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Since I began studying medicine under Zhu Yaosheng, I encountered a friend in southern Anhui, Mr. Zhou Qianchu. In Yangzhou, I met a teacher, Mr. Ye Ziyu. I traveled through Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang; wherever my footsteps went, few were those who understood me. I privately believe that if one does not understand Ying-Wei (Ying-Qi and Wei-Qi), the blood vessels cannot flow smoothly; if one does not understand the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), how can one comprehend Qi transformation? Regarding Lao Zhai (consumptive disease resembling tuberculosis), people only know it as deficiency and do not realize there is also excess. Regarding Gu Zhang (abdominal distension resembling ascites with parasites or stasis), people only know it as excess and do not realize there is also deficiency. Regarding Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea), people only know it as cold; regarding Xiaoke (wasting-thirst syndrome resembling diabetes), people only know it as heat, failing to realize that all diseases have aspects of cold, heat, deficiency, and excess. Bias towards one aspect often leads to harm. Presuming upon my own shallowness and ignorance, I have carefully compiled insights gained from teachers and friends into one volume to share with fellow enthusiasts. I titled it *Youyi Zhilue* (Brief Records of Wandering in Arts). The idea is to hold onto an art and wander within it; the further one wanders, the more advanced the art becomes. This serves merely as a modest aid to remedy flaws and correct biases; dare I call this a literary composition? Nevertheless, it can only be discussed with those who understand.

Recorded by the Angler from Lianghu in the mid-summer of Xin Chou year, 27th year of Guangxu.

Cloying and greasy substances hinder middle-jiao transportation; rigid and fierce substances stir internal wind.
Cloying and greasy substances include Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), Wei Rui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini), Bai He (Lilii Bulbus), Feng Mi (Honey), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus), Ma Ren (Semen Cannabis), Wen Ge (Clam Shell), Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Xiao Mai (Tritici Fructus), Ji Huang (Chicken Gizzard Lining), Can Sha (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix); these possess the function of astringing Yin. Rigid and fierce substances include Wu Yu (Evodiae Fructus), Ding Xiang (Caryophylli Flos), Chuan Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), Liu Huang (Sulfur), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus), and Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fructus); these stimulate Yang. These are emergency remedies for acute situations, not suitable for long-term use in chronic conditions. Those that hinder middle-jiao transportation do so because Earth (Spleen) prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. Those that stir internal wind do so because Wood (Liver) prefers water and detests fire.

Acrid and hot substances deplete Ying fluid and body fluids; warming and tonifying substances cause stagnation in collaterals.
For exterior syndromes requiring release via sweating, acrid drugs are indispensable. For example, Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), Su Ye (Perillae Folium), Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), and Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) disperse Qi; Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Spica), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) promote Blood circulation. Each has unique merits. However, misuse can deplete fluids and lead to Jing Jue (spasms and convulsions). For interior injuries requiring support of the interior, warming drugs should not be discarded. For instance, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), and Yi Tang (Maltose) tonify Spleen Qi; Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen), and Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus) tonify Kidney. While occasionally effective, overuse obstructs collaterals and may lead to drug dependency or adverse reactions. Both types can assist pathogenic factors and worsen illness; practitioners must exercise caution.

Bitter and cold substances damage vital Qi; salty and moistening substances obscure the Taiyang channel.
Heat in the Qi level is treated with sweet-cold herbs; heat in the Blood level is treated with bitter-cold herbs—a fact known to all. Considering seasonal variations: in Spring warmth and Autumn dryness, sweet-cold herbs are widely used. Only in Summer, characterized by external Yang and internal Yin, is it appropriate to use bitter flavors to dry dampness and cold nature to overcome heat. However, for those with pre-existing deficient Stomach Yang, excessive administration is contraindicated. The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) chapter on Vomiting and Epistaxis states that San Huang Xie Xin Tang (Three-Yellow Decoction to Drain the Heart) treats "deficiency of Heart Qi," which Xi Chang interprets as nourishing vital Qi and strengthening the zang organs. This is true. Why do physicians only recognize the drawback of damaging the stomach? Drugs such as Da Ji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Gan Sui (Kansui Radix), Ting Li Zi (Lepidii Semen), Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis), Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix), and Ya Dan Zi (Brucea Fructus) are bitter-cold. Although they clear excess heat effectively, their drawbacks are similar to cloying substances, so no further elaboration is needed. Salty-cold substances like Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Xie Ke (Portunus Shell), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum), She Pi (Snake Skin), Qiang Lang (Scarabaeus), Shui Zhi (Hirudo), Meng Chong (Omphalia), Hai Zao (Sargassum), Zi Wei (Tecoma Stem), Wen Ge (Clam Shell), Mu Li (Ostreae Concha), Qiu Shi (Urine Sediment), Rong Yan (Sea Salt), Ren Zhong Bai (Human Urine Deposit), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche Herba), Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Ootheca), and Yuan Ming Fen (Mirabilite) soften hardness, clear dryness, dispel wind-fire, and attack old blood stasis. They can yield rapid results, but improper use obscures Heart Yang, dulls the Spirit (Shen), and depletes Essence and Blood daily. Life-preserving practitioners must urgently understand this.

