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Yellow Emperor asked, "How should this be treated?" Qibo replied, "In cases where pathogenic factors are in the Earth (influencing the lower body or interior), if Wind excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Pungent-Cool herbs. Bitter and Sweet herbs should be used as assistants. Sweet herbs are used to relieve hepatic urgency, and Pungent herbs are used to disperse Wind."

Wang Bing commented: "Wind's nature prefers warmth and dislikes coolness; therefore, Cool herbs are used to treat it, which is to counteract the excess pathogen. Bitter herbs are added as assistants to follow the beneficial direction. Wood (Liver) suffers from urgency, so Sweet herbs should be eaten to relax it; Liver desires dispersion, so Pungent herbs should be eaten to disperse it. This refers to the statement in *Suwen: Zangqi Fashi Lun*: 'When the Liver suffers from urgency, eat Sweet herbs quickly to relax it; when the Liver desires dispersion, eat Pungent herbs quickly to disperse it.' The character 'Shi' (eat) is pronounced like 'Si' (to feed). This is the general principle of medication. However, when formulating prescriptions, one need not use all of them strictly; once one or two assistant herbs have cured the disease, stop using them. The same applies to other pathogenic factors."

Wu Kun commented: "Lack of virtue is called 'Yin' (excess/abnormality). Wind pathogen entering the interior from the exterior is called 'Wind Yin Yu Nei'. Wind belongs to Wood Qi, and Metal can overcome Wood; thus, Pungent-Cool herbs are used for treatment. If Pungent-Cool is excessive, it may damage True Qi, so Bitter and Sweet herbs are used as assistants. Bitter overcomes Pungent, and Sweet tonifies Qi. Wood's nature is urgent, so Sweet herbs are used to relax it; Wood likes free flow, so Pungent herbs are used to disperse it."

Zhang Ji noted: "*Suwen: Zhizhen Yao Dalun* states 'When Wind Qi is great, Wood prevails,' and *Liuyuan Zhengji Dalun* states 'Wind diseases occur above.' *Feng Lun* states that Wind is the chief of a hundred diseases, moving swiftly and changing frequently. There are also Five Zang Winds. In *Zuo Zhuan*, Qin physician He said, 'Excess generates six illnesses,' with annotations explaining 'Yin' as excess. Flavors, smells, sounds, and colors nourish humans, but excess causes harm. Wind is only one of the Six Qi. Liu Wusou (Shouzhen) in his discussion of Six Qi diseases considered Wind as Jueyin Wind-Wood, which is the Qi transformation of the Liver. For Pungent-Cool exterior-resolving formulas, Zhang Zhongjing had Mahlian Lianqiao Xiaodou Tang (Mahuang, Forsythia, and Soybean Decoction) and Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction); Wujutong had Yinqiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder) and Sangju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction), all examples of Pungent-Cool muscle-relieving methods. However, Li Dongyuan's description of sudden fainting and loss of consciousness due to Stroke (Zhongfeng) belongs to primary Qi self-disease, not external pathogens. This results from injury to Zang Qi due to alcohol, sexual indulgence, labor, emotional stress, and improper diet. Wang Andao called this 'Lei Feng' (Similar Wind). This is a variant pattern of Wind, which cannot be reversed without large doses of Renshen (Ginseng) and Fuzi (Aconite Root), and should not be treated with Pungent-Cool herbs.

If Heat excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Salty-Cold herbs, assisted by Bitter and Sweet herbs. Sour herbs are used to astringe, and Bitter herbs are used to vent/discharge."

Wang Bing commented: "Heat's nature dislikes cold; thus, Cold herbs are used for treatment. When Heat is extremely abundant, even manifesting on the exterior, Bitter herbs are used to vent it. If venting does not resolve it completely, Cold herbs are used to control it; if Cold control is insufficient, Bitter herbs are used again to vent. Sour herbs are used to astringe. For severe cases, multiple prescriptions may be needed; for mild cases, one prescription suffices. For symptoms that come and go, Sour herbs are also used to astringe."

