogen has invaded the Fu organs? How can one know if it has invaded the Zang organs?
Answer: If the pulse is Floating and Rapid (Yang pulses), the pathogen has invaded the Fu organs; if the pulse is Slow and Choppy (Yin pulses), the pathogen has invaded the Zang organs.
Cheng Wuji annotated: Fu organs belong to Yang; seeing Yang pulses indicates invasion of the Fu organs. Zang organs belong to Yin; seeing Yin pulses indicates invasion of the Zang organs. If the pulse is Ru and Weak, the pathogen invades the Fu; if the pulse is Ru and Weak, the pathogen invades the Zang.

Although Cheng Wuji's annotations on Shanghan formulas are quite clear, they do not exhaust the mysteries of herb properties. Therefore, I have specifically collected theories from various schools regarding the ninety herbs used in Zhang Zhongjing's 113 formulas to elucidate their properties. If scholars can study these carefully, the intentions behind Zhang Changsha's prescription making will not be lost, and one can extend this knowledge through analogy.

(Herbs with thin flavor belong to Yang within Yin. Thin flavors promote circulation; Sour, Bitter, Salty, and Neutral herbs fall into this category.)

Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄): Temperature is Warm; Flavor is Bitter and Acrid. Both Qi and Flavor are thin, belonging to Yang, ascending, non-toxic. It is a formula for the Hand-Taiyang channel, enters the Foot-Taiyang channel, travels to the Hand-Shaoyin and Yangming channels. It induces sweating from the Taiyang and Shaoyin channels.
[Li Gao] Light herbs can dispel excess. Examples include Mahuang and Gegen. When excess pathogens from the six climatic factors lodge in the Yang aspect between the skin and hair, closing the pores and blocking Ying and Wei Qi and Blood, it is called Excess. These two herbs are light and clear, thus capable of removing this excess. Mahuang is slightly bitter and hollow, representing Yang within Yin. It enters the Foot-Taiyang Water channel. This channel runs down the back; it is inherently Cold and receives external Cold, so inducing sweat is appropriate to release Cold pathogens from the skin and Qi level, draining exterior excess. Over-sweating leads to excessive sweating and loss of Yang Qi. For cases of spontaneous sweating due to dietary/labor fatigue or miscellaneous diseases with exterior deficiency, using Mahuang will deplete Yuan Qi; caution is required.
[Zhang Yuansu] Mahuang treats Wei Excess; Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) treats Wei Deficiency. Although often used for Taiyang syndrome, they actually regulate Ying and Wei. Heart governs Ying/Blood; Lung governs Wei/Qi. Thus, Mahuang is a Hand-Taiyin Lung herb, and Guizhi Tang is a Hand-Shaoyin Heart herb. For cough due to Shanghan or Fengshang, using Mahuang and Guizhi Tang is the source of decoctions.
[Li Shizhen] Zhang Zhongjing used Mahuang for anhidrosis (no sweat) and Guizhi Tang for hyperhidrosis (sweating). Past physicians explained this merely according to the text without exploring the essence. I have pondered this and found insights differing from predecessors. Body fluids transform into sweat; sweat is blood. In Ying, it is blood; in Wei, it is sweat. Cold injuring Ying causes internal stagnation of Ying Blood, preventing connection to Wei, while Wei Qi closes and solidifies, stopping fluid flow, leading to no sweat, fever, and aversion to cold. Wind injuring Wei causes Wei Qi to leak externally, failing to protect Ying internally, leading to Ying deficiency, insecure fluids, resulting in sweating, fever, and aversion to wind. However, Wind-Cold enters via the skin and hair, which are the exterior of the Lung. The Lung governs Wei Qi and envelops the body like Heaven. Although this syndrome belongs to Taiyang, the Lung actually receives the pathogen. Symptoms often include red face, oppression, cough, phlegm, wheezing, and chest fullness—is this not a Lung disease? Generally, closed skin and hair allow pathogenic heat to attack inward, causing Lung Qi stagnation. Thus, Mahuang and Gancao (Licorice Root) combined with Guizhi Tang draw out Ying-level pathogens to the muscle surface, assisted by Xingren (Apricot Seed) to drain Lung and benefit Qi. After sweating, if there is no high fever but wheezing remains, add Shigao (Gypsum). Zhu Gong's *Huoren Shu* states adding Shigao and Zhimu after Summer Solstice are drugs to drain Lung fire. Thus, although Mahuang Tang is a heavy sweating agent for Taiyang, it is essentially a drug to disperse Lung Fire Stagnation. If pores are not tight, fluids leak externally, and Lung Qi becomes deficient. Deficiency requires tonifying the mother, so Guizhi Tang combined with Gancao disperses Wind externally to save the exterior and controls Liver Wood internally to protect the Spleen. Assisted by Shaoyao (Peony Root) to drain Wood and secure the Spleen, draining East (Liver) to supplement West (Lung). Ginger and Jujube move Spleen fluids to harmonize Ying and Wei. After purgation, if slight wheezing occurs, add Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Xingren to benefit Lung Qi. After sweating, if pulse is Deep and Slow, add Renshen (Ginseng) to benefit Lung Qi. Zhu Gong added Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) to create Yangdan Tang to drain Lung heat. These are all Spleen and Lung herbs. Thus, although Guizhi Tang is a light muscle-relieving agent for Taiyang, it is essentially a Spleen-regulating and Lung-saving drug.
[Processing] Remove rhizome and root joints, chop finely. Boil in running water for 2-3 boils, skim off foam; otherwise, it causes heart vexation. If sweating continues after taking Mahuang, immerse hair in cold water or decoct root joints to stop sweating. Avoid wind when taking Mahuang, or the illness will recur.

