Library

Human beings are born by inheriting the Qi of Heaven and Earth, become ill by being affected by the pathogenic Qi of Heaven and Earth, and must be treated by following the laws of the Qi of Heaven and Earth. The pathogenic Qi of Heaven and Earth is the Yin-Yang Qi; the Yin-Yang Qi manifests specifically as Dryness (Zao) and Dampness (Shi). Qian (Heaven) represents dryness; Kun (Earth) represents dampness. When Qian Metal receives the Yin line from Kun, it transforms into Li (Fire), which naturally tends toward dryness; when Kun Earth receives the Yang line from Qian, it transforms into Kan (Water), which naturally flows downward to moisten. Thus, Qian and Kun transform into Kan and Li; therefore, Dryness and Dampness constitute the primordial substance, while Water and Fire represent postnatal function. Water and Fire are transformed from Dryness and Dampness, and Dryness and Dampness are further transformed by Cold and Heat. Water Qi is Cold, Fire Qi is Hot. When Cold condenses, Dryness arises; when Heat scorches, Dryness forms. When Heat steams, Dampness moves; when Cold stagnates, Dampness coagulates. Thus, both Cold and Heat can transform into Dryness and Dampness.

One might ask: Why can both Cold and Heat cause the transformation of Dryness and Dampness? I reply: If you wish to understand Dryness and Dampness, why not observe the hexagrams of Qian and Kun? Qian symbolizes the Supreme Ultimate; its first line is Yang, and the second is Yin. Qian Metal is fundamentally Yang containing Yin, so Qian represents Great Yang, not isolated Yang. The six lines of Kun are pairs of Qian’s lines; Kun Earth is fundamentally Yin supporting Yang, so Kun represents Great Yin, not isolated Yin. The hexagrams of Qian and Kun correspond to Heaven and Earth; let us verify this empirically in nature. The Primum Mobile (the outermost celestial sphere) is empty and void; emptiness is pure Yang. Being the highest, it rotates tightly and moves vigorously; tightness and vigor are also manifestations of pure Yang. The essence of Yang becomes the Sun, which is True Fire. Below the position of Metal, Fire Qi supports it. Heaven belongs to Yang, and Dryness also belongs to Yang—this is certain. However, within the eight heavens inside the Primum Mobile, stars belong to Lesser Yin, and the Moon to Great Yin. Beneath True Yang, True Yin supports it; thus, it is said that Yang contains Yin. Therefore, the Dryness Qi of Heaven descends only when accompanied by Yin Qi. Dry-Heat is the root (because heat arises from dryness, it is called Dry-Heat, not Heat-Dryness); Cold-Dryness is the variation (because dryness arises from cold, it is called Cold-Dryness, not Dryness-Cold). The essence of Yin becomes the Moon, which is True Water. Water corresponds to the Moon and is generated on Earth. Earth belongs to Yin, and Dampness also belongs to Yin—this is certain. However, Earth remains stationary within Heaven; the Yang Qi of Earth is the same as the Yang Qi of Heaven, with Yin following Yang. Thus, it is said that Yin supports Yang. Therefore, the Dampness Qi of Earth rises only with the assistance of Yang Qi. Cold-Dampness is the root (because dampness arises from cold, it is called Cold-Dampness, not Dampness-Coldness); Warm-Dampness is the variation (because dampness generates heat, it is called Warm-Dampness, not Dampness-Warmth).

I have heard that between Heaven and Earth there are three realms: the uppermost is the Realm of Heat, the middle is the Realm of Cold, and the one above the ground is the Realm of Warmth. Based on this, we can see that Heaven and Earth possess only Yin and Yang Qi. And these two Qi are essentially one Qi, merely changing according to their ascending and descending movements!