Wu Kun commented: "Heat belongs to Fire Qi, and Water can overcome Fire; thus, Salty-Cold herbs are used. Sweet herbs are added because Sweet overcomes Salty, preventing Salty herbs from being too harsh. Bitter herbs must be included to prevent excess Salty and to drain Heat, making it solid. When Heat scatters through the meridians, Sour herbs are used to astringe it; when Heat knots and does not scatter, Bitter herbs are used to vent it."

Zhang Zhicon commented: "Heat is Fire Qi, and Water can overcome it; thus, Salty-Cold herbs are appropriate. Assisted by Bitter and Sweet, Sweet overcomes Salty to prevent excess, while Bitter drains to remove Heat excess. Sour is the flavor of Wood; Fire is born from Wood. Using Sour herbs to astringe is to gather floating Fire back to its origin. When Heat is constrained internally and unresolved, Bitter herbs are used to vent it."

Zhang Ji noted: *Suwen*'s *Relun* and *Ping Relun* discuss Heat diseases in detail. Liu Wusou, in Six Qi diseases, stated that Hand Shaoyin Junfire Heat is the Qi transformation of the Heart and Small Intestine. Zhang Zhongjing's Bitter-Cold formula includes Huanglian Huangqin Tang (Coptis and Scutellaria Decoction), and Salty-Cold formula includes Huanglian Ejiao Tang (Coptis and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction). If severe, Yang pathogen sinks into Shaoyin, requiring three urgent purging methods using Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), all examples of Salty, Bitter, Sweet, and Cold treatments, known as Correct Treatment. Li Dongyuan mentioned summerheat stroke with stiffness, pain, restlessness, high skin temperature, and anhidrosis, attributing it to Yin cold from sexual activity suppressing Yang Qi, preventing its ascent, treating it with Dashun San (Great Harmony Powder). This is another variant of Heat Yin.

If Dampness excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Bitter-Hot herbs, assisted by Sour and Acrid/Light herbs. Bitter herbs are used to dry Dampness, and Light/Dan herbs are used to leach/draining."

Wang Bing commented: "Dampness is opposite to Dryness; thus, Bitter-Hot herbs are used, assisted by Sour and Dan (Light/Pale) herbs. Dryness removes Dampness, so Bitter herbs dry Dampness. Dan herbs benefit orifices, so Dan herbs leach Dampness. *Suwen: Zangqi Fashi Lun* states: 'The Spleen suffers from Dampness; eat Bitter herbs quickly to dry it.' *Lingshu Jing* mentions Dan herbs benefit orifices. *Shengqi Tongtian Lun* states: 'Overindulgence in Bitter flavors makes Spleen Qi unmoistened and Stomach Qi thick,' indicating Bitter is overly drying. New Correction notes: *Tianyuan Zhengji Dalun* states Taiyin in Earth has a transformation of Sweet-Warm."

Wu Kun commented: "Dampness belongs to Earth Qi. Bitter-Hot herbs transform via Fire and can dry Dampness, hence Bitter-Hot treatment. Sour transforms via Wood and can control Earth, hence assisted by Sour. But Dan must be included because Dan benefits orifices. If Sour is used without Dan, the thick flavor will moisten and aid Dampness, which is inappropriate. For Damp-Heat, Bitter dries; for Dampness causing edema, Dan leaches. Leaching involves percolation and sweating."

Zhang Ji noted: Du Tongfeng in *Shilun* (Discussion on Dampness) stated that Dampness is the steaming and moistening Qi of Yin and Yang in heaven and earth. When injuring humans, it first affects the lower part and tends to invade the Spleen and Stomach due to similar Qi seeking each other. Liu Wusou considered Foot Taiyin Damp-Earth as the Qi transformation of the Spleen and Stomach. For deficiency-cold patterns, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) warms and leaches; there are also examples like Wuling San (Five-Ling Powder) and Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction). If hands and feet are warm without jue-ni (cold extremities), Sini Tang (Reverse Reversal Decoction) methods can be applied. Bitter-Hot drying and Dan-leaching constitute correct treatment.

