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Treats panting and counterflow qi caused by Yin deficiency failing to grasp Qi.

Raw Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao, 30g) Raw Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi, 15g) Corni Fructus (Rou, 15g, pits removed completely) Persimmon Frost Cake (Shishuang Bing, 12g, dissolved and taken with the decoction) Raw Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao, 12g)
Arctii Fructus (Niubangzi, 6g, stir-fried and crushed) Perillae Fructus (Suzi, 6g, stir-fried and crushed) Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 6g, honey-fried) Raw Longgu (Ostreae Concha, 15g, finely crushed)

The previous formula treats panting due to dual deficiency of Yin and Yang; this formula is specifically for treating panting due to Yin deficiency. Medical texts state that those with Liver and Kidney deficiency cannot grasp Qi; this statement is reasonable but requires detailed analysis. Oxygen in the air is the vital Qi that nourishes living things. The human Lung has no perforating orifices below it, yet the inhaled oxygen can actually penetrate through the alveoli, passing through with every breath, descending to the abdomen to nourish the whole body. The Liver and Kidneys reside in the abdomen; their Qi transformation possesses a converging nature, preventing abdominal distension, thus naturally accommodating the descending Qi and guiding it to return to its root. Sometimes, when Kidney deficiency fails to control Qi transformation, the Qi ascends and pours into the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), as the Chong Mai connects inferiorly to the Kidney. The Chong Mai is the Sea of Blood and also governs Qi; now, infused with Kidney Qi, the Chong Qi inevitably rebels upward toward the Stomach, as the Chong Mai connects superiorly to the Stomach. Consequently, Chong Qi carries Stomach Qi upward in rebellion, forcing Lung Qi to rebel as well; this is the origin of panting. Furthermore, *Huangdi Neijing* states that the Liver governs dispersing and draining, while the Kidney governs storing and retaining. The Liver's dispersing function originally aids the Kidney's storing function; therefore, the unobstructed passage of urine and feces, and the stirring of Ministerial Fire, are all related to Liver Qi, which is why medical texts speak of "Liver moving Kidney Qi." Now, because the Kidney has lost its storing nature, the Liver cannot disperse Kidney Qi to descend it, and instead, pressured by the expansion of Kidney Qi, it turns to rebel upward. Thus, rebellious Qi can pass directly through the Liver channel above the diaphragm, forcing Lung Qi to rebel; this is another origin of panting. In the formula, Shudi and Shanyao tonify the Kidney; Rou and Longgu tonify the Liver to converge Kidney Qi; Baishao and Gancao transform sweet and bitter flavors into Yin fluids; combined with the cooling, moistening, and fluid-rich Shishuang, they are excellent products for nourishing Yin. Suzi and Niubangzi can clear phlegm and direct rebellious Qi downward, causing the rebellious Qi to turn and descend, thereby guiding the medicinal power to reach the lower part quickly. As for the name "Shuyu Naqi Tang" (Dioscorea Grasping Qi Decoction), it is because Shanyao tonifies the Kidney and also benefits the Lung, possessing strong converging power, making its efficacy in treating panting most significant. One might ask: Although oxygen passes through the alveoli, the amount is indeed small; why does the entire abdomen seem to expand during inhalation? I reply: Understanding this principle further reveals the cause of panting. Human Zang-Fu organs rely on Qi to support and suspend them; thus, above the diaphragm there is Da Qi (Great Qi) governing Lung respiration; below the diaphragm there is Zhong Qi (Middle Qi) preserving the Spleen and Stomach; below the umbilicus there is Yuan Qi (Original Qi) consolidating the root of life. When inhaling into the Lung, the expanding force of the alveoli can inspire various Qi, moving step by step downward, causing the Qi transformation of the whole body to circulate. Moreover, branches of the trachea connect inferiorly to the Heart and Liver, communicating with the extraordinary vessels; when inhaling, the inhaled Qi can originally descend via the branches of the trachea, assisting and coordinating with the Qi inhaled into the Lung. The Lower Jiao Liver and Kidney (extraordinary vessels are connected to the Kidney) belong to Yin; Yin deficiency leads to Qi transformation failing to retain, causing internal Qi to expand, resulting in the inability to accommodate inhaled Qi, leading to urgent exhalation. This is why those with Yin deficiency fail to grasp Qi and develop panting.