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Common Cold: Nasal discharge and phlegm are the condensation of water qi (Water Qi, a pathological fluid metabolism issue) and damp-phlegm (Damp-Phlegm, a accumulation of dampness and phlegm) in the nasal cavity and throat, constituting a meridian pathology of the Taiyang Meridian (Taiyang Meridian Disease).

Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Lymphatic Gland Cancer: Water qi and damp-phlegm condense below the ears, in the lymphatic tissues, and nasopharynx, representing a meridian pathology caused by a cold of the Shaoyang Meridian (Shaoyang Meridian Disease). See "Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Lymphatic Gland Cancer Chapter". Lung Cancer: Water qi, phlegm-dampness accumulate in the lungs and thoracic cavity, resulting from the condensation of phlegm-dampness, water qi, and blood stasis (Blood Stasis), constituting a meridian pathology caused by a cold of the Taiyin Meridian (Taiyin Meridian Disease) and Shaoyin Meridian (Shaoyin Meridian Disease). See "Lung Cancer Chapter". Pulmonary Effusion is the accumulation of phlegm and nasal discharge in the thoracic cavity and lungs.

Uremia: Water qi and damp-phlegm accumulate at the "Xin Xia" (Below the Heart, i.e., the stomach area), causing vomiting or edema. This is a meridian pathology caused by a cold of the Shaoyin Meridian and Taiyin Meridian.

Common cold, nasopharyngeal cancer, lymphatic gland cancer, lung cancer, and uremia are all formed by the accumulation of water in different meridians due to common colds, as shown in the figure.

Patients with hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and diabetes mellitus must expel body fluids through sweat. For example, sweating through exercise can lower elevated blood pressure and blood sugar. However, modern medicine uses diuretics to eliminate body fluids via urination to lower blood pressure. Long-term use of diuretic antihypertensive drugs damages the Heart and Kidney, rendering the Heart Fire unable to evaporate fluids for sweating, and causing the Yang Qi in the Kidney to decline. With Yang Qi unable to ascend, water accumulates at Xin Xia (the stomach area). To eliminate the excess water accumulated at Xin Xia, the body induces vomiting.

Diabetic patients who use insulin long-term suffer from insulin toxicity due to improper medical medication, leading to Heart and Kidney failure and systemic complications (see "Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Chapter"). It is not hypertension or diabetes mellitus that causes uremia.

The Heart belongs to Fire, and the Lung belongs to Metal. Fire represents the ascending movement of Qi. Many current uremia cases result from the abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs during a common cold, causing Heart and Kidney weakness. This prevents Heart Fire from evaporating the fluids in the Lung (Metal) to be expelled through the nose or skin sweat. The Yang within the Heart Monarch Fire and Kidney Minister Fire is weak; damp-phlegm and water qi accumulate in the middle separator, Xin Xia, and stomach area, obstructing the descending function of Lung Qi. Since Metal cannot generate Water, there is no water in the Kidney. Examinations show kidney atrophy and urinary obstruction. In reality, this is not a Kidney problem but rather Heart Fire weakness, unable to evaporate water qi, preventing the Taiyin Qi of the Lung from descending. At this point, one should tonify the Heart and Lung to facilitate Qi descent, similar to how the earth is moistened by rain and does not dry up. This is "Metal generating Water," which moistens the Kidney, curing kidney atrophy and restoring normal urination.

When Kidney Yang declines and the lower body becomes cold, the body lacks the strength to sweat. It is like winter: when the ground is cold, no water vapor rises, so there is no rain to fall from the sky. Even if rain falls, it may not be sufficient to nourish the earth, leaving the earth withered, akin to kidney atrophy.

Running outside in winter while inhaling cold wind causes vomiting. After vomiting out a burst of sweat, the wind-cold is expelled, and the vomiting heals. Uremia patients vomit because cold-water accumulates at Xin Xia (stomach area) due to the abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs. Because the Heart is weakened by these drugs, it lacks the strength to sweat, causing persistent vomiting. This vomiting should not be stopped forcibly; instead, it should be treated by warming and tonifying Heart Yang.