If Fire excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Salty-Cold herbs, assisted by Bitter and Pungent herbs. Sour herbs are used to astringe, and Bitter herbs are used to vent/discharge."

Wang Bing commented: "Fire Qi acts greatly, arising from anger in the heart and abdomen. Salty nature is soft, so it is used for treatment. According to major principles, if sweating is required, Pungent herbs are assisted; Bitter herbs are not necessarily needed to induce sweat. To achieve softness, Salty herbs are used. *Suwen: Zangqi Fashi Lun* states: 'The Heart desires softness; eat Salty herbs quickly to soften it; the Heart suffers from laxity; eat Sour herbs quickly to astringe it.' This is what is meant."

Wu Kun commented: "Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire) fears Fire, so Salty-Cold herbs are used. Bitter drains Heat, and Pungent nourishes. Both Bitter and Pungent drain Heat and nourish Yin. Sour herbs astringe, and Bitter herbs vent. The meaning is detailed under the 'Heat Yin' section above."

Zhang Ji noted: Shaoyang Xianghuo in the meridians governs half-exterior and half-interior. Zhang Zhongjing established Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) as a harmonizing method. If Fire knots severely forming Pi (glomus), there are Xiexin Decoctions (Drain the Epigastrium Formulas) such as Xuanfudaihzhe Tang (Inula and Oyster Shell Decoction), Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction), and Ganjiang Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Dry Ginger, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction). These treatments dissipate knots and remove fullness, all examples of Bitter-Cold clearing and cooling. Liu Wusou considered Shaoyang Xianghuo Heat as the Qi transformation of the Pericardium and Sanjiao. Thus, treatment has correct methods and variants. Liu Zongnong in *Huolun* (Discussion on Fire) stated that all movement belongs to Fire; Fire does not move randomly but arises upon contact. Humans exist in the intersection of Qi, moving more than resting; if Fire moves wildly, Yuan Qi is further damaged, so Fire diseases are numerous. Among the Nineteen Pathogenesis Statements in *Neijing*, five belong to Fire. However, Fire is divided into Junhuo (Ruler Fire) and Xianghuo (Ministerial Fire). Junhuo can be lightly suppressed, extinguished by water, or directly折 (broken) by herbs like Huangqin (Scutellaria) and Huanglian (Coptis). Xianghuo cannot be broken by water; its nature must be followed to suppress it. For Fire due to dietary/labor injury damaging Yuan Qi, Sweet-Warm agents are suitable. For Fire due to Yang hyperactivity and Yin deficiency burning blood, Sweet-Cold agents are suitable. For Fire blazing due to Left Kidney True Yin failure, Dihuang (Rehmannia) and Xuanshen (Scrophularia) strengthen Water to control Yang. For Fire decline due to Right Kidney Mingmen weakness, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuzi (Aconite) eliminate Yin and benefit Fire. For Stomach deficiency and cold food suppressing Yang Qi in Spleen Earth, Shengma (Cimicifuga) and Gegen (Pueraria) raise and disperse constrained Fire. Thus, treating Fire has many methods and cannot be generalized.

If Dryness excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Bitter-Warm herbs, assisted by Sweet and Pungent herbs. Bitter herbs are used to purge/downward-drain."

Wang Bing commented: "Warmth promotes flow, unlike Coolness; thus, Bitter herbs are used. 'Xia' (down/purge) means promoting flow to prevent stagnation. New Correction notes: *Zangqi Fashi Lun* states: 'The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi; eat Bitter herbs quickly to drain it; use Pungent to purge, Sour to tonify.' Also, below under 'Siantian Dryness Excess Prevails, Assist with Sour-Pungent', here it says 'Sweet-Pungent'; 'Sweet' is suspected to be a typo for 'Sour'. *Tianyuan Zhengji Dalun* also mentions Acid-Heat and Bitter-Warm treatments differently, stating 'Astringe with Sour to calm the lower, and if severe, drain with Bitter.'"

