按少阴乃水火交会之地，元气之根，人身立命之主也。病至此际，是元气衰极，剥至于根。仲景立四逆，究竟是专为救这点元气说法。主方却又云：治三阴厥逆，可知这一点元
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气，彻上彻下。包罗天地。此方不独专为少阴立法，而上中下三部之法俱备。知得此理，便知得姜附之功也。今人不知立极之要，不知姜附之功，故不敢用也。非不敢用也，不明也。
一治忿嚏不已。夫嚏之为病，多缘少阴受寒。麻黄附子细辛汤力能祛少阴之寒，故治之而愈。盖肾络通于鼻，嚏属肾，故知病在少阴也。
一治腰痛难于转侧。夫腰痛之症，原有数端。今见转侧难者，明是肾藏不温，阴寒滞于内也。麻黄附子细辛汤力能温经散寒，故治之而愈。
一治周身皮肤浮肿，内冷自重。夫周身浮肿，内冷身重者，盖以先天之阳衰于内，寒湿之邪，即生于内，故见身重内冷。寒湿太盛，则真气不藏，散于周身，无阳以运化，故又见浮肿。麻辛附子汤力能温肾扶阳，祛阴逐寒，故治之而愈。
一治头脑冷。夫脑为元神之府，清阳聚会之处，如何得冷。其所以致冷者，由命门火衰，真气不能上充。四逆汤力能扶先天真阳，真阳旺而气自上充，故治之而愈。
一治气喘痰鸣。夫气喘之症，举世皆谓肺寒。不知先天这一点真气衰，即不能镇纳浊阴之气，阴气上腾，渐干清道，故见痰喘。四逆汤力能温下焦之阳，故治之而愈。
一治耳肿皮色如常。夫耳肿之症，每多肝胆风火。今见皮色如常，明是阴气逆于上也。四逆汤力能扶阳祛阴，治之故愈。
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一治舌黑唇焦，不渴，少神。夫舌黑唇焦之症，多困阳明胃火而作。果系阳明胃火，必现烦躁，口渴饮冷，二便闭塞等情。此则舌黑唇焦，其人并不口渴，却又少神，明是真阳衰极，不能薰腾津液于上。当知阳气缩一分，肌肉即枯一分。此舌黑唇焦所由来也。四逆汤力能回先天之阳，阳气一回，津液复升，焦枯立润，故治之而愈。
一治喉痛畏寒脚冷。按喉痛一症，原非一端。此则畏寒脚冷，明是少阴受寒，逼出真火浮于喉间，故喉痛而脚冷。四逆汤力能温少阴之气，逐在里之寒，故治之而愈。
一治喉痛，身大热，面赤目瞑，舌冷。夫喉痛，面赤身热，似是阳症，又见目瞑舌冷，却是阴盛隔阳于外之征。四逆汤力能祛逐阴寒，迎阳归舍，故治之而愈。
一治吐血困倦。夫吐血一症，总缘地气上腾，升降失职。人身气为阳，主升。血为阴，主降。今当升者不升，不当升者而反升，明明阴血太盛，上干清道。古人云：益火之源，以消阴翳。是教人补火以治水也。又云：壮水之主，以制阳光，是教人补水以治火也。四逆汤力能补火，故治之而愈。
一治齿缝流血。夫齿乃骨之余，本属肾，肾为水脏，先天之真阳寄焉，以统乎骨分中之血液。真阳不足，不能统摄血液，故见血出。四逆汤力能补肾中之阳，治之故愈。
一治朝食暮吐，完谷不化。夫饮食入胃，固以胃主。然运化之机，全在先天命门这一点真火，始能运化。真火一衰，即不能腐熟谷水，而成完谷不化，朝食暮吐者。暮为阴盛之候，阴气上僭，心肺之阳不能镇纳，故听其吐出也。四逆汤力能补命门下火，故治之而愈。
一治足心夜发热如焚，不渴，尿多。夫足心发热如焚，人皆谓阴之虚也。夫阴虚由于火旺。火旺之人，尿必短赤，
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口必饮冷，理势然也。今则不渴而尿多，明是下焦无阳，不能统束肾气，以致阴火沸腾，故见足心发热如焚也。四逆汤力能补火，火旺即能统束群阴，故治之而愈。此病予亲身患过，并治好多人，此法即是丙夺丁光之义也。知得丙夺丁光，便知得阳衰不能镇阴的旨归也。
一治面赤发热，汗出抽掣。夫面赤发热，汗出抽掣，近似中风，其实不是，务必仔细斟酌。如其人本体有阴象足征，即不可当作风热，须知面赤［1］发热者，阳越于外也。汗出抽掣者，阳亡于外，不能支持四维也。四逆汤力能回阳，阳回则诸症自己。
一治大便下血，气短少神。夫大便下血，固有虚实之分。此则气短少神，必是下焦之阳不足，不能统摄血液。四逆汤力能扶下焦之阳，阳旺则开阖有节，故治之而愈。
一治头摇，面白少神，夫头摇之症，人目之为风。而予于此症，察其人面白少神，如其为清阳不升，元气虚极，不能镇定也。四逆汤力能扶阳，真阳一旺，即能镇定上下四旁，故治之而愈。
一治背冷目瞑。夫背为阳中之阳，不宜寒冷。今又背冷而目瞑，明是先天真阳衰极，阴寒内生，阴盛则阳微，故目瞑而背冷也。四逆汤力能扶先天真阳，故治之而愈。
