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Indicated for Taiyang Wind Strike syndrome presenting with a floating and tight pulse, fever, aversion to cold, body pain, absence of sweating, and irritability. This formula is the primary treatment.

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 6 liang, nodes removed), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 2 liang, bark removed), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 liang, honey-fried), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 50 seeds). The above seven ingredients are decocted in nine sheng of water. First, boil Mahuang until the volume reduces by two sheng, then remove the scum from the surface. Add the remaining herbs, continue boiling until three sheng remains, strain the dregs, and take one sheng warm. Aim for a slight perspiration.

Song verse: Two liang each of Guizhi and Gancao, three liang of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Mahuang six liang sized like a chicken egg, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) [Note: Text implies Shigao quantity/size contextually though verse says 'Gao' which usually refers to refined sugar/honey in other contexts, but here likely refers to Shigao based on formula composition], twelve Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), fifty Xingren. A formula for cases without sweat, with vexation and restlessness. (Another version states: Xingren two liang, ground into fine powder, applied externally to the body stops sweating.)

Commentary by Wei (Chen Nianzu): The root of Taiyang lies in Shaoyin. Shaoyin syndrome inherently lacks sweating, yet irritability (Fan Zao) occurs in both Shaoyin and Taiyang syndromes. If Taiyang Wind Strike presents with a floating pulse, Cold is the fundamental pathogen of Taiyang; this indicates simultaneous involvement of both the branch (symptoms) and root (pathogen). The Qi of Taiyang governs the body's lanugo (fine hair), and the Taiyang meridian runs along the spine to the waist. Body pain indicates concurrent disease of the meridian and Qi. Wind is a Yang pathogen. When the condition is severe with no sweat, Yang pathogens disturb internally. One must not mistake this for Shaoyin irritability, thereby erroneously employing Sini Tang (Four Reversal Decoction) for warming or Huanglian Ejiao Tang (Coptis and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction) for clearing heat. By using Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) to release the exterior and Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to resolve the muscle layer, the therapeutic methods for treating the branch, root, meridian, and Qi are all encompassed. Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) is omitted because its bitter and descending nature is disliked, as it might draw pathogens inward into Shaoyin. Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is added for its heavy texture and cold nature; its structure resembles muscle tissue, allowing its acrid and sweet dispersing action to act entirely on the exterior to induce sweating, preventing internal retention that would cause cold injury to the middle jiao. This is the profound efficacy of the formula. The subsequent section mentions that if the pulse is not tight but slow, and the body is not painful but merely heavy with intermittent relief, although less severe than described above, as long as there is no sweat and irritability, carefully examined to be non-Shaoyin syndrome, this formula can still be used to induce sweating. The statement "without Shaoyin syndrome" refers back to the previous section's description of "no sweat and irritability."