Wu Kun commented: "Dryness belongs to Metal Qi, and Fire can overcome Metal; thus, Bitter-Warm herbs are used because Bitter-Warm transforms via Fire. Sweet and Pungent are also Warm. If Dryness involves middle cold, assist with Sweet-Pungent. For Dry-Heat, purging with Bitter is appropriate."

Zhang Ji noted: *Suwen* Pathogenesis Nineteen Statements omitted Dryness because it combines with Wind-Heat transformation; only Wind-Heat was mentioned, with Dryness implied. Liu Wusou supplemented Six Qi diseases with 'All astringency, withering, drying, hardness, and scaling belong to Dryness,' considering Yangming Dry-Metal at the exterior of the Lung and Large Intestine. Wind overcomes Dampness; when Dampness leaves, Dryness arises. Dryness combined with Heat transformation becomes Fire. *I Ching* says: 'Nothing dries things like Fire.' Therefore, Yu Chang supplemented *Zaoqilun* (Discussion on Dryness Qi), using Sweet-Moist Mild-Cold herbs, establishing Qingzao Jiufei Tang (Clear Dryness Rescue Lung Decoction). Ye Gui also discussed Dryness Qi transforming into Fire, advocating Pungent-Cool and Sweet-Moist, i.e., after Dryness transformation, Fire Heat prevails, treated with Pungent-Cool assisted by Bitter-Sweet. This is the prevailing Qi of Dryness, not its fundamental Qi. Shen Munan in *Zaobinglun* (Discussion on Dryness Diseases) stated that Dryness command infects humans with Cool Qi; Liver Wood is injured becoming Dryness, so Dryness diseases belong to Cool, called Secondary Cold, similar to Shanghan (Cold Damage). Thus, it only says 'Dryness Yin Yu Nei, Treat with Bitter-Warm.' Shen Mingsheng in *Zaolun* compared treating Dryness to boiling a pot: Blood is the soup, Qi is the fire. If fire is fierce and soup boils, add wood to extinguish fire, like using Great Bitter-Great Cold agents such as Huangqin, Huanglian, Zhizi, Shigao, Pumixiao, and Dahuang to clear and descend Fire. If boiled long until dry, add new water to overcome fire, like using Dongdi (Winter Date), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia), Renshen, Danggui, and Baishao Sweet-Cold/Sweet-Warm agents to tonify Qi and Blood, so Dryness gets moisture and Fire is controlled. *Yilei Yuanrong* Dryness treatment formula suggests Northern pulse is slow/cold-Dryness, suitable for Warm-Hot herbs like Liuhuang, Fuzi, Rougui, and Ganjiang. Wu Tang in *Wenbing Tiaobian* (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases) Dryness chapter established Sangju Yin, Shashen Maidong Tang, and Qiaohe Tang for Prevailing Qi Dryness; established Xingsu Yin and Modified Guizhai Chaihu Ge Ban Tang for Fundamental Qi Dryness. Autumn Dryness Qi is light Dryness, heavy Cold, transforms to Dampness, and returns as Fire. Hence, scriptures mention Pungent-Cool and Bitter-Warm methods.

If Cold excess invades the interior, treatment should employ Sweet-Hot herbs, assisted by Bitter and Pungent herbs. Salty herbs are used to purge, Pungent herbs to moisten, and Bitter herbs to firm/solidify."

Wang Bing commented: "Using Heat to treat Cold destroys excess and breaks its momentum so it does not proliferate. Bitter and Pungent assistants are generally applicable. New Correction notes: *Zangqi Fashi Lun* states: 'The Kidney suffers from Dryness; eat Pungent herbs quickly to moisten it; the Kidney desires firmness; eat Bitter herbs quickly to firm it; use Bitter to tonify, Salty to purge.' Old annotations placed this under 'Dampness Yin Yu Nei' without meaning; now moved here."

