Library

Bai Zhu (2 qian), Zhi Shi, Chen Pi, Mai Ya, Shan Zha, Fu Ling, Shen Qu, Lian Qiao (each 1 qian), Yin Chen, He Ye (each 1.5 qian), Ze Xie (0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
If accompanied by alcohol injury, add Ge Gen (1 qian); if constipation occurs, remove Bai Zhu, add Bo Le Zi and Huang Qin.
Liu Jun Zi Tang (see "Lei Zhong").

In cases where food fails to digest due to Wind-Cold, appetite returns naturally as the pathogenic qi recedes. In cases where food fails to digest due to stagnation, digestion resumes naturally after the stagnation is expelled. Ancient formulas such as Shen Shu San, Bao He Tang, and Zhi Zhu Wan are all methods for eliminating stagnation and promoting appetite. However, there are cases of inability to digest due to Spleen Qi deficiency, and cases of inability to digest due to decline of Ming Men Fire, which fails to warm and transform Spleen Earth. Li Dongyuan stated: "When Yuan Qi in the Stomach is abundant, one can eat without injury and not feel hungry past mealtime. When both Spleen and Stomach are robust, one can eat and become plump; when both Spleen and Stomach are depleted, one cannot eat and becomes emaciated." If Kun Earth (Spleen) is weak and unable to digest food, how can one further use attacking and reducing methods? One should use Liu Jun Zi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang to tonify. Scholar Xu stated: "Regarding the symptom of inability to eat, one cannot solely blame the Spleen. If the Original Yang of the Kidney Meridian is insufficient, it cannot steam and rot/cook [food]. It is like water and grain in a pot; without fire underneath, how can it be cooked?" Fire is the mother of Earth; in deficiency, tonify the mother, so that Yuan Qi steams upward and dietary intake increases. Ba Wei Wan is the primary formula. The common people often see the symptom of inability to eat and immediately use Zhi Shi, Hou Po, and Huang Lian. This may be acceptable for excess patterns, but for deficient persons, disaster will follow swiftly. Generally, inability to eat accompanied by acid regurgitation, belching with a putrid odor, and fullness/stuffiness in the chest and diaphragm does not necessarily belong entirely to food stagnation. Many such cases are caused by Spleen deficiency and Kidney weakness; practitioners must examine carefully.
Shen Shu San (see "Lei Zhong").
Bao He Tang (see "Xin Tong").
Zhi Zhu Wan (see "Gu Zhang").
Liu Jun Zi Tang, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Ba Wei Wan (all see "Lei Zhong").

In cases where disharmony of the Stomach leads to restless sleep, characterized by distension, stuffiness, and pain in the Stomach, this is Food Stagnation, treated primarily with Bao He Tang. In cases where emptiness of Heart Blood leads to restless sleep, it is all due to excessive overthinking, causing the Spirit (Shen) to fail to reside within; this is treated primarily with Gui Pi Tang. In cases where Wind-Cold pathogenic heat transmits to the Heart, or Summer-Heat invades the Heart, causing restlessness and agitation, clearing the heat will cause the Spirit to settle naturally. In cases where internal Cold causes the Spirit to be unsettled, warming the interior will cause the Spirit to reside naturally. In cases of restlessness due to fright and fear, the person jumps and feels terrified in dreams; this is treated primarily with An Shen Ding Zhi Wan. In cases where Phlegm-Dampness obstruction causes the Spirit to be unsettled, symptoms include vomiting, nausea, stifling sensation, and discomfort in the chest and diaphragm; using Er Chen Tang to guide out the phlegm will lead to immediate peaceful sleep. Furthermore, bedding that is too hot or cold, or uneven seasonal temperature changes, can also prevent peaceful sleep; these are not diseases, and physicians must exercise caution.
Bao He Tang, Gui Pi Tang (both see "Xin Tong").