Library

Take half a jin of ginger and half a jin of scallion (Congbai, Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), decoct them in one hu (a unit of volume) of water, pour the liquid into a large basin. Place a small wooden board horizontally across the basin, and let the patient sit or lie on the board to undergo steam therapy. Surround the area with mats and quilts to retain heat, leaving only the mouth and nose exposed, while simultaneously administering diaphoretic medicines externally.

In the severe cold regions of the north, the couli (pores and skin texture) are closed and dense, making it difficult for sweat to be excreted; therefore, this method is employed. Since ginger and scallion can unblock the couli, steaming with the decoction loosens the exterior and facilitates sweating. This strategy is referred to as "external reinforcement troops."

Longgu (Dragon Bone, Os Draconis), Muli (Oyster Shell, Concha Ostreae), and Nuomi (Glutinous Rice, Oryza Sativa Glutinosa) (in equal parts, ground into powder).
For patients who have sweated excessively after taking diaphoretic medicines, apply this powder to the body.
Excessive sweating carries the warning of Wang Yang (collapse of Yang Qi); therefore, the astringent properties of Longgu and Muli are used to secure and prevent collapse. The addition of Jingmi (Japonica Rice, Oryza Sativa Japonica) is due to its sticky nature. This strategy is referred to as "defensive troops."

Qimen (LR-14, Gate of Expectation), an acupoint name, is located at the end of the rib cage directly below the nipple in women. If the breast is small, use one finger's width as the standard. There is a pulsating artery in the depression. When needling, instruct the patient to inhale five times, retain the needle for a considerable period, and then withdraw it.
For women suffering from Re Ru Xue Shi (Heat Entering the Blood Chamber), characterized by fullness in the hypochondrium resembling Jie Xiong (Chest Binding Syndrome) and delirium, this acupoint is the primary treatment via needling.
When a woman suffers from Shang Han (Cold Damage) with fever, and her menstruation happens to begin, the Blood Chamber becomes empty, allowing pathogenic heat to enter vacuously. This is named Re Ru Xue Shi (Heat Entering the Blood Chamber). The Blood Chamber refers to the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel).
The fullness in the hypochondrium resembling Jie Xiong occurs because the Chong Mai passes through the Liver and Diaphragm, dispersing in the chest; thus, all areas it traverses become diseased. Delirium occurs because excessive internal pathogenic heat confuses the Shen (Spirit). Qimen is the Mu-Point (Alarm Point) of the Liver. Needling to induce bleeding follows the principle of draining excess according to the syndrome, akin to troops engaging the enemy head-on.

Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 3 qian), Sheng Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Recens) (1 liang), and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) (3 qian).
This formula is indicated for Liang Gan (Simultaneous Infection of Exterior and Interior) in Shang Han (Cold Damage).
"Liang Gan" refers to the simultaneous disease of two meridians. On the first day, Taiyang (Greater Yang) and Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) are both affected, presenting with Taiyang symptoms such as headache, fever, and stiffness of the spine, alongside Shaoyin symptoms such as dry mouth, irritability, fullness, and thirst. On the second day, Yangming (Bright Yang) and Taiyin (Greater Yin) are both affected, presenting with Yangming symptoms such as fever and delirium, alongside Taiyin symptoms such as abdominal fullness and loss of appetite. On the third day, Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Jueyin (Terminal Yin) are both affected, presenting with Shaoyang symptoms such as deafness and hypochondriac pain, alongside Jueyin symptoms such as contraction of the testicles and cold extremities. In such Liang Gan syndromes, inducing sweat is contraindicated due to interior involvement, while purging is contraindicated due to exterior involvement; since the exterior and interior cannot be treated simultaneously, both the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine) and Zhang Zhongjing state that these cases are invariably fatal without a cure. However, Li Dongyuan (Yi Lao) reasoned: although symptoms differ between exterior and interior, there is no fundamental difference in Yin and Yang; transmitted pathogens are all Yang evils. By focusing on raising Yang and dissipating heat, and nourishing Yin organs, those with shallow infection may potentially recover. The classic states: "Thin qi causes excretion/dissipation"; therefore, thin-qi herbs like Qianghuo, Duhuo, Fangfeng, Cangzhu, Xixin, and Chuanxiong are used to raise and disperse transmitted pathogens. It also states: "Cold overcomes heat"; therefore, bitter-cold herbs like Huanglian, Huangqin, Fangji, Sheng Dihuang, and Zhimu are used to nurture the injured Yin. Using ascending and dispersing herbs as ministers to cold-cooling herbs prevents the ascending action from being too harsh; using cold-cooling herbs as sovereigns to ascending herbs prevents the cold nature from becoming stagnant. Baizhu and Gancao are spleen-stomach herbs; they are used to benefit the spleen and stomach and establish the banner of the Middle Jiao Ying (Nutritive Qi). Alas! Seeking a curable strategy within the incurable, Da Qianghuo Tang (Major Notopterygium Decoction) is perhaps the life-saving remedy amidst ten thousand deaths.