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Treats Taiyang disease (Disease of the Taiyang channel) persisting for thirteen days without resolution. The patient presents with fullness and distension in the chest and hypochondrium accompanied by vomiting, tidal fever (fever that rises like a tide at specific times) occurring during the Shen, You, and Xu hours (approximately 3 PM to 9 PM), followed by slight diarrhea. This was originally a Xiao Chai Hu Tang syndrome (Syndrome treated by Minor Bupleurum Decoction).
After purgative treatment, diarrhea did not occur; now, conversely, diarrhea has occurred. It is known that the physician used pill-based purgatives, which was not the correct treatment. The presence of tidal fever indicates excess pathogenic factors within. One should first use Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) to resolve the exterior.

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) [2 liang 16 zhu], Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Ginger et Alumine) [20 zhu], Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) [1 liang], Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [1 liang], Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) [1 liang], Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [1 liang], Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) [12 pieces, split], Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) [2 liang].
Take the above eight ingredients, add four sheng of water, decoct until two sheng remain, remove the dregs, add Mang Xiao, boil slightly again, divide into two warm doses. (This is the lightest dosage among these formulas.)
Song verse: Follow the original proportions for Xiao Chai Hu Tang; adding two liang of Mang Xiao later is good. Heat arising from mistaken purgation occurs at dusk; tonifying while simultaneously cleansing accumulation yields extraordinary efficacy. (This verse follows the internal text.)

Commentary by Chen Wei: Xiao Chai Hu Tang enables the Qi of the Taiyang channel to exit outward through the pivot mechanism. See the explanation in the original formula section. Here, it states that after thirteen days, the cycle of the channels is complete, and the pathogen returns to the Taiyang channel.
Fullness and vomiting occur because the closing function of the Yangming channel cannot exit outward without the assistance of the Shaoyang pivot. The "Shen, You, Xu" hours refer to the period between 3 PM and 9 PM. Yangming Qi is prosperous during these hours, hence the tidal fever occurs at this time. The slight diarrhea accompanying heat is because although Yangming Qi is excessive, it has been driven downward and sunk by the pill purgatives. For conditions of sinking, one must lift them; using Xiao Chai Hu Tang to resolve the exterior contains the meaning of lifting and raising, which thereby lifts the sinking Qi and stops the diarrhea. Furthermore, adding Mang Xiao utilizes its salty and cold nature to directly unblock the bowel pathway. The rationale here is profound.

Treats Taiyang disease unresolved, where heat binds in the Bladder (Bladder organ). The person appears manic. If blood discharges spontaneously, the disease will heal. If the exterior is not yet resolved, attack is not yet permissible.
One must first resolve the exterior. Once the exterior is resolved, if there is only urgency and binding pain in the lower abdomen, then attack is permissible. This formula is suitable for treating this condition.
Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) [50 pieces], Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) [4 liang], Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, raw) [2 liang], Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) [2 liang], Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) [2 liang].
Take the above five ingredients, add seven sheng of water, decoct until two and a half sheng remain, remove the dregs, add Mang Xiao, boil slightly on fire, remove from fire. Take warm, five he, before meals.
Song verse: Fifty Tao Ren and four liang Da Huang, Gui Zhi and Mang Xiao two liang each, Gan Cao accompanies. Bladder heat binding causes manic symptoms; only after resolving the exterior should this decoction be used to attack.
Commentary by Chen Wei: Zhang Lingshao stated that the Taiyang channel has both Qi and vessels. Its Qi emerges from and enters the chest; its vessels run along the spine, penetrate the back muscles, and internally connect to the Bladder. If the pathogen... [text implies entry into the fu organ] ...it becomes a Tao Ren Cheng Qi Tang syndrome. The Fu organ of Taiyang is called the Bladder, located in the lower abdomen, which is the seat of the Blood Sea. The Bladder contains Jin Ye (Body Fluids) but no Xue (Blood).
[Text fragment regarding interaction] ...
Tao Ren is slightly bitter and has an upward-pushing and draining action; it is a mild herb for moving blood. With Da Huang, it pushes out the old and generates the new; with Mang Xiao, it clears heat and dissipates stasis; with Gan Cao, it presides over the middle, allowing the various herbs to exert their appropriate influences. The use of Gui Zhi up to two liang is considered by commentators as primarily for resolving exterior pathogens, but they do not realize that pungent flavors can move Qi; when Qi moves, Blood then moves. (Commentary by Chen Wei's son: The Nei Jing states: Blood stagnating above leads to forgetfulness; Blood stagnating below leads to mania.)