Exterior syndromes contraindicate sour astringents; interior syndromes forbid indiscriminate digestion-promoting methods.
Sour-astringent substances like Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Liu Pi (Pomegranate Peel), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), Wu Mei (Mume Fructus), He Li Le (Terminalia Chebulae Fructus), Ying Su Hua (Papaveris Capsule), Xuan Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), and Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) seem capable of securing collapse via astringency. However, if even a trace of exterior pathogen exists, it traps the pathogen without an exit. Even in cases of interior injury with hematemesis or cough, this can lead to consumptive disease. Observe Zhang Zhongjing’s use of Wu Mei paired with Chuan Jiao; Wu Wei Zi paired with Gan Jiang; Mai Dong paired with Ban Xia; Suan Zao Ren paired with Chuan Xiong. The intent is profound. Interior injury syndromes involve either Yang deficiency on the exterior or Yin deficiency on the interior. One must not recklessly administer diuretics like Shan Zhu Yu, Fu Ling (Poria), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Hua Shi (Talcum), Qu Mai (Polygalae Herba), and Shi Wei (Pyrrosiae Folium), or laxatives like Qian Niu (Pharbitidis Semen), Mang Xiao (Mirabilite), Da Bai (Phytolaccae Radix), Da Qing (Isatidis Folium), and Da Huang. Even if accompanied by exterior syndrome, sweating agents like Ma Huang and Gui Zhi, or emetics like Gua Di (Melon Peduncle) and Zao Jiao (Gleditsiae Spina), must be used with discretion. The *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) states: those who have lost blood should not be sweated; those with sores should not be sweated; those with dampness should not be purged. This is an example. Furthermore, acute illnesses contraindicate Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Huang Qi, and Shu Di Huang; chronic debilitating illnesses contraindicate Zhi Shi, Hou Po, Tao Ren, and Shan Zha. This logic can be extended.
Observing these four sections allows one to examine the principles of medication.

Er Miao Wan is not entirely miraculous; Si Shen Wan is not divine.
Cang Zhu and Huang Bo, one raw and one processed, form a small formula among even-numbered prescriptions and a wonderful formula for damp-heat syndromes, hence the name Er Miao (Two Marvels). It is indeed marvelous when treating dampness outweighing heat. If heat outweighs dampness, adding Zhi Mu and Di Yu is more appropriate. However, for Wind-Damp or Cold-Damp, it is ultimately not the treatment. Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus), Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus Rotundus), Wu Yu, and Wu Wei Zi combined into pills are miraculously effective for post-prandial Spleen diarrhea and dawn-time Kidney diarrhea. Little do they know that Spleen-Kidney diarrhea can stem from Ming Men (Gate of Life) fire deficiency or Liver fire blazing. Blindly considering it miraculous could lead to increased illness and rapid death. Thus, in prescription books, formulas arbitrarily named, such as Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction), Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction), Gu Ben Wan (Solidify Root Pill), and Bao Zhen Tang (Preserve Vitality Decoction), should not be administered blindly just because their names sound auspicious. However, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) supports Spleen Qi; who says it is bad? To treat Spleen deficiency, it can be called a Gentleman; but in cases of Stomach excess, how is it different from a Villain? Formulas, whether plain or exotic, depend on matching the syndrome.