Dryness and Dampness each govern half of a year. At Winter Solstice, Yang Qi hides underground; Earth receives Yang Qi, causing Dampness to stir secretly, so springs begin to flow. Entering Spring, the East Wind thaws the ice, thunder sounds; both East Wind and Thunder are Yang, while Dampness is Yin. Yin transforms according to Yang. As Yang Qi gradually emerges from Earth, Dampness Qi gradually generates, so plants contain sap and sprout. Entering Summer, warm winds arrive, Yang Qi fully emerges from Earth, summer heat steams upward, and Dampness is at its peak. Thus, the soil is moist, the heat is muggy, and heavy rains occur frequently. The transformation of Heaven and Earth changes from rigid to soft. At Summer Solstice, Yang Qi fully emerges from Earth, and one Yin line is just born; Dryness Qi has not yet taken command. Entering Autumn, cool winds arrive, white dew falls, and Heaven and Earth begin to become solemn. Yang commands Yin to descend, and Dryness Qi begins to move. After the Autumnal Equinox, thunder ceases, waters dry up, so Dampness begins to收 (restrain). At this time, dew is cold, frost is solemn, Yang commands Yin to gradually descend, and Dryness Qi takes command, so plants turn yellow and fall. Entering Winter, Heaven Qi ascends, Earth Qi descends, and they block each other. Yang commands Yin to fully descend, and Dryness Qi is strongest. Yang Qi hides underground, lacking external protection, so water freezes, earth hardens, rainbows disappear, and the transformation of Heaven and Earth changes from soft to rigid. Water prospers in Winter but actually grows in Summer; Fire peaks in Summer but actually hides in Winter. Yin and Yang are roots of each other, so the great transformation cycles endlessly. Observing this, we know Dryness belongs to Yin within Yang, and Dampness belongs to Yang within Yin. Unmoved, they belong to Yin; moved, they belong to Yang. The *I Ching* says: "Good fortune, misfortune, regret, and hesitation arise from movement." Movement leads to change, change leads to transformation. Cold-Dryness transforms into Dry-Heat, returning to its root; Cold-Dampness transforms into Warm-Dampness, due to variation. If humans can comprehend the origins of Dryness and Dampness caused by Cold and Heat, using them as the main principle (Gang); and further examine their transformation into Heat or not, and the principles that Dryness stagnation prevents water circulation leading to Dampness, while Dampness stagnation prevents nutrient distribution leading to Dryness, using these as the details (Mu), then once the Gang is raised, the Mu spreads. Regardless of the myriad conditions of disease, the balance is held in hand.

Moreover, Dryness and Dampness are seasonal pathogenic factors, but there are also non-seasonal excessive factors. For example, prolonged drought makes Dryness dominant; dry heat or dry cold also makes Dryness dominant. In Spring it is Wind-Dryness, in Summer Summer-Heat Dryness, in Autumn Cool Dryness, in Winter Cold Dryness. Prolonged rain makes Dampness dominant; humid heat and cold also make Dampness dominant. In Spring it is Wind-Dampness, in Summer and early Autumn Summer-Heat Dampness, in late Autumn and Winter Cold Dampness. The Classics state: "First ascertain the annual Qi, do not violate the harmony of Heaven." Common people call exterior contraction "seasonal Qi." The meaning of "season" is profound! To use fixed prescriptions to treat pathogenic factors without fixed seasons is to severely misunderstand the season. However, one must not only adapt to the season but also to the location. Northwest terrain is high, so Dryness dominates; Southeast terrain is low, so Dampness dominates. One must not only adapt to location but also to the individual. The Six Qi harm people and transform according to the individual: Those with Yin deficiency constitution easily transform into Dryness; even if it is Dampness, it transforms into Dryness. Those with Yang deficiency constitution easily transform into Dampness; even if it is Dryness, it inevitably involves Dampness. Dryness and Dampness are indeed inseparable from all exterior-contracted diseases.

