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2. *Duanqi* (Shortness of breath) refers to short, rapid breathing where the breath cannot be sustained; *Shaoqi* (Deficiency of qi) refers to weak qi that is insufficient for speech. Pain caused by qi stagnation manifests as wandering pain affecting both interior and exterior; qi depression leads to low spirits and depressed mood. For rebellious qi (rebellious qi mechanism), *Suzi Jiangqi Tang* (Perilla Fruit Decoction to Direct the Qi Downward) is used to direct it downward; for sinking qi (sinking middle qi), *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) is used to raise and diffuse it. If flatulence has a foul odor, it is often due to food retention causing stagnation in the stomach and intestines; treating with digestive methods brings natural relief.

[Note] *Duanqi* means shortness of breath where respiration cannot continue smoothly; *Shaoqi* means deficient qi that cannot support the physical form; both are signs of deficiency syndromes. Qi pain occurs when qi is obstructed by pathogenic factors, blocking the qi channels, causing attacking and wandering pain either in the meridians or in the zang-fu organs. "Shangqi" (Upper qi/rebellious qi) refers to turbid qi rebelling upward; "Xiaqi" (Lower qi/sinking qi) refers to clear qi sinking downward. Qi depression arises either from frustration over failed pursuit of fame and wealth, or from suppressed emotions regarding public and private matters. For turbid qi rebelling upward, *Suzi Jiangqi Tang* (Perilla Fruit Decoction to Direct the Qi Downward) is used. For clear qi sinking downward, *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) is used; in severe cases, add *Hezi* (Chebulae Fructus) and *Wuweizi* (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus). However, flatulence resulting from sinking clear qi is not very foul-smelling. Only flatulence resulting from food retention is extremely foul; this is due to stagnation in the stomach and intestines, where grain qi erupts internally but fails to diffuse externally through the gastrointestinal tract. Stagnation in the stomach manifests as belching (*Yiqi*); stagnation in the intestines manifests as passing flatus (*Shiqi*). *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) is detailed in the Internal Injury section.

3. For cold-heat complex with knotting, use dispersing methods; for ascending qi, suppress it; for descending qi, elevate it; for fright, calm it; use joy to overcome sorrow, and fear to overcome joy (emotional counter-treatment); for exhaustion, use warming tonification; for shortness of breath and deficient qi, use tonification; these principles are consistent.

[Note] Cold syndromes are treated with heat therapies, such as *Mahuang Tang* (Ephedra Decoction) and *Lizhong Tang* (Regulate the Middle Decoction). Heat syndromes are treated with cold therapies, such as *Baihu Tang* (White Tiger Decoction) and *Shengmai San* (Generate the Pulse Powder). Knotting is dispersed, as in *Yueju Wan* (Pill to Resolve Depression). Ascending qi is suppressed, as in *Suzi Jiangqi Tang* (Perilla Fruit Decoction to Direct the Qi Downward). Descending qi is elevated, as in *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi). Fright is calmed, as in *Zhenxin Dan* (Heart-Calming Pill) and *Miaoxiang San* (Wonderful Fragrance Powder). Using joy to overcome sorrow, and fear to overcome joy, constitutes treatment via emotional regulation. Exhaustion is warmed, while shortness of breath and deficient qi are tonified, using formulas such as *Baoyuan Tang* (Preserve the Origin Decoction) and *Sijunzi Tang* (Four Gentlemen Decoction).