Bai Hu Tang is excellent for protecting Metal (Lung); Qing Long Tang is swift in driving out Water.
When the tiger roars, wind arises, and its heat naturally subsides. For Fire punishing Lung and Stomach, Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is paramount. If Fire is in Liver and Kidney, then Huang Qin Huang Lian E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang (Scutellaria, Coptis, Donkey-Hide Gelatin, and Egg Yolk Decoction) or Bai Tou Weng Tang (Podocarpus Decoction) are indicated; Bai Hu Tang cannot胜任 (fulfill the role). If there is excess pathogen in the Stomach, Jing Mi (Coicis Semen) should be reduced. Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction): Gui Zhi opens the Heaven (Upper Jiao/Exterior), Xi Xin (Asari Radix) connects to Earth (Lower Jiao/Interior), supplemented by Ginger, Ban Xia, Ma Huang, and Gan Tang to warm the middle and disperse the exterior; Shao Yao assists internally to expel the pathogen. It is thorough and penetrates every detail, hence Xu Lingtai (Hui Xi) calls it a divine agent for treating Cold-Water. It promotes sweating and diuresis, compensating for the inadequacies of Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) and Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction). However, for Warm-Evil cough, misapplication is fatal. Da Qing Long Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction) also induces strong sweating. These two methods are counterparts of extreme Cold and Heat, comparable to Xie Xin Tang (Drain the Heart Decoction) and Si Ni Tang.

Li Zhong Tang damages Stomach Yin; Xiao Yao San depletes Liver Yin.
Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) awakens the Spleen; Xiao Yao San (Free Wanderer Powder) soothes the Liver. Indeed, they are good formulas, but only suitable for Qi deficiency. Using them for Blood deficiency increases illness and accelerates death. All formulas have pros and cons. Those who rely exclusively on these two, knowing only their benefits while ignoring their drawbacks, are misguided.

Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) damages Li Fire (Heart Fire); Hei Xi Dan (Black Tin Pill) drains Kan Water (Kidney Water).
One clears Phlegm-Fire from the Heart; the other secures Cold-Water in the lower Kidneys. They are essential medicines every physician should keep. Prepared for sudden Bi syndromes (obstruction/collapse), they offer infinite benefit. Misapplied to prolonged Tuo syndromes (collapse/deficiency), the harm is incalculable. Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill) treats Qi obstruction; Da Huo Luo Dan (Great Meridian-Unblocking Pill) treats Stroke. The principles of addition and subtraction are the same.
Observing these four sections allows one to grasp the timing of administering formulas.

Warming Cold requires moving Qi; Clearing Heat requires invigorating Blood.
Qi stagnation leads to Cold accumulation; Blood congestion leads to Heat generation. Moving Qi substances like Xuan Fu Hua (Inulae Flos), Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Cong Bai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), and Xie Bai (Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus) added to warming formulas disperse Cold with doubled speed. Clearing Heat using bitter-cold, sweet-cold, and salty-cold drugs in large doses of cooling nature must include blood-invigorating items like Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Ze Lan (Lycopus Herba), Qian Cao (Rubiae Radix), Liu Ji Nu (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), and San Qi (Notoginseng Radix) to avoid the drawback of Bing Fu Re Xie (Ice-trapping Heat pathogens). This principle is easy to understand, yet many physicians fail to recognize it, so I specifically highlight it.

Naming formulas has purpose; preparation methods are not arbitrary.
Formulas come in names like Gao (Paste), Dan (Pellet/Elixir), Wan (Pill), San (Powder), Jian (Decoction), Yin (Drink), Tang (Soup/Decoction), and Zi (Soaking), each with specific meaning. Gao seeks moisture; Dan seeks efficacy/spirit; Wan seeks slowness; San seeks urgency; Jian seeks downward action; Yin seeks balance; Tang seeks flavor to wash away pathogens; Zi seeks aroma to linger at the disease site. The combination of Jun (Monarch), Chen (Minister), Zuo (Assistant), and Shi (Courier) depends entirely on dosage. For example, in Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), using Da Huang as Jun directs it to the Lower/Middle Jiao Blood level; using Hou Po as Jun changes it to a method for the Upper/Middle Jiao Qi level. In Yang Dan Tang, Gui Zhi as Jun targets Taiyang; doubling Shao Yao directs it to Taiyin. In Dang Gui Chi Xiao Dou San, Chi Xiao Dou as Jun focuses on resolving toxicity; Dang Gui as Jun focuses on regulating Blood. Whether primary, auxiliary, light, or heavy, the subtlety of application lies in the mind. Can the creator of formulas neglect this?