Da Huang Mu Dan Tang is indicated for the initial stage of intestinal abscess caused by the stagnation of dampness, heat, and blood stasis. The symptoms are pain which refuses pressure in the right lesser abdomen (lateral aspects of the lower abdomen), pain that can be as severe as strangury or even accompanied with swollen mass in the right lesser abdomen, bent right foot which cannot stretch otherwise the pain being worsened, normal urination, frequent fever, spontaneous sweating, and aversion to cold. The tongue coating is thin, greasy, and yellow. The pulse is slippery and rapid.

This formula is designed for an excess pattern of cold stagnation in the interior. The symptoms are abdominal pain, constipation, rib-side pain, fever, reversal cold of the hands and feet, a white and greasy tongue coating, and a wiry, tight pulse.

Da Bu Yin Wan is used to treat patterns of yin deficiency with deficiency fire marked by steaming bone fever, night sweat, seminal emission, cough, hemoptysis, vexation, irascibility, pain and redness of the feet and knees, a red tongue with scanty coating, and a rapid, powerful pulse at the chi position.

Xiao Ban Xia Tang is indicated for vomiting due to phlegm-rheum. The symptoms are vomiting phlegm-drool, lack of thirst, retching, hiccup, indigestion, and normal urination. The coating is white and glossy.