When a person who drinks alcohol sweats and is exposed to cold wind, the pores suddenly contract, causing vomiting. This is because the pores are contracted and blocked by wind-cold, preventing sweat and water qi from being expelled. The water and alcohol accumulated in the stomach are then expelled through vomiting.

Many esophageal cancer patients do not have difficulty swallowing due to gastrointestinal or esophageal disease itself, but because wind-cold from a common cold was introduced into the Liver/Gallbladder or Stomach by the abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs, causing inability to swallow. As stated, injury by wind allows eating, but injury by cold prevents eating. However, these patients were initially treated as having gastroenteritis with vomiting and given anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic drugs, or subjected to surgery or radiotherapy, reaching a pitiful state. The author once treated several patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer who had not undergone radiotherapy or surgery, curing them with Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction).

Vomiting after running in winter and inhaling cold wind, or vomiting after drunkenness and exposure to wind, is the same as uremic vomiting. It is caused by the body's inability to sweat through the pores, forcing the expulsion of excess fluids via vomiting. Drunkenness and running are transient reactions where the body's pores are blocked. Uremic vomiting results from the misuse of anti-inflammatory drugs for a common cold (see "Why Can't Common Colds Be Cured? Chapter"), weakening the Heart Monarch Fire and Kidney Minister Fire, making them unable to evaporate fluids for sweating. This causes water and wind-cold to accumulate at the stomach/Xin Xia, and the body's inability to sweat leads to vomiting.

(II) Classification and Treatment of Swelling and Edema

Swelling and edema are classified into Blood swelling, Qi swelling, and Water swelling.

1. Women's Edema

If a woman catches a cold and takes anti-inflammatory drugs during her menstrual period, her menstruation may suddenly decrease or stop. This is because the Heart is weakened by the drugs, allowing wind-cold to enter and combine with menstrual blood, causing swelling. This is called "Blood Stasis Menstrual Swelling," not edema.

The Classics state: "In women, if menstruation stops first and swelling follows, it is because cold-dampness injures the Chong and Ren meridians, causing blood stagnation and menstrual descent. This is named 'Blood Division'." Treating this Blood Division swelling involves addressing blood stagnation flowing to the limbs, causing edema. One need not treat the swelling directly; regulating the menstruation will cause the swelling to subside naturally. Use Xiao Tiao Jing San (Minor Regulating Menses Powder) with Hong Hua (Carthamus Flower), Dan Pi (Moutan Bark), and Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), or Tong Jing Qi Li San (Unblocking Menses Seven-Cent Granules). This condition often involves severe abdominal pain. In chronic cases, after the swelling subsides, urgent tonification of the Heart and Kidney is required to secure the Yuan Qi (Primal Qi).

The Classics state: "If a woman has swelling first and then menstruation stops, it is because the Earth/Spleen fails to control Water, and water evil overflows onto the skin. This is named 'Water Division'." Water Division swelling is caused by internal retention of water drink, failure of Bladder Qi transformation, and water overflowing onto the skin, causing edema and amenorrhea. This condition requires treating the water; once the water subsides, menstruation will resume naturally. Use Fu Ling Dao Shui Tang (Poria Guiding Water Decoction).

One must carefully distinguish between Water Division and Blood Division. Yet today, many women undergo dialysis merely because their menstruation is blocked, which wrongfully undermines the progress of gynecological medicine.

2. Edema and Qi Distension

Qi: In swelling diseases, if the skin is thick and pale, it belongs to Qi. Qi is Yang; Yang nature is rapid, so swelling occurs quickly, usually starting from the top and moving down. The patient can lie comfortably, indicating the pathogen is external.

