Library

Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome), physicians often prefer using herbs such as Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell), Bie Jia (Turtle Shell), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Yu Zhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Nv Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), Ge Li (Clam Shell), and Mu Li (Ostreae Concha). They immediately state that bitter-cold medicines should be avoided, urgently seeking to generate body fluids, selecting only neutral-natured drugs, and not expecting quick results within a day or two. This statement seems reasonable and logical; who would dare to refute it? However, they do not realize that such seemingly plausible words are the most detrimental to treatment. Treating disease is like governing a country; in a country, one need not fear true villains, but rather hypocritical gentlemen. Since they value body fluids highly, they should also know that body fluids are originally the True Water of our bodies. Water does not generate itself; it arises from Qi transformation and is facilitated by Fire. *Huang Liuyi Tang* (a specific formula mentioned in the text, contextually implying a method of generating water through Qi transformation) embodies the principle of Qi transforming into water; Cui Shi's Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) embodies the principle of Fire generating water. Qi Wei Bai Zhu San (Seven-Ingredient White Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) contains the aromatic and drying nature of Huo Xiang (Pogostemonis Herba), yet *Jin Kui Yi* states that it greatly promotes the generation of body fluids. Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) contains the acrid and hot nature of Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), yet *Lv Shan Tang* states that it raises fluid levels. This principle is subtle and cannot be understood by those with superficial knowledge. If one uses moistening, sweet, and cold substances to generate body fluids and nourish essence, this actually dries up the source of essence and fluids, thereby hastening death.

When pathogenic factors are abundant, it manifests as Excess (Shi). The so-called Five Excesses are: Excess in the Heart leads to a surging pulse; Excess in the Lung leads to hot skin; Excess in the Spleen leads to abdominal distension; Excess in the Kidney leads to obstruction of both anterior and posterior orifices (urination and defecation); Excess in the Liver leads to blurred vision and chest oppression. The sweating, vomiting, and purgative methods for treating Shang Han (Cold Damage) are all used to attack excess pathogens. For instance, Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Saposhnikovia Powder to Unblock the Extremities) resolves excess in both the exterior and interior simultaneously; its methodology is quite pure and can be used interchangeably with the methods of Zhang Zhongjing.

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San has the power to reverse critical conditions; who says Liu Hejian’s formulation principles are biased? It can resolve excess pathogens in both the exterior and interior simultaneously. Carefully contemplating the Five Excesses allows one to grasp the true standard of judgment.
Deaths resulting from untreated excess syndromes are mostly due to obstruction, which is divided into clear pathways and turbid pathways. Obstruction of the clear pathway requires treating the Lung; Ma Yuanyi from Wu region used herbs such as Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus), Zi Wan (Asteris Radix), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Su Zi (Perillae Fructus), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Ju Hong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to open the blockage. If left untreated, heavenly Qi cannot enter, and grain Qi cannot exit; the clear pathway becomes blocked, leading to death. Obstruction of the turbid pathway requires treating the Stomach; Zhang Xinyi from She region used formulas such as the Three Cheng Qi Decoctions (San Cheng Qi Tangs), Si Shun Qing Liang Yin (Four-Compliant Clearing and Cooling Drink), and Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) to purge the blockage. If left untreated, the abdomen becomes full, hard, and solid, and urination and defecation cease; the turbid pathway becomes blocked, leading to death.