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Treatment for Lung Abscess (Fei Yong) with rebellious Qi, frequent expectoration of turbid phlegm, where the patient can only sit and cannot lie down.
*Gleditsiae Fructus* (Zao Ying) (scraped of skin and membrane, roasted), ground into powder, formed into pills with honey, taken with Jujube Paste Decoction (Zao Gao Tang), three pills per dose.
Yu Jiayan said: "When toxic heat gathers in the lungs, treatments such as releasing the exterior, purging the interior, warming, and clearing have yielded no effect; the condition is hard and unassailable. Having the patient take this pill may achieve the effect of penetrating hardness and thoroughly cleansing. Do not despise it because the medicine is cheap." Adding *Sinapis Semen* (Ge Fen) in equal amounts to this formula, ground into powder, named *Zao Ge Wan*, treats breast abscess (Nai Yong) caused by wind pathogen lodging in the breasts of women. Take two qian per dose, washed down with wine. This medicine can guide out the fluid and disperse the wind pathogen; the disease will heal spontaneously after sweating.

Treatment for Wei Syndrome (Wei Zheng) with cough and phlegm, afternoon fever, and hoarse voice.
*Renshen* (Ginseng Radix), *Ejiao* (Donkey-hide Gelatin) processed into beads, *Gancao* (Licorice Root) (each 1 qian); *Chaihu* (Bupleuri Radix) (4 qian); *Sangbaipi* (Mori Cortex) (2 qian); *Fuling* (Poria), *Wuweizi* (Schisandrae Fructus), *Beimu* (Fritillariae Bulbus), *Xingren* (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) (roasted), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix) (roasted), *Zhishi* (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) (each 1.5 qian). Take 8 qian per dose, decoct with Ginger and Jujube in water, take warm after meals.

Use brine from mustard greens, boil once, put into a jar, seal it, and bury it underground. After three years, retrieve it. The patient drinks one cup; the effect is miraculous.

Treatment for cough with pus and blood in sputum due to Consumption (Xu Lao), as well as Lung Flaccidity (Fei Wei) and Lung Abscess (Fei Yong).
*Renshen* (Ginseng Radix), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix), *Fuling* (Poria) (each 1 qian); *Ejiao* (Donkey-hide Gelatin) (roasted), *Gancao* (Licorice Root), *Ziwan* (Asternatis Radix) (each 0.5 qian); *Zhimu* (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), *Beimu* (Fritillariae Bulbus) (each 1.5 qian); *Wuweizi* (Schisandrae Fructus) (15 grains). Decoct in water and take.

Treatment for sore throat and Lung Abscess (Fei Yong) with expectoration of pus.
*Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix) (roasted, 1 liang), *Gancao* (Licorice Root) (5 qian). Decoct in water and take on an empty stomach. Effect is achieved when all pus is vomited up.
Another prescription
For Lung Abscess (Fei Yong) that has persisted for a long time without healing the wound, use *Hehuanpi* (Albiziae Cortex) (also known as *Jinshupi* or *Yehé*), decocted together with *Baibianlian* (Dichroae Radix? Note: Text says Bai Lian, likely *Trollii Radix* or similar, but keeping name as Bai Lian) in equal measure. This is best.

