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(Attachment on Formulation and Medication)
The East corresponds to Jia Wind and Yi Wood; its qi is warm, its flavor is sweet, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Liver (Gan) and Gallbladder (Dan).
The South corresponds to Bing Heat and Ding Fire; its qi is hot, its flavor is pungent, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Heart (Xin), Small Intestine (Xiaochang), Sanjiao (Triple Burner), and Pericardium (Baoluo).
The Center corresponds to Wu Dampness; its fundamental qi is neutral, with concurrent properties of warm, cool, cold, and hot, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Stomach (Wei).
The Center also corresponds to Ji Earth; its fundamental flavor is salty, with concurrent flavors of pungent, sweet, sour, and bitter, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Spleen (Pi).
The West corresponds to Geng Dryness and Xin Metal; its qi is cool, its flavor is sour, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Lung (Fei) and Large Intestine (Dachang).
The North corresponds to Ren Cold and Gui Water; its qi is cold, its flavor is bitter, and in the human body, it corresponds to the Kidney (Shen) and Bladder (Pangguang).
Humans are but one among all things. Solitary Yang cannot generate, and solitary Yin cannot grow; life must be endowed with the Qi of both Yin and Yang (Liangyi) to undergo transformation and generation. The sages established teachings for the world, not speaking in generalities, but through analysis. From the perspective of ultimate truth, Yin and Yang attach to each other and do not separate; in essence, they are one. Exhalation follows Yang going out, inhalation follows Yin entering. Heaven generates with Yang and grows with Yin; Earth kills with Yang and stores with Yin. The above theory only illustrates the principles of tonification and purgation. In medication, the Sovereign drug (Jun Yao) is primary; thus, the herb that treats the main disease is called the Sovereign. Understanding the timing of medication requires knowing that light and clear substances form images, while heavy and turbid substances form shapes. Those originating from Heaven tend upward, and those originating from Earth tend downward, each following their own kind. That which is clear within the clear clears the Lungs to assist True Tian (Heavenly) Qi; that which is turbid within the clear nourishes the Couli (interstitial spaces). That which is clear within the turbid nourishes the Shen (Spirit); that which is turbid within the turbid strengthens the Marrow (Gu Sui). Therefore, the *Suwen: Zhenshen Dayao Lun* states: "The use of Yin and Yang in the five flavors: Pungent and Sweet disperse and belong to Yang; Sour and Bitter induce vomiting and purging and belong to Yin; Bland flavors drain and purge and belong to Yang; Salty flavors induce vomiting and purging and belong to Yin." These six flavors either astringe or disperse, soothe or urgent, dry or moisten, soften or harden, each acting according to what benefits them, regulating Qi to achieve balance.

If there is headache, Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) should be used; if not relieved, add channel-guiding herbs accordingly. For the Taiyang channel, use Chuanxiong; for the Yangming channel, use Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi); for the Shaoyang channel, use Bupleurum Root (Chaihu); for the Taiyin channel, use Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Cangzhu); for the Shaoyin channel, use Asarum Root (Xixin); for the Jueyin channel, use Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu).
If there is pain at the vertex, Gaoben (Ligusticum Sinense Rhizome) should be used, removing Chuanxiong.
If there is pain in the limbs and joints, Qianghuo (Notopterygium Rhizome) should be used; it is also suitable for dispelling wind-dampness.
If there is abdominal pain, Peony Root (Shaoyao) should be used; if accompanied by aversion to cold, add Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi); if accompanied by aversion to heat, add Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai).
If there is epigastric fullness and obstruction (Xin Xia Pi), Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) should be used.
If there is muscular fever or a need to resolve phlegm, Scutellaria Root (Huangqin) should be used; for muscular fever, Huangqin is also used.
If there is abdominal distension, Ginger-processed Magnolia Bark (Jiang Zhi Houpo) should be used (another version includes Shaoyao).
If there is deficiency heat, Huangqin should be used; it is also used to stop deficiency sweating.
If there is hypochondriac pain, alternating tidal fever, or afternoon tidal fever, Chaihu should be used.
If the Spleen and Stomach are affected by dampness, presenting with heaviness, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, and a desire to lie down, along with phlegm, Atractodae Rhizoma (Baizhu) should be used.
To break stagnant Qi, Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) should be used, particularly for upper jiao issues. Zhi Ke damages the highest Qi in the chest; two or three doses suffice.
To break stagnant Blood, Peach Kernel (Taoren) and Dalbergia Odorifera Wood (Sumu) should be used.
For insufficient blood tonification, Licorice Root (Gancao) should be used.
To resolve phlegm, Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) should be used. For hot phlegm, add Huangqin; for wind-phlegm, add Arisaema Rhizome (Nanxing); for cold-phlegm obstruction in the chest, use Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and Baizhu. Overuse will drain Spleen and Stomach Qi.
If there is a sensation of narrowness in the abdomen, Cangzhu should be used.
To regulate Qi, Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) should be used.
To tonify Qi, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) should be used.
To harmonize Blood, Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui) should be used; any blood pathology requires its use.
To eliminate lower jiao damp-swelling and pain, or fire pathogens in the Bladder, Stephania Tetrandra Root (Fangji), Gentiana Scabra Root (Caolongdan), Huangbai, and Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu), washed in wine, are essential.
To eliminate upper jiao dampness and heat, Huangqin should be used, as it drains Lung Fire.
To eliminate middle jiao dampness, pain, and heat, Huanglian should be used, as it drains Heart Fire.
To eliminate stagnant Qi, Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel) should be used; do not overuse, as it may drain true Qi.
For thirst, Kudzu Root (Gegen) and Poria (Fuling) should be used; Banxia is contraindicated.
For cough, Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi) should be used.
For asthma/wheezing, Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao) should be used.
For undigested food retention, Huanglian and Zhishi should be used.
For vexation and heat in the chest, Gardenia Seed (Zhizi Ren) should be used.
For watery diarrhea, Baizhu, Fuling, and Shaoyao should be used.
For Qi-type stabbing pain, Zhike should be used; identify the channel involved and guide it with channel-guiding herbs.
For Blood-type stabbing pain, Danggui should be used; distinguish between root and tip based on upper or lower location.
For unbearable sore pain, cold and bitter herbs such as Huangbai and Huangqin should be used; distinguish between root and tip and use channel-guiding herbs accordingly.
For unbearable eye pain, Huanglian should be used, combined with Danggui. Soak in wine and decoct.
For yellow urine, Huangbai should be used; for frequent urination or dysuria, add Alisma Rhizome (Zexie).
For excess heat in the abdomen, Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Mirabilite (Mangxiao) should be used.
For lower abdominal pain, Qingpi should be used.
For pain in the urethra, raw Licorice Tip (Sheng Gancao Shao) should be used.
For palpitations and mental confusion, Poria Cum Hostwood (Fushen) should be used.
For excessive drinking leading to Spleen injury, Baizhu, Fuling, and Polyporus (Zhuling) should be used.
For epigastric pain, Cardamom Seed (Caodoukou) should be used.
When using purely cold or purely hot herbs, Gancao must be added to moderate their potency. When mixing cold and hot herbs, Gancao is also used to harmonize their properties. However, Gancao is contraindicated in cases of fullness in the middle jiao, as stated in the classics: "Do not consume sweet flavors when there is middle-jiao fullness."