Releases Pathogens from the muscle layer and regulates the Defensive and Nutritive Qi

• Fever and chills unrelieved by sweating
• Headache, stiff neck
• Aversion to wind, nasal congestion
• Little thirst, dry heaves
• A thin white, moist tongue coat
• A floating pulse

• Gui Zhi (chief) warm and acrid, releases externally-contracted Wind-Cold from the muscle layer.
• Bai Shao (deputy) benefits the Yin and contains the nutritive Qi.
• The combination enhances the ability of protective Wei Qi to dispel pathogens while strengthening nutritive Ying Qi.
• Sheng Jiang (assistant) helps Gui Zhi release the exterior while treating nausea and vomiting.
• Da Zao (assistant) helps Bai Shao nourish and harmonise the Ying Qi and Blood.
• The combination benefits the Spleen, further helping to regulate the Ying and Wei Qi.
• Zhi Gan Cao (envoy) tonifies the middle Jiao and harmonises the actions of the other herbs.

• Marked nasal congestion and sneezing: add Fang Feng and Xin Yi Hua
• Shortness and laboured breathing: add Hou Po and Xing Ren
• Stiff neck and upper back and sensitivity to wind: add Ge Gen (12-15g)
• Swollen, heavy sensation in the head: add Ju Hua and Chan Tui
• Persistent symptoms plus itching and flushed face: reduce doses by half and add Ma Huang (3) and Xing Ren (3-6)
• Profuse sweating: alter doses by a third- increasing Bai Shao and reducing Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang and Zhi Gan Cao. Plus, add Huang Qi and Fang Feng
• Severe headaches: swap Bai Shao for Chi Shao and add Gao Ben
• Extreme vomiting: increase Bai Shao and Sheng Jiang, and add Chen Pi and Hou Po
• Joint pain in the extremities with fatigue: add Qiang Huo and Fang Feng

• This is a core formula from the Shang Han Lun, ideally suited when the protective Qi is unable to guard the Exterior, and the nutritive Qi is unable to nourish and stabilise the Interior.
• Neither strongly diaphoretic nor cold or bitter formulas are appropriate and may trap the pathogen inside the body.
• The formula is indicated for Exterior-Cold patterns WITH sweating or when the person is constitutionally weak and is sweating in response to the W/C pattern to prevent excessive fluid loss.
• Ma Huang Tang is appropriate when the W/C pattern in robust individuals does not cause sweating.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, post-partum fever, allergic rhinitis, angioedema, cerebrovascular spasm, eczema and urticaria.

• Contraindicated in cases with Exterior Cold and Interior Heat, characterised by fever and thirst or sore throat with a rapid pulse. In cases with Heat, it may trigger nosebleeds.
• Use with caution in summer or during spells of hot weather.
• If prescribed incorrectly (or the dose is too high) it may cause profuse sweating, high fever, severe thirst, palpitations and irritability. In which case, Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger plus Ginseng Decoction) should be prescribed to cope with the side-effects.

Releases the Exterior, transforms congested fluids, warms the Lungs, directs rebellious Qi downward

• Fever and chills (mainly chills) without sweating
• Coughing, wheezing
• Copious stringy white sputum that’s difficult to expectorate
• A stifling sensation in the chest,
• General heaviness and body aches, little thirst
• In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing when lying down or oedema in the upper body
• A moist tongue coat
• A floating tight pulse

• Ma Huang and Gui Zhi (chiefs) release the Exterior, stop wheezing and move Lung Qi to encourage the movement of fluids.
• Gan Jiang and Xi Xin (deputies) warm the Interior (Spleen), transform congested fluids and assist the chief herbs in releasing the Exterior.
• The warm and acrid herbs above could injure the Qi and fluids.
• Wu Wei Zi (assistant) prevents the leakage of Lung Qi, and Bai Shao (assistant) nourishes the Blood and Nutritive Qi.
• Ban Xia (assistant) transforms congested fluids and harmonises the Stomach.
• Zhi Gan Cao (envoy) augments Qi and harmonises the sour and acrid herb interaction.

• Copious sputum, much congestion, difficulty breathing when prone and a slippery and wet tongue coating: increase Ban Xia and Xi Xin and add Sheng Jiang.
• Marked nasal congestion, runny nose and headache: swap Gan Jiang for Sheng Jiang, Bai Shao for Chi Shao and add Fang Feng and Jing Jie.

• The formula warms the Interior and transforms congested fluids.
• It’s usually used when an acute attack of Wind-Cold affects those with chronic Spleen deficiency or congested fluids.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for bronchial asthma, acute asthma, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and influenza.

• This formula should not be used long-term or for conditions with heat, coughing of blood, or coughing due to Yin deficiency.
• Use with caution in cases with hypertension.

Releases Exterior Wind-Heat and stops coughing by facilitating the flow of Lung Qi

• Slight fever, cough, slight thirst
• A thin white tongue coating
• A floating rapid pulse

• Sang Ye and Ju Hua (chiefs) release Exterior Heat, with Sang Ye clearing Heat from the Lungs and stopping coughing, while Ju Hua disperses upper Jiao Wind-Heat, including from the eyes.
• Lian Qiao and Bo He (deputies) support the Exterior-Heat releasing action.
• Jie Geng and Xing Ren (deputies) have ascending and descending actions, respectively, and assist the chiefs in promoting Lung Qi flow and stopping coughs.
• Lu Gen (assistant) clears Heat and generates fluids which reduces thirst.
• Gan Cao (envoy) helps to clear Heat and harmonises the actions of the other herbs.

• Qi-Level dryness: add Shi Gao and Zhi Mu
• Nutritive-Level Heat with a dark-red tongue: add Xuan Shen and Xi Jiao (banned)
• Heat entering the Blood: omit Lu Gen and Bo He and add Mai Dong, Sheng di, Yu Zhu and Mu Dan Pi
• Severe Lung Heat: add Huang Qin
• Extreme thirst: add Tian Hua Fen
• Viscous, sticky, yellow sputum: add Gua Luo Pi and Zhe Bei Mu
• Laboured breathing: add Shi Gao and Zhi Mu
• Blood-streaked sputum: add Mu Dan Pi, Bai Mao Gen and Ou Jie
• Sore throat: add Ma Bo and Niu Bang Zi
• Sore eyes: add Bai Ji Li, Jue Ming Zi and Xia Ku Cao

• The classic formula for early-stage Wind-Heat patterns where coughing is the dominant symptom.
• Also applicable for eye disorders due to Wind-Heat and a hacking cough due to Exterior Dryness,
• With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used for upper respiratory tract infections, ‘flu, acute bronchitis, acute tonsilitis and acute conjunctivitis.

Disperses Wind-Heat, clears Heat and relieves Toxicity

• Fever, slight or absence of chills
• Thirst, headache
• Cough, sore throat
• A red-tipped tongue with a thin white or yellow coating
• A floating rapid pulse

• Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao (chiefs) release Heat from the Exterior, clear Heat and relieve toxicity.
• Jie Geng and Niu Bang Zi (deputies) spread the Lung Qi and improve the throat.
• Bo He and Dan Dou Chi (deputies) help the chief herbs release Exterior Heat.
• Jing Jie (assistant) releases the Exterior without being drying.
• Dan Zhu Ye, Xian Lu Gen and Gan Cao (assistants) generate fluids and alleviate thirst.
• The combination of Jing Jie and Gan Cao effectively treats sore throat.

• Stifling sensation in the chest: add Huo Xiang
• Severe thirst: add Tian Hua Fen
• Severe sore throat: add Ma Bo and Xuan Shen
• Extreme coughing: add Xing Ben
• Heat entering the Interior with scanty urine: add Sheng di, Mai Men Dong, Huang Qin, Zhi Mu and Zhi Zi
• Nosebleeds: omit Jing Jie and Dan Dou Chi and add Bai Mao Gen and Zhi Zi
• Tight, stifling chest and epigastrium from Dampness: add Huo Xiang and Yu Jin
• Early-stage measles with incomplete expression of rash: add Chan Tui and Fu Ping
• Early-stage carbuncles: add Pu Gong Ying and Da Qing Ye

This formula will be ineffective in cases of Damp-Heat without modification to leach dampness via the lower Jiao (urine and stool).

Relieve the exterior, dispel Wind, clear Heat, open orifices, and eliminate Dampness

• Sneezing, runny nose
• Itchy sore eyes, headache, irritability
• Blocked nose, sinus discomfort

Cang Er Zi and Xin Yi Hua (chiefs) relieve the exterior, dispel wind, open orifices, and stop pain.
Bai Zhi and Jie Geng (deputies) disperse the lung, expel pus, and open the orifices.
Fang Feng and Jing Jie (assistants) are slightly warm, release the Exterior, dispel Wind and eliminate Dampness.
Lian Qiao, Zhi Mu, and Huang Bai (assistants) clear Heat, relieve toxins and reduce swelling.
Huo Xiang (assistant) aromatically transforms Dampness, releases the Exterior and dispels Summerheat.
Wu Wei Zi (assistant) astringes Lung Qi and produces saliva.
Gan Cao (envoy) harmonizes the properties of other herbs.

Contraindicated with Lung Heat, caution with dryness

Disperses Wind and alleviates pain

• Headache in any part of the head with fever and chills
• Dizziness and nasal congestion
• A thin white tongue coating
• A floating pulse

• Bo He (chief) disperses Wind from the Exterior, benefits the head (esp. eyes) and clears Heat.
• Chuan Xiong, Bai Zhi and Qiang Huo (deputies) also disperse Wind to relieve headaches:
• Chuan Xiong alleviates headaches in the lesser Yang and terminal Yin channels (temporal and vertex).
• Bai Zhi alleviates headaches in the Yang brightness channel (frontal).
• Qiang Huo alleviates headaches in the greater Yang channel (occipital).
• Xi Xin (deputy) scatters Cold, alleviates pain and targets the lesser Yang channel (orbital).
• Jing Jie and Fang Feng (assistants) disperse Wind from the head and release the Exterior, with Fang Feng also alleviating body aches.
• Gan Cao (envoy) harmonises the actions of the other herbs.
• Green tea (other envoy) is cold and bitter, clears heat from the eyes and moderates the warm, drying properties of some of the other herbs.

• Wind-Cold headache: omit Bo He, and add Sheng Jiang and Su Ye
• Wind-Heat headache: omit Qiang Huo and Xi Xin, and add Ju Hua and Man Jing Zi
• Chronic headache: add Hong Hua, Tao Ren, Jiang Can and Quan Xie
• To alter the formula for specific areas, add:
• Temporal: Chai Hu
• Occipital: Gao Ben
• Frontal: Ge Gen
• Vertex: Wu Zhu Yu and Di Long

• There is debate as to whether the formula is primarily to treat Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat; it’s a well-balanced formula that can be used for any externally-contracted Wind disorder in which headache is the primary symptom.
• If Wind lingers in the body it causes severe headaches, which become resistant to treatment and re-occur at irregular intervals; this formula effectively treats that condition.
• With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used for upper respiratory tract infections, migraine headaches, tension headaches, neurogenic headaches, acute and chronic rhinitis or sinusitis.

• The warming and acrid substances make it inappropriate for Liver Yang rising headaches due to Liver and Kidney deficiency, or headaches due to Qi or Blood deficiency.
• It should be taken in small doses.

Disperses Wind, alleviates pain and unblocks the nose

• Sudden attack of copious, purulent and foul-smelling nasal discharge
• Nasal obstruction, frontal headache and dizziness
• A normal or yellow tongue coating
• A rapid, floating pulse

• Cang Er Zi and Xin Yi Hua (chiefs) unblock the nasal passages and are effective at treating nasal profuse discharge.
• Bai Zhi (deputy) releases the Exterior, opens the orifices, disperses Wind-Dampness and promotes the discharge of pus.
• Bo He (deputy) releases Wind-Heat from the Exterior and clears the eyes and head.

• Pronounced Heat in the Lungs: add Sang Bai Pi, Di Gu Pi and Huang Qin
• Very copious and purulent discharge: add Jin Yin Hua

• Profuse nasal discharge usually appears after unresolved common colds.
• With the appropriate presentation, this formula is appropriate for chronic or acute sinusitis and all forms of rhinitis.

Releases the Exterior, dispels Wind and Dampness and augments Qi

• High fever and severe chills with shivering
• A lack of sweating
• Pain and stiffness of the head and neck
• Soreness and pain of the extremities
• Focal distension and fullness in the chest
• Nasal congestion with heavy, loud breathing and a productive cough
• A greasy white tongue coating
• A floating, soggy pulse

• Qiang Huo and Du Huo (chiefs) dispel Wind-Cold from the Exterior, dispel Dampness and alleviate pain to address the fever and chills without sweating, headache, pain and soreness.
• Chuan Xiong (deputy) helps to release the Exterior, moves Blood and dispels Wind.
• Chai Hu and Bo He release the Exterior, reduce fever and expel pathogens, including from the muscle layer.
• Jie Geng and Zhi Ke (assistants) combine to regulate Qi flow in the chest.
• Qian Hu improves Lung Qi circulation, expels Phlegm and stop coughs with the other assistants, and Fu Ling helps transform Phlegm and strengthen the Spleen with Sheng Jiang.
• Ren Shen, Fu Ling and Gan Cao (assistants) are 3/4 of Si Jun Zi Tang and strengthen normal Qi to expel pathogens, generate fluids and prevent relapses

• Malarial disorders: increase Chai Hu and add Huang Qin and Bing Lang

• The formula was originally devised for children with externally-contracted Wind-Cold-Dampness, but was adapted to include all patients with weak Qi.
• With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used for early-stage W-C-D dysentery caused by the pathogens sinking into the Intestines.
• It’s also used for very early-stage measles (before the rash has surfaced) with moderate chills and fever, little thirst, loose stools, white tongue coating and thin, weak pulse.

This formula is only indicated for externally-contracted Wind-Cold-Dampness and is contraindicated in cases with Heat as it contains many herbs with warm, drying properties.