Library

Dampness pathogen. It often arises from rich food and wine, inevitably leading to damp-heat or damp-fire syndromes. If a person has fair skin, is obese, and has soft muscles, their constitution belongs to Yin. If they contract external dampness, it is difficult for it to transform into heat. However, internally generated dampness often results from excessive consumption of tea, soup, cold drinks, and raw foods, inevitably leading to cold-damp syndromes. The human body is like a small heaven and earth. Observing the Master's treatment methods: if dampness obstructs the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), one should open Lung Qi, assist with bland leaching agents, and unblock the Bladder. This follows the principle of opening the upper sluice, branching out rivers, and guiding water flow downward. If Spleen Yang fails to transport and dampness stagnates in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), use Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), and Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) to warm and transport; use Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie), Lagenariae Spongosperma (Fupi), and Talcum (Huashi) to leach and drain. This is akin to low-lying wet areas that must be dried by the scorching sun, cultivated with dry soil, or drained via ditches. Generally, bitter-pungent-cold herbs are used to treat damp-heat, and bitter-pungent-warm herbs to treat cold-damp, all assisted by bland leaching agents, or sometimes adding wind-dispelling herbs. Sweet, sour, greasy, and turbid substances are strictly avoided. In summary, if Kidney Yang is abundant and robust, and Spleen Earth functions smoothly, there will naturally be no cold-damp syndromes. If Lung Metal's clear and descending Qi descends properly, and Bladder Qi transformation flows smoothly, there will naturally be no damp-fire, damp-heat, or damp-summerheat syndromes. If mismanaged and transformed, conditions such as swelling, jaundice, diarrhea, stranguria, retention of urine, and phlegm-fluids may occur; these can be referenced in their respective sections. (Hua Xiuyun)

Xu's Commentary: The cases are repetitive, causing reader fatigue. What was the compiler's intention? Treating dampness without using drying-hot substances, but rather aromatic and bland-leaching herbs to diffuse Lung Qi and harmonize the Bladder, is an excellent method. However, formulas for strengthening the Spleen, resolving phlegm, and cultivating Earth are not fully prepared, leaving a gap in the method of consolidating the root.

Certain Patient: Pulse is rapid and large on the right. Propose clearing heat in the Qi Level (Qi Fen Re).
Mulberry Leaf (Sangye), Apricot Seed (Xingren), Large Ophiopogon Tuber (Dashashen), Fritillaria Bulb (Xiangbeimu), Fermented Soybean (Xiangchi), Gardenia Bark (Heizhipi).

Bian: Summer heat and autumn dryness caused injury, all due to insufficiency of the Yin aspect (Lung-Stomach Fluid Deficiency).
Winter Mulberry Leaf (Dongsangye), Polygonatum Rhizoma (Yuzhu), Raw Licorice Root (Shenggancao), White Ophiopogon Tuber (Baishashen), Raw Lablab Bean (Shengbiandou), Groundcherry Root Bark (Digupi), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Trichosanthes Root (Huafen).

Certain Patient: Dryness-fire constrained upward, causing swollen gums and sore throat. Should use pungent-cool to clear the upper burner (Fire Constrained in Upper Jiao).
Peppermint Stem (Boheteng), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiaoqiao), Raw Licorice Root (Shenggancao), Gardenia Bark (Heizhipi), Platycodon Root (Jiegeng), Mung Bean Skin (Lvdoupi).

Wang (60-70 years old): Elderly patient with ulcerated tongue, wasted flesh, and emaciated muscles. Mind burdened with complex worries, Yang Qi moves excessively, causing the Five Fluids to dry up, resulting in dryness. Harmless in winter. In summer, dwelling deep in forests and valleys with a tranquil mind can prolong life (Heart Yang Excess Damaging Fluids). Drink one cup of cow's milk every morning.

Chen: Autumn dryness re-injures, old ailments recur. Tonification and astringency are not suitable yet. Temporarily use sweet medicines to nourish the Stomach (Stomach Yin Deficiency).
Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Polygonatum Rhizoma (Yuzhu), Glehnia Root (Beishashen), Raw Licorice Root (Shenggancao), Poria (Fushen), Glutinous Rice Rootlets (Nuodaogenxu).