Water: In swelling diseases, if the skin is thin and has normal color, it belongs to Water. Water is Yin; Yin nature is slow, so swelling occurs gradually, usually starting from the bottom and moving up. There are also signs of coughing, wheezing, and inability to lie flat.

a. Feng Shui (Wind-Water): Upper swelling is Wind, lower swelling is Water, hence "Feng Shui." Symptoms include simultaneous swelling of the face and shins/feet. Feng Shui belongs to Yang pathogens, condensed from damp-heat, originating from Wind. Immediate diaphoresis (sweating method) is required.

b. Shi Shui (Stone-Water): Swelling and fullness in the lower abdomen. Because the water is low, there is no wheezing. Shi Shui belongs to Yin pathogens, caused by cold coagulation.

c. Shi Shui Zhong (Dampness Edema): Swelling of the lower body, from waist/navel to both feet, caused by damp-heat in the Spleen Meridian. Urgent diuresis is needed, along with external navel-patching methods.

d. Feng Shi Zhong (Wind-Dampness Swelling): Generalized swelling of the whole body, including head, face, hands, and feet. Caused by internal retention of damp-drink and external contraction of Wind pathogen. Wind and Dampness struggle, water passages are obstructed, attacking the muscle surface, causing swelling.

a. If water stagnates and attacks the Lung, causing急促 wheezing and inability to lie flat, use Su Ting Wan (Perilla and Lepidium Pill) to purge it.

b. If water stagnates in the Middle Jiao causing distension and fullness, use Zhou Che Shen You Wan (Boat-Chariot Divine Protection Pill) to attack it.

c. For severe cases, use Shu Qiang Yin (Draining Irrigation Decoction) for strong purgation.

d. For mild cases, use Fu Ling Dao Shui Tang (Poria Guiding Water Decoction) for harmonization.

e. Yang Water: Internal depression of damp-heat, obstruction of water passages, attacking the muscle surface, causing external swelling and internal distension. Symptoms include fever, thirst, irritability, red and scanty urine, and constipation. The treatment method is to drain water without delay. See *Yi Zong Jin Jian* (Golden Mirror of Medicine), Pediatrics section.

f. Yin Water: Due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency. Spleen deficiency fails to control water; Kidney deficiency fails to govern water. This causes external overflow leading to swelling and internal retention leading to distension. If bowel/bladder movements are unconsolidated, body is not hot, and heart is not irritable, use Shi Pi San (Solidify Spleen Powder) or Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet). If warm-tonifying medicines fail, it indicates deficiency with excess pathogens. Using purgatives might be too harsh; not using them means waiting for death. Therefore, combine tonification and purgation: one tonify one purge, three tonify one purge, or nine tonify one purge. Assess progression and retreat, wait for the opportunity to purge, and adjust dosage according to circumstances. Only when the medicinal strength matches the Yuan Qi can pathogens be expelled without damaging healthy Qi.

Swelling starting from the top is mostly due to external Wind pathogen; disperse Wind-Water externally, so sweating is appropriate. Swelling starting from the bottom is mostly due to internal Damp pathogen; drain Damp-Water internally, so diuresis is appropriate.

For generalized edema, use both external dispersion and internal drainage. Constipation of stool and urine indicates interior excess; patent stool and urine indicate interior deficiency.

For swelling diseases belonging to deficiency-cold, if warm-tonifying medicines are ineffective, there must be excess pathogens within the deficiency. Purgatives may be too harsh, but not purging leaves no cure. One must use the "Nine Tonify, One Purge" method: use tonic medicines for nine days, wait for the opportunity to purge, then use purgative medicine for one day. However, start with a small dose of purgative, increasing gradually if the patient cannot tolerate it. Ensure medicinal strength matches Yuan Qi to expel pathogens without damaging healthy Qi. Later, variations like seven days tonify one day purge, five days tonify one day purge, or three days tonify one day purge can be used slowly until recovery. Abstaining from salt and soy sauce with a light diet for 100 days can lead to survival.

Today, many patients lose confidence and switch doctors or return to Western medicine at the slightest change in condition, which is the true reason why diseases cannot be cured. This is truly lamentable!

(III) Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation—Having only one kidney still allows a person to live for a long time; this is not a true successful kidney transplant.

