麻黄桂枝芍药甘草。即麻黄桂枝各半汤也。苍术甘草陈皮浓朴。即平胃散。枳壳桔梗陈皮茯苓半夏。即枳梗半夏等
汤也。又川芎。当归治血。加干姜为浓朴散。上此数药相合。为解表温中泄热（二字误）之剂。去痰消痞调经之方。虽
为内寒外感表里之分所制。实非仲景表里麻黄桂枝姜附之的方也。至于冷积呕吐。泄痢 瘕。时疾疫气。项背拘急。加
葱白豆豉。厥逆。加吴茱萸。寒热咳逆。加枣。妇人难产。加醋。始知用之非一途也。惟知活法者其择之。
琥按易简王氏生料五积散。兼治妇人。经候不调。产后催生。寒热恶露为患。及 癖 瘕。香港脚疮疥等疾。故海藏
云。始知用之非一途也。然惟知活法者其择之。则知其方不轻用。且不可溷用矣。
苍术（去皮） 陈橘皮（去白各三两） 官桂 川芎（各一两） 浓朴 半夏（各姜汁制一两五钱） 茯苓（去皮）
干姜（各一两） 枳壳（麸炒二两） 白芷 甘草 桔梗（各一两）
附加减法 治太阴经中寒。面黄洁。脉沉而缓迟。腹痛厥逆吐利。加白术土炒一两半。本方中干姜再加一倍。虚者。
用原方中人参二两。
又腹痛。古方不论寒热。皆用芍药。愚谓非中寒所宜。若痛甚者。本方中官桂再加一倍。呕不止。加丁香七粒同煎。
如吐者。去白术。加生姜三片。合后共六片同煎。利多及反渴者。还加术。如悸者。本方中茯苓再加一倍。治少阴经中
寒。面红赤。（乃虚阳泛上。水极似火之色。）身冷。脉沉细微欲脱。加炮附子一枚。虚者。用原方中人参二两。脉不出
者。加至三两。又面赤者。再加连须葱白三茎同煎。冷汗不止。本方中去苍术。又官桂换桂枝。反发热者。用原方中麻
黄一两。再加细辛一两。咽痛。本方中桔梗再加一倍。治厥阴经中寒。面青黑。脉沉而弦弱。头痛厥冷。囊缩入腹。加
吴茱萸。盐汤泡一两半。再用原方中当归一两半。转筋。加木瓜一两。蛔厥者。本方中去甘草。加乌梅三个同煎。又挟
风。眩晕不仁。加防风一两。挟湿。肿满酸疼。本方中苍术再加一半。共成四两五钱。挟气。攻刺作痛。加木香五分。
水磨。冲和煎药内服。血脉凝泣。
原方中当归再加一倍。共成三两。肢节疼痛。倍加桂。共成三两。
右为末。每服四钱。水一盏半。生姜三片。煎至七分。去滓温服。
琥又按五积散。原方。共一十六味。上方减存止一十二味。大抵温胃之药居多。盖内食生冷。外感寒邪。胃气受伤。
故原方中白芷乃阳明经药。余亦存而不减。但白芍酸寒。恐非中寒所宜。故独减去不用。其余如麻黄当归人参等。于加
药法中。因人虚实。在气在血。宜表宜补而用之。自无误也。
庞安时曰。经云。阳虚则外寒。阴虚则内热。阳盛则外热。阴盛则内寒。以此别之。若阴独盛而阳气暴绝。必四肢
逆冷。脐腹筑痛。身疼如被杖。面青。或吐或利。脉细欲绝。名曰阴毒也。须急灸脐下。服以辛热之药。令阳气复生。
然汗出而解。
千金阴毒甘草汤方 治伤寒初病一二日。便结成阴毒。或服药六七日以上。至十日。变成阴毒。身重背强。腹中绞痛。
咽喉不利。毒瓦斯攻心。心下坚强。短气不得息。呕逆。唇青面黑。四肢厥冷。其脉沉细紧数。仲景云。此阴毒之候。身
如被打。五六日可治。至七日。不可治也。
甘草 升麻（各半两） 当归 蜀椒（各六铢） 鳖甲（一两）
上五味。 咀。以水五升。煮取二升半。分三服。如人行五里。顺更进一服。温覆发汗。毒当从汗出则愈。若不汗。
则不除。重作服。（庞氏方有桂枝雄黄。愚以上方。宜加肉桂半两。雄黄不必用也。）
琥按上方。实出仲景金匮要略中。金匮云。阳毒之为病。面赤斑斑如锦文。咽喉痛。吐脓血。五日可治。七日不可
治。升麻鳖甲汤主之。阴毒之为病。面目青。身痛如被杖。咽喉痛。五日可治。七日不可治。升麻鳖甲汤。去雄黄蜀椒
主之。孙真人千金方。分为二汤。其治阳毒者。名升麻汤。即金匮方。六味中去鳖甲。反加桂心是也。又于六味中。止
去雄黄。治阴毒。名甘草汤。即上汤方是也。愚以阴毒为阳气暴绝。不用辛热之剂。何能以回阳。若然。则是升麻汤中
宜去椒。甘草汤中宜加桂。为妥。蕲水庞安时于二汤中。椒桂雄黄皆用之。殊出不解。
琥又按阴毒之病。乃阴寒之毒。深入三阴。三阴之脉。皆行于腹。太阴挟咽连舌本。少阴循喉咙挟舌本。厥阴循喉
咙之后。上入颃颡。又太阴之支。别上膈。注心中。少阴之脉。出络心。注胸中。厥阴之脉。别贯膈上注肺。寒邪中于
三阴之经。故见腹中绞痛。咽喉不利。毒瓦斯攻心等证也。阴寒之极。并于厥阴。厥阴者。阴之尽。故见呕逆。唇青。面