一治舌腰硬而青。夫舌肿一症，似乎心火旺极，不知舌仲而青，此乃阴寒太盛，逼出真火，欲从舌尖而出，故见肿硬青滑。四逆汤力能补火，祛逐阴寒，故治之而愈。
一治唇肿而赤，不渴。夫唇肿之症，近似胃火，胃火之肿，口必不大渴。今见病人唇肿而口并不渴，可知阴火出于脾间。四逆汤功专补阳，阳旺则阴火自消，故治之而愈。
[1] 赤原本作"亦"，据文义改。
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一治鼻涕如注面白少神。夫鼻涕一症，原有外感、内伤之别。此则面白无神，明是真阳衰于上，不能统摄在上之律液。四逆汤力能扶坎中真阳，阳旺自能统纳，故治之而愈。
一治尿多。夫尿之多，由于下焦之火弱，不能收束故也。惟四逆汤力能补下焦之火，故治之而愈。
一治周身发起包块，皮色如常，夫周身发起包块，疑似风热阳邪，此则皮色如常，却是阴邪僭居阳位。四逆汤力能扶阳，阳旺则阴邪自伏，故治之而愈。
一治周身忽现红片如云，不热不渴。夫周身发现红云，人孰不谓风火郁热于皮肤。夫风火郁热之症，未有不发热而即作者，亦未有口不渴，而即谓之火者，此处便是认症机关。予每于此症，认作阳衰，阴居阳位，以四逆汤治之而愈。
一治发热谵语，无神不渴。夫发热谵语，世人皆谓热伏于心，神无所主也。不知阳症热伏于心，精神不衰，口渴冷饮，小便亦必短赤。此则无神不渴，明是真阳衰极。［眉批］在无神二字上定案。发热者，阳越于外也。谵语者，阴邪乘于心，神无所主也。不渴、无神，非邪火也。四逆汤力能回阳，阳回则神安，故治之而愈。
一治两目白晴青色。夫白轮属肺，金也。今见纯青［1］，日无白色，是金气衰而肝木乘之也。妻乘于夫，是乾则不振，纯阴无阳之候。［眉批］坎中一点真金即真阳也，人活的即此。多在死例。四逆汤力扶坎中之金，金气一旺，目睛自然转变，故治之而愈。
一治两目赤雾缕缕，微胀不痛。夫目窠，乃五脏精华所聚之地，原着不得一毫客气。今见赤雾缕缕，疑是阳火为殃，不知阳邪痛甚、胀甚，此则微胀不痛，明是阳衰于上，不能
[1] 青原本作"责"，据文义改。
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镇纳下焦浊阴之气，地气上腾，故见此等目疾。四逆汤力能扶阳祛寒，阳光一照，阴火自灭，故治之而愈。
按此方功用颇多。得其要者，一方可治数百种病。因病加减，其功用更为无穷。予每用此方，救好多人。人咸目予为姜、附先生，不知予非专用姜、附者也，只因病当服此。难道予不会写几个参、地、归、芍，芩、连、栀、柏之方乎，只因世风日下，不究病之阴阳，专究方药之平稳。不知水懦弱，民狎而玩之，多死焉。火猛烈，民望而畏之，鲜死焉。总之，水能生人，亦能死人；火能生人，亦能死人。予非爱姜、附，恶归、地，功夫全在阴阳上打算耳。学者苟能洞达阴阳之理，自然头头是道，又奚疑姜、附之不可用哉。
厥阴经用药图
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按厥阴为阴经，阴极则生阳，故多寒热错杂。又肝主宗筋玉茎，人性多思淫，心火一动，玉茎必举，发泄不遂，多生邪热，亦多见寒热错杂。此受病之源。人多不察。仲景立乌梅丸，寒热并投，大有灼见，并非专为虫立法。凡厥阴一切症候，莫不备具。舒驰远先生谓此方不是，未免执一。
乌梅丸圆通应用法
一治巅顶痛。夫厥阴之脉会于巅顶，今见巅顶痛者，是厥阴之邪侵于上也。乌梅丸专主厥阴，故治之而愈。
一治睾丸肿痛。夫睾丸，俗称为外肾。世人多以肾目之。不知此乃木之余气所生。故贤配之三卦，震，木也。二阴一阳，二睾丸为偶，玉茎一为奇，奇居腹面，丸居背面，所配确乎不爽，而世人盖未之细求其理也。予每于此处病，多以乌梅丸治之而愈。
一治腹痛饮冷。夫腹痛，爪甲青，明是厥阴阴寒之气，阻其真阳运行之机，邪正相攻，故见腹痛。即云寒邪，何得饮冷，必是阴极阳生，见此寒热错杂。乌梅丸寒热并用，故治之而愈。
按此方功用最多，颇难尽举，姑列一二条，以备参究。其中之精义，修园先生言之甚详，学者可熟读而深思之，便得立法立方之意，而于厥阴一切症候，莫不应手辄效也。