Humans are born receiving the two Qi of Heaven and Earth; Qi has clarity and turbidity. The clear aspect of Yang Qi is called Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi); the turbid aspect of Yang Qi is Fire. The clear aspect of Yin Qi is Jin Ye (Body Fluids); the turbid aspect of Yin Qi is Tan (Phlegm). Therefore, Phlegm is formed by the steaming and gathering of unclear Blood, Qi, and Body Fluids. Once this generation occurs, there is this thickening of Blood, Qi, and Body Fluids; once there is this Blood, Qi, and Body Fluids, there is this Phlegm-Fire. This is the inevitable principle of change among clear/turbid and evil/righteous Qi. However, one must not allow clear and turbid to mix, so that evil harms righteous Qi. The *Classic* says: "When Taiyin is in the泉 (subterranean position), excessive dampness causes the people to suffer from fluid accumulation." It also says: "When the year's Earth Qi is excessive, rain and dampness circulate widely, leading to severe fluid disorders." The *Neijing* discusses Phlegm as always caused by Damp-Earth harm. The *Neijing* has the character for "Yin" (Fluid) but not for "Tan" (Phlegm); it was Zhang Zhongjing who first established the names of Five Yins, with Phlegm-Fluid being one of them. However, the Spleen is the source of Phlegm production. When water enters the Stomach, its essence floats and overflows, transporting upward to the Spleen. The Spleen scatters the essence upward to the Lungs, regulates the water passages, and transports downward to the Bladder. Water essence distributes everywhere, and the five meridians run together. How can there be Phlegm? Only when the Spleen is deficient and cannot transport essence to the Lungs or downward through water passages, then the clear fails to rise, the turbid fails to descend, stagnating in the middle and diaphragm to form Phlegm. Therefore, treating Phlegm begins with tonifying the Spleen; once the Spleen restores its normal transportation function, Phlegm transforms itself. Although people know the branch of Phlegm lies in the Spleen, they do not know the root lies even more in the Kidney. Because Phlegm is Water. If Kidney deficiency fails to control Water, Water floods and becomes Phlegm; this is Phlegm without Fire, which is clear and thin. If Yin deficiency leads to Fire agitation, Fire condenses to form Phlegm; this is Phlegm with Fire, which is thick and turbid. Thick is called Phlegm, thin is called Yin (Fluid). Water-Dampness is the root; encountering Fire, it condenses into Phlegm, rising and falling with Qi. In the Lungs, it causes cough; in the Stomach, vomiting; in the head, dizziness; in the Heart, palpitations; in the back, coldness; in the hypochondrium, distension. Its changes are countless. Analyzing further, there are five types of Phlegm and five types of Yin, and treatment methods vary accordingly. Those in the Spleen Meridian are called Damp-Phlegm: pulse is slow, face yellow, limbs heavy,嗜睡 (lethargic), abdominal distension with food stagnation; the phlegm is slippery and easy to expectorate. Those in the Lungs Meridian are called Dry-Phlegm: pulse is choppy, face pale, Qi rebels with panting, aversion to cold and fever, sadness and unhappiness; the phlegm is astringent and difficult to expectorate. Those in the Liver Meridian are called Wind-Phlegm: pulse is wiry, face green, limbs full and stifling, urination and defecation obstructed, occasional irritability; the phlegm is blue-green and foamy. Those in the Heart Meridian are called Heat-Phlegm: pulse is surging, face red, vexation and heart pain, dry mouth and lips, frequent laughter; the phlegm is hard and forms lumps. Those in the Kidney Meridian are called Cold-Phlegm: pulse is deep, face black, urgent painful urination, cold feet; the mind is fearful; the phlegm has black spots and is thin. If a person was formerly robust but now emaciated, water moves in the intestines making a gurgling sound, extreme cold in the epigastrium, this is called Phlegm-Fluid (Tan Yin). If drinking water flows under the hypochondrium, causing pain upon coughing and spitting, this is called Hanging Fluid (Xuan Yin). If drinking water flows into the limbs, sweat should occur but does not, body aches and heaviness, this is called Overflowing Fluid (Yi Yin). Rebellious Qi supporting breathing, shortness of breath unable to lie down, shape like edema, this is called Supporting Fluid (Zhi Yin). Diaphragmatic fullness and vomiting, panting, cold and fever, lower back pain, tearing eyes, trembling aversion to cold, bodily restlessness, this is called Hidden Fluid (Fu Yin).
There is another type, neither Phlegm nor Fluid, frequently spitting white foam, not very thick or dry. This is Qi deficiency failing to constrain Body Fluids, so saliva and foam flow out spontaneously. Do not use draining medicines; instead, use *Liu Jun Zi Tang* (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus *Yizhiren* (Profit Seed) to restrain it. Alas! The five Phlegms and five Fluids have different syndromes; slight negligence in diagnosis and reckless administration of drugs will not only be useless but harmful. Especially regarding Phlegm of the Spleen and Lungs, they must not be confused. The Spleen is Wet Earth, preferring warm-dryness and hating cold-moisture; thus *Cangzhu* (Atractylodis Rhizoma), *Baizhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), *Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma), and *Nanxing* (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum) are essential medicines. The Lung is Dry Metal, preferring cool-moisture and hating warm-dryness; thus *Zhimu* (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), *Beimu* (Fritillariae Bulbus), *Maidong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Tian Dong* (Asparagi Radix), *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix), and *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix) are essential. These two are easy to treat, rarely leading to danger. Commonly, worldly doctors dislike the dryness of *Banxia*; seeing phlegm, they replace it with *Beimu*. If this is Spleen Phlegm, Stomach Qi is easily injured, and food intake decreases further. Even if it is Lung Phlegm, do not use too much cool-moisture to damage the Middle Jiao. Use some Spleen-tonifying medicines to generate Lung Metal; this is good treatment. For even turbid phlegm in the Lungs takes the dampness of the Spleen as its mother. Therefore, treating Phlegm without regulating the Spleen and Stomach is not correct treatment. However, there is no reverse-flowing water in the world without wind. There is no upward-reversing Phlegm in the human body without Qi. Thus, those skilled in treating Phlegm do not treat Phlegm directly but treat Qi. When Qi is smooth, the Body Fluids of the whole body follow Qi smoothly. Furthermore, do not treat Phlegm directly but tonify the Spleen. When the Spleen obtains healthy transportation, Phlegm transforms itself.
