Library

Treats insufficiency of Kidney Water (Yin), with deficient fire flaming upward, causing fever and thirst, sores on the mouth and tongue, ulceration of the gums, pain in the throat, or emaciation and night sweats accompanied by fever. This is Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) plus one liang of Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi). When used, remove the bark; avoid strong fire to prevent volatilization of its qi.

Insufficiency of Kidney Water leads to deficient Yang usurping the upper position; this formula must be used to guide the fire back to its source. The fire of the Five Emotions can be subdued by dampness or directly suppressed; however, the Dragon and Thunder Fire (Ministerial Fire of the Lower Jiao) should only be subdued by following its nature. Rougui is hot in nature, sharing the same nature as fire; mixed in the Lower Jiao, it can guide rootless deficient fire downward and return it to its meridians within formulas that nourish Water (Yin). Moreover, the quality of Rougui acts in the middle and lower parts; its nature specifically enters the Kidney Meridian, adhering to the principle that "what is grounded by Earth tends toward the lower." Furthermore, Ministerial Fire resides between the Liver and Gallbladder (Wood elements); if Liver-Gallbladder Water is abundant, Xun Wind (Liver Wind) moves, and the fierce flame burns brightly. Ancients stated that the North (Kidney) should not be purged; purging the Liver is essentially purging the Kidney. *Bencao* states: "Wood withers when encountering Cinnamon," taking this meaning. *Jing* states: "Use heat to treat heat" (treating heat patterns with hot herbs), which refers to this. Some fear its heat and omit it; how can they understand the subtlety of Creation's method of subduing? Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) treat Ministerial Fire but are only applicable to robust constitutions. If mistaken for deficient fire, they will cause the Kidney to become more deficient through purging; the more deficient it becomes, the fiercer the fire burns.

Treats decline of Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life Fire), unable to generate Earth, resulting in Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, lack of appetite, loose stools, pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, frequent urination at night, or conditions such as Yin excess repelling Yang outward, presenting with true cold inside and false heat outside. (Commentary by Zhang: For extreme cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) are not suitable. Reduce these two ingredients, add Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Lurong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) for better effect. This is Qiwei Wan (Seven-Ingredient Pill) plus one liang of Shufuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix), sliced and lightly roasted over mild fire.)

The Kidneys are two in number, both belonging to Water. Although there is a distinction between left and right, originally there is no difference between Water and Fire. Examining *Neijing*, this is clear. *Xianjing* says: "The two kidneys are identical; the single point in the center is True Essence"; again: "There is a brightness in the center of the two kidneys." This True Essence is brightness, which is the Ministerial Fire of the Mingmen. Mingmen is an acupoint name, located between the two kidneys, representing one Yang born between two Yins, thus forming the Kan trigram, symbolizing the North of Heaven. *Jing* states: "Minor Fire generates Qi; without this fire, the source of transformation and generation would almost cease." Only the vigorous nature of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) is sufficient to blow upon the dried-up spring warmth. Wang Taipu (Wang Bing) said: "Benefit the source of Fire to eliminate Yin shadows," and this formula is exactly that. Commentary: Liuwei Dihuang Wan specifically tonifies the Kidney Water of the Left Chi pulse; Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) tonifies both the Left Chi Kidney Water and the Ministerial Fire of the Right Kidney. In youth, with Water deficiency and Fire hyperactivity, Liuwei Dihuang Wan is appropriate; in old age, with both Water and Fire deficiency, Bawei Dihuang Wan is appropriate. Furthermore, since the True Water of the Kidneys in the elderly is already deficient, pathogenic Water takes advantage to create Damp-Heat, leading to symptoms like lower back pain, flaccidity of the legs, profuse phlegm/saliva, Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), urinary incontinence, strangury, and obstruction. Can these be treated without the warming and dispersing action of Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fuzi? Ignorant people fear its heat, not realizing that the Fire being supplemented is the origin of True Yang. Once the origin of True Yang is obtained, the Fire of Yin shadows naturally subsides.