Note: Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) is the place where water and fire intersect, the root of Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi), and the master of life for the human body. When a disease reaches this stage, it indicates that Yuan Qi is extremely depleted, with degeneration reaching the root. Zhang Zhongjing established Si Ni Tang (Four Reversal Decoction), fundamentally to save this bit of Yuan Qi. The main prescription also states: "Treats Jue Ni (Reversal Cold) of the Three Yin channels." This shows that this bit of Yuan Qi permeates from top to bottom and encompasses heaven and earth. This prescription not only establishes laws specifically for Shaoyin but also includes methods for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Triple Burners. Understanding this principle allows one to understand the efficacy of Sheng Jiang (Prepared Ginger) and Fu Zi (Aconite Root). Nowadays, people do not understand the importance of establishing the extreme pole, nor do they understand the efficacy of Ginger and Aconite, so they dare not use them. It is not that they dare not use them, but that they do not understand.
Application Principles of Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction) and Si Ni Tang (Four Reversal Decoction):
1. Treats incessant sneezing. Sneezing is often caused by cold invading the Shaoyin channel. Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang has the power to dispel cold from Shaoyin, thus curing it. Since the kidney meridians connect to the nose, and sneezing belongs to the Kidney, we know the pathology lies in Shaoyin.
2. Treats lower back pain with difficulty turning or bending. Lower back pain has various causes. Difficulty in turning indicates clearly that the Kidney organ is not warm, with yin-cold stagnating internally. Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang has the power to warm the meridians and scatter cold, thus curing it.
