San Ao Tang (Three-Contrary Decoction)

太平惠民和劑局方

Gan Cao (licorice, not honey-fried), Ma Huang (ephedra, roots and nodes not removed), Xing Ren (apricot kernel, skin and tips not removed). The above in equal parts; cut into a coarse powder.

For each dose, five qian; with one and a half cups of water and five coin-sized slices of ginger, decoct together down to one cup; remove the dregs, take orally all at once; cover with clothing and bedding and sleep; aim to obtain a slight sweat.

湯劑

Diffuse the lung and release the exterior.

Treats common cold due to wind pathogen, nasal congestion with heavy voice, and inability to speak; or wind-cold damage, headache and dizziness, cramped and fatigued limbs, cough with profuse phlegm, chest fullness and shortness of breath.