黑。四肢厥冷也。又身重者。阴主静也。背强非太阳病。乃心腹痛。坚强。气不得息。故背亦不舒转也。方名甘草汤者。
取辛甘发散之意。蜀椒甘草。味辛甘也。蜀椒能通三焦。暖脾胃。达命门。入太阴少阴二经气分。得甘草以和其辛烈之
性。斯发中有补之义。当归入厥阴血分。亦辛甘药也。三药得鳖甲引用。能入至阴之分。内搜阴毒而出。若无升麻之辛
甘微苦。不能引邪升至肌肉之分。由乎阳。得汗而散也。
或问阴证不得有汗。上汤温覆取汗出者。何也。余答云。阴证寒邪入脏。脏中阳气既微。恐误发其汗。则几微之阳
气。由汗而脱。故禁发汗也。阴毒证五日以前。寒邪在经。其人真阳之气。未至大虚。诊其脉。沉细中滞紧数。故可发
汗。况仲景法。少阴病反发热者。用麻黄附子细辛汤。又少阴病二三日。无里证者。麻黄附子甘草汤。二汤皆微发汗之
药。大抵阴证禁汗是其常。发汗是其变。合常与变而能通之。斯可以言医矣。
麻黄、桂枝、芍药、甘草，就是麻黄桂枝各半汤。苍术、甘草、陈皮、浓朴，就是平胃散。枳壳、桔梗、陈皮、茯苓、半夏，就是枳梗半夏等汤。再加上川芎、当归来调理血分，加入干姜就构成了浓朴散。以上这些药物组合在一起，成为了解表、温中、泄热（此处“泄热”二字有误）的药剂，也是化痰、消痞、调经的方子。虽然这是针对内寒外感、表里同病的证候而制定的，但实际上并非张仲景治疗表里病证的麻黄、桂枝、姜、附类确切方剂。至于冷积呕吐、泄泻痢疾、瘕聚、时行疫病、项背部拘急不舒，加葱白、豆豉；四肢厥逆，加吴茱萸；寒热往来伴咳逆，加红枣；妇人难产，加醋。这才知道此方的用法并非单一途径。只有懂得灵活变通的人，才会从中选择使用。
王琥按：易简王氏的生料五积散，兼治妇人经候不调、产后催生、寒热恶露为患，以及癖块、瘕聚、脚气疮疥等疾病。所以海藏说：“这才知道此方的用法并非单一途径。”然而，只有懂得灵活变通的人才会去选择它，这说明该方不可轻易使用，也不可混用。
苍术（去皮）、陈橘皮（去白，各三两）、官桂、川芎（各一两）、浓朴、半夏（各用姜汁制，一两五钱）、茯苓（去皮）、干姜（各一两）、枳壳（麸炒，二两）、白芷、甘草、桔梗（各一两）。
附加加减法：治疗太阴经中寒，面色黄洁，脉象沉而缓迟，腹痛、四肢厥冷、呕吐下利，加土炒白术一两半，本方中的干姜再加一倍。体虚者，用原方中的人参二两。
又有腹痛，古方不论寒热，都用芍药。我认为这不适合中寒证。如果疼痛剧烈，本方中的官桂再加一倍。呕吐不止，加丁香七粒同煎。如果呕吐，去掉白术，加生姜三片，合后共六片同煎。腹泻多且反觉口渴的，还加白术。如果心悸，本方中的茯苓再加一倍。
治疗少阴经中寒，面红赤（这是虚阳上浮，水极似火的颜色），身冷，脉沉细微欲绝，加炮附子一枚。体虚者，用原方中的人参二两。脉不出者，加至三两。又见面赤的，再加带须葱白三茎同煎。冷汗不止的，本方中去掉苍术，并将官桂换成桂枝。反发热的，用原方中的麻黄一两，再加细辛一两。咽痛，本方中的桔梗再加一倍。
治疗厥阴经中寒，面青黑，脉沉而弦弱，头痛、四肢厥冷、阴囊收缩入腹，加吴茱萸（盐汤泡，一两半），再用原方中的当归一两半。转筋，加木瓜一两。蛔厥者，本方中去掉甘草，加乌梅三个同煎。又挟风邪，眩晕麻木，加防风一两。挟湿邪，肿满酸痛，本方中的苍术再加一半，共成四两五钱。挟气滞，攻刺作痛，加木香五分，水磨，冲入和好的煎药内服用。血脉凝涩，原方中的当归再加一倍，共成三两。肢节疼痛，倍加桂，共成三两。
以上药物研为末，每次服四钱，用水一盏半，生姜三片，煎至七分，去渣温服。
王琥又按：五积散原方共十六味药，上方减去后存十二味。大体上温胃的药物居多，因为内伤生冷饮食，外感寒邪，导致胃气受伤。所以原方中的白芷是阳明经药，其余也保留未减。但白芍酸寒，恐怕不适合中寒证，所以单独减去不用。其余如麻黄、当归、人参等，在加减法中，根据人的虚实、在气在血、宜表宜补的情况来使用，自然不会出错。
庞安时说：《内经》说，阳虚则外寒，阴虚则内热，阳盛则外热，阴盛则内寒。以此辨别。如果阴气独盛而阳气暴绝，必然出现四肢逆冷，脐腹绞痛，身体疼痛如被杖打，面色青，或吐或利，脉细欲绝，名叫阴毒。必须紧急灸脐下，服用辛热药物，使阳气恢复。然而通过出汗而解。
