Library

The treatment for excess heat (Re Yin) should be balanced with salty and cold substances. For instance, when various Qi resides in the Earthly Branches (Zai Quan) and cold invades internally, treat it with sweet substances; if fire invades internally, treat it with salty and cold substances. This is because pathogenic Qi that has become excessive must be counteracted to restore balance. Therefore, regulation depends on the prevalence of cold or heat at the specific location. "Treating excess" refers to addressing surplus pathogens, while "tonifying deficiency" refers to supporting deficient healthy Qi, thereby harmonizing the Upper (Heavenly/Si Tian) and Lower (Earthly/Zai Quan) Qi. Zhang Jiebin stated: The following sections discuss treatment methods. "Tonifying" addresses insufficiency, while "treating" addresses excess. "Upper" refers to Si Tian (Heavenly Qi), and "Lower" refers to Zai Quan (Earthly Qi). "Following" implies aligning with the Qi's nature, such as using pungent flavors to tonify the Lung or sweet flavors to tonify the Spleen. "Opposing" implies countering the Qi's nature, such as using bitter flavors to treat the Lung or sour flavors to treat the Spleen. One must adjust according to the disease's location and the appropriate balance of cold/heat and excess/deficiency.

My commentary: Si Tian governs Heavenly commands from above, while Zai Quan governs Earthly transformations from below. Regarding Si Tian: Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire), Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire), and Han Shui (Cold Water) often correspond to Yang years; Feng Mu (Wind Wood), Shi Tu (Damp Earth), and Zao Jin (Dry Metal) often correspond to Yin years. In Yang years, the Qi is Excessive (Tai Guo); in Yin years, it is Deficient (Bu Ji). Deficiency requires tonification; excess requires treatment. When Shao Yin Si Tian occurs with excessive Jun Huo, use salty-cold to calm it; when Shao Yang Si Tian occurs with excessive Xiang Huo, use sour-cold to calm it; when Tai Yang Si Tian occurs with excessive Han Shui, use pungent-hot to calm it. This is termed "Opposing." When Jue Yin Si Tian occurs with excess Qing (Clear/Cold), treat with sour-warm; when Tai Yin Si Tian occurs with excess Shi (Damp), assist with sweet-pungent; when Yang Ming Si Tian occurs with excess Zao (Dry), treat with pungent-cold. This is termed "Following."

*Su Wen: Liu Yuan Zheng Ji Da Lun* states: Under Tai Yang Si Tian governance, the Qi transformation operates ahead of the seasonal timing.

Wang Bing explained: The six stages of Qi (growth, development, transformation,收 [harvest/storage]) all arrive before their respective seasons. Other years follow this pattern of being "ahead." Zhang Zhicong stated: This generally discusses the Six Qi governing the year and the phases. Those governing the year are Si Tian and Zai Quan; those governing the phases are Zhu Qi (Main Qi) and Ke Qi (Adventitious Qi). Although the Six Qi are distributed in parts, Si Tian Qi is the master of the year, hence "Under Tai Yang Si Tian governance, Qi transformation operates ahead." Zi, Wu, Yin, Shen, Chen, Xu are the six Yang years where Qi is excessive; Chou, Wei, Mao, You, Si, Hai are the six Yin years where Qi is deficient. Thus, excessive Qi arrives early, and deficient Qi arrives late. Zhang Jiebin noted in *Qi Jiao Bian Da Lun*: Excess is early (Qian), deficiency is late (Hou).

The Heavenly Qi becomes solemn, the Earthly Qi becomes quiet. Cold descends upon the Great Void, Yang Qi fails to act, and Water and Earth virtues combine. The grains are black. Therefore, in such years, one should use bitter flavors to dry dampness and warm cold.