One might ask: Exterior contractions involve the Six Qi of Wind, Cold, Summer-Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire. You summarize them with Dryness and Dampness. Can you deduce the reasons and analyze them? I reply: On Earth, they form shapes; in Heaven, they are Qi. Among the Six Qi, Wind is first, Cold, Summer-Heat, Dampness, and Dryness are middle, and Fire is last. Wind is first because Wind is the mover of Dryness and Dampness. Summer-Heat is middle because Cold and Summer-Heat are the transformers of Dryness and Dampness. Fire is last because Fire is the final transformer of Dryness and Dampness. Let us analyze. Wind corresponds to the Xun hexagram, with two Yang lines above one Yin line, external Yang and internal Yin, with Yang doubling Yin. Thus, Wind is a Yang pathogen; it is indeed agile, changing, and formless. In the East, Dampness moves with rain, so it is called Wind-Dampness; in the West, Dryness moves with drought, so it is called Wind-Dryness; in the South, Summer-Heat moves with heat and dampness, so it is called Summer-Heat Wind; in the North, Cold moves with cold and dryness, so it is called Cold Wind. Southeast wind involves Dampness and Summer-Heat; Northeast wind involves Dampness and Cold; Southwest wind involves Dryness and Fire; Northwest wind involves Dryness and Cold. Movement in moderation allows life; excess movement causes disease. Slight Dryness allows vitality; extreme Dryness causes withering. Slight Dampness nourishes; extreme Dampness causes rot. If things are like this, humans are no different. Cold is the origin of Dryness, and Fire is the completion of Dryness. The Classics say: "Excess Dryness leads to dryness." Thus, in midsummer, when heat reigns, objects exposed to wind and sun lose fluids gradually; humans sweating heavily consume fluids gradually. Excess Fire indeed causes Dryness. In autumn and winter, when cold rules, grasses wither, dew becomes frost, rain becomes snow, water becomes ice, and human hands and feet crack. The world is filled with Cold-Dryness Qi. Winter corresponds to the Kan hexagram, with one Yang line between two Yin lines. Ice freezes externally, while Dry-Fire warms internally. Thus, Cold-Dryness diseases easily transform into Dry-Heat. The Classics state that Cold damage is a Heat disease. Because Cold leads to Dryness, and Dryness leads to Heat, the logic is connected. If Yang does not hide in winter, and Earth Dampness does not restrain, then Cold inevitably involves Dampness. Therefore, diseases contracted in winter resembling autumn diseases, such as malaria, dysentery, and warm diseases, all involve Dampness pathogens! As for Summer-Heat, it is the mutual brewing of Dampness and Heat, transforming into Dryness. One must distinguish whether Dampness or Heat predominates. Predominant Dampness transforms into Dryness slowly; predominant Heat transforms into Dryness rapidly. Pure Heat without Dampness is Summer-Heat Dryness. As for Fire, it hides within Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth, emerging when moved, and is the destination of Dryness and Dampness. Striking metal produces fire; drilling wood produces fire; digging earth produces fire (the essence of earth condenses into stone; observing fire extraction from stone reveals the meaning of extracting fire from earth). Seas are valleys of fire; moving waters in rivers and lakes also contain fire. Patients are the same. Metal and Fire share the palace; Li is Minister Fire. Thus, Lung and Heart movement result in Dry-Fire; if Dampness and Heat steam, it becomes Wet-Fire. Liver is Zhen Thunder Fire and Xun Wind Fire; thus, Liver movement results in Dry-Fire; if Dampness and Heat steam, it becomes Wet-Fire. Kidney Fire is Dragon Fire, fire within water. When Water is deficient and Fire is hyperactive, it transforms into Dry-Fire; if Dampness and Heat steam, it becomes Wet-Fire. Spleen belongs to Earth, which is mixed Qi; thus, Spleen Fire is mostly Wet-Fire. Wet-Fire injuring Spleen Yin transforms into Dry-Fire. Dryness and Dampness ultimately return to Fire transformation. This is how Earth Two generates Fire, completing it. Other examples: Spring Warmth is Cold transforming into Dryness involving Dampness; Wind Warmth is Wind transforming into Dryness; Warmth and Summer-Heat Warmth are Dampness and Heat combining, biased toward Heat; Dampness Warmth is Dampness and Heat combining, biased toward Dampness; Warm Epidemic resembles pestilence, arising from turbid Earth Dampness and Heat stagnation, transforming into Dryness fastest; Latent Summer-Heat is Summer-Heat and Dampness combining, hiding in the Membrane Source, waiting for Cool Dryness to activate; Malaria involves Summer-Heat and Dampness combining, hiding in the Membrane Source, or Cold and Wind forcing Summer-Heat into the Ying level, both waiting for Cool Dryness to activate; Cholera involves injury to Summer-Heat Dryness, Cold Dryness, Summer-Heat Dampness, or Cold Dampness, or Dryness involving Dampness, Dampness transforming into Dryness, occurring sequentially. Examining this, are Dryness and Dampness not generated and transformed by Wind, Cold, Summer-Heat, and Fire? Hence, I present them as the outline.

