Library

(Attachment: Treatment Method for Empty Brain Marrow)
Brain anemia refers to a deficiency of blood in the brain, which is exactly opposite to the disease of cerebral hyperemia (brain congestion). Patients often feel heavy-headed and dizzy, with mental confusion and lethargy; or they may have a sallow complexion and pale lips; or suffer from shortness of breath; or experience palpitations. Their head and eyes may occasionally hurt, but unlike the distending pain of cerebral hyperemia, it seems to arise from a sensation of contraction. In severe cases, one may suddenly faint and fall, with limbs becoming flaccid or hemiplegic. The pulse is weak, or slow in rate. Western medicine only states that there is insufficient blood in the brain, failing to nourish the brain nerves, thereby causing the brain to lose its functions of perception and movement. However, this condition cannot be cured by using only blood-nourishing substances. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states, "When the upper qi is insufficient, the brain feels empty." These two phrases actually elucidate the cause of brain anemia and also reveal its treatment method. Blood is generated by the Heart and transported upward to the brain (the Heart has four blood vessels connecting to the brain). However, blood cannot transport itself to the brain. Regarding Zongqi (Pectoral Qi), the *Neijing* states that Zongqi accumulates in the chest, penetrates the heart vessels, and governs respiration. From this, we know that Zongqi in the chest is not only the center of respiration but also the center for the blood vessels transporting blood from the Heart to the brain. Combining these two passages from the *Neijing*, we understand that "upper qi" refers to the ascending aspect of Zongqi. "When upper qi is insufficient, the brain feels empty" means that when Zongqi fails to penetrate the heart vessels to assist in ascending, both blood and qi in the brain become insufficient. Since blood is tangible and qi is intangible, Western pathology is derived from experiments, hence discussing blood but not qi. Therefore, the treatment for brain anemia should indeed tonify blood, but even more importantly, it must vigorously tonify the Zongqi in the chest to assist blood in ascending. Applying this principle to ancient formulas, Buxue Tang (Blood-Nourishing Decoction), which uses a heavy dose of Huangqi (Astragali Radix) to tonify qi and a small dose of Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) to tonify blood, can be considered the specific formula for treating brain anemia. The formula is recorded below, along with a detailed discussion on appropriate additions based on symptoms.
Sheng Huangqi (Raw Astragali Radix) 1 liang, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 3 qian. For shortness of breath, add Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), each 2 qian. For those who cannot tolerate warm-tonifying herbs, add Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix) and Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), each 4 qian. For those who generally fear cold and cool properties, add Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) 6 qian and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 3 qian. For cold-fluid retention in the chest, add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 3 qian and Guang Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 2 qian.
The statement in the *Neijing*: "When upper qi is insufficient, the brain feels empty," is not merely theoretical imagination but can be empirically verified in infants whose fontanelles have not yet closed. The *Lingshu · Wuwei Chapter* states, "The great qi gathers in the chest, relying on grain qi to nourish it; if no food is taken for half a day, qi becomes weak; if not taken for a day, qi becomes scarce." Here, "great qi" refers to Zongqi (Pectoral Qi). Observing the syndrome of slow convulsions in children (Xiao'er Man Jingfeng), where Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold leads to undigested food, the weakness of Zongqi can be understood. Furthermore, with frequent vomiting and diarrhea leading to extreme deficiency and internal wind stirring, it is evident that Zongqi cannot assist blood in ascending to irrigate the brain. Therefore, in infants suffering from this condition, the fontanelle invariably collapses. Is this not clear evidence that insufficient upper qi fails to fill the head? Wang Mianeng stated: "In the syndrome of slow convulsions in children, Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold prevents qi and blood from ascending to the brain; besides having anemia, there is also cold-fluid filling the chest. The yin-cold qi rushes upward to the brain, agitating the brain marrow nerves, thus causing epilepsy and spasms." This is indeed a comprehensive and accurate discussion.
Medical texts state that the syndrome of true yin-cold headache can be fatal within half a day. Upon investigation, this syndrome is indeed complicated by deficiency-cold of Zongqi, which fails to assist blood in ascending, resulting in brain anemia and lack of qi, making the brain unable to resist cold. Or, due to extreme deficiency-cold of Zongqi sinking downward, respiration may even cease abruptly, rendering it dangerous. Understanding this, to treat this syndrome, my proposed Huiyang Shengxian Tang (Decoction to Restore Yang and Raise Collapsed Qi) can serve as the specific formula. If carefully examined that there are no severe excess-cold symptoms, the dosage of Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) can be halved or omitted entirely.
The *Neijing* discusses that the human body has four seas, with the brain being the Sea of Marrow. Those who indulge excessively in sexual desires will inevitably have empty brain marrow. Those with empty brain marrow will inevitably suffer from heavy-headedness and dizziness, or even sudden syncope, with loss of perception and movement, because the substance of brain marrow is originally the root of the nerves. This syndrome is more critical than brain anemia. Treatment should employ potent formulas to tonify the Kidney Meridian, added with Lujiaojiao (Deer Antler Glue) to unblock the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). One should also practice purity of mind and reduce desires. By continuously taking this medication, the merit of returning essence to nourish the brain will naturally yield results within several weeks.