Xin Zheng Xiao commented: The nine characters "Therefore, in such years, one should use bitter flavors to dry and warm" belong under "Avoid empty evils to stabilize upright Qi" and are misplaced here. Wu Kun stated: Since Cold Water governs Si Tian, the Qi is solemn; since Damp Earth governs Zai Quan, the Qi is quiet. Black corresponds to the water color of Si Tian; yellow corresponds to the earth color of Zai Quan. It is suitable to dry dampness and warm cold. Bitter flavor is used because it can overcome heat and dry dampness, while warming overcomes cold. This harmonizes the correct flavors so that Upper and Lower virtues unite. Ma Shi stated: The six stages of Qi arrive ahead of time. Therefore, in Chen and Xu years, bitter flavors should be used to dry Damp Earth and warm Cold Water.

My commentary: In the ten years of Chen and Xu, Cold-Damp appears in the Qi intersection, causing public diseases. Chen Wuzhe prescribed Jing Shun Tang, containing Pao Fu Pian (Prepared Aconite), Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger), Fu Ling (Poria), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), Gan Cao (Licorice), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), He Zi (Chebula), and Mu Gua (Chaenomeles). Miao Wen explained this formula: Fu Zi acts as the Sovereign herb to warm the Tai Yang channel; Pao Jiang acts as the Minister herb to warm Tai Yin Yang; Fu Ling and Niu Xi guide Fu Zi specifically to the Lower Jiao; Gan Cao and Fang Feng guide Pao Jiang upward to the Spleen Earth; He Zi’s sour property awakens the Stomach, and Mu Gua’s sour property enters the Spleen and astringes Lung Metal, preventing uncontrolled pungent-heat. Fang Feng and Fu Pian circulate through the twelve channels; together they eliminate exterior and interior cold-damp. This is the major method of warming and drying.

One must break the stagnant Qi and first nourish its source of transformation.

Wang Bing explained: The source of transformation refers to acting in the ninth month to tonify Heart Fire. Xin Zheng Xiao commented: When Water is about to prevail, one should first act in the ninth month to take its source and drain Kidney source. Since Water reigns in the tenth month, acting in the ninth drains Water to tonify Fire. Wu Kun explained: Stagnant Qi arises when Tai Yang Cold Water governs Si Tian, preventing Fire from ascending and clarifying, causing self-stagnation; or when Tai Yin Damp Earth governs Zai Quan, preventing Water from flowing freely, causing self-stagnation. Stagnation leads to disease, which must be broken. Nourishing the source means supporting the source of generation. If Fire lacks nourishment, support its mother (Wood); if Water lacks nourishment, support its mother (Metal). Zhang Zhicong explained: The source of transformation refers to the Five Movements as the source of the Six Qi. Breaking stagnant Qi means breaking the Qi that causes stagnation. In Tai Zheng years (Excessive Fire Movement) with Tai Yang Si Tian, Fire Movement suffers stagnation; in Tai Yu years (Excessive Water Movement) with Tai Yin Zai Quan, Water Movement suffers stagnation. Thus, one should use drying to break Tai Yin Earth and warming to break Tai Yang Cold. Ma Shi explained: Breaking stagnant Qi means breaking the incoming victorious Qi to disperse the oppressed Qi. In *Ben Bing Pian*, in Chen-Xu years, Wood Qi rises but is blocked by Tian Zhu victory... In *Ci Fa Lun*, for Wood Qi unable to rise, prick the Jing-Well point Da Dun of Foot Jueyin Liver Channel; for Fire wanting to descend but unable to enter Earth, prick Yong Quan (Jing-Well of Foot Shaoyin Kidney Channel) and Wei Zhong (He-Sea of Foot Taiyang Bladder Channel) to break stagnant Qi. Nourishing the source involves taking the source and draining it. For excess years, drain; for deficient years, tonify. According to *Ci Fa Lun*, one should take the source. Thus, for excess, take it; for deficiency, nourish it. Taking suppresses stagnation; nourishing supports the Movement. These methods come from *Xuan Zhu Mi Yu*. Therefore, excess years should be called "Taking," and deficient years "Nourishing." However, in this text, Chen-Xu cycles say "Nourish" instead of "Take," and Chou-Wei cycles say "Take" instead of "Nourish." These are interchangeable expressions. If Yang Ming and Jue Yin cycles are called "Nourish," and Shao Yang and Shao Yin cycles are called "Take," it aligns with *Ci Fa Pian*. Zhang Jiebin stated: Breaking stagnant Qi drains excess; nourishing the source tonifies deficiency.