Phlegm in the human body is neither Blood nor Qi; it is generated from Spleen Earth, called Body Fluids. It circulates and operates, Blood and Qi rely on it, like roads. It is indispensable. But if Dampness is excessively abundant, combined with external contraction, solidifying in the middle, or fanning Ministerial Fire attacking the Heart and Chest, this becomes a disaster. All strange symptoms arise from this. Hence Danxi said nine out of ten diseases involve Phlegm. Treat the cause of Phlegm, make Body Fluids return to their channels, and it is no longer Phlegm. Thus, Phlegm is the disease name of Body Fluids. If Blood and Qi are clear and smooth, Body Fluids flow freely; how can there be Phlegm? Only when Blood and Qi are turbid, Body Fluids are unclear, steaming and gathering to become Phlegm. The root of Phlegm is Water, originating in the Kidney; the movement of Phlegm is Dampness, governed by the Spleen. Ancients used *Er Chen Tang* (Two Aged Ingredients Decoction) as a general remedy for Phlegm to solidify the Spleen and dry Dampness, treating the branch. However, using it for Damp-Phlegm, Cold-Phlegm, Phlegm-Fluid, and Saliva is appropriate. As for Phlegm caused by Fire, Lung Qi unclear, intermittent coughing, and old Phlegm, stagnant Phlegm forming sticky lumps, stagnating in the throat, difficult to spit out, these Phlegms are all due to Fire Pathogen flaming upward, steaming the Upper Jiao, Lung Qi being depressed. Thus, Body Fluids rising with Qi are steamed by Fire, condensing into turbid, stagnant Phlegm. Accumulated over years, deeply rooted, hence named Old and Stagnant Phlegm, with Fire Pathogen as the root. The disease is in the Upper Jiao, division of Heart and Lungs, between the throat and pharynx, not comparable to Middle Jiao Spleen-Stomach Damp-Phlegm, Cold-Phlegm, Phlegm-Fluid, and Saliva. Therefore, decoctions are difficult to treat, and medicines like *Banxia*, *Fuling*, *Cangzhu*, *Zhike*, *Nanxing* cannot treat it. One must open the stagnation, descend the Fire, clear and moisten Lung Metal to digest it, treating slowly to achieve effect. Thus, Heat-Phlegm is Phlegm trapped by excessive Fire. Phlegm is tangible Fire; Fire is intangible Phlegm. Phlegm rises and falls with Fire; Fire guides Phlegm to move horizontally, generating various symptoms, incalculable. Fire borrows Qi from the Five Zang; Phlegm borrows Fluids from the Five Flavors. Excess Qi becomes Fire; excess Fluids become Phlegm. Qi can generate Fire; Fire can command Phlegm. Therefore, treating Phlegm requires descending Fire; treating Fire requires smoothing Qi.