千金阴毒甘草汤方：治疗伤寒初病一两天，便结成阴毒，或者服药六七天以上，到十天，变成阴毒。身体沉重，背部僵硬，腹中绞痛，咽喉不利，毒瓦斯攻心，心下坚硬，短气不能呼吸，呕逆，唇青面黑，四肢厥冷。其脉沉细紧数。张仲景说，这是阴毒的证候，身体如被打，五六天可治，到七天，不可治。
以上五味药，捣碎，用水五升，煮取二升半，分三次服用。如果行人走五里的时间，再进服一次。温覆取汗，毒邪当从汗出则愈。如果不汗出，则病不除，重新制作服用。（庞氏方中有桂枝、雄黄，我认为上方宜加肉桂半两，不必用雄黄。）
王琥按：上述方子，实际上出自张仲景《金匮要略》。《金匮》说，阳毒的病，面赤斑斑如锦纹，咽喉痛，吐脓血，五日可治，七日不可治，升麻鳖甲汤主治。阴毒的病，面目青，身体痛如被杖打，咽喉痛，五日可治，七日不可治，升麻鳖甲汤去雄黄、蜀椒主治。孙思邈《千金方》将其分为两个汤，治疗阳毒的，名叫升麻汤，即《金匮》方，六味中去掉鳖甲，反而加上桂心。又在六味中，只去掉雄黄，治疗阴毒，名叫甘草汤，就是上面的汤方。我认为阴毒是阳气暴绝，不用辛热之剂，怎么能回阳？如果是这样，那么升麻汤中宜去掉花椒，甘草汤中宜加桂枝，才妥当。蕲水的庞安时在两个汤中，花椒、桂枝、雄黄都用了，实在让人不解。
王琥又按：阴毒之病，是阴寒之毒，深入三阴经。三阴经的脉，都行于腹部。太阴经挟咽连舌本，少阴经循喉咙挟舌本，厥阴经循喉咙之后，上入颃颡。另外太阴经的支脉，别上行膈，注入心中；少阴经的脉，出络心，注入胸中；厥阴经的脉，别贯膈上注肺。寒邪侵入三阴经，所以见到腹中绞痛、咽喉不利、毒瓦斯攻心等证候。阴寒至极，并于厥阴。厥阴是阴气的尽头，所以见到呕逆、唇青、面黑、四肢厥冷。又身体沉重，是因为阴主静。背部僵硬不是太阳病，而是心腹痛，坚硬，气不得息，所以背部也不舒展转动。方名甘草汤，是取辛甘发散之意。蜀椒、甘草，味道辛甘。蜀椒能通三焦，暖脾胃，达命门，入太阴、少阴二经气分，得甘草以调和其辛烈之性，这就是发中有补的意思。当归入厥阴血分，也是辛甘药。这三味药得鳖甲作为引经药，能进入至阴之分，向内搜剔阴毒并排出。如果没有升麻的辛甘微苦，就不能引邪升至肌肉之分，由乎阳分，得汗而散。
有人问：阴证不得有汗，上面汤剂温覆取汗出，为什么呢？我回答说：阴证寒邪入脏，脏中阳气既已微弱，恐怕误发其汗，则几微的阳气，随汗而脱失，所以禁止发汗。阴毒证在五天以前，寒邪在经，其人真阳之气，尚未大虚，诊其脉，沉细中带有滞紧数，所以可以发汗。况且张仲景的法度，少阴病反发热的，用麻黄附子细辛汤。又少阴病二三天，无里证的，用麻黄附子甘草汤。这两个汤都是微发汗的药。大体上阴证禁汗是其常理，发汗是其变通。结合常理与变通并能通达理解，才可以称为医生。
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) constitute the Mahuang Guizhi Ban Tang (Half-Mahuang Half-Guizhi Decoction). Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Gancao, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) constitute the Pingwei San (Pingwei Powder). Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Chenpi, Fuling (Poria), and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) constitute the Zhigeng Banxia Deng Tang (Zhigeng-Banxia and Other Herbs Decoction). Additionally, Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) are used to regulate blood; adding Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) forms the Houpou San (Houpou Powder). The