Suppress the Movement Qi and support what cannot withstand it.

Wang Bing explained: In Tai Jue years (Excessive Wood), Spleen cannot withstand; in Tai Zheng years (Excessive Fire), Lung cannot withstand; in Tai Gong years (Excessive Earth), Kidney cannot withstand; in Tai Shang years (Excessive Metal), Liver cannot withstand; in Tai Yu years (Excessive Water), Heart cannot withstand. This is the suitability of the year. However, under Tai Yang Si Tian, for five years, it is generally suitable to first assist Heart Qi and then support Kidney Qi. Wu Kun explained: Suppressing Movement Qi and supporting the weak means, for example, in Tai Jue (Wood) years, if Wood is excessive and Earth cannot withstand, one should suppress Wood and cultivate Earth. Zhang Zhicong explained: In Tai Jue years, if Wind-Wood prevails excessively, Earth is controlled; thus, suppress Wind-Wood and support Earth's inability to withstand. Similarly, in Tai Zheng years, if Fire Movement is excessive, Metal Qi is controlled; thus, suppress excessive Fire and support Metal's inability to withstand. This harmonizes the Movement and regulates transformation to prevent sudden excess from causing disease. The same applies to Shao Yang and Shao Yin years.

Do not allow violent excess to generate disease. Eat grains of the year to preserve true Qi. Avoid empty evils to stabilize upright Qi.

Wang Bing explained: Excess Wood harms Spleen; excess Fire harms Lung; excess Earth harms Kidney; excess Metal harms Liver; excess Water harms Heart. The same applies to Heaven and Earth Qi. "Grains of the year" refer to yellow and black grains. "Empty evil" refers to wind coming from the opposing direction. Wu Kun explained: Grains of the year are those receiving the strongest Qi of the year, thus preserving truth. Empty evils are the Eight Winds of Heaven arriving out of season; those arriving late are called empty evils because they come from the empty/vacant direction. Zhang Zhicong explained: Grains of the year mature by sensing Si Tian and Zai Quan Qi, eating them preserves Heaven and Earth's primordial truth. Empty evils refer to pathogens that reverse and overpower the intermediate Qi. For example, in Tai Yang Si Tian years, during the First Phase, Shao Yang Ministerial Fire rules, but Cold reverses and prevails... Ma Shi explained: Black and yellow grains are grains of the year. Empty evils are the empty evils and thieving winds of the Eight Winds coming from behind.

Regulate based on the similarity or difference of Qi and their magnitude. For those similar to Cold-Damp, use Drying-Hot transformation; for those different from Cold-Damp, use Drying-Damp transformation.

Wang Bing explained: In Tai Gong, Tai Shang, and Tai Yu years, Qi is similar to Cold-Damp, so treat with Drying-Hot. In Tai Jue and Tai Zheng years, Qi is different from Cold-Damp, so treat with Drying-Damp. Wu Kun explained: "Shi" means meeting. Qi refers to Si Tian and Zai Quan. Similarity/difference refers to whether the Main Movement matches them. Matching makes it Tian Fu, Sui Hui, etc.; mismatching makes it Ping. Regulating magnitude means adjusting medicinal properties based on the degree of Qi. Zhang Zhicong explained: This discusses how Five Movements and Si Tian/Zai Quan have similarities/differences, affecting the quantity of flavors. "Shi" means to measure. Measure the similarity/difference to regulate. If similar to Cold-Damp (e.g., Tai Yu, Tai Gong), use more Drying-Hot flavors to control dampness and transform cold. If different (e.g., Tai Zheng, Tai Jue, Tai Shang), use less Drying-Damp flavors, using damp to moisten hot Qi and dry to control Wind-Wood.

Therefore, for similar Qi, use more; for different Qi, use less.

