Library

The manifestation of rebellious Qi resembles Yang syndromes. (For the full text, see "Zang-Fu Organs".) Whenever Qi rebels, it must present symptoms resembling Yang syndromes, such as a red face and a surging pulse. It should be treated with methods to descend the rebellion to achieve recovery. If one mistakenly assumes this is an excess of Yang Qi and uses cold-natured herbs to attack it, the condition will become incurable. When Qi rushes upward to the heart and chest, causing throat obstruction and difficulty in breathing, the treatment method can be found in the section on Jueyin Disease in Shanghan Lun.

[Li Dongyuan] In autumn and winter months, the four meridians of the Stomach are rebelled against by the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), merging with the two meridians under the hypochondrium and small intestine, reversing their flow to move upward. This disease is named Jue Ni (Cold Reversal). The Classics state: "Rebellious Qi moves upward, filling the vessels and separating from the form; the Seven Spirits become confused and extinct, leaving the form to die." Its symptoms include Qi rushing up to the throat causing respiratory distress, wheezing with audible sounds, and inability to lie flat. One may add Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) half a qian or one qian to Tiao Zhong Yi Qi Tang, adjusting the dosage according to the severity of the Jue Qi. If this syndrome occurs in summer, it indicates severe heat. Since this syndrome varies in cold, heat, warmth, and coolness with the seasons, it is appropriate to use equal parts of Jiu Huang Lian (Scutellariae Radix prepared with wine), Jiu Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex prepared with wine), and Jiu Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma prepared with wine), ground into fine powder, and formed into pills with cooked water, sized like paulownia seeds. Take 200 pills each time on an empty stomach with plain warm water, followed by drinking plenty of hot soup. Immediately after taking the medicine, consume delicious food to suppress the medicinal action, preventing it from lingering in the Stomach, so that it reaches the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner) to drain the pathogenic factors from the Chong Mai.

For Jue Ni caused by Cold Qi, Chi Wan (Red Pill) is the primary treatment.
Fu Ling (Poria), Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), each 4 liang; Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), 1 liang; Wu Tou (Aconiti Radix), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), each 2 liang; She Wang (Ephedrae Herba processed with toxic additives), size of a large date, 1 liang.
Grind the above six ingredients into powder, mix with real pearl powder for color, and make honey pills the size of sesame seeds. Take before meals, washed down with wine, three pills at a time, three times during the day and once at night. If ineffective, gradually increase the dose until the desired effect is achieved. (Another prescription uses Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 4 liang, without Gui Xin.)

Qi rebellion involves five Zang organs:
First, Heart and Small Intestine. The Classics say: "All rebellious Qi rushing upward belongs to Fire." It also says: "When the lower abdomen pulls to the testicles, drawing pain to the waist and spine, and Qi rushes up to the heart, the pathogen is in the Small Intestine. Puncture the Yuan source point (Huangyuan) to dissipate it, needle the Taiyin meridian to tonify it, take the Jueyin meridian to descend it, take Ju Xu Xia Lian (ST37) to remove it, and press the meridians it passes through to regulate it."

Second, Stomach. The Classics say: "Stomach Qi rebelling is this condition." Stomach Qi rebellion presents as vomiting, regurgitation, or hiccups. Therefore, for treating vomiting, select Zhong Wan (CV12) and Zu San Li (ST36). For treating hiccups, select the end of the black root under the nipple and the point three cun below the umbilicus; both are highly effective. Specific treatments are detailed in their respective sections.

Third, Lung and Large Intestine. The Classics say: "The Lung suffers from Qi rebelling upward; urgently eat bitter substances to drain it." It also says: "Constant ringing in the abdomen, Qi rushing up to the chest, wheezing unable to stand for long periods; the pathogen is in the Large Intestine. Pierce the Yuan source of the Hu (Sanjiao), which is Ju Xu Xia Lian (ST37)." Lung Qi rebellion manifests as cough and asthma; select Tian Tu (CV22) and Ren Ying (LI18) to drain it. Treatments are also detailed in respective sections.

Fourth, Liver. The Classics say: "Liver Qi rebelling causes deafness and lack of clarity, swelling; select blood points."

Fifth, Kidney. This refers to Ben Tun Qi (Rushing Pig Qi) rebelling upward, or Jiao Qi (Foot Sickness) rushing to the heart, etc. Treatments are detailed in respective sections.

Sixth, Kidney (referring to Du Mai pathology). The Classics say: "Disease arising from the collateral branches of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) causes Qi to rush from the lower abdomen up to the heart with pain, and inability to pass stool or urine; this is called Chong Shan (Rushing Hernia)." (Treatment seen in the Hernia section.)

[From *Yu Ji Wei Yi*] Kidney Qi rushing to the heart: Guan Yuan (CV4) (depth 2.5 cun, tonification method); Dai Mai (GB26) (superficial insertion 1 fen, oblique outward 2.5 cun, sedation method).

[From *Zhen Jiu Zhai Ying*] Abdominal rebellious Qi rushing to the heart and abdomen, causing distension and inability to breathe: Qi Chong (ST30) (located seven cun below the right umbilicus, two sides apart about two cun, pulsating artery felt; moxibustion seven zhuang, contraindicated for needling); Zu San Li (ST36) (moxabustion leads to immediate recovery).

There are three types of Yun Qi (Luck/Qi Movement) Jue Ni:
First, Wind and Fire. The Classics say: "When Shaoyang governs the year, Fire Qi descends upon the earth, Wind Qi moves on the ground, leading to Jue Ni and obstruction of the Diaphragm."

Second, Cold. The Classics say: "When Water Qi is depressed and erupts, it easily causes Jue Ni."

Third, Dampness. The Classics say: "When Taiyin governs the year, Dampness Qi descends upon the earth, causing Jue Ni."