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The condition commonly known as hiccups is termed "E Ni" (Hiccup). It is often caused by Stomach Fire rushing upward, assisted by Liver Fire. If the Qi of Lung Metal fails to descend properly, one must harmonize the Stomach and clear the Lungs (clear Lung Qi) so that the Liver Fire is naturally suppressed. The formula used is Jupi Zhuru Dingdi Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction with Clove and Persimmon Calyx), containing Dingxiang (Clove), Shidi (Persimmon Calyx), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), and Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings). (Note: Dingxiang and Chenpi are acrid and warm, promoting the movement of Qi stagnation in the Middle Jiao; Zhuru and Shidi are bitter and cold, treating rebellious Qi in the Lower Jiao.)

If excessive food intake leads to retention in the chest and diaphragm, Ququ (Medicated Leaven), Maiya (Sprouted Barley), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), and Binglang (Areca Seed) can be used to promote digestion and guide out stagnation. If phlegm-fluids are obstructive and the pulse is slippery, Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), Fuling (Poria), and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) should be administered together. If water retention occurs beneath the heart (epigastrium) causing abnormal sounds, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Zexie (Alisma Rhizome), Zhuling (Polyporus), and Fuling (Poria) are used to drain dampness. If accompanied by fever, irritability, thirst, and a rapid pulse, Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) are used to clear heat. If stagnant Qi causes fullness in the chest and abdomen, Sharen (Amomi Fructus), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), and Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) are selected. If Cold in the Stomach presents with a slow pulse, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), and Guirou (Cinnamomi Cortex) are used to warm and tonify. If the pulse is weak and Qi deficiency is severe, Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) is highly effective. Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), ground into powder or juice, treats various forms of hiccup; mixed with Ginger Juice and Honey, it completely eliminates the symptom.

For hiccup caused by Stomach Deficiency and Deficient Yang rebelling upward, Zhang Zhongjing's Jupi Zhuru Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction) is applicable. Its ingredients include: Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Gancao (Licorice Root), Nanzao (Chinese Date), and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger).

For hiccup caused by Depression and Bi-syndrome of Lung Qi, Yujin (Curcumae Radix), Pipaye (Loquat Leaf), Douchi (Prepared Soybean), Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), Chuanbeimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus), and Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla) may be used. This method aims to open the obstruction of the Upper Jiao, regulate Yang to dispel Yin, representing a treatment method from the Middle Jiao perspective; it should be referred to alongside cases of Lower Jiao Yang Deficiency with turbid Yin rebelling upward.

For hiccup caused by Yang Deficiency and rebelling turbid Yin, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Dingxiangpi (Clove Bark), Shidi (Persimmon Calyx), Fuling (Poria), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper), Daizheshi (Ochra), Wumei (Mume Fruit), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), and Jingmi (Rice) can be used.

For hiccup caused by Cold in both Spleen and Kidney with exhaustion of Yang Qi, Muxiang Liqi Yin (Aucklandia Qi-Regulating Decoction) is decocted, containing Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Zhigancao (Prepared Licorice Root), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), optionally adding Rougui (Cinnamon Bark); for Deficient-Cold, add Dingxiang (Clove); alternatively, Lizhong Tang (Middle-Warming Decoction) with added Dingxiang (Clove), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Rouguoshuang (Myristica Semen Powder), Zhigancao (Prepared Licorice Root), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) may be used.

For hiccup caused by Food Stagnation, Liuhe Zhong Yin (Six-Harmony Middle-Jiao Decoction) with added Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) is used.

Chen Xiuyuan stated: When Yin Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney occurs, Qi rushes up from below the umbilicus. This is Ministerial Fire flaring upward, carrying the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) Qi with it. One should use Dabu Yin Wan (Great Tonification of Yin Pill) to vigorously tonify True Yin and control Ministerial Fire. This is Zhu Danxi's method (ingredients: Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), Zhuhuiji (Porcine Spinal Cord), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Guiban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum)).

When Yin Fire rushes upward, preventing inhalation from entering the Stomach, and the pulse becomes rebellious, with Yang hidden within Yin, this constitutes hiccup. One should use Zishen Wan (Kidney-Nourishing Pill) to drain latent heat within the Yin. This is Li Dongyuan's method (ingredients: Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark)).

It is also said: The chest, heart, and back of a person rely on the expansion of Clear Yang Qi above to maintain openness and freedom.