Wu Kun commented: "Cold belongs to Water Qi. Sweet transforms via Earth, Hot via Fire. Earth controls Water, Fire controls Cold; thus, Sweet-Hot herbs are used. Bitter and Pungent are also Hot items, so assisted by Bitter-Pungent. For Cold Damage with internal Heat, Salty purges; for internal Dryness, Pungent moistens; for internal Heat with bleeding, Bitter firms."

Zhang Ji noted: Taiyang Cold-Water Qi governs the exterior in humans, unified by Xinfei (Heart-Lung) Yang as Yingwei (Nutritive-Defensive) of the whole body, actually governing Cold-Water. Liu Wusou considered Foot Taiyang Cold-Water as the Qi transformation of the Kidney and Bladder. Zhang Zhongjing in Taiyang disease has Mahuang Tang and Guizhi Tang examples, belonging to Sweet-Hot; entering Shaoyin disease has Mahuang Xixin Fuzi Tang, Fuzi Tang, Zhenwu Tang, Sini Tang, and Baitong Tang methods, also Sweet-Hot. There are also Huanglian Ejiao Tang and Ji Xia Chengqi Three Syndromes, which are Bitter-Cold. Zhang Huiqing in *Shanghan Yuefa* classified treatment into six ends: Sweating, Vomiting, Purging, Warming, Clearing, Tonifying. Sweating leads with Warm-Pungent, Vomiting with Dispersing, Purging with Salty-Cold, Clearing with Bitter-Cold, Warming-Tonifying with Sweet-Hot, fitting the scripture. Taiyang channel has Original Cold and Marked Heat, opposing transformation to Fire. Water overcoming Fire. The text's Mahuang, Guizhi, Ganjiang, Fuzi treat the Original Qi and Positive Transformation Primary Disease of Cold; Baihu and Chengqi treat the Reciprocal Qi and Opposing Transformation Marked Disease of Cold. Thus, it is said: Without understanding Winning and Repaying principles, one cannot speak of Qi transformation.

For Si Tian (Heavenly Command) Qi, if Wind excess prevails, level it with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter-Sweet. Use Sweet to relax, and Sour to purge."

Wang Bing commented: "Jueyin Qi is not yet excessively hot, so called Cool herbs to level it. The function of Qi: accumulating Cool creates Cold, accumulating Warm creates Heat. Using slightly Heat makes it Warm; slightly Cold makes it Cool; much Warm makes it Hot; much Cool makes it Cold. Each at its proper portion makes Cold Cold, Warm Warm, Hot Hot, Cool Cool. Can prescription usage not be studied? Thus, Cold/Hot/Warm/Cool, Ascending/Descending, Much/Little must be mastered by good prescribers. Other residual Qi are the same, following their control. New Correction notes: Above in this text, 'Upper Yin Yu Xia, Suo Sheng Ping Zhi; External Yin Yu Nei, Suo Sheng Zhi Zhi.' Thus, Zai Quan says 'Zhi' (Treat), Si Tian says 'Ping' (Level)."

Wu Kun commented: "Zai Quan speaks of 'Zhi', Si Tian speaks of 'Ping'. 'Ping' and 'Zhi' differ slightly. 'Zhi' has the meaning of attacking/removing; 'Ping' means harmonizing. Wind wins and is leveled with Pungent-Cool; Metal levels Wood. Assisting with Bitter-Sweet prevents Bitter from being too drying; Wood is urgent, so Sweet relaxes it. Wood Qi ascends but does not descend, so Sour purges it."

