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Treating diseases has specific indications for cold, heat, tonification, and purgation; there are also cases where cold and heat, or tonification and purgation, should be used simultaneously. For example, in the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), there is the Fuzi Xie Xin Tang (Aconite Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium), which uses Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root Lateralis), representing the simultaneous use of cold and hot herbs; there is also Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang (Bupleurum Decoction with Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell), which uses Renshen (Ginseng Root), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome), and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), representing the simultaneous use of tonification, purgation, cooling, and warming. In the *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), there is Dahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Rhubarb, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction) and the Beiji Wan (Emergency Rescue Pill) containing Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger Rhizome), and Badou (Croton Seed). These are all subtle applications by ancient sages that hit the crux of the matter precisely; one should investigate the reasons for their use and follow their examples. Nowadays, some people fear that cooling medicines are too cold or heating medicines are too hot; this shows they only know the cold and hot nature of drugs but do not understand the excess and deficiency of pathogenic factors and healthy qi in diseases. However, there are also cases where the simultaneous use of cold, heat, tonification, and purgation is highly appropriate, yet such practitioners are mocked by those who do not understand the Dao of medicine. The explanation is: The simultaneous use of cold, heat, tonification, and purgation can be mastered by seeking it within the context of pathogenic factors, healthy qi, excess, and deficiency.

The term "Guanliao Yao" (Official Grade Medicines) refers to high-quality herbs from the Imperial Pharmacy. Recently, some have claimed that conditions such as Huodan (Fire Jaundice), Huangdan (Jaundice), and Zhangzhong (Distension and Swelling) should not take Guanliao Yao; this is truly the talk of ignorant villagers. Guanliao Yao mostly consists of herb roots and tree barks; why distinguish between herbal medicines that are not official grade and official grade medicines that are not herbal? From Shennong to the present, medicinal herbs number over 610 species, plus 9 weed species, and 153 species with names but unused. Among them, many have names but unknown forms, and many have forms but unknown names. If one consults the *Tujing* (Illustrated Canon) to match herb shapes and uses the herb's therapeutic effects to correspond to meridians, it is feasible. However, relying on illiterate carriers who cannot identify them there and name them arbitrarily, even if one tries to trace herbs according to classics, they will hand over arbitrary substitutes. The person obtaining them will not know right from wrong; how can such things be casually tried!

Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) is an ancient sage formula, stored in the Golden Cabinet, hence named Jingui Fang (Golden Cabinet Formula). Humans inherit the primordial Yin and Yang Water and Fire, generating the Five Phases of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. This formula tonifies primordial essence and qi, communicating with the Five Zang Organs, hence named Shenqi Wan. It uses Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) eight liang to nourish the Essence of Tianyi (Heavenly One); eight is the Yin number obtained by men. It uses one Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root Lateralis) weighing one liang to assist the Fire of Di'er (Earth Two); two is the end of Yin numbers, and one is the beginning of generating Yang, thus assisting the Yang born within Yin. Generally, the Water and Fire of the two Kidneys interact mutually, and Yin and Yang combine; therefore, Dihuang (Rehmannia Root) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root Lateralis) are used to assist the primordial Water and Fire essence and qi. Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) [Note: Ancient formulas originally used Guizhi] unblocks Kidney Qi to generate Liver Qi; Cinnamon is red and is the chief of hundred trees; the Liver governs Blood and belongs to Wood. Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) unblocks Kidney Qi, sending it upward to communicate with the Heart and Spleen; Dan (Red) belongs to Fire and governs Blood; Mu (Oyster Shell/Male aspect) represents the rising of Yang within Yin. The Kidney and Lung are both reservoirs of water. Zexie (Alisma Rhizome) can move water upwards and drain water downwards, primarily regulating the unified Qi of Heaven and Water; therefore, Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), and Zexie (Alisma Rhizome) are paired to guide the Water and Fire of the Kidney to ascend and communicate with the other four Zang Organs. Fuling (Poria) settles Heart Qi to descend and communicate; Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome) cultivates Spleen Earth to transform water; Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit) is the fruit of wood, sour in taste and red in color, and can guide Liver Qi to communicate with the Kidney; therefore, Fuling (Poria), Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit), and Zexie (Alisma Rhizome) are paired to guide the Qi of the four Zang Organs to descend and communicate with the Kidney. The Heart and Lung are Yang, so their dosage is three liang (an odd number); the Liver and Spleen are Yin, so their dosage is four liang (an even number). This cultivates Spirit, Qi, and Blood, facilitating the divine communication of the Five Zang Organs and Five Phases; these components must not be omitted. Qian Zhongyang of the Song Dynasty believed that Yang is often in excess and Yin is often deficient, removing Gui (Cinnamon) and Fu (Aconite) to create Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia). Although Essence and Blood should indeed be tonified, does Spirit and Qi not need nourishment? Later generations added Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), or Gouqi (Goji Berry) and Juhua (Chrysanthemum Flower), or Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), completely losing the original appearance. The method of modification is suitable for treating diseases in individuals with Yin deficiency and flourishing Fire, but if one wishes to regulate Yin and Yang, preserve and nourish Essence and Qi, harmonize Water and Fire, communicate the Five Phases, extend life, and achieve immortality, one must constantly take this Golden Elixir. Yuan Ru said: Essence is generated by the Five Zang Organs and stored downward in the Kidney; Kidney Qi ascends to transform and generate this Essence; therefore, after the Five Zang Organs communicate, Essence and Qi become sufficient.