Wang Bing explained: More refers to Drying-Hot; less refers to Drying-Damp. Use varies by year. Zhang Zhicong explained: Similar Qi is abundant, so use more; different Qi is isolated, so use less.

When using Cold, avoid Cold seasons; when using Cool, avoid Cool seasons; when using Warm, avoid Warm seasons; when using Hot, avoid Hot seasons. Diet should follow the same principles. If there is an exception (reversal), act contrary to normal. Violating this causes disease, known as "Timing."

Wang Bing explained: Timing refers to Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and intermediate Qi positions. Generally, avoid matching the season. However, if Six Qi invade and abnormal Cold/Hot/Warm/Cool is needed to cure disease, do not avoid it. For example, under Tai Yang Si Tian, if treating cold disease with hot medicine, do not avoid Summer heat. This is "exception reversing normal." Diet follows drug principles. Without exceptions, violating norms creates disease. Wu Kun explained: Using cold drugs requires avoiding cold seasonal Qi; using cool drugs requires avoiding cool seasonal Qi. "Diet follows same principle" includes residence and clothing. Seasonal Qi may have exceptions acting as counter-agents, reversing norms. Violating timing causes disease. Zhang Zhicong explained: This discusses Si Tian, Zai Quan, and intermediate Qi additions having appropriate Cold/Hot/Warm/Cool uses, which must generally be avoided. For example, under Tai Yang Si Tian, one should use Hot to warm, but during the First Phase (Shao Yang Ministerial Fire), one must avoid this Fire Heat before using Hot. Conversely, under Shao Yin Zai Quan, one should use Cold to clear, but during the Fourth Phase (Tai Yang Cold Water), one must avoid this Cold before using Cold. Exceptions occur when weather reverses timing (e.g., Tai Yang Si Tian First Phase is Shao Yang Fire but weather is cold; use Hot without avoiding Cold). This is "weather reversing timing." This chapter discusses regulating correct flavors to harmonize discordant Qi movements. Eating grains of the year preserves Heaven and Earth's true Qi. Avoiding empty evils stabilizes the upright Qi of the phases. Measuring Qi similarity/difference adjusts Five Movements and Six Qi. Using Cold/Hot avoids corresponding seasonal Qi. Exceptions reverse this to treat irregular four-season Qi. Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Qi has virtue/transformation, administration, victory/reversal, and change/disaster. Humans live in the Qi intersection; harmonizing movement and transformation ensures Upper and Lower virtues unite without conflict. Five Movements should proceed correctly, settling suppressed Qi, aiming for balance, so violent excess does not arise and severe diseases do not occur. This is the great way of life preservation according to times. Ma Shi explained: Exceptions allow using contrary methods when pathogen overwhelms the host (e.g., using Hot in extreme Summer cold). Normally, avoiding seasonal Qi is the correct method. Exceptions exist because Main Qi is insufficient and Adventitious Qi prevails; borrowing opposite Qi supports Upright Qi against Adventitious Qi. Zhang Jiebin explained: Exception reversing normal means Qi has borrowed nature contrary to norm (e.g., Summer turns Winter, Winter turns Summer). Reversal causes disease due to violating timing.

My commentary: *Xuan Zhu Mi Yu* states: When Water is about to prevail, use Sweet to calm it, penalize Kidney excess, use Bitter to complete it, tonify Heart deficiency, and advise against Salty foods to aid Kidney deficiency. Tai Yang governs Cold Water, dominating the exterior, representing Heart/Lung Yang, controlling Ying and Wei. Wei circulates outside vessels, susceptible to Wind; Ying circulates inside vessels, susceptible to Cold. Zhang Zhongjing used Gui Zhi Tang for Wind Strike and Ma Huang Tang for Cold Damage. San Yin's treatment focuses on Tai Yang years; Zhang Zhongjing's treatment focuses on Tai Yang channels. Both targets and roots prioritize Warming and Drying, integrating into one principle.

Yang Ming Si Tian governance: Qi transformation operates after the seasonal timing.

