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(Zhu Danxi)
Treats internal dryness with withered and scanty body fluids (Internal dryness refers to the depletion of blood. Due to blazing fire scorching yin fluids, body fluids become withered and scarce.)
Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Shudihuang (Prepared Rhizoma Anemarrhenae? No, Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) (1 qian each), Tiantong (Herba Asparagi), Maidong (Rhizoma Ophiopogonis), Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) (8 fen each), Taoren (Semen Persicae, crushed), Honghua (Flos Carthami) (5 fen).
These are herbs acting on the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Danggui, Baishao, and Shudihuang nourish yin to generate blood; Gualou, Tiantong, and Maidong moisten dryness and also generate fluids; Taoren and Honghua invigorate blood and further moisten dryness. Used separately, each has its specific function; used together, they mutually supplement each other.

(Li Dongyuan)
Treats cases where Lung Metal is invaded by damp-heat pathogenic factors, presenting with Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome), panting and shortness of breath, chest fullness, poor appetite, pale complexion, withered hair, dizziness, heavy body, generalized pain, limb fatigue, thirst, and constipation. (The *Neijing* states: The Lung is the official of transmission and regulation, from which governance and regulation emerge. If fire is excessive and overacts on Metal, Lung heat scorches the leaves, Qi loses its mastery, and governance fails, resulting in limbs that are either flaccid or contracted, forming Wei syndrome; Fire counterflows upward to invade the Lung, hence panting; The Lung governs skin and hair, hence pale complexion and withered hair; Damp-heat fills the diaphragm, hence chest fullness and... [text incomplete])
Huangqi (Radix Astragali) (1.5 qian), Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae, stir-fried) (1 qian), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, stir-fried), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) (5 fen), Renshen (Radix Ginseng), Fuling (Poria), Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) (3 qian), Zhuling (Poria cum Ramo et Ligno), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis, stir-fried) (1 fen), Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae) (9 grains). Take 5 qian per dose.
These are herbs acting on the Hand-Foot Taiyin and Yangming meridians. The Lung belongs to Xin-Metal and governs Qi; the Large Intestine belongs to Geng-Metal and governs Jin-Ye (body fluids). When Dry Metal is invaded by damp-heat pathogens, the source of transformation and generation of Cold Water (Bladder/Kidney system) is cut off. When the source is cut off, Kidney Water becomes deficient (as Metal cannot generate Water), and various symptoms of Wei syndrome arise. Metal is the mother of Water; Qi is the source of Water. Huangqi tonifies Yuan Qi and consolidates the exterior (skin/hair), thus serving as the Sovereign herb; Cangzhu, Baizhu, Renshen, Fuling, Gancao (Licorice), Chenpi, and Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) strengthen the Spleen, dry dampness, regulate Qi, and resolve stagnation, thereby moving Earth. Earth is the mother of Metal; Maidong and Wuweizi protect the Lung to generate fluids; Danggui and Shengdi (Prepared Radix Rehmanniae) nourish yin and nourish blood; Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri) and Huanglian dry dampness and clear heat (Huangbai combined with Cangzhu is named Ermiao San, a primary remedy for Wei syndrome; adding Niuxi makes it Sanmiao San); Shengma and Chaihu ascend the clear Yang; Zhuling and Zexie descend turbid Yin, allowing damp-heat to exit via urination. Thus, Dry Metal is restored to order. The Lung is an organ of order; water originates from the high source (Lung), and all symptoms subside. (Yu Jiayan said: Dryness and Dampness are opposites. The formula is named "Qingzao Tang" (Clear Dryness Decoction), yet prioritizes removing dampness. Only Li Dongyuan's superior insight could achieve this. Zhu Danxi said: In modern times, Bi syndrome is largely treated confusedly with various Wei syndromes. Ancient sages distinguished Wind and Wei conditions with different entries and treatments. Wind diseases are exogenous, change rapidly, and are mostly excess patterns; using releasing and moving methods is acceptable. All Wei syndromes originate from Lung Heat, transmitting to the Five Zang organs, scattering into various symptoms. Confusion, convulsions, oppression, sudden onset of depression, mental clouding, and sudden aphonia belong to Fire; inability to move limbs, foot flaccidity, stiff tongue, and audible phlegm belong to Earth. These are all damp-heat diseases and should be treated as Wei syndromes. Generally, only tonification and nourishment are suitable. If treated as exogenous wind, one risks the disaster of reinforcing excess and depleting deficiency. Someone asked: Why does the *Neijing* state that treating Wei syndrome focuses solely on the Yangming? I reply: The phrase "all Wei syndromes arise from Lung Heat" already reveals the main idea. Metal is dry and resides above, governing Qi and fearing Fire; Earth is damp and resides in the center, governing the four limbs and fearing Wood. If desires are not regulated, Water loses nourishment, Fire lacks restraint and overacts on Metal, causing Lung Heat. Lung Heat damages Metal. Wood lacks restraint and overacts on Earth, injuring the Spleen. Lung Heat cannot control the whole body; Spleen Deficiency means the limbs cannot be used, leading to Wei syndrome. Clearing the South (Heart/Fire) clears Lung Metal so East (Liver/Wood) is not excessive, how can Spleen be injured? Tonifying the North (Kidney/Water) descends Heart Fire so Lung Metal is not deficient, how can Spleen be hot? Therefore, when Yangming is Excess, the tendons are moistened...)