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Prolonged deficiency that fails to recover is termed "Sun" (Damage/Decline), while extreme depletion that cannot be restored is termed "Lao" (Exhaustion/Labor). When Yuan Qi (Original Qi) has no root, it generates heat and scorching sensations. Labor overexerts and damages Yang, while sexual indulgence and alcohol damage Yin. It is also said: Restoring Yin to subsequently affect Yang is the most difficult condition to overcome and restore.

Yin Deficiency: Exhaustion of Kidney Yang, afternoon fever, reduced appetite. Weakness for several days, clear pulse presentation, dry cough, hemoptysis, and night sweats. Yang Deficiency presents with sweating and headache. The pulse is fine, slow, and weak, with morning fever. Yin deficiency, Blood deficiency, and Kidney Essence depletion; Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency are often caused by fatigue and overwork. For Yin deficiency, Siwu Lingbai Dan (Four Substances Decoction with Scutellaria and Phellodendron) can be used, or Er Dong Bai Wei Gui Zhi Gan Fang (Tian Dong, Mai Dong, Huang Bai, Wu Wei Zi, Gui Ban, Zhi Mu, Gan Cao). Qing Gu San (Clear Bone Powder) is applicable for bone-steaming fever; Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) are suitable for spontaneous sweating. For cough with shortness of breath, use Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), and Zi Wan (Aster Root); for phlegm, use Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit) and Bei Mu. For bleeding, use E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root), Zi Wan, and Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn - *note: substitute with water buffalo horn in modern practice*). For diarrhea, add Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Fu Ling (Poria), and Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed). For night sweats, Fu Xiao Mai (Floating Wheat) and Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) are beneficial; Mu Li (Oyster Shell) and Hei Dou (Black Soybean) are appropriate if used correctly. For epistaxis, use Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), and Mao Gen Cao (Imperata Rhizome); for hoarseness and dry throat, Fen Hua (Trichosanthes Root) and Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) are effective. For Yang deficiency, benefit Qi and tonify the Middle; dispersing fire and raising Yang is also appropriate. External cold damaging Yang leads to deficiency; Yang deficiency with Yin excess characterizes the initial stage of decline. This type of damage spreads from the Upper Jiao to the Lower Jiao: First damage affects the Lung, causing withered skin and hair; Second damage affects the Heart, leading to insufficient blood vessels (unable to nourish organs, resulting in amenorrhea in women); Third damage affects the Stomach, requiring urgent attention (if the Stomach is involved, it is incurable). Heat pathogens damaging Yin lead to Yin deficiency, where Yin deficiency with Yang excess presents differently. This type of damage spreads from the Lower Jiao to the Upper Jiao: Second damage affects the bones, causing flaccidity and inability to rise from bed (involving the Kidneys); First damage affects the Liver, causing tendon exhaustion; Third damage affects the Spleen, requiring rapid support (if digestion fails due to Spleen weakness, it is an incurable condition).

