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Yige (dysphagia and food impaction) refers to the obstruction of the upper and lower orifices caused by the decline of Yang qi and the dampness stagnation of the Spleen Earth. The Spleen governs the ascending of clear Qi, while the Stomach governs the descending of turbid Qi. When clear Qi ascends, the lower orifice remains open and unobstructed; when turbid Qi descends, the upper orifice remains clear and unimpeded. Once the Middle Qi becomes deficient and fails, damp Earth blocks the flow. If the Spleen sinks, clear Qi cannot ascend, resulting in the lower orifice becoming astringent and knotted with no excretion; if the Stomach rebels, turbid Qi cannot descend, resulting in the upper orifice becoming stagnant and blocked with no intake. Furthermore, when the Spleen sinks, Liver Wood loses its power of free flow and drainage, causing difficult urination and defecation with water stasis failing to move. When the Stomach rebels, Gallbladder Fire has a tendency to float and rise, causing phlegm-saliva to stagnate and block, preventing food from going down. The failure of intake and excretion stems from the dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach transportation, which is actually caused by the deficiency and failure of Middle Qi. Linggui Banxia Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, and Pinellia Decoction) is used as the primary treatment.

Linggui Banxia Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, and Pinellia Decoction)
Fuling (Poria, 3 qian), Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis, 3 qian), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, 2 qian), Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi, 3 qian), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, 3 qian), Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Preparatum, 3 qian), Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, 3 qian), Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba, 3 qian). Decoct in water, take half cup warm. If the Upper Wan (upper part of the stomach) does not open, heavy use of Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) is appropriate to direct Stomach Qi downward. For abundant phlegm, add Fuling (Poria) and Jupi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) to move turbidity; extract juice from Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens), more is better. If phlegm-fluid retention is extremely vigorous, Gouti San (Melon Seed Powder) should be used to induce vomiting. If there is pain in the chest and hypochondrium, Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) should be used to relieve urgency, Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) to drain Liver Wood pathogen, and Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri) and Biejia (Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis) to dissipate knotting and stagnation. If accompanied by dryness of Wind-Wood, add Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini) and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) to nourish Wood and clear wind, and the pain will heal itself. If stool is dry and constipated, Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Preparatum) and Sharen (Fructus Amomi Rotundus) should be used to warm the middle and break stagnation, benefiting Spleen Yang and opening the intestinal orifice; Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) to reach Wood stagnation and promote drainage; for dryness and difficulty in passing, heavy use of Rongzhuang (Cortex Cistanches) to lubricate the intestinal orifice is recommended, and Baimi (Mell) is also good; if Wood is dry and Blood is parched, unable to drain, add Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini) and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) to nourish Wind-Wood. If urine is red and astringent, Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis), and Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) should be used to drain dampness and soothe Wood to open the anterior orifice. In severe cases, Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) plus Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) is used. Zhuling (Polyporus) is slippery and moistening, draining dampness and drying Earth; Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) and Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini) soothe Wood and clear wind, allowing the water passages to flow freely.