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Treats Taiyang disease (Taiyang syndrome) presenting with Guizhi Tang pattern. The physician erroneously applied purgation, resulting in persistent diarrhea. If the pulse is rapid (Cu), it indicates that the exterior syndrome remains unresolved. For cases accompanied by wheezing and sweating, Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu Root, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction) is indicated:
Gegen Radix Puerariae Lobatae (Gegen, Kudzu Root) - half jin (approx. 240g)
Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (Gancao, Prepared Licorice Root) - two liang (approx. 30g)
Huangqin Cortex Scutellariae (Huangqin, Scutellaria Root) - two liang (approx. 30g)
Huanglian Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian, Coptis Rhizome) - two liang (approx. 30g)
Take the above four herbs. Add eight sheng (approx. 1600ml) of water. First decoct Gegen until the volume reduces by two sheng. Then add the remaining herbs. Continue decocting to obtain two sheng (approx. 400ml) of liquid. Strain the dregs. Divide into two doses and take warm.
The song states: Two liang each of Huanglian, Huangqin, and Gancao are discussed in theory. Wheezing, sweating, and a rapid pulse indicate that erroneous purgation has trapped wind-pathogen, causing unbearable diarrhea. (Another version records Huanglian as three liang.)
Chen Wei notes: When Taiyang Guizhi pattern is erroneously treated with purgation, the pathogen sinks from the muscle layer (Ji Cou) into the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach). Hence, diarrhea persists. The rapid pulse, wheezing, and sweating are signs of internalized pathogen. The Lung governs the skin and hair, leading to sweating. Gegen is the chief herb in this formula, drawing pathogen from the interior to the exterior, and lifting from below upwards. It is assisted by the bitter properties of Huangqin and Huanglian; bitterness can "firm" (astringe/strengthen). It firms the pores to stop sweating and firms the intestines and stomach to stop diarrhea. It is further assisted by the sweet property of Gancao. The combination of bitter and sweet mirrors the action of Renshen (Ginseng Root), thereby tonifying the Middle Jiao and regulating the pulse channels. Truly a miraculous formula. Xu Hong in *Fang Yi* states: This formula can also treat severe heat-induced diarrhea in Yangming disease, and wheezing caused by heat in alcoholics. Its applications are boundless. (Chen Wei notes: Miss Jin Guifeng suffered from dysentery with high fever resembling burning fire, which was considered incurable by standard methods. I diagnosed her fever as residual exterior pathogen. After treatment with Renshen Baidu San, she recovered completely after taking this formula. This further confirms the boundless utility of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas.)

Treats Taiyang disease presenting with headache, fever, body pain, lower back pain, joint pain, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, and wheezing. Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is indicated:
Mahuang Herba Ephedrae (Mahuang, Ephedra Stem) - three liang (approx. 45g), remove joints.
Guizhi Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi, Cinnamon Twig) - two liang (approx. 30g), remove bark.
Xingren Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Xingren, Apricot Seed) - seventy kernels, remove skin and tips.
Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (Gancao, Prepared Licorice Root) - one liang (approx. 15g), honey-fried.
Take the above four herbs. Add nine sheng (approx. 1800ml) of water. First decoct Mahuang until the volume reduces by two sheng. Remove the foam on the surface. Then add the remaining herbs. Continue decocting to obtain two and a half sheng (approx. 500ml) of liquid. Strain the dregs. Take eight ge (approx. 160ml) warm. Cover with blankets after ingestion.
The song states: Seventy Xingren, three liang Mahuang, one liang Gancao, and two liang Guizhi yield praiseworthy efficacy. Wheezing without sweat, headache, and body pain require warming coverage to induce slight sweating; do not drink hot porridge to avoid excessive sweating.
Chen Wei notes: The preceding text discusses Guizhi patterns; here, we discuss Ma Huang patterns. The symptoms listed under the formula relate to the Qi of the meridians. What is the Meridian? *Neijing* states: The Taiyang meridian connects to Fengfu (GV16), ascends to the head and nape, flanks the spine, reaches the waist, descends to the feet, and runs along the back of the body. What is Qi? *Neijing* states: On top of Taiyang, Cold Qi dominates. It also states: The Sanjiao and Bladder correspond to the interstices and body hair. Thus, Taiyang Qi governs the entire exterior surface. In Guizhi pattern, the pathology lies in the muscle layer (Ji Cou); when the muscle layer is full, the superficial surface is deficient. Hence, spontaneous sweating is the guiding symptom. In this pattern, the pathology lies in the superficial surface; when pathogen is in the superficial surface, it is solid/full. Hence, absence of sweating is the guiding symptom. Absence of sweating leads to obstruction of exterior Qi, causing wheezing. "Pain" refers to severe pain. This involves injury to both the meridian and the Qi, making it more severe than Guizhi pattern. Therefore, Mahuang is used as the Chief herb to vigorously open the pores. Xingren is used to promote Qi movement. Ganzhong harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Guizhi acts as an Assistant, reaching the exterior from the muscle layer. Coverage is used to induce slight sweating without drinking hot porridge, to prevent Mahuang's acrid-warm nature from becoming too potent and causing excessive sweating.