3. Treats generalized skin edema with internal cold and heavy body sensation. Generalized edema with internal cold and heaviness occurs because congenital Yang is deficient internally, leading to the generation of cold-dampness pathogens internally. Thus, heaviness and internal cold appear. When cold-dampness is excessive, True Qi fails to store and scatters throughout the body; without Yang to transform it, edema appears. Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang has the power to warm the Kidney, support Yang, expel yin, and drive out cold, thus curing it.
4. Treats cold head. The brain is the residence of the Original Spirit and the gathering place of clear Yang; how can it be cold? The cause of cold here is the decline of Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life Fire), preventing True Qi from ascending to nourish. Si Ni Tang has the power to support congenital True Yang. When True Yang is robust, Qi ascends naturally, thus curing it.
5. Treats asthma with phlegm rattle. Asthma is generally considered lung cold by the world. However, when congenital True Qi declines, it cannot anchor turbid yin Qi. Yin Qi ascends and interferes with the clear pathways, causing phlegm and wheezing. Si Ni Tang has the power to warm the Yang of the Lower Jiao, thus curing it.
6. Treats swollen ears with normal skin color. Ear swelling is usually due to wind-fire in the Liver and Gallbladder. Normal skin color here indicates clearly that Yin Qi is rebelling upwards. Si Ni Tang has the power to support Yang and expel Yin, thus curing it.
7. Treats black tongue and dry lips without thirst, accompanied by listlessness. Black tongue and dry lips are often caused by Yangming Stomach Fire. If it were Stomach Fire, there would be irritability, thirst for cold drinks, and constipation. Here, despite black tongue and dry lips, there is no thirst and listlessness is present, indicating extreme depletion of True Yang, which cannot vaporize fluids upward. Note that for every point Yang recedes, muscles wither correspondingly. This is the origin of black tongue and dry lips. Si Ni Tang has the power to restore congenital Yang. Once Yang returns, fluids rise, and dryness is moistened instantly, thus curing it.
8. Treats sore throat with aversion to cold and cold feet. Sore throat has various causes. Aversion to cold and cold feet here indicate clearly that Shaoyin has been invaded by cold, forcing True Fire to float in the throat, causing sore throat and cold feet. Si Ni Tang has the power to warm Shaoyin Qi and drive out interior cold, thus curing it.
9. Treats sore throat with high fever, red face, closed eyes, and cold tongue. Sore throat, red face, and fever seem like Yang syndromes, but closed eyes and cold tongue are signs of Yin excess repelling Yang to the exterior. Si Ni Tang has the power to expel Yin-cold and guide Yang back to its residence, thus curing it.
10. Treats hematemesis with fatigue. Hematemesis is generally due to Earth Qi rising and failure of ascending/descending functions. Qi is Yang, governing ascent; Blood is Yin, governing descent. Here, what should ascend does not, and what should not ascend rises instead, indicating excessive Yin-Blood harassing the clear pathways. The ancients said: "Benefit the source of fire to eliminate Yin shadows," teaching to tonify Fire to control Water (Yin). Also: "Strengthen the master of water to restrain sunlight," teaching to tonify Water to control Fire (Yang). Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify Fire, thus curing it.
11. Treats bleeding from tooth gaps. Teeth are the surplus of bone, belonging to the Kidney. The Kidney is the Water Organ, where congenital True Yang resides to control blood in the bones. Deficiency of True Yang fails to control blood, causing bleeding. Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify Yang in the Kidney, thus curing it.
12. Treats vomiting undigested food in the evening after morning meals. Food entering the stomach is governed by the Stomach. However, the mechanism of transformation relies entirely on the True Fire of the congenital Mingmen. When True Fire declines, it cannot ripen grains and water, leading to undigested food and evening vomiting. Evening is when Yin is abundant; Yin Qi rebels, and Heart-Lung Yang cannot anchor it, allowing vomiting. Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify the lower Fire of Mingmen, thus curing it.