combination of these aforementioned herbs constitutes a formula for releasing the exterior, warming the middle, and draining heat (the term "draining heat" is erroneous here), as well as a prescription for resolving phlegm, dissipating痞 (fullness), and regulating menstruation. Although it is formulated for conditions involving internal cold and external contraction with simultaneous involvement of the interior and exterior, it is essentially not the precise formula of Zhang Zhongjing utilizing Mahuang, Guizhi, Jiang (Ginger), and Fu Zi (Aconite) for treating interior-exterior syndromes. Regarding vomiting due to cold accumulation, dysentery, abdominal masses (Jia), epidemic diseases, stiffness and tension in the neck and back, add Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) and Douchi (Sojae Semen Praeparatum); for cold limbs (Jue Ni), add Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus); for alternating chills and fever with cough and counterflow qi, add Zao (Jujubae Fructus); for difficult labor in women, add Vinegar. Only then can one understand that its application is not limited to a single method. Only those who know how to apply flexible methods will select its use.
Hu notes: Wang Yijian's Shengliao Wuji San (Raw Material Wuji Powder) also treats gynecological disorders such as irregular menstruation, postpartum induction of labor, complications from cold-heat and lochia retention, as well as Pi (accumulations), Jia (masses), podagra, sores, and scabies. Therefore, Haizang stated, "Only then can one understand that its application is not limited to a single method." However, since only those who know how to apply flexible methods will select it, this implies that the formula should not be used lightly nor indiscriminately.
