Library

The source of sweat generation has two aspects: one originates from the blood that fills the skin and warms the muscles; when this blood transforms into liquid, it becomes sweat, which is referred to as superficial sweat (Biao Han); the other originates from the Stomach Fu organ of the Yangming channel, which is sweat derived from water metabolism. Therefore, superficial sweat should only be induced slightly, for fear of damaging the blood and causing the escape of Yang Qi; whereas sweat derived from water metabolism may be allowed to flow profusely like water. Mahuang Tang is a formula for releasing the exterior (Fa Biao). The stem of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) is hollow and fine as hair, capable of opening the closure of pathogenic factors between the skin and hair follicles. Where Ephedrae Herba grows, snow does not accumulate in winter, indicating its ability to unblock Yang Qi beneath the extreme Yin. Furthermore, the Lung governs the skin and hair follicles; thus, Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Xingren) is combined to benefit Lung Qi, because once the internal orifices are unblocked, the external orifices can also be unblocked. If Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) is combined, it directly releases water-derivative sweat from the Yangming channel, and it is no longer a formula for releasing the exterior. (A single herb addition creates a significant difference; how can the modifications in formula composition be neglected!) In cases of difficult urination, combining Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Xingren) with Bazheng San results in an immediate response upon adding these two herbs internally, because when the external orifices are unblocked, the internal orifices become unblocked, and when the upper orifices are unblocked, the lower orifices naturally flow freely. While I was at Tiaoxi, I treated a patient with edema characterized by abdominal distension and skin swelling. After long-term use of Bazheng San, Hupo San, Wuzi Yanzong Wan, and Wupi Yin, the patient still suffered from dribbling urine and extreme pain. I said, "Although this is a deficiency syndrome, if water metabolism fails, the edema will not subside, and if the edema does not subside, how can the Healthy Qi (Zheng Qi) recover?" It was summer, so I dared not use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) for fear of Yang escape and continuous sweating. Instead, I prescribed equal parts of Perillae Folium (Zisuye), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Xingren), decocted in water for warm intake, covered with blankets to induce slight sweating, which resulted in the prompt discharge of water via urination. The next day, upon visiting the patient's room, I found that several buckets' worth of water had been spilled around the bed, and all bedding and curtains were thoroughly soaked. The patient stated, "After taking the medicine yesterday, without any effort to induce sweating, my urine flowed like a stream, too fast to reach the chamber pot, so I urinated while sitting on the bed, hence the mess below. By dawn, unexpectedly, urination continued, too urgent to get out of bed, hence the wet bedding. Now, my abdominal fullness and swelling have disappeared, and all pain and discomfort are resolved. I deeply appreciate your miraculous healing power." I replied, "Not yet. This is merely treating the branch in acute situations. Your etiology involves damage to Fire (Heart/Mingmen Fire) and Earth (Spleen), leading to water flooding, which is a chronic deficiency syndrome. Fire represents the original Qi (Yuan Qi) of the body; it is necessary to wait for the recovery of Spleen Qi and Original Qi before ensuring complete health." I then departed and prescribed Liujunzi Tang minus Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gancao), added with Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo), Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum (Paojiang), and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Shufuzi), to be decocted strongly and taken warm daily. I also prepared a batch of pills from this formula for administration at Si hour (9-11 AM) and Wei hour (1-3 PM), thereby discontinuing the decoction. Half a year later, the patient's brother came to thank me with local products, saying, "My younger brother has fully recovered." I said, "In such syndromes, even if water metabolism resumes, if Healthy Qi does not recover, death from recurring swelling is common. My patient survived due to his destiny not being ended, not solely due to my merit. Nevertheless, where pathogens gather, Healthy Qi must be deficient. If, at the initial stage of swelling, methods of inducing sweating and promoting water metabolism are employed, Healthy Qi can recover easily. Physicians who do not know these methods and rely solely on draining and purgative herbs to promote urination may reduce swelling but fail to eliminate the root cause through the Weilu (gate of the kidney/bladder), akin to diverting disaster to a neighboring state! Long-term use of draining herbs depletes Healthy Qi day by day; prolonged retention of water extinguishes Fire and Earth gradually. Only then applying this method would be of no avail!"