Wang Bing explained: The six stages of Qi growth, development, transformation, and harvest, along with all activities, occur after the seasonal timing. Other minor years follow suit. Ma Shi explained: This describes Yang Ming Si Tian governance, where Main Qi combines with Adventitious Qi, influencing weather, public disease, and treatment. All Yang Ming Si Tian years (Mao-You cycles: Yi-Mao, Ding-Mao, Xin-Mao, Gui-Mao, Yi-You, Ding-You, Ji-You, Xin-You, Gui-You) are deficient years.

Heavenly Qi is urgent; Earthly Qi is bright. Yang monopolizes its command, summer heat is intense, motion brings dryness hardening things, pure wind governs, wind-dryness moves horizontally, flowing into the Qi intersection. There is much Yang and little Yin. Clouds gather at the Rain House, and Damp transformation spreads.

Wang Bing explained: Rain House is the location of Tai Yin. Wu Kun explained: Dry Metal governs Si Tian, hence urgent; Jun Fire governs Zai Quan, hence bright. Rain House is the North Pole. Zhang Zhicong explained: Metal command is above, so Heavenly Qi is sharp; Jun Fire is below, so Earthly Qi is bright. Yang Ming above, Jun Fire below, so Yang-Heat is abundant and things dry/harden. The initial phase is Jue Yin Wind Wood. In excessive years, Adventitious Qi wins; in deficient years, Adventitious Qi is weak and follows Main Qi. Hence pure wind governs. Zhang Jiebin explained: Yang monopolizes command, heat is intense, Wood fears nothing, so pure wind governs. Metal-Wood Qi run parallel, so wind-dryness crosses the year movement, flowing into the Qi intersection. Much Yang, little Yin indicates Fire Qi prevailing.

Dryness reaches extremity and produces moisture.

Wang Bing explained: When Dryness Qi ends, it transforms into rain/moisture, marking the division of the third phase. Wu Kun explained: This is the image of Metal generating Water. Zhang Zhicong explained: Si Tian Dry Metal ends the third phase and transitions to the fourth phase's Cold Water and Damp Earth, hence dryness extremity yields moisture. Ma Shi explained: Dryness extremity bringing rain marks the third phase division. Zhang Jiebin explained: Extreme Dryness transforms into rain/moisture, combining Fire and Earth Qi in the intersection. Rain House is where Earth accumulates thick dampness.

Its grains are White and Red (Dan).

Wang Bing explained: Generated by Heaven and Earth righteous Qi. Wu Kun explained: White corresponds to Si Tian Metal color; Red corresponds to Zai Quan Fire color. Zhang Zhicong explained: Grains maturing by sensing Si Tian and Zai Quan Qi are grains of the year.

Inter-grains are named by the Excessive (Tai).

Wang Bing explained: Naming by Excessive refers to the transformations of Tai Jue, Tai Shang, etc., generated by inter-Qi, hence called inter-grains. Xin Zheng Xiao commented: According to *Xuan Zhu*, grains of the year are those from Zai Quan and its left/right inter-positions. Grains from Si Tian and Movement inter-positions are called inter-grains. Another type of inter-grain arises from deficiency leading to reversal victory. Wu Kun explained: Inter-grains receive Left/Right inter-Qi. Grains of the year are White/Red; others (Black, Yellow, Green) are inter-grains. Named "Excessive" because they receive strong Qi; small/thin Qi is insignificant. Zhang Zhicong explained: Yang Ming above, Left is Tai Yang, Right is Shao Yang. Yang Ming is Minor, Tai/Shao Yang are Excessive. Hence "Inter-grains named Excessive." Tai Yang below is Jue Yin; Shao Yang below is Tai Yin. Sensing these four Qi forms inter-grains. Only mentioning Upper Excessive implies Lower two are known. Numbering starts above and ends below. Zhang Jiebin explained: Excess Qi is abundant. Besides standard grains, left/right inter-transformations are inter-grains. Excessive ones receive strong inter-Qi and thrive; deficient ones receive thin Qi and fail. Two interpretations exist: 1. Si Tian Excessive implies Zai Quan Deficient, and vice versa. In Mao-You years, Yang Ming (Minor) Si Tian, Shao Yin (Excessive) Zai Quan. Naming Excessive refers to Zai Quan inter-Qi (Left Tai Yin/Yellow, Right Jue Yin/Green). 2. Deficient years mention inter-grains; excessive years do not, implying victory/control Qi are inter-grains. E.g., Mao-You Metal deficient, Fire wins/Wood strong -> Red/Green grains. Yi-Hai Wood deficient, Metal wins/Earth strong -> White/Yellow grains. Chou-Wei Earth deficient, Wood wins/Water strong -> Green/Black grains. All named Excessive. Thus, for Jun/Xiang Huo/Han Shui Si Tian years (Excessive), there are no Excessive-named inter-grains. This is based on year Qi. Generally, year conditions vary; abundance leads to strong reception and grain density differences. Since they are not from the year's standard transformation, they are called inter-grains. Seek them via Qi.

