禀北方之水色，入通于肾，可以补坎宫之精，济水内合于心，而性急趋下，与之相溶而成胶，是降火归原之妙
剂也。《经》曰∶火位之下，阴精承之。阴平阳秘，精神乃治。斯方之谓欤？（柯韵伯）
猪苓汤
仲景制猪苓一汤，以行阳明、少阴二经水热，然其旨全在益阴，不专利水。盖伤寒在表，最患亡阳，而里
虚又患亡阴。亡阴者，亡肾中之阴与胃家之津液也。故阴虚之人，不但大便不可轻动，即小水亦忌下通。倘阴
虚过于渗利，津液不致耗竭乎？方中阿胶，养阴生新去淤，于肾中利水，即于肾中养阴；滑石甘滑而寒，于胃
中去热，亦于胃家养阴；佐以二苓之淡渗者行之，既疏浊热，而不留其于壅，亦润真阴，而不苦其枯燥。源清
而流有不清者乎？顾太阳利水用五苓者，以太阳职司寒水，故急加桂以温之，是暖肾以行水也。阳明、少阴之
用猪苓者，以二经两关津液，特用阿胶、滑石以润之，是滋养无形，以行有形也。利水虽
同，寒温迥别，惟明者知之。（赵羽皇）
复脉汤
按∶此汤，仲景用治伤寒邪少虚多，脉结代，心动悸之之圣方。又名炙甘草汤。《千金翼》用治虚劳，
《外台》用治肺痿，在于益肺气之虚，润肺金之燥。至于桂枝辛热，似有不宜。不知桂枝能通营卫致津液，营
卫通，津液致，则肺气转输，浊沫以渐而下，尤为要药。（喻嘉言）
建中汤
建中汤，所谓中者有二∶一、心中悸而烦。烦则为热，悸则为虚，是方辛甘以散太阳之热，酸苦以滋少
阴之虚，是建膻中之宫城也。一，腹中急痛。急则为热，痛则为虚，是方辛以散厥阴之邪，甘以缓肝家之急，
苦以泻少阳之火，酸以致太阴之液，是建中州之都会也。若夫中气不足，劳倦所伤，非风寒外袭者，《全匮》加
黄以固腠理而护皮毛，则亡血失精之证自安，此阳密乃固之理也。（柯韵伯）
建中为补，能补中焦之虚，而不能补上下焦之虚；调胃为泻，能泻中焦之实，而不能泻上下焦之实。云岐子
禀受北方水的颜色，进入体内与肾相通，可以补益坎宫（肾）中的精气。它济助水气内合于心，且药性急趋下行，与水相溶而成胶状，这是降火归原的妙剂。《内经》说：“在火位之下，有阴精来承托制约。”只有阴气平和、阳气固秘，精神才能正常调理。说的就是这种方剂吧？（柯韵伯评述）
猪苓汤
张仲景制定猪苓汤这一方子，用来疏通阳明经和少阴经的水热之邪，然而它的宗旨全在于益养阴液，并不专门局限于利水。大概伤寒病在表证阶段，最担心的是亡阳；而里虚证又担心亡阴。所谓亡阴，是指肾中的阴液和胃家的津液耗损。所以阴虚的人，不仅大便不可轻易攻下，连小便也不宜用通利之法。如果阴虚之人过度使用渗湿利水药物，难道不会导致津液耗竭吗？方中的阿胶，能养阴生新、去除瘀血，在肾中利水的同时即是在肾中养阴；滑石味甘、质滑、性寒，能在胃中清除热邪，同时也滋养胃家阴液；佐以茯苓、猪苓这两味淡渗之品来引导药力，既能疏泄浊热，又不使邪气壅留，同时滋润真阴，而不使其感到枯燥。源头清澈了，下游会有不清澈的吗？至于太阳经利水用五苓散，是因为太阳经职司寒水，所以急需加入桂枝来温煦，这是暖肾以行水的方法。阳明经和少阴经用猪苓汤，是因为这两经关乎津液，特意使用阿胶、滑石来润燥，这是通过滋养无形的阴液，来推动有形的邪水排出。虽然都是利水，但一寒一温截然不同，只有明理者才知道其中的区别。（赵羽皇评述）
复脉汤
按：此汤，张仲景用于治疗伤寒邪气少而正气虚多，出现脉搏结代、心动悸动的圣方。又名炙甘草汤。《千金翼方》用它治疗虚劳，《外台秘要》用它治疗肺痿，在于补益肺气的虚弱，滋润肺金的干燥。至于桂枝辛热，似乎不太适宜。殊不知桂枝能通达营卫、促使津液生成，营卫通畅，津液得以输布，则肺气转输功能恢复，浊沫逐渐下行，这更是关键的要药。（喻嘉言评述）
建中汤
建中汤所说的“中”，包含两层含义：一是心中悸动而烦躁。烦属于热，悸属于虚，此方用辛甘之药发散太阳经的热邪，用酸苦之药滋补肾阴（少阴）的虚损，这是建立膻中（心包/上焦）的宫城。二是腹中拘急疼痛。急属于热，痛属于虚，此方用辛味发散厥阴经的邪气，用甘味缓解肝家的急迫，用苦味泻少阳经的火邪，用酸味收敛太阴经的津液，这是建立中州（脾胃）的都会。如果是中气不足，因劳累倦怠所伤，而非风寒外袭的情况，《金匮要略》中加入黄芪以巩固腠理并保护皮毛，那么亡血失精的病症自然安定，这就是阳气密固则身体坚固的道理。（柯韵伯评述）
建中汤用于补益，能补中焦的虚损，但不能补上下焦的虚损；调胃承气汤用于泻下，能泻中焦的实邪，但不能泻上下焦的实邪。云岐子……
Endowing the color of water from the North, it enters into communication with the Kidney (Shen), thereby replenishing the essence in the Kan Palace (Kidney). It assists Water to internally merge with the Heart, and its nature is urgent and tends downward; dissolving with water to form a gelatinous substance, it is a miraculous formula for descending fire and returning it to its origin. The *Classic* states: "Below the position of Fire, Yin Essence supports it." When Yin is peaceful and Yang is secreted/stable, spirit and vitality are regulated. Does this not refer to this formula? (Commentary by Ke Yunbo)
Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction)
Zhang Zhongjing formulated Zhu Ling Tang to circulate Water-Heat in the Yangming and Shaoyin meridians. However, its purport lies entirely in nourishing Yin, not merely in promoting diuresis. Generally, when Taiyang disease is at the exterior, the greatest concern is the loss of Yang; whereas in interior deficiency, the concern is the loss of Yin. Loss of Yin refers to the depletion of Yin within the Kidney and the fluids of the Stomach house. Therefore, in individuals with Yin deficiency, one must not lightly move the bowels, nor should one use draining methods for urination. If Yin-deficient patients are subjected to excessive渗利 (draining and leaching) herbs, will their fluids not be exhausted? In the formula, Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) nourishes Yin, generates new tissue, and removes stasis; it promotes water metabolism in the Kidney while simultaneously nourishing Yin there. Huashi (Talcum) is sweet, slippery, and cold; it clears heat in the Stomach