Phlegm, as a substance, rises and falls with Qi, reaching everywhere, whether in Zang-Fu or meridians, hence causing many diseases. Cold-Phlegm, Damp-Phlegm, and Heat-Phlegm are easy to treat. Wind-Phlegm, Dry-Phlegm, and Old-Phlegm are difficult. Glued for years, like vines on trees, dust in houses, moss on stones, attached peacefully, forcing drainage and washing only injures other organs; this is closure and rejection. Treat separately: Cold, warm it; Damp, dry it; Heat, clear it; Wind, scatter it; Dry, moisten it; Old, soften it. Treat generally: Use *Renshen* (Ginseng Radix) and *Gancao* (Licorice Root) to tonify Spleen; *Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and *Baizhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to dry Dampness; *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) and *Qingpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) to descend Qi; *Fuling* (Poria) and *Zexie* (Alismatis Rhizoma) to渗水 (percolate water). This outlines the principles. Add *Fuzi* (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Ginger-Cinnamon for Cold-Phlegm; *Cangzhu* (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and *Houpo* (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) for Damp-Phlegm; *Shenqu* (Massae Fermentatae Medicinosae) and *Shanzha* (Crataegi Fructus) for Food-Stagnation Phlegm; *Huangqin* (Scutellariae Radix), *Huanglian* (Coptidis Rhizoma), *Zhizi* (Gardeniae Fructus) for Heat-Phlegm; *Nanxing* (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum) and *Zaojiao* (Gleditsiae Fructus Spina) for Wind-Phlegm; *Gualou* (Trichosanthis Fructus) and *Xingren* (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) for Dry-Phlegm; *Zhike* (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and *Xiangfu* (Cyperi Rhizoma) for Stagnant Phlegm; *Haishi* (Calcitrum) and *Mangxiao* (Natri Sulfas) for Old-Phlegm. This expands the details. Although, Phlegm syndromes often accompany deficiency; one must add tonifying medicines to move them, otherwise deficiency increases, Body Fluids coagulate further. Even with drug power, without Righteous Qi to assist, it is hard to act alone. Therefore, with Qi deficiency, add *Si Jun Zi Tang* (Four Gentlemen Decoction); with Blood deficiency, add *Si Wu Tang* (Four Substances Decoction); with Spleen deficiency, treat with *Liu Jun Zi Tang* (Six Gentlemen Decoction); with Kidney deficiency, treat with *Ba Wei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) or *Liu Wei Wan* (Six-Ingredient Pill). Differentiate exterior-interior, upper-lower, examine Cold-Heat, Deficiency-Excess; none will miss the pathology. If merely focusing on drying Dampness and eliminating Phlegm, Blood is secretly consumed, Stomach cavity dries up, drugs aid the pathogen, turning progressively deeper and drier. Light illnesses suffer from incurable severe obstruction.
When Body Fluids are diseased and transform into Phlegm-Fluid, either expectorated upwards, or stagnating in chest-diaphragm, or accumulating in intestines-stomach, or flowing into meridians-limbs, reaching everywhere in the body. Diseases caused include panting-cough, nausea-vomiting,痞膈 (epigastric fullness-obstruction), Guan-Ge (obstruction syndromes), diarrhea-dizziness, burning sensation-palpitations, fright-insanity, cold-fever-abscess, gurgling sound in chest, cold spot on back, numbness-paralysis of limbs. Many diseases involve Phlegm, yet there are differences in new/old and mild/severe. New and mild: color-shape clear-white, thin-thin, odor light. Old and severe: yellow-turbid, thick-sticky, difficult to cough out, gradually becoming foul-smelling, sour-spicy-fishy-salty-bitter, even bloody. Since Phlegm is generated in Spleen-Stomach, treatment should solidify Spleen and dry Dampness. But since it rises with Qi, smoothing Qi is especially important. Qi rising belongs to Fire, so smoothing Qi lies in descending Fire. Clear Heat-Phlegm, dry Damp-Phlegm, scatter Wind-Phlegm, open Stagnant Phlegm, soften Hard Phlegm, eliminate Food-Stagnation Phlegm. In the Upper, induce vomiting; in the Middle, purge downwards. If Middle Qi is deficient, further solidify Middle Qi to transport it. If merely adding attacking/scraping methods, Stomach Qi becomes more deficient, and Phlegm increases. Moreover, eight or nine out of ten people suffering from Phlegm-Fire. Elderly should not rapidly descend Fire; deficient persons should not completely remove Phlegm. Over-attacking makes the disease worse and dangerous.