Asked: How should treatment be conducted? I reply: Treating exterior Dryness and Dampness pathogens has no other method than providing an exit for the pathogen, ensuring the pathogen exits early. What is the exit? The Lung, Stomach, Intestines, and Bladder. Pathogens entering from outside must exit from outside. Hair pores are the association of the Lung; mouth and nose are the apertures of the Lung and Stomach; Large Intestine and Bladder are the exterior of the interior, and portals of the Lung and Stomach. Thus, resolving via sweat is exterior resolution; resolving via urination and defecation is also exterior resolution. Dryness belongs to Heaven Qi, which is clear pathogen. Qi battles Qi, so it first injures the Qi level of the Lung Meridian. Qi has no form; its有形 (form) part is dregs in the stomach and intestines. Dryness pathogen transmits from Lung to interior, using dregs as attachment, thus injuring Stomach and Intestines. Lung and Large Intestine are both Dry Metal; Lung and Stomach are mother and son. Thus, the Classics state Yangming also governs Dry Metal. Dryness pathogen injuring Dry Metal follows similar Qi attraction, which is natural. Dampness belongs to Earth Qi, which is misty and sticky, a turbid pathogen. However, turbid pathogen is still Qi. Qi enters via mouth and nose, injuring Lung Qi level. Lung governs whole-body Qi transformation. Blocked by pathogen, Qi cannot move water, so Dampness cannot transform. Turbid pathogen returns to turbid pathways, transmitting to Stomach and Intestines; the clear part of turbidity transmits to Bladder.

Asked: What about medication? I reply: Sweat is body fluid; its excretion is transformed by Qi. Now, if Qi fails to transform fluid and there is no sweat, it is because Qi is blocked by pathogen! Pathogen blockage closes hair pores and meridians; Stomach, Intestines, and Bladder also close. Treatment should lightly open Lung Qi blocked by pathogen, assist in smoothing Stomach and Intestine Qi mechanism, and simultaneously promote Bladder Qi transformation. For Dryness pathogen, use Acrid-Moistening to open it; for Dampness pathogen, use Acrid-Dispersing to open it; Dryness combined with Cold, use Acrid-Warm-Moistening; Dryness combined with Heat, use Acrid-Cool light agents; Dampness combined with Cold, use Acrid-Warm-Dispersing; Dampness combined with Heat, use Acrid-Cool-Dispersing; Dryness transforming into Heat, use Acrid-Cool heavy agents; Dampness transforming into Heat, use Acrid-Bitter unblocking and descending; Dryness oppressed by Dampness, add Bitter-Acrid-Dispersing to Acrid-Moistening to resolve Dampness; Dampness oppressed by Dryness, add Acrid-Moistening to Acrid-Dispersing to resolve Dryness; Dryness disturbing Spirit, use Acrid-Cool light and empty methods to open; Dampness clouding Spirit, use Bitter-Acid light and clear methods to open. In short, once Lung Qi level pathogen is opened, sweat resolves. If illness occurs after eating, Qi is battled by pathogen, unable to digest; must combine dispersing, loosening, harmonizing, and transforming to prevent knotting. Later transmission to interior requires slight unblocking. If pathogen is heavy and turbid, it must transmit to interior; interior transmission requires purgation. If Lung Qi is unopened but interior syndrome is urgent, must add Stomach and Intestine moistening/unblocking agents to Lung dispersing/opening. Lung governs Heaven Qi; when Heaven Qi opens, Earth Qi moves. Dryness pathogen often causes fecal impaction in Large Intestine; must use Salty to soften and Moistening to unblock. Dampness pathogen stool resembles spoiled sauce; must缓 (slow) drug power to push it out, or use pills to grind it down. Dryness injuring fluids requires slippery-moistening agents to increase fluid and unblock; Dampness blocking Qi mechanism requires Acrid-Bitter flavors to open and transform. Generally, pathogen injuring Heaven Qi is treated with clearing and opening. When Heaven Qi opens, clear pathogen in hair pores and meridians opens; turbid pathogen in Stomach, Intestines, and Bladder, having no constraint, also opens. Sweat resolves, and bowel/bladder resolve; as upper apertures open, lower apertures naturally open. If upper apertures are unopened but lower are forced open, Qi is blocked by Upper Jiao pathogen, unable to transport downward. Like a bird with bound feet trying to fly—is it possible? Pathogen transmitting to Earth Dao is treated with unblocking and promoting. When Earth Qi opens, turbid pathogen in Stomach, Intestines, and Bladder opens; clear pathogen in hair pores and meridains, isolated and unsupported, also opens. Bowel/bladder resolve, and sweat resolves; as lower apertures open, upper apertures naturally open. If lower apertures are unblocked but upper are forced open, Qi is blocked by Stomach/Intestine pathogen, unable to transform sweat and exit outward. Like a sea gate blocked, expecting streams to follow course—is it possible? Examining this, the Way of Heaven and Earth is consistent. Are there two ways?