13. Treats burning heat in the soles of the feet at night, without thirst, and polyuria. Burning heat in the soles is often attributed to Yin deficiency. Yin deficiency stems from hyperactive Fire. Those with hyperactive Fire have short, dark urine and thirst for cold drinks. Here, lack of thirst and polyuria indicate clearly that the Lower Jiao lacks Yang, failing to constrain Kidney Qi, causing Yin-Fire to boil over, resulting in burning heat in the soles. Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify Fire. Robust Fire constrains Yin, thus curing it. I suffered from this personally and cured many others. This method embodies the meaning of "Bing (Fire) seizing the light of Ding (Fire)." Understanding this reveals the principle that Yang deficiency cannot anchor Yin.
14. Treats red face, fever, sweating, and convulsions. Red face, fever, sweating, and convulsions resemble stroke but are not. Careful differentiation is required. If the patient exhibits sufficient signs of Yin syndrome, do not treat as wind-heat. Red face and fever indicate Yang floating outward. Sweating and convulsions indicate Yang escaping outward, unable to support the four limbs. Si Ni Tang has the power to return Yang. Once Yang returns, symptoms resolve.
15. Treats hematochezia with shortness of breath and listlessness. Hematochezia has deficiency and excess types. Shortness of breath and listlessness here indicate insufficient Yang in the Lower Jiao, failing to control blood. Si Ni Tang has the power to support Lower Jiao Yang. Robust Yang regulates opening and closing, thus curing it.
16. Treats head tremor with pale face and listlessness. Head tremor is often called wind. Observing a pale face and listlessness here suggests clear Yang failing to ascend and extreme Qi deficiency failing to stabilize. Si Ni Tang has the power to support Yang. Robust True Yang stabilizes the upper, lower, and sides, thus curing it.
17. Treats cold back and closed eyes. The back is Yang within Yang and should not be cold. Cold back and closed eyes indicate extreme depletion of congenital True Yang and endogenous Yin-cold. Yin excess leads to weak Yang, causing closed eyes and cold back. Si Ni Tang has the power to support congenital True Yang, thus curing it.
18. Treats stiff, cyanotic tongue. Tongue swelling seems like extreme Heart Fire. However, stiffness and cyanosis indicate excessive Yin-cold forcing True Fire to exit via the tongue tip, causing swelling, stiffness, and cyanosis. Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify Fire and expel Yin-cold, thus curing it.
19. Treats swollen, red lips without thirst. Lip swelling resembles Stomach Fire, which typically presents with little thirst. Swollen red lips with no thirst indicate Yin-Fire originating from the Spleen. Si Ni Tang specializes in tonifying Yang. Robust Yang eliminates Yin-Fire, thus curing it.
20. Treats profuse runny nose with pale, spiritless face. Runny nose differs between exterior invasion and internal injury. Pale, spiritless face here indicates True Yang deficiency above, failing to control fluids above. Si Ni Tang has the power to support True Yang in Kan (Water/Kidney). Robust Yang controls fluids, thus curing it.
21. Treats polyuria. Polyuria results from weak Fire in the Lower Jiao failing to consolidate. Si Ni Tang has the power to tonify Lower Jiao Fire, thus curing it.
22. Treats generalized nodules with normal skin color. Generalized nodules resemble wind-heat Yang pathogens. Normal skin color here indicates Yin pathogens occupying Yang positions. Si Ni Tang has the power to support Yang. Robust Yang subdues Yin pathogens, thus curing it.
23. Treats sudden appearance of cloud-like red patches without fever or thirst. Cloud-like red patches are often thought to be wind-fire郁热 (stagnant heat). Wind-fire heat always presents with fever and thirst. Absence of these indicates the key to diagnosis. I diagnose this as Yang deficiency with Yin occupying Yang positions, treating with Si Ni Tang to cure.
