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The *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases) states: Yi (goiter) arises from Qi stagnation caused by sorrow and resentment. It is also caused by drinking sandy water, where sand enters the meridians with Qi and knots in the lower neck to form the condition.
Initially, it resembles a cherry pit, located in the lower neck; the skin is loose and not tight, hanging down—this is what it looks like. For Yi formed by resentful Qi stagnation, it merely hangs down in lumps without distinct nodules.
For Yi formed by drinking sandy water, there are piled-up nodules without roots, floating within the skin. It further states: Among the three types of Yi, there is Blood Yi, which can be lanced; there is Polypoid Yi, which can be excised; and there is Qi Yi, which can be treated with acupuncture needles.
The *Yangsheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) states: Springs flowing from soil in mountains and rivers should not be inhabited long-term. Frequent consumption leads to Yi disease, disturbing Qi and exacerbating ailments.
The *Duanju Fang* (Short-Acting Prescriptions) states: Patients with Yi disease initially present similarly to cherry pits. This condition tends to occur in the lower neck, precisely in the center rather than on either side. The skin is loose and not tight, hanging down—this is Yi. Chinese people suffering from Qi-stagnation Yi merely hang down without nodules or hard masses. People in Chang'an, Xiangyang, and barbarian regions who drink sandy water are prone to Sandy Yi, characterized by piled-up nodules without roots, floating within the skin.
Excellent prescription for treating various Yis:
One dou of wheat, soaked in one dou of pure sour vinegar until softened, then drained, dried by exposure, soaked again when dry, until the vinegar is exhausted. Dry the wheat by exposure, grind and sieve it. Add three liang of Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻), separately ground into powder, and mix thoroughly. Take one cun-bi with warm wine, three times daily. Avoid salt, raw fish, pork, and raw vegetables. Repeated use has proven effective. (Current note: *Longmen Fang* adds three liang of Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布). *Fan Wang Fang* states: Treats thirty-year Yi and scrofula.)
*Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) prescription for Yi:
Two liang of Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布), cut into pieces the size of a finger, soaked in vinegar until the juice is swallowed and the condition heals.
Another prescription: Moxibustion on Fengfu GV16 (Governor Vessel 16) for one hundred moxa cones, and additionally on Dazhui GV14 (Governor Vessel 14) for one hundred moxa cones.
Yet another prescription: Moxibustion on both sides of Dazhui GV14, each distance being one and a half cun slightly downward, thirty moxa cones each. (*Duanju Fang* states: The segments above Dazhui belong to the neck, known as Chonggu. The junction between Dazhui and Chonggu is the highest and most prominent segment.)
*Ge Shi Fang* (Ge's Prescriptions) for sudden lump formation on the neck that gradually enlarges to become Yi:
One jin of Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻), soaked in two dou of wine overnight. Slowly hold in the mouth and swallow one or two he of the liquid. When the wine is finished, take the dregs, grind into powder, and take one cun-bi, three times daily.
*Fan Wang Fang* Kunbu Pill for Yi:
Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布) (eight liang), Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻) (eight liang, washed).
These two substances are ground and sieved, mixed with honey to form pills. Before meals, hold a pill the size of half a jujube in the mouth and slowly swallow. Five doses daily; if ineffective, increase slightly until efficacy is achieved.
*Xiaoyan Fang* (Effective Prescriptions) Kunbu Pill for Yi:
Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布) (two fen), Ramulina (Songluo, 松萝) (two fen), Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻) (five fen).
These three substances are mixed, ground, and sieved, formed into pills the size of plums with white honey. Hold in the mouth, chew, and swallow the juice, three times daily and twice at night.
*Jiyao Fang* (Most Essential Prescriptions) Haizao Powder for Yi:
Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻) (ten fen), Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布) (one liang), Clam Shell (Hai Ge, 海蛤) (one liang), Trogopterus Dung (Tongcao, 通草) (one liang), Ramulina (Songluo, 松萝) (one liang), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang, 干姜) (one liang), Cinnamon Heart (Guixin, 桂心) (one liang; in one version, no Gan Jiang, substitute Bai Lian, 白蔹, one liang).
The above seven substances are sieved; take one cun-bi with wine, three times daily.
*Qipo Fang* (Qibo's Prescriptions) for Qi Yi:
Ramulina (Songluo, 松萝) (two liang), Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻) (three liang), Trogopterus Dung (Tongcao, 通草) (two liang), Pinellia Rhizome (Banxia, 半夏) (three liang, washed once), Cinnamon Heart (Guixin, 桂心) (two liang), Clam Shell (Hai Ge, 海蛤) (three liang), Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布) (three liang), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang, 干姜) (six liang), Poria (Fuling, 茯苓) (two liang), Asarum Root (Xixin, 细辛) (three liang), Platycodon Root (Jiegeng, 桔梗) (two liang).
The above eleven substances are ground and sieved into powder; take one cun-bi with wine, three times daily.
Another prescription: Apply fried salt topically.
*Yuxiang Fang* (Jade Box Prescriptions) for thirty-year Yi and scrofula:
Sargassum Herba (Haizao, 海藻) (eight liang), Fritillaria Bulb (Beimu, 贝母) (two liang), Wild Melon Root (Tugua Gen, 土瓜根) (two liang), Wheat Flour (Maimian, 麦面) (two fen).
Four substances made into powder; take one cun-bi with wine, three times daily. (*Jingxin Fang* is identical.)
*Guangli Fang* (Broad Benefit Prescriptions) for Yi Qi Knot:
Kelp (Kunbu, 昆布) (two large liang, washed with warm water to remove salinity, cut into inch-length pieces), Wheat (Xiaomai, 小麦) (three da-he).
Boil in two da-sheng of water until the wheat is cooked. Remove the Kelp, hold three or five jin in the mouth while fasting, and slowly swallow the saliva. Contain twice daily. (Avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods.)