Asked: What if there is Deficiency of Person and Excess of Syndrome? I reply: Deficiency of Person and Excess of Syndrome simply adds methods to support the pathogen's exit and formulas to protect Zheng Qi. Ultimately, expelling pathogen is primary. The earlier the pathogen retreats, the earlier Zheng Qi recovers. The Classics say: "If there is pathology, there will be no collapse [of Zheng Qi]." Otherwise, nurturing the carbuncle creates disaster; later, even if one wishes to treat, it cannot be done. Hence I say: Treating exterior pathogens has no other method than providing an exit for the pathogen, ensuring early exit.

Another asks: Pathogen has no form, relying on dregs for form. Is it okay not to feed the patient? I reply: No. Where pathogen gathers, Qi is deficient. If able to eat but denied food, Stomach Qi becomes more deficient. Like defending an empty city, thieves enter freely. Not only does pathogen enter Stomach, but without grain Qi, the source of generation and transformation is cut off. Five Zang become empty vessels, and pathogen enters everywhere. Asked: Then force feeding? Also no. If unable to eat but forced, pathogen is further suppressed. This is "stealing grain" [helping the enemy]. In short, eating or not depends on the patient's capacity. Force-feeding is inadvisable; fasting is especially inadvisable. Only light diet to nourish Stomach is suitable; thick/turbid foods protect pathogen. Proverb: "Starvation does not kill Cold Damage." Knowing hunger indicates Stomach Qi, meaning survival. My teacher Mr. Ju Tong often emphasized this. Why do patients still force-feed and doctors still forbid eating, ignoring the supreme truth?

Asked: Exterior Hundred Diseases are not outside Dryness and Dampness; I have heard you. May I ask about Interior Injury? I reply: Interior Injury changes infinitely, but tracing the cause reveals only Dryness and Dampness. The Great Dao is nothing but Yin and Yang. Ancient and modern medical texts categorize extensively; the more categories, the more divergent treatments, dazzling the eye temporarily but leaving students lost. This is due to failing to explore the root and origin to observe the principles of Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang. Let us analyze. Exterior contraction is Excess; even if deficient, Excess comes first. Interior injury is Deficiency; even if Excess, Deficiency comes first. Yang Qi deficiency leads to weak steaming/transport, forming Interior Dampness; Yin Blood deficiency leads to lack of nourishment, forming Interior Dryness. Overthinking binds Qi; bound Qi lacks pivot mobility, forming Interior Dampness. Qi binding leads to Blood binding; bound Blood lacks circulation, forming Interior Dryness. Moreover, Yin and Yang are roots of each other; Qi and Blood share the same source. Severe Yang deficiency implies Yin deficiency; without fire under the pot, how can essence be steamed? Severe Qi deficiency implies Blood deficiency; without a winch on the cart, how can water be drawn? Often starting with Dampness, later Dampness transforms into Dryness. Severe Yin deficiency implies Yang deficiency; with dying lamp and empty oil, how can brilliance shine? Severe Blood deficiency implies Qi deficiency; with shallow water and stopped boat, how can it surge forward? Often starting with Dryness, later Dryness involves Dampness. Transforming Dampness is still from outside (though Interior Dampness arises internally, it is derived from fluid retention, still an excess within insufficiency). Transforming Dryness is depletion from within. Therefore, if Dryness transforms into Dampness, treat Dampness as root and Dryness as branch; if Dampness transforms into Dryness, treat Dampness as root and Dryness as branch. This is the major principle of treating root and branch, priority and sequence.

Asked: What is the hierarchy of Zang-Fu? I reply: Diseases caused by Heaven Qi are exterior contractions, affecting Heaven Qi first. Diseases caused by Human factors are interior injuries, affecting Earth Qi first. Thus, Interior Dryness originates in Lung, Stomach, Kidney; Stomach is heavy, Kidney is heavier. Lung is the source of distributing fluids; Stomach is the root of generating fluids; Kidney is the foundation of distribution and generation. Interior Dampness originates in Lung, Spleen, Kidney; Spleen is heavy, Kidney is heavier. Lung is the source of regulating water fluids; Spleen is the root of distributing water fluids; Kidney is the hub of regulation and distribution. Thus, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney are what Lung borrows to generate and transform. If Heaven Qi does not descend, it is because Earth Qi does not ascend. How can we not distinguish weight? In short, diseases have Dryness/Dampness; medicines have Drying/Moistening; diseases have purity/mixture; formulas have flexibility. The Classics say: "He who knows the key finishes in one word; he who does not know the key scatters infinitely." This is what is meant!