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In the year of Xinhai, I arrived at Yixi, where I encountered a woman who had been suffering from incessant thirst for one year postpartum. Other medications proved ineffective. I prescribed Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with added Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wumei (Mume Fruit), and Sheng Ganjiang (Raw Dried Ginger). These were processed into honey pills the size of bullet seeds. She was instructed to hold them in her mouth to dissolve slowly. Symptoms improved within three days, and she recovered completely in ten days. The brilliance of this formula lies in the bitter-drying nature of Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and the pungent-hot nature of Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), which together stimulate Stomach Qi and elevate fluids upward.

Yuquan San (Jade Spring Powder)
Indicated for Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst Syndrome).
Baigange (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)
Equal parts, decocted in water and taken orally.

Huanjin Wan (Saliva-Returning Pill)
Stops thirst and generates fluids.
Suanmei (Pruni Mume Fructus), Wumei (Pruni Mume Fructus) (25 pieces each, pits removed), Bohe Mo (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba powder) (1 liang), Bingpian (Borneolum Syntheticum) (1 fen 5 li), Pengsha (Borax) (1 qian 5 fen)
Grind all ingredients into an extremely fine powder, form into pills, and take one pill by holding it in the mouth at a time.

Xiaoke Runzao Fang (Wasting-Thirst Moistening-Dryness Formula)
Baimi (Mel) (1 jin), Renru Su (Human Milk Butter) (1 jin)
Melt and mix together; take at any time of day without restriction.

Saosi Tang (Silkworm-Reeling Soup)
Indicated for Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst Syndrome).
Drink Saosi Tang.

Maren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill) (Formula see *Shanghan Lun*)
Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) (Formula see *Jinkui Yaolue*)
Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) (Formula see *Shifang Gekua*)
Zhigancao Tang (Roasted Licorice Decoction) (Formula see *Shanghan Lun*)
The above three formulas are indicated for Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption).

The *Classic* states: "When Taiyang reaches its extreme, it manifests as lower back pain." Taiyang refers to the Bladder Meridian, primarily discussing exogenous pathogens. Formulas such as Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) or Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) with added Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) can be used to treat this. It also states: "The waist is the mansion of the Kidneys; if turning and shaking become difficult, the Kidneys are about to fail." This refers to endogenous injuries. For Kidney Yin deficiency (Water deficiency), use Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill); for Kidney Yang deficiency (Fire decline), use Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill). Herbs such as Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Lurong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum), Yangshen (Ovis/Capis Testis), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) may be added according to the pattern. This is a standard method known to all practitioners. If these methods fail, one might feel helpless, unaware that the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Du Mai (Governing Vessel), and Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) can also cause lower back pain, requiring careful differentiation. The *Classic* says: "The Liver belongs to the Foot Jueyin Meridian; when the meridian moves abnormally, it causes lower back pain, making flexion and extension impossible. It should be treated with Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Decoction for Cold Extremities)." (Within the formula, Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) follows the nature of Wood/Liver, and Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) unblocks collaterals, because chronic pain inevitably enters the collaterals.) It also states: "For diseases below the waist, both the Foot Taiyin (Spleen) and Foot Yangming (Stomach) meridians govern them. For disease in the waist, select points such as Zhongwan."

In my experience with this syndrome, I often use Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) as the sovereign herb, targeting the Taiyin Spleen; sometimes I use Yiren (Coicis Semen) as the sovereign herb, targeting the Yangming Stomach. People merely say these two herbs drain dampness, and once dampness is removed, the sensation of heaviness disappears. They do not realize that Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) circulates Earth Qi within the muscles, connecting externally to the skin and internally to the collaterals; thus, it can simultaneously treat Bi Syndrome caused by Wind, Cold, and Dampness. Yiren (Coicis Semen) is the principal herb of the Yangming channel; Yangming moistens Zongjin (Major Sinews), which bind bones and facilitate joint movement. Therefore, using these two herbs separately or together, possibly adding one or two guiding herbs, often yields miraculous effects. For pain caused by Blood Stasis, grinding a single ingredient, Lujiao (Cornu Cervi Nigrum), into powder and taking it with wine is very effective. For trauma or contusions causing swelling and pain, or for stagnant blood that fails to resolve, causing recurring pain after temporary relief, Taochengqi Tang (Peach Kernel and Rhubarb Decoction) with added Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Chansanjia (Manis Squama) is highly effective. Regarding Du Mai (Governing Vessel) pathology, the pulse at the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions in the center is floating (floating in all three positions), with a straight up-and-down shape (string-long image), indicating stiff and painful lower back. Regarding Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) pathology, the pulse at the Guan position rebounds on both sides like a plucked string, indicating a feeling of looseness in the waist as if sitting in water; acupuncture and moxibustion must be used. Li Binhu's *Qijing Kao* (Examination of the Extraordinary Vessels) provides profound insights and should be studied thoroughly.

Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Decoction for Cold Extremities), Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) (Both see *Shanghan Lun*)
Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill), Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) (Both see *Shifang Gekua*)

Xinding Baizhu Tang (Newly Formulated Atractylodes Decoction)
Indicated for lower back pain with heaviness, unresponsive to other medications.
Baizhu (Raw, 5 qian to 1 liang), Duzhong (Raw, 5 qian or 1 liang), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root, 2-3 qian)
Decoct in water and take on an empty stomach. If the pulse is deep and faint, and the mouth feels neutral, add Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 1 qian. If the pulse is deep and rapid, and the mouth feels hot, remove Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and add Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) 1 qian.

Xinding Yiren Tang (Newly Formulated Coix Seed Decoction)
Indicated for lower back pain with tendon spasms, making flexion and extension difficult.
Yiren (Coix Seed, 1 liang), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root, 1-2 qian), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus, 1 qian 5 fen), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 2-3 qian)
Decoct in water and take on an empty stomach. If the pulse is surging and forceful upon heavy pressure, and the mouth feels hot, remove Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 5 qian.

Lujiao San (Deer Horn Powder)
Slice Deer Horn, mix with wine, and roast until yellow but not burnt. Grind into powder. Take 3-4 qian on an empty stomach with aged yellow wine. This herb enters the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and helps disperse Blood Stasis.