Cangzhu (peeled), Chenpi (deprived of white pith, each 3 liang), Guan Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Chuanxiong (each 1 liang), Houpo, Banxia (each processed with ginger juice, 1.5 liang), Fuling (peeled), Ganjiang (each 1 liang), Zhike (bran-fried, 2 liang), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Gancao, Jiegeng (each 1 liang).
Additional modifications: For Taiyin channel cold invasion presenting with yellowish clean complexion, deep, slow, and delayed pulse, abdominal pain, cold limbs, vomiting, and diarrhea, add Tu Chao Baizhu (earth-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1.5 liang), and double the amount of Ganjiang in this formula. For deficiency cases, use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 2 liang) from the original formula.
For abdominal pain, ancient formulas use Shaoyao regardless of cold or heat. I believe this is not suitable for cold invasion. If pain is severe, double the amount of Guan Gui in this formula. For persistent vomiting, add Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos, 7 grains) to decoct together. If vomiting occurs, remove Baizhu and add Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 3 slices), totaling 6 slices for decoction. For frequent diarrhea with paradoxical thirst, re-add Baizhu. For palpitations, double the amount of Fuling in this formula.
For Shaoyin channel cold invasion presenting with red face (indicating floating deficient yang, water extreme resembling fire), cold body, deep, fine, weak pulse nearly disappearing, add Pao Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix, 1 piece). For deficiency cases, use Ren Shen (2 liang) from the original formula. If the pulse is imperceptible, increase Ren Shen to 3 liang. If the face is red, add 3 stalks of Lianxu Congbai (scallion bulb with roots) to decoct together. For incessant cold sweating, remove Cangzhu from this formula and substitute Guan Gui with Guizhi. For paradoxical fever, use Mahuang (1 liang) from the original formula and add Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang). For sore throat, double the amount of Jiegeng in this formula.
For Jueyin channel cold invasion presenting with blue-black complexion, deep, wiry, and weak pulse, headache, cold limbs, and retraction of the testicles into the abdomen, add Wuzhuyu (soaked in salt water, 1.5 liang) and Danggui (1.5 liang) from the original formula. For muscle cramps, add Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus, 1 liang). For ascariasis colic, remove Gancao from this formula and add Wumei (Mume Fructus, 3 pieces) to decoct together. For wind invasion causing dizziness and numbness, add Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 1 liang). For damp invasion causing swelling, fullness, and soreness, increase Cangzhu by half, totaling 4.5 liang. For qi stagnation causing stabbing pain, add Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 0.5 fen), ground in water, and mix into the prepared decoction. For coagulation and stasis of blood vessels, double the amount of Danggui in the original formula, totaling 3 liang. For pain in limbs and joints, double Gui (Cinnamon), totaling 3 liang.
Grind the above herbs into powder. Take 4 qian per dose, decoct with 1.5 cups of water and 3 slices of Shengjiang until reduced to 0.7 cup. Strain and take warm.
Hu further notes: The original Wuji San contains sixteen ingredients, while the above formula retains twelve after reduction. Generally, it contains more stomach-warming herbs because internal injury from raw/cold food and external contraction of cold pathogens damage stomach qi. Thus, Baizhi, a Yangming channel herb, is retained. However, Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) is sour and cold, likely unsuitable for cold invasion, so it is uniquely removed. Others like Mahuang, Danggui, and Ren Shen are used according to the patient's deficiency/excess, whether affecting qi or blood, and whether requiring exterior-releasing or tonifying methods, ensuring no errors.
Pang Anshi said: The Classic states, "Yang deficiency leads to external cold, Yin deficiency leads to internal heat, Yang excess leads to external heat, Yin excess leads to internal cold." Using this distinction: if Yin alone is excessive and Yang suddenly perishes, there must be cold limbs, beating pain in the umbilical/abdominal region, body pain as if beaten, blue face, vomiting or diarrhea, and a fine pulse near disappearance. This is called Yin Du (Yin Toxin). One must urgently moxa below the navel and administer acrid-hot medicines to restore Yang. Resolution occurs through sweating.
Qianjin Yin Du Gancao Tang Formula: Treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) where, within one or two days of onset, Yin Du forms, or after six to seven days of medication up to ten days, transforming into Yin Du. Symptoms include heavy body, stiff back, colicky abdominal pain, throat obstruction, toxic vapors attacking the heart, hardness below the heart, shortness of breath, vomiting, blue lips and black face, and cold limbs. The pulse is deep, fine, tight, and rapid. Zhang Zhongjing stated this is a Yin Du syndrome. If treated within five to six days, it is curable; by the seventh day, it is incurable.
