Si Ni Decoction，*Treatise on Cold Damage*.，Indicated for cases of Taiyang syndrome in Shanghan where improper sweating has injured Yang, as well as for Yangming, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin syndromes, and cholera, presenting with cold and numb extremities, aversion to cold with curled-up posture, vomiting without thirst, abdominal pain with loose stools, mental exhaustion with drowsiness,a white, slippery tongue coating, and a faint pulse on the verge of disappearing; as well as cases of epidemic fever, malaria, cold extremities syndrome, collapse syndrome, and pain syndromes presenting with the aforementioned symptoms that are classified as yin syndromes. It is now commonly used for myocardial infarction, heart failure, acute and chronic gastroenteritis with excessive vomiting and diarrhea, collapse caused by high fever and profuse sweating, and shock resulting from various factors—all of which are characterized by yang deficiency and yin excess.
Si Ni Decoction
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Formulas Name : Si Ni Decoction
Chinese Name : 四逆汤
Drug Formulation
Licorice 2 liang (roasted), Dried Ginger 1.5 liang, Aconite Root 1 piece (raw, peeled, and split into 8 slices).
Source
*Treatise on Cold Damage*.
Benefits
Indicated for cases of Taiyang syndrome in Shanghan where improper sweating has injured Yang, as well as for Yangming, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin syndromes, and cholera, presenting with cold and numb extremities, aversion to cold with curled-up posture, vomiting without thirst, abdominal pain with loose stools, mental exhaustion with drowsiness,a white, slippery tongue coating, and a faint pulse on the verge of disappearing; as well as cases of epidemic fever, malaria, cold extremities syndrome, collapse syndrome, and pain syndromes presenting with the aforementioned symptoms that are classified as yin syndromes. It is now commonly used for myocardial infarction, heart failure, acute and chronic gastroenteritis with excessive vomiting and diarrhea, collapse caused by high fever and profuse sweating, and shock resulting from various factors—all of which are characterized by yang deficiency and yin excess.
Instructions for Use
Boil 3 sheng of water until reduced to 1 sheng and 2 he; strain out the residue, divide the decoction into portions, and take while warm. For robust individuals, the dosage may be increased to 1 Da Fu Zi and 3 liang of dried ginger.
Note
This formula is not suitable for cold-induced cold extremities resulting from blood deficiency; it is contraindicated for heat-induced cold extremities.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Treatise on Cold Damage*., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Si Ni Decoction,Indicated for cases of Taiyang syndrome in Shanghan where improper sweating has injured Yang, as well as for Yangming, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin syndromes, and cholera, presenting with cold and numb extremities, aversion to cold with curled-up posture, vomiting without thirst, abdominal pain with loose stools, mental exhaustion with drowsiness,a white, slippery tongue coating, and a faint pulse on the verge of disappearing; as well as cases of epidemic fever, malaria, cold extremities syndrome, collapse syndrome, and pain syndromes presenting with the aforementioned symptoms that are classified as yin syndromes. It is now commonly used for myocardial infarction, heart failure, acute and chronic gastroenteritis with excessive vomiting and diarrhea, collapse caused by high fever and profuse sweating, and shock resulting from various factors—all of which are characterized by yang deficiency and yin excess.