Danxi said: "Lumps in the upper, middle, or lower body of ordinary people are mostly Phlegm." However, Phlegm in the subcutaneous tissue and fascia travels throughout the body, swelling with white color, stagnating without pain; guide and diffuse it. Phlegm moving with Fire forms many small lumps, red color, severe pain, wandering不定; detoxify and clear Fire primarily. Phlegm glued and thick-turbid, and floating pulse, both use vomiting method. Eyelids and under-eye area like soot indicate Phlegm. Qi deficiency failing to hold saliva, Phlegm not very sticky, do not use draining medicines; use *Liu Jun Zi Tang* plus *Yizhiren* (Profit Seed) to restrain. With Phlegm in Middle Jiao, although food intake is small, Stomach Qi relies on nourishment, so it does not become deficient immediately. Thus, patients with Phlegm have prolonged illness, loss of appetite, but Stomach is not deficient; if attacked completely, it becomes deficient. Internal injury with Middle Qi deficiency must use *Renshen* (Ginseng Radix) and *Baizhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), assisted by Ginger Juice to transmit downwards. Phlegm above the diaphragm must use vomiting; purgation cannot remove it. Wind-Phlegm often shows strange symptoms; Warm-Phlegm shows fatigue and weakness; Heat-Phlegm with Wind shows many external symptoms. Phlegm in intestines-stomach can be cured by purgation; Phlegm in meridians must be vomited; vomiting contains the meaning of dispersing. *Huangqin* (Scutellariae Radix) treats Heat-Phlegm by borrowing its ability to descend Fire. *Zhuli* (Bambusa Textilis Caulis Sap) slides Phlegm; *Jiangzhi* (Zingiberis Recensis Succus) cannot travel meridians; *Wubeizi* (Myrobalani Fructus) treats Old-Phlegm. When using vomiting medicines, lift Qi to induce vomiting. Such as *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikoviae Radix), *Shanzhi* (Gardeniae Fructus), *Chuanxiong* (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix), *Yacha* (Camelliae Sinensis Folium Germinans), Ginger, *Jizhi* (Allii fistulosi juice), or *Gua Di San* (Melon Tip Powder). *Cangzhu* (Atractylodis Rhizoma) treats Phlegm forming nests; walking on one side is excellent. Phlegm with Blood Stasis forms nests. Dizziness and burning sensation are Fire agitating Phlegm; use *Er Chen Tang* plus *Shanzhi* (Gardeniae Fructus), *Lianqin* (Coptidis Rhizoma & Scutellariae Radix). Belching and acid regurgitation: Food stagnation with Heat, Fire Qi moving upward. *Huangqin* (Scutellariae Radix) as Sovereign, *Nanxing* (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum), *Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma) as Ministers, *Juhong* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum) as Envoy. Add *Qingdai* (Indigo Naturalis) if Heat is increased. Phlegm in hypochondrium cannot reach except with *Baijiezi* (Brassicae Semen). Phlegm in subcutaneous tissue and fascia cannot penetrate except with Ginger Juice and Bamboo Sap. *Baijiezi* (Brassicae Semen) can also disperse Phlegm-Qi in subcutaneous tissue and fascia; only skilled users can achieve miraculous results. Phlegm in limbs cannot open except with Bamboo Sap. Phlegm nodules in throat, unable to enter or exit, use Phlegm-resolving medicines, add salty-moistening softening-hardness ingredients like *Gualou* (Trichosanthis Fructus), *Xingren* (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), *Haishi* (Calcitrum), *Jiegeng* (Platycodonis Radix), *Lianqiao* (Forsythiae Fructus), with a little *Puxiao* (Natri Sulfas), Ginger Juice, Honey, formed into pills, held in mouth to dissolve. *Haifen* (Sea Powder) is *Haishi* (Calcitrum). It descends Heat-Phlegm, dries Damp-Phlegm, softens Knotted Phlegm, eliminates Stubborn Phlegm. Can be used in pills/powders, not in decoctions. *Xiao Wei Dan* (Stomach Reducing Pill) treats Upper Diaphragm Phlegm-Heat but damages Stomach Qi. Using too many draining medicines to treat Phlegm causes Spleen Qi deficiency, making Phlegm easy to generate and abundant. *Tianhuafen* (Trichosanthis Radix) greatly descends Upper Diaphragm Heat-Phlegm. Phlegm in diaphragm causes insanity or forgetfulness, or Wind-Phlegm; all use Bamboo Sap, which also nourishes Blood. Used with *Jinglü* (Perillae Caulis Sap), efficacy is slightly heavier. For those who can eat, these two work fast and steadily. *Jiu Zhi* (Chinese Chive Juice) treats Blood stasis not moving; Drink 2-3 cups of natural juice for Fluid in Middle Jiao; must feel vexation/restlessness in chest before healing.