When a person's heart stops beating and they die, sometimes they can revive. Why? Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the root of life is in the Kidney, which is the source of vital energy. The Heart is the motor driving this vital energy. When the motor stops, it may restart if the energy supply hasn't ceased. The reason for revival is that the Kidneys have not died, so life can continue. Jesus traveled as a vagabond in India in his youth and practiced Yoga. Those with deep Yoga skills have strong vital energy (Kidney), enabling them to revive after death.

Performance: Various machines have various performances; instruments have their own performance. The human body is the most exquisite machine designed by Heaven and Earth—man is a small universe. A person's entire life manifestation is the performance of the Kidney. The Kidneys come in pairs, divided into Yin and Yang. From formation to birth and death, everything is a manifestation of Kidney function. Thus, humans are born and grow due to the Kidney, and die due to Kidney failure. Life comes from the Kidney and returns to the Kidney. When the Fire in the Kidney extinguishes, a person dies!

*Ling Shu: Meridians, Chapter 10*: Huang Di said: "When man begins to form, essence is formed first. From essence, brain and marrow are generated. Bones are the framework, vessels are the camp, tendons are the rigidity, flesh is the wall. Skin strengthens and hair grows. Grain enters the Stomach, vessel channels become open, and blood and Qi flow." It also says: "The Kidney governs bones, bones govern marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow." *Ling Lan Mi Dian Lun, Chapter 8* states: "The Kidney is the official of strength and power, from whom skill and ingenuity emerge." (See "Tonifying Kidney and Strengthening Yang Chapter") This shows the close relationship between the Kidney and human growth, development, aging, and death. The Kidney has direct and indirect relationships with Heart circulation, Liver endocrine/nutrition regulation, Lung respiration, Spleen/Stomach digestion of the Five Zang organs, and all physiological and psychological functions.

When Kidney essence and Qi are abundant, physical strength and intelligence are vigorous. Deficiency leads to a series of symptoms. Patients treated with Kidney tonification show improvement in systemic symptoms, proving the importance of the Kidney in human life activities.

Edema cannot be cured solely by focusing on the Kidney. From TCM perspective, swelling has many different causes and thus many different treatment methods.

Dialysis is not washing the Kidney, but washing the Heart. Since Heart Fire is controlled by Water, dialysis removes excess water accumulated in heart blood via filtration, called Hemodialysis. Thus, what Western medicine tells patients and what it does are two different things; it is not washing the Kidney.

Hemodialysis cannot restore the Heart Fire's ability to evaporate water vapor. When we breathe (visible white vapor in winter entering/exiting the nose) and sweat in summer, atmospheric moisture must enter the body every second and be expelled every second to maintain normal blood circulation and body temperature. When moisture enters the body but cannot be expelled, blood pressure rises.

Elevated blood pressure is the body's natural reaction to exclude circulatory obstacles and expel excess fluids, similar to fever. Sweating resolves it. Lowering blood pressure forces water out via urine. Antihypertensive drugs increase cardiac load. Heart weakness causes continuous condensation of incoming fluids, which cannot be sweated out. Condensed water vapor causes respiratory distress and cardiac compression discomfort.

Although dialysis temporarily reduces cardiac load, long-term dialysis further weakens the Heart and Kidney, worsening the patient's health recovery and placing them in an irreversible situation.

To remove excess body fluids, one must restore Heart and Kidney Yang Fire to enable natural sweating, which will normalize urination. Today, dialysis performs vascular anastomosis at the wrist pulse-taking site, known in TCM as the Cun Kou acupoint—specifically, Tai Yuan acupoint.