Zhang Zhicon commented: "Zai Quan Qi says 'Yin Yu Nei' and 'Zhi'; Si Tian Qi says 'Suo Sheng' and 'Ping'. Heaven Qi is outside, Earth Qi is inside. 'Zhi' treats the interior to make it exterior; 'Ping' levels the upper to make it lower. Thus, Zai Quan says 'Disperse with Pungent', Si Tian says 'Purge with Sour'."

Ma Shi commented: "Wind Yin Suo Sheng, then Ping with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter-Sweet, relax with Sweet, purge with Sour. That Jueyin Zai Quan method is the same as this, but adds 'Disperse with Pungent' and lacks 'Purge with Sour'."

Zhang Ji noted: Ji Hai year, first half Wind transforms in Heaven. Wind is Wood Qi, only Metal can overcome it, so treat with Pungent-Cool. Pungent transforms via Metal, Cool is Metal Qi. Excessive Pungent-Cool damages Metal Qi, so assist with Bitter-Sweet. Bitter warms Metal, Sweet tonifies Qi. Scripture says: 'Liver suffers urgency, eat Sweet quickly to relax it; purge with Sour.' This is the principle of Generation, Control, Winning, and Repaying. *Wuyunxing Dalun* states Heaven and Earth Qi winning/repaying do not show in pulse; *Liuzhi Dalun* states Qi has winning/repaying. Excessive Qi wins then repays, causing great harm; deficient Qi declines then is overcome, causing chaos. The cycle of winning/repaying comes naturally from Heaven and Earth. E.g., Wood wins, Liver strong must injure Spleen Earth; if Liver wins endlessly, Dryness repays and Liver becomes Dry; if Dry wins endlessly, Fire repays and Lung becomes ill. Five Zangs have fluctuating prosperity/decline, human body has deficiency/excess. Only when there is deficiency then recovering strength is it won; when there is winning then receiving support is it repaid. No decline, no winning; no winning, no repaying; Qi is peaceful, how can there be disease? Having winning implies repaying; no winning, no repaying. Minor winning, minor repaying; severe winning, severe repaying. The minor/severe nature of winning/repaying actually stems from the prosperity/decline of changes. Ma Yuansu et al. falsely attributed name to Zhang Zhongjing to create *Shanghan Lingfa*, using Qi Yun migration to mimic main disease prescriptions, rigid and inflexible, not understanding Heavenly Dao generation/control/winning/repaying principles, unworthy of discussing medical Dao.

If Heat excess prevails, level it with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet. Use Sour to astringe."

Wang Bing commented: "When Heat Qi has retreated but flares up intermittently, it is Heart Qi deficiency and scattering, not gathering; use Sour to astringe. Since astringing with Sour, also combine Cold assistance to eradicate the source. If Heat is too severe, vent with Bitter. After sweating, if cool, pathogen is exhausted; do not use Cold water. If still hot after sweating, pathogen is not exhausted; use Sour to astringe. If hot again after astringing, sweat again. If hot again after sweating, it is Zang deficiency; tonify the Heart. The method fits. Treating Heat does not necessarily require repeated sweating/treatment, let alone four changes and reversals."

Wu Kun commented: "Heat wins and is leveled with Salty-Cold; Water levels Fire. Assisting with Bitter-Sweet: Bitter drains, Sweet relaxes. Using Sour to astringe gathers floating Heat."

Zhang Zhicon commented: "This is the same as Zai Quan treatment, but lacks 'vent with Bitter'. Generally, invading interior from bottom up should be dispersed outward."

Zhang Ji noted: Zi Wu year, first half Heat transforms in Heaven. Heat is Fire Qi, only Water can overcome it, so treat with Salty-Cold. Excessive Salty-Cold damages Jun Fire, so dry with Bitter, tonify with Sweet, astringe with Sour, fearing Heat escape and Yang Qi scattering.

If Dampness excess prevails, level it with Bitter-Hot, assist with Sour-Pungent. Use Bitter to dry Dampness, and Dan (Light) to leach."

