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Zhong'e (Sudden Collapse due to Evil Qi) refers to a condition caused by exposure to pathogenic factors such as "Feishi Guiji" (Flying Corpse and Ghost Strike, metaphorical terms for sudden severe pathogens or environmental toxins) when entering temples, visiting graves, mourning the dead, or visiting the sick. The symptoms include lockjaw, unconsciousness, resembling Phlegm Stroke. However, the patient's face appears cyanotic and blackish, and the skin exhibits gooseflesh, which allows one to diagnose Zhong'e. The *Neijing* states: "Generally, when external pathogens invade, they must combine with internal pathogens." Patients with Zhong'e first have phlegm and food stagnation in the stomach, and their healthy Qi is weak, allowing the pathogen to invade. Treatment of this condition should prioritize calming the mind and resolving phlegm. Only after the Qi mechanism becomes smooth and phlegm dissipates can tonification be considered. Xue Lizhai stated: "Zhong'e occurs primarily because of extreme deficiency of Healthy Qi, followed by invasion by evil." Treatment should focus on greatly tonifying Yuan Qi (Original Qi), rather than treating it solely as a phlegm disorder. However, at the initial stage, phlegm must be resolved first; one must not focus only on tonifying the root while neglecting the branch (i.e., "caring for the mother but losing the child").

Anshen Huatan Decoction (Calming the Mind and Resolving Phlegm Decoction)
Ingredients: Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).
If there is food stagnation, add Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex).

Medical texts state: "A tight and full Renying (Carotid Artery pulse point) indicates injury by Cold; a tight and full Qikou (Radial Artery pulse point) indicates injury by Food." From this, we know that the pulse diagnosis for food injury focuses primarily on the Qikou. However, during examination, some patients have a deep and hidden Qikou pulse, others have a slippery and large Qikou pulse, and some have both Renying and Qikou pulses appearing wiry and rapid. These variations are numerous and cannot be restricted to a single explanation. If both Renying and Qikou pulses are wiry and rapid, and the external symptoms include alternating chills and fever in the late afternoon, along with slight headache, it resembles Wind-Cold. However, the patient's spirit remains normal, and there is no body pain, which serves as the distinguishing factor. The Qi of the Spleen and Stomach is derived from Mingmen (Gate of Life). Mingmen remains still and unmoving, while the Lower Jiao acts as its minister, distributing Qi. This Qi travels to the Middle Jiao, enters the Spleen and Stomach, and enables digestion. Now, due to dietary obstruction, the Qi of Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) fails to circulate freely, generating symptoms such as chills and fever. Physicians who do not understand this may misdiagnose it as a Cold disease, causing much harm. It is appropriate to use Chaihu Huazhi Decoction (Bupleurum Decoction for Removing Stagnation) to unblock the exterior and interior and resolve both simultaneously. For severe food accumulation, purgation is indicated. If there are no external chills/fever or exterior symptoms, but only a sensation of chest and diaphragm fullness, it indicates phlegm enclosing undigested food. Jiawei Erchen Tang (Modified Two-Aged Powder) is appropriate. There are also cases where raw/cold foods injure the Spleen, presenting with a deep, slow, and forceless pulse. (One must examine whether the pulse is forceful or forceless to determine deficiency/excess treatment). Xiangsha Lizhong Tang (Amomum and Amomum-Cardamom Decoction for Regulating the Middle) is appropriate. In other cases, there may be no obvious discomfort in the chest or abdomen, but there is coughing, shortness of breath, weakness in the four limbs, and slightly unsmooth bowel movements. The pulse is deep, wiry, fine, and forceless upon heavy pressure. Although the Lower Jiao is deficient and cold, there is floating heat in the Middle Jiao. One should first use Yangxue Jianpi Tang (Nourishing Blood and Strengthening Spleen Decoction) to open up phlegm and food stagnation, and then use Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to solidify the Lower Jiao. This is the correct method. Regarding long-standing food accumulation or excessive injury leading to closure of Middle Qi, resulting in sudden collapse and unconsciousness, it is named Shijue (Food Syncope). In severe cases, there may be limb spasms resembling Phlegm Stroke. Jiawei Erchen Tang is also used here. If the pulse is deep, fine, and slow, add Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex). Do not mistake it for a phlegm disorder and wrongly use phlegm-resolving agents.

Chaihu Huazhi Decoction (Bupleurum Decoction for Removing Stagnation)
Ingredients: Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Suzi (Perillae Fructus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix).
Shangshi (Food Injury) is treated with Chaihu because it can ascend the Qi of Shaoyang.

Jiawei Erchen Tang (Modified Two-Aged Powder)
Ingredients: Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Baifu (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Suzi (Perillae Fructus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix).
Generally, to resolve food and phlegm, one must regulate Qi. If the chest is not open, Suzi and Jiegeng are used. If the issue is below the umbilicus and abdomen, Qingpi (Tangerine Peel, Green) and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) are appropriate.

Xiangsha Lizhong Tang (Amomum and Cardamom Decoction for Regulating the Middle)
Ingredients: Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Paojiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Sharen (Amomi Fructus), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Huoxiang (Agastaches Herba).
For heavy stagnation, remove Baizhu and add Zhike and Houpo. For severe cold, add Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex).

Yangxue Jianpi Tang (Nourishing Blood and Strengthening Spleen Decoction) - See the Spleen and Stomach section for the formula.

Chonghe Wan (Harmonizing Pill)
Ingredients: Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) (each 1 liang); Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) (each 5 qian).
The Spleen resides in the center; unaffected by cold, it does not feel cold; unaffected by heat, it does not feel heat. Food digests easily, and diseases do not arise. Hence it is called "Chonghe" (Harmonious/Moderate). Now, injured by diet, it has lost its original function. This formula eliminates stagnation and restores its harmonious state, hence the name Chonghe Wan. If phlegm and stagnation are stubborn and fixed, add Ezhu (Curcumae Rhizoma).

Drug Property Counteracting Agents
If vermicelli (Suofen) is not digesting, add Xingren; this also applies to dog meat. For beef injury, add Hongqu (Red Yeast Rice). For fish injury, add Ganlan (Canarium album seed). For wheat noodles and tofu injury, add Luobozhi (Raphani Semen). For sticky foods like Zongzi, add Baijiuyao (White Wine Yeast). For meat injury, add Shanzha. For fruits and vegetables, add Shexiang (Musk). For fried and strong-flavored foods, add Dandouchi (Fermented Soybean).