Asari Radix (Xixin, 细辛): Temperature is Warm; Flavor is Pungent. Qi is denser than flavor, belonging to Yang, non-toxic. It is a Shaoyin channel herb and a guiding herb for the Hand-Shaoyin channel.
[Li Gao] Treats Shaoyin headache effectively; use in small doses. Use Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens Root) as guide. Warms Yin channels, disperses Water-Cold to remove internal Cold. Treats pathogen in the interior-exterior, so Zhang Zhongjing uses Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asari Decoction) for Shaoyin syndrome.
[Yi Lao] For Shaoyin headache, use Qianghuo (Notopterygium Root) for Taiyang, Xixin for Shaoyin, Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica Root) for Yangming, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome) and Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) for Jueyin, Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) for Shaoyang. Choose according to channel. Xixin has subtle fragrance and flavor, entering Shaoyin, similar to Du Huo.
[Processing] Select single-leaf specimens, soak in melon water overnight, dry, chop finely.

Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡): Temperature is Neutral; Flavor is Slightly Bitter. Both Qi and Flavor are light, belonging to Yang, ascending, non-toxic. It is a guiding herb for Shaoyin and Jueyin channels. It removes deficiency labor vexation-heat, relieves muscle heat, resolves alternating chills and fever, morning tidal fever. It is essential for women before and after childbirth. It excellently removes headache of its own channel, superior to other herbs. Treats epigastric stuffiness and chest/hypochondriac pain.
[Zhang Yuansu] In the channel, it governs Qi; in the Zang, it governs Blood. Moving forward causes aversion to heat; retreating causes aversion to cold. Only herbs with mild Cold Qi and thin Flavor can travel channels and remove pathogens inside and outside organs. It guides Clear Qi upward following the Yang pathway. Since Shaoyang Qi emerges from the earth like tender young Yang, it corresponds to Shaoyang.
[Processing] Remove rhizome, chop finely, sieve uniformly.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen, 葛根): Temperature is Neutral; Flavor is Sweet, non-toxic. It is a guiding herb for the Yangming channel and a traveling herb for the Foot-Yangming channel. Treats Spleen/Stomach deficiency with thirst, clears Stomach heat, resolves alcohol toxicity.
[Tao Hongjing] Raw Gegen crushed and juiced drinks resolve Wenbing (Warm Disease) fever.
[Su Song] Zhang Zhongjing uses Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) for Shanghan because it treats major heat, relieves muscle, and opens pores.
[Zhang Jiegu] Raises Yang and generates fluids. For thirst due to Spleen deficiency, nothing else works. Do not overuse to avoid damaging Stomach Qi. Zhang Zhongjing treats Taiyang-Yangming concurrent disease by adding Mahuang and Gegen to Guizhi Tang. There is also Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction) to relieve muscle, using Gegen to block the path from Taiyang entering Yangming; it is not purely a Taiyang drug. Headache like breaking is Yangming Fengzhong, suitable for Gegen Congbai Tang (Kudzu and Scallion Decoction), a divine drug for Yangming. If Taiyang initial disease has not entered Yangming but has headache, do not immediately use Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) and Gegen to disperse; this reversely guides pathogens into Yangming, like inviting thieves to ruin the house.
[Li Shizhen] *Bencao Shiji* says: Light herbs remove excess, e.g., Mahuang and Gegen. Mahuang is a Taiyang herb, entering Lung (governs skin/hair); Gegen is a Yangming herb, entering Spleen (governs muscles). Both are light and dispersing, but enter different channels.
[Processing] Chop finely, sieve uniformly.

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma, 升麻): Temperature is Neutral; Flavor is Bitter and Sweet. Flavor is thin, Qi is dense, belonging to Yin within Yang, non-toxic. It is a primary herb for the Yangming channel.
[Li Gao] Relieves heat in muscles; it is the specific herb for Wind injury to Hand/Foot Yangming channels. To tonify Spleen/Stomach, it must be used as a guide. With Congbai (Scallion White) or Baizhi, it can travel Hand/Foot Yangming and Taiyin channels, dispersing Wind pathogens of its own channel. For insufficient Yuan Qi, use this to raise Yang Qi from Yin. Shengma enters Foot-Yangming. If Taiyang initial disease takes Shengma/Gegen to induce Yangming sweat, or errs excessively, Yangming becomes dry, Taiyang cannot resolve, and transmission to Yangming occurs. Incorrect decoction is harmful. Zhu Shi says for Blood stasis entering interior with nosebleed/vomiting blood, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) is a holy drug for Yangming. If Xijiao is unavailable, Shengma can substitute. Though Shengma and Xijiao differ greatly in nature/flavor, Shengma only guides Dihuang and other herbs into Yangming. Zhang Zhongjing said: Taiyang disease, if sweated or urinated heavily, loses fluids, Stomach dries, turning to Yangming—this harm is immeasurable. Also: Taiyang no sweat uses Gegen Tang; self-sweating is exterior deficiency, unsuitable for this. Zhu Shi uses Shengma for exterior excess with no sweat.
[Processing] Scrape black skin, remove rot, white interior is best. Chop finely, sieve uniformly before use.

Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (Congbai, 葱白): Temperature is Neutral; Flavor is Pungent, non-toxic. Qi is dense, flavor is thin, ascending, Yang. Enters Hand-Taiyin and Foot-Yangming channels. Specifically governs dispersion to connect upper and lower Yang Qi. Thus, *Huoren Shu* treats severe Shanghan headache with Lianxu Congbai Tang (Scallion White Decoction). Zhang Zhongjing treats Shaoyin disease with clear stool diarrhea, interior Cold/external Heat, Jue cold, faint pulse using Baitong Tang (White Connective Decoction), using Congbai internally. If face is red, use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) plus Congbai. If abdominal pain, remove Congbai. Cheng Wuji explains: Kidney dislikes dryness, urgently eats Pungent to moisten. Congbai is Pungent-Warm to connect Yang Qi.
[Li Shizhen] Cong is one of the Five Strong Smells in Buddhism. Raw is Pungent-dispersing, cooked is Sweet-Warm. Outer solid, inner hollow, a vegetable of the Lung. Lung disease benefits from eating it. Lung governs Qi, exterior corresponds to skin/hair, combines with Yangming. Thus, treated syndromes mostly belong to Taiyin/Yangming, utilizing its Qi-connecting and dispersing power. Connecting Qi detoxifies and regulates Blood. Qi is the commander of Blood; connecting Qi activates Blood. Thus, effective for golden wounds etc.