Wang Bing commented: "Dampness invasion causes swelling and fullness. Remove Dampness, and swelling/fullness naturally subside. Diseases caused by Dampness, whether swollen or not, are treated similarly. Dampness above, vomit with Bitter; Dampness below, drain with Bitter; leach with Dan, and all become dry. Leaching means percolating to benefit water passages, urinating is the method. Although Sour is Hot, it is also used to benefit urination and remove hidden water. Treating Dampness without benefiting urination is not the method. New Correction notes: 'Dampness Yin Yu Nei, assist with Sour-Dan'; here 'Sour-Pungent', 'Pungent' suspected to be 'Dan'."

Wu Kun commented: "Damp wins and is leveled with Bitter-Hot; Bitter dries Dampness, Damp消 (disappears) with Heat. Wood controls Earth, so assist with Sour. Sour and Pungent are not gathering Sour, so suitable to assist. Damp-Heat dried with Bitter; Damp non-Heat leached with Dan."

Ma Shi commented: "Damp Yin Suo Sheng, then Ping with Bitter-Hot, assist with Sour-Pungent, dry with Bitter, leach with Dan. That Taiyin Zai Quan method is mostly same as this, but only assists with Sour-Dan, differing slightly from assisting with Sour-Pungent here."

Zhang Ji noted: Chou Wei year, first half Dampness transforms in Heaven. Dampness is Earth Qi, only Dryness can overcome it, so treat with Bitter-Hot. Bitter transforms via Wood to control it. Sour and Pungent together: Pungent overcomes Sour to prevent Sour excess. Bitter transforms via Fire, Fire aids Dryness.

If Dampness is above and transforms to Heat, treat with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sweet-Pungent. Stop when sweating occurs."

Wang Bing commented: "Above half-body Dampness excess, Fire Qi郁郁 (oppressive), Damp interacts, so use Bitter-Warm Sweet-Pungent herbs to resolve exterior, flow sweat, and dispel. Hence, 'remove disease cause with sweat'."

Wu Kun commented: *Jingui Yaolue* states: 'Swelling below waist, benefit urination; swelling above waist, induce sweat to cure.' These are key methods for treating Water-Dampness."

Zhang Ji noted: Dampness constrained above transforms to Heat; Bitter-Warm desires drying, Sweet-Pungent seeks sweat.

If Fire excess prevails, level it with Acid-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet. Use Sour to astringe, Bitter to vent, and Sour to restore. Same as Heat Yin."

Wang Bing commented: "Same meaning as Heat Yin. Heat follows this method. Restore Wood Qi with Sour. Not restoring Qi makes excess Qi empty, inviting damage."

Ma Shi commented: "Fire Yin Suo Sheng, then Ping with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet, astringe with Sour, vent with Bitter, restore with Sour. Same method as previous Heat Yin Suo Sheng. Upper is Jun Fire, this is Xianghuo. Also same as Shaoyang Zai Quan, but lacks 'restore with Sour' phrase."

Zhang Jiebin commented: "Same as Zai Quan Heat Yin treatment. Water overcomes Fire, so level with Salty-Cold. Bitter drains Fire excess, Sweet relieves Fire urgency, so assist with Bitter-Sweet. Fire盛 (abundant) and scattered, astringe with Sour; Fire constrained and latent, vent with Bitter. However, venting to remove Fire inevitably damages Qi, so must restore with Sour. Fire and Heat Qi treated together."

Zhang Ji noted: Yin Shen year, first half Fire transforms in Heaven. Fire is Heat Qi, same as Heat Yin. Here 'Acid-Cold': Acid collects rebellious Qi, Cold overcomes Heat Qi. Fire constrained is latent, vented with Bitter, then restored with Sour, fearing excessive venting damages Qi.

If Dryness excess prevails, level it with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sour-Pungent. Use Bitter to purge/downward-drain."