Certain Patient: "Treat upper dryness by regulating Qi, treat lower dryness by regulating Blood" is a definitive evaluation. Now, deficiency of the Yangming Stomach Fu organ, due to prolonged vomiting and regurgitation, treated with pungent drugs that consume and break Qi, fluids were劫ed (severely damaged). Stomach Qi does not descend, causing failure of intestinal transmission. The Classics state: "The Six Fu organs are supplemented by unblocking." Small effect after half a month, entirely depending on the technique of tonifying through unblocking. Is it merely treating dryness? Propose sweet-cold clear-tonification of Stomach Yin.
Fresh Rehmannia Root (Xianshengdi), Asparagus Tuber (Tiandong), Ginseng Root (Renshen), Sweet Pear Flesh (Tianlirou), Raw White Honey (Shengbaimi).

Zhang: Pulse is rapid and deficient, tongue red, thirsty, upper body dry, abdomen hot without appetite. This indicates fluids have been seized, Yin cannot ascend. Heart area feels warm and fluid-like. Use Zhi Gancao Decoction (Heat Seizing Yin Fluids).
Prepared Licorice Root (Zhigancao), Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), Rehmannia Root (Shengdi), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Ginseng Root (Renshen), Sesame Seed (Maren).

Certain Patient (Lady): Vexation and heat in the heart, coinciding with menstruation, yet heat and thirst persist. Clearing Lung Qi would be a major error. Use the Fumai Method.
Prepared Licorice Root (Zhigancao), Rehmannia Root (Shengdi), Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Ziziphus Seed (Zaoren), Sugarcane Juice (Zhejiang).

Certain Patient: Yang fluids and Yin liquids severely injured, residual heat lingers unresolved. Evening tidal fever, tongue color like hematite. Frequent drinking to save against hyperactive Yang burning, yet ultimately unable to quench thirst. Form and pulse both deficient, difficult to administer Baihu Tang. Propose Zhongjing's Fumai method. Due to less pathogen and more deficiency, allowing the Yin of the Shaoyin and Jueyin organs to slightly revive, hoping to restore Stomach Gate function. Because the left Guan and Chi positions are empty, rapid, and failing to store, this is not suitable for prolonged delay.
Ginseng Root (Renshen), Rehmannia Root (Shengdi), Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Prepared Licorice Root (Zhigancao), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang), Jujube (Dazao).

Dryness is a disease of dryness, astringency, and blockage. Internal injury and external contraction should be distinguished. External contraction arises from prevailing wind-heat in the seasons, or from exuberant pathogens in late autumn, initially injuring the Qi level of the Upper Jiao. The method prioritizes pungent-cool and sweet-moistening for Lung and Stomach, such as Yu Shi's Qingzao Jiufei Tang, and the Master's use of Polygonatum Rhizoma (Yuzhu), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mendong), Mulberry Leaf (Sangye), Peppermint (Bohe), Pear Skin (Lipi), and Licorice (Gancao). Internal injury is the person's fundamental disease, resulting from depletion of essence and blood downward, or due to biased intake of drying agents. The disease starts from the Yin aspect of the Lower Jiao. The method prefers pure Yin quiet herbs to softly nourish Liver and Kidney, such as Dabu Dihuang Wan and Liuwei Wan. Know that this syndrome greatly forbids bitter-astringent substances, and most favors sweet-soft ones. If Qi level is mismanaged, it extends to Blood; if lower disease is mismanaged, it withers upwards. Symptoms include asthma, cough, flaccidity, tetany, three consumptions, and hiccup/regurgitation, all originating here. Generally, when fluids coagulate causing disease, assist with pungent-unblocking aromas; when essence and blood exhaust causing disease, rely on animal-derived tonics. For exterior conditions, assist with wind-dispelling herbs to succeed; for Fu organs, slow unblocking is essential. Ancient methods like Zizao Yangying Tang, Runchang Wan, Wuren Tang, Qiongyu Gao, Yidan, and cattle/sheep milk each have specific applications. (Shao Xinpu)

Xu's Commentary: Some dryness arises from wind, requiring simultaneous treatment of wind, which is not fully covered in the cases.