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A questioner asked: Do children also suffer from hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body)? I replied: Children from one year old to childhood age all have this condition. Those who suddenly develop this symptom are few; most cases arise from Shanghan (diseases caused by external cold pathogens) leading to a deficiency of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). The patients' bodies become stiff as if carved from clay, which is due to Qi failing to reach the four limbs. Ancient practitioners treated this with wind-dispelling methods because they had limited experience with such conditions.

Another questioner asked: When Yuan Qi is deficient and aggregates on the left or right sides, causing hemiplegia, are there conditions where it aggregates on the upper or lower parts? I replied: When Yuan Qi is deficient by half, leaving only half, it cannot circulate throughout the body. Regarding Wei Syndrome (a syndrome characterized by flaccidity and weakness of the limbs, sometimes with muscle atrophy), its root lies in damp-heat in the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian steaming upward to the Lungs. This causes Lung Heat and scorched lung leaves (dryness of lung fluids), resulting in emaciated skin and hair, manifesting as Wei Syndrome. Predecessors generally used cooling and purgative formulas to treat it. I argue that using cooling and purgative herbs to treat Bi Syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome) caused by damp-heat leg pain is acceptable, but it is inappropriate for treating Wei Syndrome. How could they know that prolonged pain from Bi Syndrome can lead to leg paralysis, yet pain persists after paralysis? In contrast, Wei Syndrome involves sudden immobility of both legs without any pain. If the root and branch are not distinguished clearly, and deficiency and excess are confused, would this not bring disaster to future generations?

This formula is used to treat hemiplegia, deviation of the mouth and eyes, dysarthria (slurred speech), drooling, dry stool, frequent urination, and urinary incontinence.
Huangqi (Radix Astragali Membranacei, 4 liang, raw)
Dangguiwe (Cauda Radix Angelicae Sinensis, 2 qian)
Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 1.5 qian)
Dilong (Pheretima, 1 qian, cleaned of soil)
Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong, 1 qian)
Taoren (Semen Persicae, 1 qian)
Honghua (Flos Carthami Tinctorii, 1 qian)
Decoct in water and take orally.

For recent onset of hemiplegia, add Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae, 1 qian) to this base formula. After taking 4-5 doses, remove Fangfeng. If the patient has previously heard rumors and fears Huangqi, reduce the dosage by half, but still take one dose daily. If the illness has persisted for three to two months, and previous doctors excessively used cold-natured medicines according to ancient prescriptions, add Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, 4-5 qian). If excessive wind-dispelling medicines were used previously, add Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosae, 4-5 qian). If these specific conditions do not apply, no addition is necessary. Although this is a benevolent formula, if the disease has been long-standing and Qi is severely deficient, resulting in shoulder joint laxity (gap of 2-3 finger widths), inability to straighten bent arms, eversion of the lateral malleolus (foot "gu guai" bone), and muteness (inability to speak a single word), these are incurable conditions. Although they cannot be cured, regular use can prevent the worsening of the condition. If the patient recovers after taking this formula, the medication should not be stopped abruptly. One may take a dose every 3-5 days or every 7-8 days. Failure to continue maintenance therapy may lead to Qi Jue (Qi syncope/collapse) in the future. The Huangqi in this formula, regardless of its place of origin, has consistent medicinal potency and can be used interchangeably.

Formula Song:
Bu Yang Huan Wu contains Chishao and Chuanxiong,
Dangguiwei unblocks meridians assisted by Dilong,
Four liang of Huangqi serves as the main herb,
To resolve blood stasis, Taoren and Honghua are employed.