Cucumeris Fructus (Goudi, 瓜蒂 - Melon Peduncle): Temperature is Cold; Flavor is Bitter, toxic. Syndrome like Guizhi Tang pattern but no head pain, stiff neck, cunkou pulse slightly floating, epigastric stuffiness/hardness, Qi rushing to throat preventing breathing—this is Cold in Chest, should induce vomiting. Taiyang Zhongshu (Heatstroke) with body heat/pain/heaviness and faint pulse is Summer Cold Water injury, water in skin, should vomit. Shaoyang disease with headache/chills/fever, tight/small pulse is Phlegm above diaphragm, should vomit. Syndromes of excess in upper chest, depression/pain, inability to eat, pressing feels like turbid saliva, diarrhea >10 times/day, cunkou pulse slightly wiry—should vomit. Vexation/restlessness insomnia without prior sweating/purging is Real Vexation, should vomit. Food retention in Upper Jiao should vomit. All suitable for Goudi San (Melon Peduncle Powder). Contraindicated for Blood-loss or Deficient patients.
[Cheng Wuji] High things rise; upper things surge. Use bitterness of Goudi/Xiangchi to surge, acidity of Chixiaodou (Red Bean) to drain/surge, Bitter-Surge-Drain is Yin.
[Li Gao] *Nanjing* says: Pulse above present, below absent, person should vomit; if not, death. This is food injury blocking chest, damaging Taiyin Wood growth Qi, lying below. Use Goudi San to vomit. *Suwen* says: Wood stagnation should be reached. Vomiting有形 (formable) objects from Upper Jiao allows Wood to flourish, Heaven/Earth interact, ten thousand things flow. If Chi pulse is absent, do not use, fearing damage to True Yuan and Stomach Qi.
[Li Shizhen] Goudi is a Yangming channel herb removing Damp-Heat, thus guiding phlegm-fluids from chest/stomach, dampness from head/eyes, water from skin, Jaundice/Damp-Heat.
Sweet Melon Peduncle: Round and short is good. Long like bottle gourd is Cai Gua (Vegetable Melon), unusable. Pick when Qi is sufficient, naturally falls on vine. Hang in east windy place to dry.

Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng, 桔梗): Temperature is Slightly Warm; Flavor is Bitter, Pungent, Sweet, slightly toxic. Flavor is dense, Qi is light, Yin within Yang, ascending. Enters Hand-Taiyin Lung Qi level and Foot-Shaoyin channel. Treats sore throat, benefits Lung Qi.
[Zhang Jiegu] Jiegeng clears Lung Qi, benefits throat. White color makes it a Lung guiding herb. With Gancao, it acts as a boat/oar. Like Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), a harsh descending drug, to reach high chest, need Pungent-Sweet ascending agents. Like iron in river, needs boat. Without this herb, other drugs cannot sink.
[Li Shizhen] Zhu Gong's *Huoren Shu* treats chest stuffiness without pain using Jiegeng/Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus) to open Lung and descend Qi. Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* treats Cold Solid Jiechest using Jiegeng/Mubei (Fritillaria Bulb)/Badou (Croton Seed) for warming center, digesting grain, breaking accumulation. Treats Lung Abscess with pus using Jiegeng/Gancao for Pungent-Bitter clearing Lung, Sweet-Warm draining fire, expelling pus/blood, repairing internal leaks. Treats Shaoyin syndrome day 2-3 sore throat using Jiegeng/Gancao for Pungent-Bitter dispersing Cold, Sweet-Neutral clearing heat. Combined, they regulate Cold/Heat. Later named Ganjie Tang, treating all throat/mouth diseases. Emperor Renzong added Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia), Lianqiao (Forsythia), naming Rusheng Tang. Remove rhizome, soak in rice water overnight, bake, slice, sieve uniformly.