www.needleplant.com

The Soups:

Let’s look more closely at the original text.

1. 桂枝加葛根汤

“太阳病，项背强几几，反汗出恶风者，桂枝加葛根汤主之。” (line 14)

2. 葛根汤 

“太阳病，项背强几几，无汗恶风，葛根汤主之。” (line 31)

Analysis:

Similarities: They both are for “太阳病，项背强几几….”

Difference: The main difference is that the latter prescription is for a Ephedra kind of guy. The former is more for a Cinnamon Twig kind of guy.

In the original text as we know it now, the herbs that make up the formula are exactly the same, i.e. 桂枝汤 plus 葛根 plus 麻黄. But later people are saying 麻黄 should be taken out for 桂枝加葛根汤, while remaining for 葛根汤, which is also to say that 葛根汤 is for a 麻黄 type of guy - non-deficient constitution.