My commentary: In the ten years of Mao-You, Yang Ming Si Tian, Clearing-Heat Qi appears in the Qi intersection, causing disease. Chen Wuzhe prescribed Shen Ping Tang, containing Tian Dong, Shan Yu Bai Shao, Yuan Zhi, Tan Xiang, Bai Zhu, Sheng Jiang, Gan Cao. Miao Wen explained: Metal Dryness and Fire Intensity require Salty, Bitter, and Pungent. Salty suppresses Fire; Bitter/Pungent assists Metal. Tian Dong (Bitter/Neutral/Moist) transforms dryness, suppresses Yang, treats bleeding, promotes urination, a Lung specialty herb. If Metal fails in virtue, Liver suffers. Shan Yu Rou tonifies Liver Yang; Bai Shao nourishes Liver Yin. Fire sits below, flares up; Yuan Zhi (Pungent) benefits Kidney, guides Jun Fire down; Zi Tan (Cold) nourishes Ying, controls Sunlight. Bai Zhu generates fluids; Sheng Jiang disperses Fire; Gan Cao moistens Liver, drains Heart. The subtlety of flavor combination is remarkable.

Therefore, eat grains of the year to stabilize Qi; eat inter-grains to remove evil. In such years, use Cold, Bitter, and Pungent flavors. Sweat, Clear, and Disperse. Stabilize movement and transformation, prevent evil invasion, break stagnant Qi, and nourish the source of transformation.

Wang Bing explained: Source of transformation refers to acting in the sixth month. Xin Zheng Xiao commented: Metal reigns in the seventh month, so oppose it in the sixth to drain Metal Qi. Wu Kun explained: Si Tian wins with White; Zai Quan wins with Red. Inter-grain colors include Black, Yellow, Green. Mixing colors balances bias, removing evil. For these ten years (Yang Ming Si Tian, Shao Yin Zai Quan): Salty moistens dryness; Bitter overcomes heat; Pungent clears dryness-heat. Exterior: sweat; Interior: clear; Stagnant: disperse. This is the treatment method. Stabilizing means following movement (ascending/descending/floating/sinking). Yang Ming Dry Metal Si Tian causes Wood stagnation (unable to grow); Shao Yin Jun Fire Zai Quan causes Metal stagnation (unable to settle). Must promote Wood flow and Metal settlement to break stagnation. Wood disease: nourish Water; Metal disease: nourish Earth. Adjusting mother Qi nourishes the source of generation. Zhang Zhicong explained: Use Cold to clear Jun Fire heat; Pungent to moisten Yang Ming dryness; Bitter to drain internal stagnant Fire. Sweat to resolve exterior cold; Clear to eliminate interior evil; Disperse to resolve winter warmth. Due to deficient movement, stabilize to prevent evil. Break Si Tian/Zai Quan winning Qi; secondarily nourish Five Movements' source. Ma Shi explained: In *Ben Bing Pian*, Mao-You years, Tai Yang rising is blocked by Tian Rui victory...