Gancao, Shengma (Bupleuri Radix, each 0.5 liang), Danggui, Shujiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, each 6 zhu), Biejia (Trionycis Carapax, 1 liang).
Chop the above five herbs. Decoct in five sheng of water to obtain two and a half sheng. Divide into three doses. After the time it takes a person to walk five li, administer another dose. Cover warmly to induce sweating; the toxin should exit via sweat for recovery. If no sweat occurs, the disease remains; repeat preparation and administration. (Pang's formula includes Guizhi and Xionghuang [Realgar]; I suggest adding Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 0.5 liang to the above formula and omitting Xionghuang.)
Hu notes: The above formula actually originates from Zhang Zhongjing's Jingui Yaolue. Jingui states: Yang Du presents with red face, mottled rash like brocade, sore throat, and expectoration of pus and blood; curable within five days, incurable by the seventh. Shengma Biejia Tang is indicated. Yin Du presents with blue-green face, body pain as if beaten, and sore throat; curable within five days, incurable by the seventh. Shengma Biejia Tang without Xionghuang and Shujiao is indicated. Sun Simiao's Qianjin Fang divided this into two decoctions: for Yang Du, named Shengma Tang (based on Jingui formula but removing Biejia and adding Guixin/Cinnamon Heart); for Yin Du, removing only Xionghuang, named Gancao Tang (the formula above). I argue that Yin Du involves sudden Yang perishing; without acrid-hot agents, how can Yang be restored? Thus, Shengma Tang should omit Shujiao, and Gancao Tang should add Rougui. Pang Anshi of Qishui used all three (Shujiao, Rougui, Xionghuang) in both formulas, which is inexplicable.
Hu further notes: Yin Du is a toxin of extreme Yin cold penetrating the Three Yin channels. The meridians of the Three Yin traverse the abdomen. Taiyin connects to the throat and tongue base; Shaoyin follows the throat and tongue base; Jueyin follows behind the throat entering the nasopharynx. Taiyin branches ascend through the diaphragm to the heart; Shaoyin emerges to connect with the heart and enters the chest; Jueyin pierces the diaphragm and ascends to the lung. Cold pathogen invading the Three Yin channels causes colicky abdominal pain, throat obstruction, and toxic vapors attacking the heart. Extreme Yin cold merging with Jueyin (the end of Yin) causes vomiting, blue lips, black face, and cold limbs. Heavy body indicates Yin governs stillness. Stiff back is not a Taiyang disease but results from heart/abdominal pain and hardness, preventing Qi flow, causing back discomfort. The formula is named Gancao Tang to signify acrid-sweet dispersing action. Shujiao and Gancao are acrid-sweet. Shujiao unblocks the Triple Burner, warms Spleen/Stomach, reaches Mingmen, and enters the Qi aspect of Taiyin and Shaoyin. Gancao moderates its acrid intensity, embodying dispersal with tonification. Danggui enters the Blood aspect of Jueyin and is also acrid-sweet. These three, guided by Biejia, penetrate the deepest Yin levels to extract Yin toxins internally. Without Shengma's acrid-sweet-bitter nature, the pathogen cannot be lifted to the muscle layer and dispersed via Yang-induced sweat.
Question: Yin syndromes generally do not produce sweat; why does the above formula induce sweat via warming covers? Answer: In Yin syndromes, cold pathogen enters the Zang organs. Since Zang Yang is already weak, inducing sweat might cause the faint Yang to escape with the sweat; hence, sweating is prohibited. However, in Yin Du before the fifth day, the pathogen is in the channels, and True Yang is not yet severely depleted. The pulse is deep, fine, stagnant, tight, and rapid, allowing for sweating. Furthermore, Zhongjing's method uses Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang for Shaoyin disease with paradoxical fever, and Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Tang for Shaoyin disease in 2-3 days without interior signs. Both are mild diaphoretic formulas. Generally, prohibiting sweat in Yin syndromes is the norm; inducing sweat is the variation. Understanding both norm and variation allows one to speak of medicine.