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Yawning (yawn) is always accompanied by stretching the waist, hence it is also called "yawning and stretching". The *Classic* states: Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulates in the Yang aspects during the day and in the Yin aspects at night. Yin governs night and sleep; Yang governs the upper part. When Yin Qi accumulates in the lower part and Yang Qi has not yet fully entered to circulate in the Yin, Yang pulls the body upward while Yin pulls it downward. The mutual attraction of Yin and Yang causes frequent yawning. This represents the transition from Yang to Yin, from movement to stillness. A patient suffered from hematemesis (vomiting blood) of over one dou, with restlessness and inability to sleep, presenting a critical condition. When I arrived for consultation at midnight, I heard him yawning and said, "He will not die." Knowing that his Yin Qi was still present, he recovered after medication. The *Classic* says: When Yang Qi is harmonious and smooth, filling the heart and emerging from the nose, sneezing occurs. Liu Hejian stated: Itching in the nose causes gas to spray out making a sound. The nose is the orifice of the Lung; itching is caused by Fire transformation (excessive Fire causes pain, mild Fire causes itching). When Fire invades the Lung and manifests in the nose, itching and sneezing occur. Sneezing can also be induced by disturbing the nose with an object, as disturbance belongs to Fire. Sneezing upon looking at the sun occurs because Solar Fire shines on the eyes, and heat internally communicates to the nose, causing itching and sneezing. Zhang Zhongjing stated: If a person has clear nasal discharge, fever, and normal complexion, they tend to sneeze. (This is a mild form of wind-cold injury where wind is in the skin and hair, obstructing Lung Qi; excess Qi transforms into mucus for expulsion, and obstruction leads to sneezing. Normal complexion indicates a superficial disease.) Thus, sneezing results from excess Qi and obstruction, so those with Yang deficiency do not sneeze; sneezing is a good omen.

(This section discusses excessive dietary intake leading to retention and indigestion. For conditions of insufficient dietary intake, see the chapter on Fatigue and Overwork.)
Drinking water, whether cold, hot, or excessive, can all harm the body.
Water belongs to the formless Qi aspect in the human body. Excessive drinking causes Qi rebellion (water carries Qi floating upward; this can be observed when bathing with water up to the chest, causing panting. Water filling the lower part forces Qi upward, like oil floating on water). Drinking cold water injures the Lung (cold energy of water shoots upward to the Lung, injuring Lung Qi), leading to wheezing and coughing, edema (water dampness infiltrating muscles and skin causes swelling), and diarrhea (water dampness moving downward causes diarrhea). Mild cases are treated with diaphoresis and promoting urination to disperse water from above, below, inside, and outside. Severe cases with accumulation and fullness are treated with emetics or purgatives such as Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua), Datura Seed (Daji), Kansui Radix (Gansui), and Morning Glory Seed (Qianniu) to promote bowel movements. (This implies not just promoting urination, but must promote both urination and defecation.)
Wine's substance is dampness, its nature is heat. Intoxication and madness caused by drinking are due to heat, which should be expelled via sweating. After sobering up, heat dissipates but dampness remains, requiring promotion of urination to remove it, primarily using Ge Hua Jie Cheng Tang (Pueraria Flower Decoction to Relieve Intoxication). If one does not induce sweating first but directly promotes urination, the flaming heat will not descend; dampness leaves but heat remains. Using purgatives is even more erroneous, as wine's heat is formless Qi; attacking the Yang aspect with purgatives damages the Yin aspect, which is punishing the innocent. Diaphoresis uses acrid-warm herbs (following their ascending and exterior-releasing nature), assisted by bitter-cold herbs (clearing heat). If jaundice from wine is treated with purgatives, it may turn into black jaundice over time, which must be strictly avoided. (See Jaundice Section.) For nausea and vomiting due to alcohol, dizziness, and headache, use Chonghe Tang (Harmonizing Decoction), which is Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction) plus Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang), Pinellia Rhizome (Banxia), and Poria (Fuling); or Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) plus Puerariae Radix (Gegen); or Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction) combined with Suopi Yin (Spleen-Constricting Drink). For post-drinking thirst, use Suopi Yin or Puerariae Radix decoction mixed with Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Long-term alcohol consumption forming wine accumulation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, or binge drinking muddy wine, are treated with Jiuzhu Huanglian Wan (Alcohol-Boiled Coptis Pill). Excessive drinking forming wine masses, abdominal lumps moving with Qi, is treated with Chonghe Tang plus Curcuma Zedoaria Rhizome (Ezhu) 5 fen. Stagnation transforming into phlegm-fluid retention is treated with Zhishi Banxia Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Pinellia Decoction) plus Medicated Leaven (Shenqu) and Malt (Maiya), or Chonghe Tang plus Pinellia and Poria. To resolve alcohol toxicity, Ziziphus Spinosae Semen (Zhizi/Jujube seed, specifically the stalk/fruit used for detox here often refers to Hovenia Dulcis but text says Zhizi, likely referring to specific detox properties or typo for Huaihua/Zhizi context, sticking to text: Zhizi) is best. Yu Jiayan stated: Qian Xiaolu was skilled at drinking, getting drunk every day without fail. He presented with vomiting, alternating chills and fever, bone joint irritability and pain, surging and rapid pulse, body heavy unable to move on the mat, left leg pain like knife stabbing, coal-black nostrils, and no bowel movement since onset. This is a sign of carbuncle and sore. Some argued that Dry Metal rules the season, and wine drinkers usually suffer from heat-dampness; now heat is constrained, cannot vent outward, fluids dry up, large intestine loses moisture, so treat with clearing Metal and moistening dryness. