Library

Fuling (Poria) Ban Jin, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 4 Liang, Gancao (Licorice Root, roasted) 2 Liang, Dazao (Jujube Fruit) 15 pieces.
The above four ingredients are decocted with one dou of Ganlan Shui (Ganlan Water). First, boil Fuling until the liquid reduces by two sheng, then add the remaining herbs. Decoct to obtain three sheng of liquid, strain out the dregs, and take one sheng warm per dose, three times a day.
Method for preparing Ganlan Shui: Take three sheng of water and place it in a large basin. Use a ladle to splash and stir the water thousands of times until five or six thousand small bubbles appear on the surface chasing each other. This water is then used.

[Ji Jie]
Cheng Lin stated: Palpitations below the umbilicus after sweating indicate deficiency of Yang Qi and counterflow of Kidney pathogenic factors. The area below the umbilicus is the source of Kidney Qi. Fuling drains dampness to attack the Kidney pathogen; Guizhi promotes Yang circulation to dissipate counterflowing Qi; Gancao and Dazao, being sweet and warm, strengthen Spleen Earth to control Kidney Water. Using Ganlan Shui for decoction works because the splashing renders the water powerless and devoid of its natural fluid nature, thus preventing it from assisting the Kidney pathogen.

@@@
The Master said: Pulse diagnosis should assess excess (Tai Guo) and deficiency (Bu Ji). Yang Wei (deficient Yang pulse) and Yin Xian (wiry Yin pulse) indicate Xiong Bi (Chest Bi syndrome) accompanied by pain. This occurs because of extreme deficiency [of Upper Jiao Yang]. Now that we know Yang deficiency is located in the Upper Jiao, the reason for Xiong Bi and heart pain lies in the presence of Yin Xian [indicating Lower Jiao excess cold].

[Note]
An excessive pulse indicates disease, and a deficient pulse also indicates disease; therefore, pulse diagnosis must evaluate both excess and deficiency to ascertain the pathology. Yang Wei refers to a faint pulse at the Cun Kou (inch position), where the Yang position presents a Yin pulse character, indicating insufficient Yang and deficiency of Upper Jiao Yang. Yin Xian refers to a wiry pulse at the Chi position, where the Yin position presents a Yin pulse character, indicating excessive Yin and excess cold in the Lower Jiao. Any Yin excess pathogen will ascend to invade the Yang-deficient chest, resulting in Xiong Bi and heart pain. Mild cases of Xiong Bi correspond to modern chest fullness, while severe cases correspond to modern chest pain.

[Ji Zhu]
Li [Name obscured] stated: The "Nei Jing" (Inner Canon) says: A healthy Stomach pulse shows no abnormalities; only when there is excess or deficiency do pathological signs appear. The Cun pulse belongs to Yang and observes the Upper Jiao, corresponding to the chest region. If the Yang pulse is deficient and faint, it indicates Yang deficiency and disease in the Upper Jiao, hence suffering from Xiong Bi. The Chi pulse is excessive and wiry, indicating Yin excess known to be in the Lower Jiao, which then ascends to cause pain.
You Yi stated: The Upper Jiao is the domain of Yang, and the faint pulse represents extreme deficiency; thus, it is attributed to extreme deficiency.

@@@
A healthy person without chills or fever who suffers from shortness of breath and inability to breathe fully has an Excess pattern.

[Note]
Ping Ren refers to a person free of disease. Wu Han Re means absence of exterior pathogens. When a healthy person inexplicably presents with shortness of breath and respiratory insufficiency, it should not be attributed to deficiency. Rather, this is caused by pathogenic factors lodged in the chest, causing Bi obstruction and impeding respiration; thus, it must be attributed to Excess.

[Ji Zhu]
Li [Name obscured] stated: The previous section attributed the condition to extreme deficiency, while this section attributes it to Excess. Why? The Classics state: Where pathogenic factors reside, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) must be deficient; if the pathogen remains and does not depart, the condition becomes Excess. However, Duan Qi (shortness of breath) differs from Shao Qi (insufficient Qi). Shao Qi refers to having too little Qi to speak; the "Nei Jing" states: Speaking weakly and only speaking again after a whole day indicates loss of Qi. Duan Qi refers to Qi being too short to continue, resembling panting but not true panting, as if Qi is rushing upward; thus, it resembles panting without shoulder movement, and resembles groaning without pain.
You Yi stated: Ping Ren refers to someone usually free of illness. Wu Han Re means no new external pathogens. Shortness of breath and inability to breathe fully suggest that Interior Qi has become Excess due to pathogens, or that Phlegm, Food stagnation, or Fluid retention is obstructing the ascending and descending movements of Qi.

@@@
Xiong Bi syndrome manifests with wheezing, coughing and spitting saliva, chest and back pain, and shortness of breath. The Cun Kou pulse is Chen (deep) and Chi (slow), and the Guan position pulse is Xiao Jin Shu (small, wiry, and rapid). It is treated with Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang (Trichosanthes Radix, Macrostemon Rhizome, and White Wine Decoction).

[Note]
A deep and slow pulse at the Cun Kou indicates stagnation of Interior Qi and Cold within the Zang organs, primarily reflecting Cold Qi stagnation in the Upper Jiao. A small, wiry, and rapid pulse at the Guan position indicates Yang deficiency (small) and Cold pain (wiry/rapid), primarily reflecting acute Qi stagnation and Cold pain in the Middle Jiao. The chest and back are the palaces of the Heart and Lungs. Once Yang Qi is deficient, various Cold and Yin pathogens can invade, causing Bi obstruction of Qi in the chest and back. Mild cases present as fullness, severe cases as pain; this is inevitable. Wheezing, coughing with sputum, and shortness of breath are necessary accompanying symptoms. Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang is used because its acrid nature opens Xiong Bi, and its warm nature promotes Yang Qi circulation.

[Ji Zhu]
Zhao Liang stated: When Cold-Turbid pathogens stagnate in the Upper Jiao, they obstruct the ascending and descending Qi flow and block the positions of Front-Back and Yin-Yang, leading to wheezing, coughing with sputum, pain, and shortness of breath.
Cheng Lin stated: The chest is the domain of the Heart and Lungs, hence wheezing and coughing occur. All Yang Qi receives energy in the chest and circulates through the back. When Qi is Bi-obstructed and fails to move, it causes chest and back pain and shortness of breath.