Yin Deficiency: Fu Mai Tang (Restore the Pulse Decoction), Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia).
Yang Deficiency: Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Lu Jiao Shuang (Deer Antler Frost), Dang Gui Shen (Angelica Sinensis Root Body), Xi Gou Qi (Goji Berry), Fu Ling (Poria), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche Stem), Huai Yao (Chinese Yam), Sha Yuan Zi (Astragalus Complanatus Seed).
Yin Deficiency with Floating Yang (Use shell-type minerals to anchor Yang, suppress rebellion, and fill the lower):
Yang Deficiency with Extraordinary Vessel Involvement: Lu Jiao (Deer Antler), Sha Yuan Zi, Qi Zi (Goji Berry), Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed), Rou Cong Rong, Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), Dang Gui Shen.
Combined Yin and Yang Deficiency: Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Dang Gui Shen, Rou Cong Rong, Qing Yan (Green Salt), Lu Jiao, Fu Ling, Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), Fu Mai Tang.
Upper Damage Affecting the Stomach: Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Shu Di Huang, Ren Shen, Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum Fruit), Gou Qi Zi, Bian Dou (Lablab Bean), Fu Ling, Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Wu Wei Zi, Shan Yao, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) minus Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger).
Lower Damage Affecting the Middle: Modified Ba Wei Wan, Yi Gong San (Five-Agent Powder), Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, Lu Jiao, Tu Si Zi, Qi Zi, Jia Jiu Zi (Leek Seed).
Stomach Deficiency with Vomiting and Diarrhea: Ren Shen, Chi Shi Zhi (Red Halloysite), Chao Jing Mi (Fried Rice Grain), Wu Mei (Mume Fruit), Xin Hui Pi (Chenpi/Aged Tangerine Peel).
Yin Deficiency with Floating Yang, Combined with Stomach Yin Deficiency: Sheng Di Huang, Ren Shen, Bian Dou, Mai Dong, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice), Fu Ling.
Combined Spleen and Kidney Deficiency: Ren Shen, Wei Yi Zhi Ren (Roasted Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit), Guang Pi (Tangerine Peel), Fu Ling, Sha Yuan Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Zi Sheng Wan (Nourishing Life Pill) plus Kan Qi (Umbilical Cord), Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from Treatise on Birth) plus Fu Ling and Tu Si Zi.
Labor Damaging Heart Spirit: Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), Bai Zhu, Ren Shen, Dang Gui Shen, Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Suan Zao Ren, Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao (Jujube).
Middle Deficiency (Use Stomach-regulating herbs to stabilize the Center): Use Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Gan Cao; in Spring, use Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction), Mai Dong, Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Gan Cao, Da Zao; or Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder), Ren Shen, Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi; or Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Gan Cao, Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, Yi Tang (Maltose) plus Huang Qi (Astragalus Root); or Shi Si Wei Jian Zhong Tang (Fourteen-Ingredient Construct the Middle Decoction).
Kidney Qi Failing to Grasp: Ren Shen, Tu Si Zi, Fu Ling, Kan Qi, Wu Wei Zi, Hu Tao (Walnut Kernel).
Qi and Blood Stagnation, Obstruction of Ascending and Descending: Use Xuan Fu Hua Tang (Inula Flower Decoction), Xuan Fu Hua (Inula Flower), Qing Cong (Green Onion Stem), Xin Jiang (New Crimson Dye/Safflower), plus Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Gui Xu (Angelica Sinensis Root Tip), Lou Pi (Trichosanthes Peel).
Deficiency of both Chong and Ren Vessels: Zi He Che (Human Placenta), Da Shu Di Huang, Yun Fu Shen, Rou Cong Rong, Wu Wei Zi, Chuan Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark).
Labor Damaging Spleen and Stomach: Use Xia Tian Gao (Xia Tian Paste).
Labor Damaging Meridians: Dang Gui Shen, Rou Cong Rong, Sha Yuan, Qi Zi, Fu Ling, Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome).

He Shutian stated: Fatigue damaging Qi should be treated in the Upper and Middle Jiao, using sweet-cool herbs to tonify the clear fluids of the Lung and Stomach, and soft/moistening agents to nourish the Ying (Nutrient) fluid of the Heart and Spleen. Alternatively, use sweet-warm herbs to establish the Middle Jiao Qi, preventing the daily deviation of Yin and Yang, allowing Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi to circulate properly. Sexual indulgence damaging Essence should be treated in the Lower Jiao while addressing the Eight Extraordinary Vessels; one must also distinguish between filling Essence and tonifying Qi, and between warming Fire and nourishing Yin. One may cultivate stillness to gather Yin, or warm and regulate the Yang of the Extraordinary Vessels.

Chen Can stated: Kidney deficiency with Qi attacking the back, and Liver deficiency with Heat touching the Heart, require flesh-and-blood sentient substances (animal-derived tonics) for heavy sedation to treat timidity, and filling to solidify the Lower Jiao. Those with insufficient form should be warmed with Qi; those with insufficient essence should be tonified with Flavor (substance).