while also nourishing Stomach Yin. Assisted by the bland-draining properties of Fuling (Poria) and Zhuling (Polyporus), it disperses turbid heat without allowing stagnation, and moistens True Yin without causing dryness. If the source is clear, can the stream be unclear? Regarding Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) used for Taiyang diuresis, it is because Taiyang governs Cold-Water, thus requiring Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to warm it, which is warming the Kidney to move water. For Yangming and Shaoyin, Zhu Ling Tang is used because these two meridians relate to body fluids; specifically using Ejiao and Huashi to moisten them constitutes "nourishing the formless to move the formed." Although both promote diuresis, their thermal natures (cold vs. warm) are vastly different; only those who understand clearly know this distinction. (Commentary by Zhao Yuhuang)
Fu Mai Tang (Restore Pulse Decoction)
Note: This decoction, used by Zhang Zhongjing, is a sacred formula for treating Shanghan (Cold Damage) where pathogenic factors are few and deficiency is predominant, presenting with knotted or intermittent pulses and palpitations. It is also known as Zhi Gancao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction). *Qianjin Yi Fang* uses it to treat Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption), and *Waitai Miyao* uses it for Fei Wei (Lung Abscess/Withering Lung), aiming to tonify Lung Qi deficiency and moisten Lung Metal dryness. As for Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), being acrid and hot, it might seem inappropriate. However, one does not realize that Guizhi can unblock Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive levels) to facilitate fluid generation. When Ying and Wei are unblocked and fluids are generated, Lung Qi transformation resumes, and turbid phlegm gradually descends; thus, it is a crucial herb. (Commentary by Yu Jiayan)
Jian Zhong Tang (Establish the Middle Decoction)
The "Middle" referred to in Jian Zhong Tang has two aspects: First, palpitation and irritability in the heart. Irritability indicates Heat, while palpitation indicates Deficiency. This formula uses acrid-sweet herbs to dissipate Taiyang Heat and sour-bitter herbs to nourish Shaoyin (Kidney) Deficiency, thereby establishing the "Palace City" of Danzhong (Pericardium/Upper Jiao). Second, acute pain in the abdomen. Acuteness indicates Heat, while pain indicates Deficiency. This formula uses acrid herbs to disperse Jueyin pathogens, sweet herbs to relieve Liver urgency, bitter herbs to drain Shaoyang Fire, and sour herbs to retrieve Taiyin fluids, thereby establishing the "Metropolis" of the Central Region (Spleen and Stomach). If the condition arises from insufficient Middle Qi and injury due to fatigue, rather than external invasion of Wind-Cold, adding Huangqi (Astragalus) in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* consolidates the Couli (pores) and protects the skin and hair, thereby stabilizing conditions of blood loss and essence depletion. This follows the principle that when Yang is dense and secure, the body remains firm. (Commentary by Ke Yunbo)
Jian Zhong Tang is for tonification; it can tonify Middle Jiao deficiency but cannot tonify Upper and Lower Jiao deficiencies. Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Purging Decoction) is for purging; it can purge Middle Jiao excess but cannot purge Upper and Lower Jiao excess. Yun Qizi...