（附∶服硫黄法）
治下焦元气虚惫，相火衰微，致肾弱不能作强（《内经》云肾者作强之官），脾弱不能健运，或腰膝酸疼，
或黎明泄泻，一切虚寒诸证。
野台参（四钱） 乌附子（三钱） 生山药（五钱） 补骨脂（四钱，炒捣） 核桃仁（三钱） 萸肉（四钱，
去净核） 茯苓（钱半） 生鸡内金（钱半，捣细）
敦复汤，原为补相火之专方，而方中以人参为君，与萸肉、茯苓并用，借其收敛下行之力，能大补肾中元
气，元气既旺相火自生。又用乌附子、补骨脂之大热纯阳，直达下焦，以助相火之热力，核桃仁之温润多脂，
峻补肾脏，以浓相火之基址。且附子与人参同用名参附汤，为回元阳之神丹，补骨脂与核桃仁并用名青蛾丸，
为助相火之妙品（核桃仁属木，补骨脂属火，并用之，有木火相生之妙），又恐药性太热，于下焦真阴久而有
碍，故又重用生山药，取其汁浆稠粘，能滋下焦真阴，其气味甘温，又能固下焦气化也。至于鸡内金，其健运
脾胃之力，既能流通补药之滞，其收涩膀胱之力，又能逗留热药之性也。
人身之热力，方书恒责重相火，而不知君火之热力，较相火尤胜。盖生育子女以相火为主，消化饮食以君
火为主。君火发于心中，为阳中之火，其热下济，大能温暖脾胃，助其消化之力，此火一衰，脾胃消化之力顿
减。若君火旺而相火衰者，其人仍能多饮多食可享大寿，是知君火之热力，关于人身者甚大也。愚自临证实验
以来，遇君火虚者不胜计，其人多廉于饮食，寒饮留滞为恙，投以辛热升补之剂，即随手奏效（拙拟理饮汤为
治是病的方）。彼谓心脏恶热，用药惟宜寒凉者，犹是一偏之论。曾治一人，年二十余，嗜睡无节，即动作饮
食之时，亦忽然昏倒鼾睡。诊其脉两尺洪滑有力，知其肾经实而且热也。遂用黄柏、知母各八钱，茯苓、泽泻
各四钱，数剂而愈。是知人之资禀不齐∶心脏多恶热，而亦有宜温补者；肾脏多恶寒，而亦有宜凉泻者。是在
临证时细心与之消息，不可拘于成见也。
欲明心火之热力，今又得一确实证验。愚资禀素强壮，心火颇旺而相火少衰，饮食不忌寒凉，恒畏坐凉处。
因此，数年来，常于食前，服生硫黄如黑豆大一块，约有四厘，甚见效验。
(Attachment: Method of taking Sulfur)
Treating deficiency and exhaustion of primal Qi in the Lower Jiao, with decline of Ministerial Fire, resulting in weak Kidneys unable to perform strenuous tasks (as stated in *Neijing*, "The Kidney is the official of strength and vigor"), and weak Spleens unable to transport and transform normally. Symptoms may include soreness and pain in the waist and knees,
or morning diarrhea, and all kinds of deficiency-cold syndromes.
Yetaishen (Wild Ginseng Root, 4 qian) Wufuzi (Prepared Aconite Root, 3 qian) Shengshanyao (Raw Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 5 qian) Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae, 4 qian, stir-fried and crushed) Hetao Ren (Semen Juglandis, 3 qian) Yurou (Fructus Corni, 4 qian, pits removed completely) Fuling (Poria, 1.5 qian) Shengjineijin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli, 1.5 qian, finely crushed)
Dunfu Tang (Revitalize the Foundation Decoction) was originally a specialized formula for tonifying Ministerial Fire. However, in this formula, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) is used as the sovereign herb, combined with Yurou (Fructus Corni) and Fuling (Poria), utilizing their astringent and descending properties to greatly tonify the Primal Qi within the Kidneys. Once the Primal Qi is robust, Ministerial Fire arises naturally. Furthermore, Wufuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae), possessing great heat and pure Yang nature, reach the Lower Jiao directly to assist the thermal power of Ministerial Fire. Hetao Ren (Semen Juglandis), being moistening, warm, and rich in oil, vigorously tonifies the Kidneys, thereby consolidating the foundation of Ministerial Fire. Moreover, the combination of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) forms Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction), a divine elixir for rescuing devastated Yang; the combination of Buguzhi (Fructus Psoraleae) and Hetao Ren (Semen Juglandis) forms Qing'e Wan (Black Eagle Pill), an excellent product for assisting Ministerial Fire (Hetao Ren belongs to Wood, Buguzhi belongs to Fire; their combination creates the wondrous effect of Wood generating Fire). Since there is concern that the medicinal properties are too hot and may hinder the True Yin of the Lower Jiao over time, Shengshanyao (Raw Dioscoreae Rhizoma) is heavily used. Its viscous juice can nourish the True Yin of the Lower Jiao, and its sweet-warm flavor can secure the Qi transformation of the Lower Jiao. As for Jineijin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli), its power to strengthen and transport the Spleen and Stomach can circulate the stagnation caused by tonic herbs, while its astringent power on the Bladder can retain the nature of hot herbs.
Regarding the thermal power of the human body, medical texts often emphasize Ministerial Fire, unaware that the thermal power of Sovereign Fire is even greater than that of Ministerial Fire. Generally, procreation relies mainly on Ministerial Fire, while digestion of food relies mainly on Sovereign Fire. Sovereign Fire originates in the Heart, constituting Fire within Yang. Its heat descends to warm the Spleen and Stomach, greatly aiding their digestive power. If this fire declines, the digestive power of the Spleen and Stomach decreases abruptly. If Sovereign Fire is robust while Ministerial Fire is weak, such individuals can still eat and drink abundantly and enjoy longevity. Thus, it is known that the thermal power of Sovereign Fire has a significant impact on the human body. Since my clinical practice, I have encountered countless cases of deficient Sovereign Fire. These individuals consume little food, suffer from retention of cold fluids, and respond promptly to acrid-hot ascending-tonic prescriptions (my proposed Liyin Tang is a formula for treating this condition). Those who claim that the Heart dislikes heat and that medications should only be cooling hold a one-sided view. I once treated a patient in his twenties who suffered from uncontrolled somnolence, suddenly falling into snoring sleep even during movement or eating. His pulse at both Chi positions was surging, slippery, and forceful, indicating excess and heat in the Kidney Meridian. I prescribed Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri) and Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), each 8 qian, along with Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis), each 4 qian. After several doses, he recovered. This demonstrates that people's innate constitutions vary: while the Heart generally dislikes heat, there are cases suitable for warming and tonifying; while the Kidney generally dislikes cold, there are cases suitable for cooling and purging. It requires careful observation and adjustment during clinical practice, without adhering rigidly to preconceived notions.
To further clarify the thermal power of Heart Fire, I have obtained another definitive clinical verification. My innate constitution has always been strong, with robust Heart Fire and slightly declining Ministerial Fire. I do not avoid cold foods and often dislike sitting in cool places.
Therefore, for many years, I have taken a piece of raw Sulfur (Zhu Sha, cinnabar-like sulfur, though here referring to native sulfur/realgar contextually often just 'Sheng Huang'), roughly the size of a black soybean, approximately 4 li, before meals, with very effective results.