Jiezai discussed Phlegm, first revealing the root of Phlegm in the Kidney, which could be considered discovering what predecessors had not. Pity he started it but did not finish the argument. His prescribed formulas were all treating branch symptoms, containing many cold-cooling substances, often damaging the Stomach. Only Mr. Zhang Zhongjing said: "Deficient Qi with Phlegm, use *Shen Qi Wan* (Kidney Qi Pill) to tonify and expel." Wu Jiaochu also said: "*Ba Wei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) treats the root of Phlegm." These two gentlemen truly opened the ignorance of later learners and saved infinite premature deaths. Phlegm is a disease name. Originally not part of the human body. Either Water flooding becomes Phlegm, or Water boiling becomes Phlegm. One should only distinguish between with-Fire and without-Fire. Kidney deficiency failing to control Water, Water does not return to source, counter-flowing and flooding to become Phlegm; this is without-Fire. Thus use *Ba Wei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to tonify Kidney Fire. (Zhang) commonly adds *Niuxi* (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) and *Wuweizi* (Schisandrae Fructus) for better effect. Yin deficiency with Fire agitation causes Water boiling. Agitation in Kidney is like Fire on the Sea, Dragon rises and Water follows; agitation in Liver is like Thunder-Fire from Earth, fierce wind and rain, Water surges with waves to become Phlegm; this is with-Fire. Thus use *Liu Wei Wan* (Six-Ingredient Pill) to tonify Water and match Fire. (Zhang) commonly adds *Niuxi* (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), *Maidong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Wuweizi* (Schisandrae Fructus) for wonderful effect. This does not treat the branch of Phlegm but the root. Therefore, those skilled in treating Kidney deficiency first use *Liu Wei* (Six-Ingredient) and *Ba Wei* (Eight-Ingredient) to strengthen the Master of Water and benefit the Source of Fire, then use *Si Jun Zi* (Four Gentlemen) or *Liu Jun Zi* (Six Gentlemen) to tonify Spleen to control Water. For Spleen deficiency, having administered *Bu Zhong* (Tonify Middle) or *Li Zhong* (Regulate Middle) to solidify Spleen, then use *Liu Wei* (Six-Ingredient) and *Ba Wei* (Eight-Ingredient) to control Water and benefit Mother, allowing Child and Mother to mutually nourish, and the way of treating Phlegm is complete.
Pang Anchang often said: "Yin Water deficiency, Yin Fire rises, Lung suffers Fire insult, cannot descend clearly and purely, thus Body Fluids condense turbid to generate Phlegm, not generating Blood." This should be treated with moistening agents like *Men Dong* (Asparagi Radix) and *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) to nourish Yin, allowing rebellious Fire to return to its home and rest, then Phlegm clears itself. Administering *Er Chen* (Two Aged Ingredients) immediately sees danger. "Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Qi returning to source, Qi exits but is not grasped, accumulates; accumulation not dispersing generates Phlegm." *Ba Wei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) governs this. However, Mengquan considers *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) cloying to the diaphragm and generating Phlegm, a forbidden medicine for Phlegm, stir-frying it with Ginger Juice. Alas! If stir-fried with Ginger Juice, it becomes pungent-dry, and *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) is useless. *Dihuang* (Rehmanniae Radix) is valued precisely for its moistening nature, entering the Kidney Meridian. If mixed with Spleen-Stomach medicines, Earth hates Dampness, how can it not cloy the diaphragm and generate Phlegm? All items in *Ba Wei* (Eight-Ingredient) and *Liu Wei* (Six-Ingredient) Pills are medicines of the Shaoyin Meridian, leading each other in groups, straight into Lower Jiao. Named the holy medicine for Water Flooding Phlegm. Take on empty stomach, press with good meal, do not stay in Stomach. This is the wonder of Zhang Zhongjing's formula legislation.
(Zhang) Commentary: Zang-Fu Body Fluids diseased become Phlegm, rising and falling with Qi, this is the normal principle. If in subcutaneous tissue and fascia, and bends of limbs-joints, how can Phlegm from Zang-Fu flow into those places? This is local Body Fluids, encountering cold or heat, condensing into Phlegm to cause disease. Definitely not Body Fluids from other parts diseased and becoming Phlegm, leaving their original position to move to other parts. Moreover, Qi is originally formless, thus reaching every minute detail, and Fluids move with Qi, also relying on Qi to circulate. If Body Fluids are diseased and become Phlegm, they transform into tangible and stagnating substances. How can they flow with Qi into the most minute and dense places?
*Liu Wei Di Huang Tang* (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction), *Ba Wei Di Huang Tang* (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction).
See also in the Tuberculosis (Lao Zhai) section.