[Source]

《Shanghan Lun》

 [Composition]

Cong Bai, Gan Jiang, Fuzi (raw Fuzi)
(3)

 [Categories]

<Acrid-Warm to Release the Exterior>: Cong Bai

<Warm the Interior>: Fuzi, Gan Jiang

[Formula Rationale]

《Annotations on Shanghan Lun》: Shaoyin governs water. When cold invades Shaoyin, it cannot control water, hence diarrhea. Baitong Tang warms the interior and disperses cold. The Neijing states: “If the Kidneys suffer from dryness, urgently eat acrid to moisten them.” The acridity of Cong Bai unblocks Yang Qi, and the acridity of Gan Jiang and Fuzi disperses Yin cold. 《Yifang Kao》: Shaoyin pertains to the Kidneys, which are water organs. They receive the command of closure and storage from Heaven and Earth, governing the retention of the two orifices (stool and urine). If cold pathogens reside there, illness and loss of normal function occur, hence diarrhea. Cong Bai is used to unblock Yang Qi; Gan Jiang and Fuzi are used to disperse Yin cold. This formula can disperse Yin and unblock Yang, thus it is named Baitong after Cong Bai. 《Jinjian》: For Shaoyin disease, with drowsiness and a faint, thready pulse, Yang is already trapped by Yin. If there is further diarrhea, it is feared that Yin will descend to an extreme, and Yang will collapse downward. Therefore, Cong Bai is used as the monarch herb to greatly unblock Yang and make it ascend. Gan Jiang and Fuzi are used as assistant herbs to strongly overcome Yin and allow it to descend slowly, thereby restoring the Yang that has not yet collapsed.

 [Functions]

Warm the interior and disperse cold, restore Yang and unblock the pulse.

 [Indications]

Shaoyin exuberance in the lower jiao, separating Yang from Yin, manifesting as diarrhea, cold limbs, flushed face, and faint pulse. 《Shanbu》: Treats Shaoyin disease with diarrhea and faint pulse. Administer Baitong Tang. If diarrhea does not stop, with cold limbs and absence of pulse, dry heaves and vexation, Baitong Jiazhu Danzhi Tang is indicated. If after taking the decoction, the pulse suddenly emerges, it indicates death; if the faint pulse continues, it indicates survival.

 [Mnemonic]

Cong Bai with warming herbs (Gan Jiang and Fuzi) unblocks it.