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Jiu (Alcohol) is a clear and crisp substance. It does not descend with turbid filth but prefers to permeate into the body. The area of permeation first enters from the Stomach to the Gallbladder. The Gallbladder is a pure and clear Fu-organ; this is due to the attraction of similar Qi. The capacity of the Gallbladder to receive is small; subsequently, it enters from the Stomach to the Intestines, where the Bladder permeates and excretes it. The remaining residue is borne solely by the Gallbladder. Therefore, those who are skilled in drinking must sip slowly and sparingly, waiting for the permeation within the abdomen. If several cups are consumed rapidly, it is like emptying a purse all at once.

Although Jiu is one substance, it has different properties: pungent ones can disperse, bitter ones can descend, sweet ones moderate and remain central, and bland ones can promote urination. Those skilled in drinking possess strong congenital Yuan-Qi (Primordial Qi), so their Bladder can permeate and metabolize it. However, it should be consumed in small amounts, not excessively. Consumed in moderation, it circulates Qi and invigorates Blood; consumed in excess, it consumes Blood and damages Shen (Spirit). Those skilled in drinking also rely on Jiu as if it were Yuan-Qi; if they abstain, their physical form will inevitably become emaciated. Generally, the Way of Heaven and Earth lies in nothing other than "Zhong" (Moderation). Moreover, the rich and the poor each have their own diseases. Families of wealth and status, indulging in sexual activity and alcohol, may not necessarily fall ill; whereas the poor and lowly fall ill after slight drinking and suffer damage from sexual contact. What is the reason for this? It is likely that those of high status who indulge in alcohol avoid sexual intimacy, and those who engage in sex moderate their alcohol intake. Furthermore, they do not endure the toil of running and carrying heavy loads or the bitterness of business planning and mental worry. Once they have enjoyed alcohol and sex, they rest peacefully and replenish their bodies with rich flavors; how could disease arise? However, having both alcohol and sex is also not a good thing. As for those of humble status who cannot satisfy their desires, business planning and mental worry have exhausted their Heart-Mind, while running and carrying heavy burdens have damaged their physical strength. With the additional injury of alcohol and sex, how much Shen-Qi (Spirit and Vital Energy) can they retain? How can they withstand such destruction?

Wang Ying stated: People know to abstain from morning drinking but do not realize that night drinking is even more severe. Lying down to sleep when drunk and full causes heat to obstruct the San-Jiao (Triple Burner), damaging the Heart and Eyes. Nighttime Qi should converge, but alcohol disperses it, disturbing clarity and exhausting the Spleen and Stomach, leading to dampness retention and fire assistance, thus causing many diseases.

Treatment for Jiu-injury should distinguish between Exterior and Interior patterns. If there are aversion to cold, fever, and pain throughout the body and head, this indicates Damp-Heat in the meridians blocking the native Qi; Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Bupleurum and Pueraria Decoction to Resolve the Muscle Layer) should be used to induce sweating and dispel pathogenic factors from the skin and hair. If there is delirium, irritability, thirst, and confusion of consciousness, Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit and Immature Bitter Orange Decoction) is appropriate. If there is constipation and a deep, forceful pulse, the method should be purgation. If there is difficult urination and heat sensation in the legs and feet, this indicates accumulation of Jiu-Heat in the Lower Jiao; Jia Jian Chai Ling Tang (Modified Bupleurum and Polyporus Decoction) is suitable.

Various texts state that Jiu injures formless Yuan-Qi and can only be treated by inducing sweating, never by reckless purgation, to avoid damaging formless Yin-Blood. However, observing the time of drinking, there are often exquisite dishes, and before drinking, there is grain food. Thus, one cannot rigidly adhere to the previous statement. (Note: Alcohol can disturb nature and assist dampness; why do those addicted to alcohol secretly harm their bodies without exercising such prudence?)

Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Bupleurum and Pueraria Decoction to Resolve the Muscle Layer)
Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Gan Ge (Puerariae Radix), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Nong Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).

Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit and Immature Bitter Orange Decoction)
Bei Mu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus), Gua Lou Shuang (Trichosanthis Fructus Pulvis), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Bai Fu (Poria), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix).
Adding Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) is even better.

Jia Jian Chai Ling Tang (Modified Bupleurum and Polyporus Decoction)
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chi Fu (Poria cum Rubro), Zhu Ling (Polypori Parasiticum), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Nong Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex).