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Treating Taiyang disease (Taiyang syndrome), after administering Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) or following purgation, if headache and stiffness of the head and neck persist, accompanied by a mild fever resembling steam rising (Xi Xi fa re), absence of sweating, fullness and pain in the epigastrium (Xin Xia man tong):

Formula: Remove Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) from Guizhi Tang, add Fuling (Poria) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), each 3 liang. (This formula is suitable to be classified under the Wuling San category.)

Guizhi Qu Gui Jia Ling Zhu Tang (Decoction of Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Cinnamon Twig Removed and Poria and Atractylodes Added) acts to constrain Yin, promote diuresis to resolve water retention, and move Yang to stop thirst. (Fuling and Shaoyao constrain Yin and promote diuresis; Gancao and Dazao strengthen the Spleen to control water; Shengjiang and Baizhu move Yang to transform water. This is a method for treating water qi stagnation in the Middle Jiao.) Sweating and purgation deplete body fluids, leading to fluid retention; chest fullness and dysuria are key indicators of this condition. Because there is no sweating, Guizhi is removed. (Although headache and fever suggest the Guizhi pattern persists, why remove Guizhi? Because after releasing the muscle layer or purging, the pathogenic factor remains, but body fluids are already damaged, resulting in an inability to sweat. It is therefore inappropriate to use the acrid-warm nature of Guizhi to dry up fluids and induce sweating again. Epigastric fullness indicates adding Baizhu; difficulty in urination indicates adding Fuling. This represents a condition of depleted fluids with retained water.) When urination becomes smooth, sweating will then occur thoroughly. (Generally, when the exterior is not resolved, it must be addressed first. Here, due to difficult urination, the focus is on promoting urination so that once urination is unobstructed, the pathogen resolves with it. Thus, inducing sweating and promoting urination are the two major approaches to treating Taiyang disease.)

Treating Shanghan (Cold Damage) where, after sweating therapy, body pain persists and the pulse is deep and slow (Chen Chi):

Formula: In the original Guizhi Tang, increase Shaoyao (White Peony Root) and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) by 1 liang each, and add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 3 liang.

Guizhi Xinjia Renshen Tang (Newly Added Ginseng Decoction with Cinnamon Twig), named "Newly Added" because it clarifies that the exterior pathogen has not yet resolved and there is typically no indication for tonifying the interior; however, due to the deep and slow pulse, Renshen is added now. The brilliance lies in increasing Shengjiang and Shaoyao by 1 liang each, preventing Renshen from causing stagnation of excess pathogens, thereby maintaining the method of harmonizing Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive levels). Zhang Zhongjing's formulas are meticulous; this is applicable only when Qi deficiency exists alongside excessive sweating.

Treating Taiyang disease characterized by stiffness and discomfort in the nape and back (Jiang Bei Qiang Ke Ke), sweating, and aversion to wind:

Formula: Add Gegen (Kudzu Root) 4 liang to the original Guizhi Tang (boiled first).

Adding Gegen to Guizhi Tang creates Guizhi Jia Ge Gen Tang (Guizhi Decoction with Kudzu Root). This addresses the Taiyang pathogen slightly involving the Yangming channel. (Yu Jiayan stated: "When Taiyang disease slightly involves Yangming, the impending Yangming involvement takes precedence, hence Gegen is added.") "Ke Ke" (pronounced 'shu') describes the sensation of neck traction and difficulty extending the neck. Sweating and aversion to wind indicate that the pathogen is destined to enter Yangming, which is a definitive assessment. (Zhang Yuansu stated: "Adding Gegen to Guizhi Tang blocks the pathway for Taiyang pathogens to enter Yangming. If Gegen were taken at the very onset of Taiyang disease, it would instead...")