Wang Bing commented: "Controlling Dryness excess must use Bitter-Warm, which is Fire flavor. Purge requires Bitter, tonify requires Sour, purge requires Pungent. Clear excess generates Cold; lingering and not going, purge with Bitter-Warm. Qi excess, purge with Pungent. All Qi are similar. New Correction notes: 'Dryness Yin Yu Nei, treat with Bitter-Warm'; here 'Bitter-Wet', 'Wet' should be 'Warm'. Also three 'Wet' characters in annotation should be 'Warm'. *Liuyuan Zhengji Dalun* also writes 'Bitter-Slight-Warm'."

Wu Kun commented: "Dryness Yin leveled with Bitter-Warm; Bitter transforms via Fire to overcome Dryness. Bitter and Warm, Dryness gets moistening. Assist with Sour-Pungent: Sour generates fluid, Pungent moistens Dryness. Severe Dryness cannot be removed without purging, so use Bitter to purge."

Zhang Zhicon commented: "Bitter-Warm overcomes Clear Metal, Pungent moistens Dryness. Dryness must knot internally, so drain with Sour-Bitter."

Ma Shi commented: "Dryness Yin Suo Sheng, then Ping with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sour-Pungent, purge with Bitter. That Yangming Zai Quan method is mostly same as this, but assists with Sweet-Pungent, whereas this assists with Sour-Pungent."

Zhang Ji noted: Mao You year, first half Dryness transforms in Heaven. Dryness is Metal Qi, only Fire can overcome it. Bitter transforms via Fire, so level with Bitter-Warm. Sour purges Wood and tonifies Metal, Pungent purges Metal and tonifies Wood, so assist with Sour-Pungent. Dryness combines Heat transformation; 'Nothing dries things like Fire', Bitter descends Fire, so purge with Bitter.

If Cold excess prevails, level it with Pungent-Hot, assist with Sweet-Bitter. Use Salty to purge."

Wang Bing commented: "Excess dispersal stopping, do not exceed. New Correction notes: 'Cold Yin Yu Nei, treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Pungent'; here 'Ping with Pungent-Hot, assist with Sweet-Bitter', this text is erroneous. Also *Liuyuan Zhengji Dalun* says: 'Taiyang governance, year suitable Bitter to dry it.'"

Wu Kun commented: "Cold Yin leveled with Pungent-Hot: Pungent disperses Cold, Hot restores Yang. Assist with Sweet-Bitter: Bitter aids Pungent-Hot, Sweet harmonizes Pungent-Hot. Cold Damage entering Stomach becomes interior Heat; such cases, purge with Salty."

Zhang Zhicon commented: "Yin Yu Nei interferes with Zang Qi, hence above 'Moisten with Pungent, Firm with Bitter'. This wins externally, only suitable to Level and Purge."

Ma Shi commented: "Cold Yin Suo Sheng, then Ping with Pungent-Hot, assist with Sweet-Bitter, purge with Salty. That Taiyang Zai Quan has additional 'Moisten with Pungent, Firm with Bitter' phrases."

Zhang Jiebin commented: "Pungent-Hot sufficient to disperse Cold, Sweet-Bitter sufficient to overcome Water, purge with Salty. Salty is the true flavor of Water, its purge is with Salty."

Zhang Ji noted: Chen Xu year, first half Cold transforms in Heaven. Cold is Water Qi, only Heat can overcome it. Heat transforms via Fire. However, Yin diseases dislike Dryness, so moisten with Pungent. Pungent transforms via Metal, Mother of Water.

Yellow Emperor asked, "If pathogen counter-wins, how to treat?" Qibo replied, "Wind governs in Earth; if Clear Qi (Metal) counter-wins, treat with Acid-Warm, assist with Bitter-Sweet. Level with Pungent."

Wang Bing commented: "Jueyin Zai Quan, Wind governs in Earth. Refers to Wu Yin and Wu Shen years. Pathogen wins strongly, so first purge with Acid, assist with Bitter-Sweet. When pathogen retreats, Zheng Qi is deficient, so nourish and level with Pungent-Warm."

Wu Kun commented: