Theory of diseases treated with chaihu guizhi tang, Chinese

Woodcut illustration from an edition of 1833 (13th year of Daoguang reign period of Qing dynasty). The image and text give an account of the principles of diseases treated with decoction of Chinese thorowax root (chaihu) and cassia twig (guizhi), and the therapeutic effects of the individual ingredients of this remedy. Decoction of Chinese thorowax root and cassia twig is used to treat diseases simultaneously affecting the taiyang and shaoyang channels, or in cases where an untreated external disease of the taiyang channel has spread to the shaoyang channel. This recipe combines thorowax root and cassia twig. Cassia twig is able to clear external malign Qi from the taiyang channel, while thorowax root clears semi-internal semi-external malign Qi from the shaoyang channel. The other symptoms -- fever, intolerance of cold, pain and discomfort in the limbs and joints, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting, a feeling of knots in the area below the heart - can be alleviated at the same time.

The back belongs to taiyang [channel]; the side belongs to shaoyang [channel]; stomach; liver; gall bladder; below the daying (Great Welcome) point is the gall bladder, the stomach feels cramped??. When external malign Qi in the taiyang channel is not alleviated, one has a headache, a stiff neck and persistent backache. This is treated with the original recipe for cassia root decoction. The taiyang channel connects with the little toe; the complexion becomes darker when it is affected. The shaoyang channel connects with the four toes; the colour becomes lighter when it is affected.?? Red is fire, so decoction of Baical skullcap root (huangqin, radix scutellariae) is used. The picture shows slight firey colouring outside the stomach area, hence the use of Baical skullcap root. The stomach contents are slightly discoloured with mucus, therefore again of Baical skullcap root is used. Malign Qi in the shaoyang channel presses on the stomach causing vomiting. When there is vomiting, phlegm is moved Bitterness is the sapor proper to the gall bladder. Diseased Qi entering the stomach causes a bitter taste in the mouth. Accumulated fire necessarily causes heat. This is treated with Chinese thorowax root. Reflux from the stomach causes vomiting. This is treated with pinellia tuber (banxia)