*Nan Jing, First Difficulty*: "All twelve meridians have arterial pulses, but only taking the Cun Kou determines the life, death, auspiciousness, and inauspiciousness of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. What does this mean? Cun Kou is the great assembly of pulses, the arterial pulse of the Hand Taiyin Meridian. Pulses originate from the moving Qi in the Kidney gate, are nourished by grain Qi in the Stomach, and run through all twelve meridians. While the Hand Taiyin Lung, Foot Shaoyin Kidney, and Foot Yangming Stomach all move continuously, only the Cun Kou of the Hand Taiyin is used to determine life and death... Because the Stomach is the sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, clear Qi ascends to the Lung. Lung Qi travels via the Taiyin, notes to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine, Hand Yangming notes to the Foot Yangming/Taiyin, and sequentially transmits to other meridians, circulating day and night like a ring without end, meeting at Cun Kou, manifesting in the pulse, thus determining life and death."

*Nei Jing* states: "Pulses meet at Tai Yuan." The name Tai Yuan acupoint is Cun Kou. The Hand Taiyin Cun Kou is the beginning and end of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, hence pulse diagnosis is taken at Cun Kou.

Cun Kou (Tai Yuan) can determine life and death. Today, dialysis performs vascular anastomosis at Cun Kou. This is like extracting bone marrow from fatal acupoints such as Dan Zhong, Ming Men, and Jing Quan for leukemia patients, causing fatal harm. Hence, doctors often tell families: survival rate is two months or two years—meaning damage to these critical points will kill the patient within two months or two years. Doctors can only diagnose disease, not destiny. Many patients with uric acid levels of 100-200 are subjected to vascular anastomosis, setting traps with vicious methods!

After vascular anastomosis, blood circulation bypasses capillary deceleration, entering veins directly from arteries. This causes blood reflux to impact the Heart. Long-term, day-and-night strong impacts from arterial-reflux venous blood cause cardiac fatigue and failure. Thus, many patients with anastomoses die early from heart failure.

Organ Transplantation—Kidney Transplant. In TCM, the Kidney is not merely for filtering urine. Removing one kidney, leaving one, allows a person to live for many years. The success of a transplant is merely that the patient did not die on the operating table, as the remaining kidney supports vital energy. Where is the success? Is there any patient worldwide who has returned to normal health after a kidney transplant? Exaggerated medical propaganda and science that harms lives for profit boast about transplant success. When will the public see the true face of science? Examples: Ms. Chen, 48, lived in Xinyu Township, underwent dialysis three times a week at a teaching hospital. Introduced to the author's clinic, she was diagnosed and treated for 20 days, then stopped coming for over two weeks. Her husband came for medicine. The author asked about her condition. He said: "We went back to the teaching hospital for check-ups. Is your Chinese medicine really effective or fake?" The author said: "Three times a week, now 20 days equals three weeks without dialysis, and conditions are very good. If this isn't effective, what is?" Ms. Chen's husband said: "When we returned, the doctor asked why we hadn't come for so long. I said we are taking Chinese medicine and want to check for progress. The doctor was unhappy and said: If you don't come for dialysis for more than a week, we won't let you!" The author said: "There are good places for dialysis everywhere in the province. Why fear? Do you think only our △△ Teaching Hospital offers good dialysis? Why do you believe us when we cure you, but blindly trust hospitals that treat you to death?" Finally, the patient feared the teaching hospital's threats and dared not continue treatment. The patient's mindset is truly sigh-worthy!

Life and death paths are self-chosen; no one can control them! It is evident that many hospitals intentionally place patients in dialysis situations to earn ill-gotten gains.

Mrs. Xie, 65, was diagnosed with uremia at a teaching hospital and told to undergo dialysis. Her son said: "We don't have enough money for dialysis." The doctor said: "You will regret not doing it!" Introduced to the author, the son reported the hospital's findings. The author said: "You will regret it more if you do it." After three and a half months of treatment, she recovered. Her son took her traveling, and she remained safe for five years.

Five years later, the patient felt very uncomfortable and was rushed to the teaching hospital. Seeing past records, they assumed uremia and asked why she wasn't dialyzing. The son told the doctor: "Uremia was cured with Chinese medicine." The doctor said: "Chinese medicine can at best maintain for one to two years. Not dialyzing means a time bomb could explode anytime."