Library

Jiawei Liujunzi Tang (Modified Six Gentlemen Decoction)
Treats deficiency-cold of the Lung and Spleen, with phlegm, cough, and wheezing.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, stir-fried), Fuling (Poria), Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber, each 2 qian), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Gancao (Licorice Root, honey-fried), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, each 1 qian), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 8 fen), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus, 7 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally.

Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction)
Treats collapse of Yuan Qi (Original Qi), with cold reversal of the hands and feet, incessant sweating, and shortness of breath nearing extinction.
My commentary: This is a syndrome of collapse affecting the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. If it is the Middle Jiao Pi Qi (Spleen Qi) that has collapsed, replace Renshen with 1 liang of Baizhu; this is named Shufu Tang. If it is the Upper Jiao Fei Qi (Lung Qi) that has collapsed, replace Renshen with 1 liang of Zhi Huangqi (Honey-fried Astragali Radix); this is named Qifu Tang. However, Huangqi is light and floating, so one must add 3 qian of Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and 1 qian of Wuweizi to anchor it. If it is the Lower Jiao Shen Qi (Kidney Qi) that has collapsed, replace Renshen with 1 liang of Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata). However, Shudihuang is cloying and sticky, making it unsuitable for cases with phlegm, and its action is slow, not suitable for acute emergencies relying on rapid effect. One must add 4 qian of Fuling to guide the action, which is then steady and appropriate. Observing Zhang Zhongjing’s three formulas—Fuling Gancao Tang (Poria and Licorice Decoction), Fuling Guizhi Baizhu Gancao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Licorice Decoction), and Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction)—all use Fuling as the Sovereign herb, and all treat incessant sweating. This is because massive sweating inevitably draws Kidney Water upward; only Fuling can suppress it. Using bland herbs as emergency rescue agents demonstrates the divine subtlety of Zhang Zhongjing’s methods.

Heixi Dan (Black Concretion Pill)
Treats deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach, excess above and deficiency below, Ben Tun (Running Piglet sensation), five types of Water Qi disorders, and critical conditions of stroke with phlegm turbulence.
Yu Jiayan stated: Whenever encountering urgent syndromes of Yin Fire counterflow or sudden collapse of True Yang, presenting with wheezing and rattling phlegm, there is no other method besides this formula. I always carry it in a small pouch close to my body, fearing that in an emergency there may not be time to prepare medicine, and wishing to let my body’s Yuan Qi warm and nourish the medicine, utilizing my hand to achieve efficacy; its merits are clearly recordable.
Xu Lingtai stated: Anchoring and grasping Yuan Qi is an essential medicine for treating wheezing; it should be stored in advance, as it cannot be rapidly assembled in a moment.

Liujun Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) (Formula seen in *Shifang*)
Treats Kidney Yin deficiency failing to grasp Qi. Add Maidong (5 qian) and Wuweizi (1 qian).

Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) (Formula seen in *Jingui Yaolue*)
Treats Kidney Yang deficiency failing to grasp Qi.

Quanzhen Yiqi Tang (Complete True One-Energy Decoction) (From *Fengshi Jinnang*)
Treats deficiency-heat in the Upper Jiao and deficiency-cold in the Lower Jiao. This formula employs the method of clearing and purifying above while filling and solidifying below.
Shudihuang (1 liang), Renshen (1–3 qian or 1 liang separately decocted and mixed), Maidong, Niuxi (each 2 qian), Dong Baizhu (stir-fried, 3 qian), Wuweizi (7 fen), Fuzi (1 qian, must be heavily used).
Decoct in water and take orally.

Gouqi Tang (Goji Berry Decoction) (Formula seen in *Shifang*)
Treats shortness of breath.

Zhengyuan Yin (Prime Origin Infusion) (Seen in *Sanszijing* annotations)
I deduce Zhang Jingyue’s intent in formulating this: Qi belongs to Yang, Blood belongs to Yin. After massive sweating causing blood loss, or postpartum, or after febrile diseases, Blood deficiency leads to Qi having no attachment. Solitary Yang lacks a master, occasionally presenting with panting; thus, this infusion is used to relieve and soothe it. The key lies in the four characters "relieve and soothe" (Ji zhi huan zhi). Modern people read through it casually, leading to many errors. When Yin and Blood are exhausted, they most appreciate the moistening nature of Shudihuang to relieve them; yet fearing the relief is insufficient, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) is added to assist this relieving power. For rapid breathing, the great sweetness of Gancao is most suitable to soothe it; yet fearing the soothing is inadequate, 2–3 qian are used to accomplish the soothing function.
Shudihuang (3–5 qian to 1 liang), Danggui, Zhi Gancao (honey-fried Licorice Root, each 2–3 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally.

Commentary by Changsun Xin Dian: Qi is the husband, Blood is the wife. Without a wife, the husband will surely wander; this is the natural trend. This formula focuses on nourishing Blood, allowing Qi to have a place to attach, gradually calming down; it is a mild/slow-acting formula. Today, people facing critical conditions of sudden True Yang collapse with wheezing and surging phlegm do not consider using Fuzi Tang, Zhenwu Tang, or Heixi Dan, but instead administer Zhengyuan Yin. In such cases, Yin-Cold rises like smoke, phlegm saliva surges, and death occurs within moments.
This formula enters the meridians but does not enter the Kidneys; this must be known.

Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction)
Treats Water Qi causing cough and vomiting, difficult urination, edema of the four limbs, and abdominal pain.
Commentary by second son Yuan Xi: The above formulas for treating wheezing mostly target Water-Fluid retention. Because Zhang Zhongjing stated "Shortness of breath all belongs to Fluid," countless methods were derived from this insight. The medicine reaches the disease and heals it, too numerous to mention. One realizes that emulating the ancients requires aiming high.
Zhenwu is the Water Deity of the North. Naming the decoction after him borrows the meaning of suppressing Water. Fuzi is acrid and hot, strengthening the Yuan Yang of the Kidney, so Water has a master; Baizhu’s warm and drying nature establishes the Middle Earth, so Water has control; Fuzi combined with the acrid dispersion of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) contains the intention of dispersing Water within tonification; Baizhu combined with the light and penetrating nature of Fuling contains the way of promoting urination within controlling Water; especially wonderful is the bitter descent of Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), which gathers the upward flight of True Yang. Shaoyao is the finale of spring flowers, withering when summer arrives; borrowing its nature and flavor, it urgently causes Yang Qi to return to its root in Yin.

Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) (Formulas seen in *Shanghan Lun*)
This formula is exactly Zhenwu Tang, removing Shengjiang and adding Renshen, to tonify Yang and suppress Yin. The divergence lies only in one herb and slight differences in dosage. Students reading ancient texts must investigate these points carefully to benefit.
The *Jingui Yaolue* states: Shortness of breath with slight fluid retention should be eliminated via urination; Linggui Gan Zhu Tang governs it, and Shenqi Wan also governs it.
Yu Jiayan stated: Fluid pathogens obstruct respiration, causing shortness of breath. However, the boundary where breathing becomes extremely subtle is hard to distinguish. If exhalation is short of breath, it indicates an obstruction of Heart-Lung Yang; one should use Linggui Zhu Gan Tang to unblock Yang. Once Yang is unblocked, the Qi apertures of the Bladder become smooth. If inhalation is short of breath, it indicates an obstruction of Liver-Kidney Yin; one should use Shenqi Wan to unblock Yin. Once Yin is unblocked, the gates of Shaoyin open.
Commentary: Distinguishing shortness of breath by exhalation versus inhalation reveals profound principles.