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Indicated for cases where, after taking Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) or following purgation therapy, symptoms such as stiffness and pain in the head and neck, feverish sensation with a covering heat (Xi Xi Fa Re), absence of sweating, fullness and slight pain in the epigastrium, and difficulty in urination persist.

Shaoyao (White Peony Root, 3 liang) Gancao (Licorice Root, 2 liang, honey-fried) Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger, 3 liang) Fuling (Poria, 3 liang) Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, 3 liang) Dazao (Jujube Fruit, 12 pieces, split open)

Take the above six ingredients, add eight sheng of water, decoct to obtain three sheng, remove the dregs, and take one sheng warm. The condition will resolve when urination becomes normal.

Song verse:
Baizhu, Shaoyao, Fuling, and Shengjiang are equal at three liang each.
Twelve Jujubes are required; their efficacy is precious.
Two liang of Honey-fried Licorice aids the transformation and transportation of the Middle Jiao.
When water passages clear, pathogenic factors are expelled; this prescription method is novel.

Commentary by Wei (Chen Nianzu): The previous section discussed Taiyang Qi sinking into the Spleen and failing to reach the exterior; this section discusses Taiyang Qi sinking into the Spleen and failing to transport fluids. Using Guizhi Tang fits the condition like thread through a buttonhole. Some regret the error of using Guizhi Tang and resort to purgation, but since exterior syndromes remain complete, the erroneous purgation causes the pathogen to sink into the Spleen, resulting in epigastric fullness, slight pain, and difficulty in urination. The key to the pathogenesis lies in the four characters "difficulty in urination." Guizhi excels at releasing the muscle layer but does not excel at promoting diuresis. When taking Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), one should drink plenty of warm water to induce sweat. Because the Spleen fails to transport and distribute body fluids, urination is difficult. Now, by removing Guizhi from Guizhi Tang and adding Baizhu and Fuling, the Spleen's transport function becomes agile, and urination naturally clears. Once urination is smooth, Taiyang Qi can circulate internally and externally, clearing pathogenic factors both inside and out.

Furthermore: The dosage weights in classical formulas vary subtly and are hard to describe fully. In some formulas, the herb with the heaviest dosage serves as the Jun (Emperor) herb, such as Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), where Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) is used in 8 liang while other herbs are 3 liang. In some formulas, several herbs are used in balanced dosages, such as Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction), where Zhu Ling (Polyporus) serves as the Jun herb. In some formulas, small dosages yield significant effects, such as in Gancao Fuzi Tang (Licorice and Aconite Decoction), where Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) acts as the Shi (Envoy) herb in 4 liang, while the Jun herb Gancao (Licorice) is only 2 liang. Similarly, in Zhigancao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root) acts as the Shi herb in 1 jin, while the Jun herb Zhigancao (Honey-Fried Licorice) is only 4 liang. Although these weight variations are unpredictable, the name of a formula is derived from its principal herb; it is inconceivable to remove an herb yet retain the original formula name. Retaining the name implies retaining the herb's function. In this case, stiffness and pain in the head and neck, along with a feverish sensation, indicate that the Taiyang Guizhi syndrome persists. Due to erroneous treatment, the method shifts from releasing the muscle layer to promoting diuresis. When water metabolism clears, fullness subsides, heat dissipates, and head/neck stiffness resolves. The mastery of this prescription lies in its subtle application where herbs seem absent, demonstrating profound therapeutic skill.