24. Treats fever with delirium, listlessness, and no thirst. Fever and delirium are often attributed to heat lodging in the Heart. Yang syndromes with heat in the Heart present with robust spirit, thirst for cold drinks, and short dark urine. Listlessness and no thirst here indicate extreme True Yang depletion. [Marginal note: Decide based on 'listlessness'.] Fever indicates Yang floating outward. Delirium indicates Yin pathogens harassing the Heart, leaving Spirit unmastered. No thirst and listlessness rule out pathogenic fire. Si Ni Tang has the power to return Yang. Returning Yang calms the Spirit, thus curing it.
25. Treats cyanotic white sclera. The white sclera belongs to the Lung (Metal). Pure cyanosis without white indicates declining Metal Qi being overcome by Liver Wood. Wife overcoming Husband indicates failure of Qian (Heaven/Yang), a sign of pure Yin without Yang. [Marginal note: The True Metal/True Yang in Kan is what keeps people alive. Often fatal.] Si Ni Tang strongly supports Metal in Kan. Robust Metal Qi restores eye color, thus curing it.
26. Treats thread-like red mist in eyes, slight swelling without pain. The eye socket gathers essence of five Zang organs and tolerates no external pathogens. Thread-like red mist suggests Yang fire, but Yang pathogens cause severe pain and swelling. Slight swelling without pain indicates Yang deficiency above, failing to anchor turbid Yin Qi from the Lower Jiao. Earth Qi rises, causing this eye disease. Si Ni Tang has the power to support Yang and dispel cold. Sunlight illuminates, extinguishing Yin-Fire, thus curing it.
Note: This prescription has many functions. Mastering its essentials, one formula can treat hundreds of diseases. Modifications based on specific conditions make its functions infinite. I have used this formula to save many people. People call me "Mr. Ginger and Aconite," unaware that I do not exclusively use Ginger and Aconite, but prescribe them when indicated. Could I not write formulas with Ginseng, Rehmannia, Angelica, Peony, Scutellaria, Coptis, Gardenia, and Phellodendron? It is because modern trends neglect investigating Yin-Yang pathology, focusing only on formula safety. Water is mild; people play with it and die. Fire is fierce; people fear it and survive. Water can give life or take it; Fire can give life or take it. I do not love Ginger/Aconite or hate Angelica/Rehmannia; my skill lies in calculating Yin-Yang. Scholars who thoroughly understand Yin-Yang principles will find everything logical and need not doubt the use of Ginger and Aconite.
Jueyin Channel Medication Chart
Note: Jueyin is a Yin channel. At the extreme of Yin, Yang generates, leading to mixed cold and heat. The Liver governs the sinews and genitalia. Human desire for lust moves Heart Fire, causing erection. Unfulfilled release generates pathogenic heat, often presenting as mixed cold and heat. This is the source of disease, often overlooked. Zhang Zhongjing established Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill), using both cold and hot herbs, showing great insight. It is not solely for expelling parasites. It covers all Jueyin syndromes. Mr. Shu Chiyuan's criticism that this formula is incorrect is too rigid.
Application Principles of Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill):
1. Treats vertex headache. The Jueyin meridian meets at the vertex. Vertex headache indicates Jueyin pathogens attacking upwards. Wu Mei Wan specifically targets Jueyin, thus curing it.
2. Treats testicular swelling and pain. Testicles are commonly called "external kidneys." People view them as Kidneys. They are actually generated by residual Qi of Wood. In the Bagua, Zhen represents Wood. Two Yin and one Yang: two testicles are even, penis is odd. Odd is anterior, even is posterior. The correspondence is precise, though rarely studied. I often treat such ailments with Wu Mei Wan to cure.
3. Treats abdominal pain with craving for cold drinks. Abdominal pain with cyanotic nails indicates Jueyin Yin-cold blocking True Yang circulation, with evil and righteous Qi clashing. Why crave cold if it is cold? It must be Yin extreme generating Yang, presenting mixed cold and heat. Wu Mei Wan uses cold and hot herbs together, thus curing it.
Note: This formula has numerous functions, hard to list all. I list a few for reference. The profound meanings are detailed by Mr. Xiuyuan. Scholars should read deeply to understand the legislative intent and achieve immediate efficacy for all Jueyin syndromes.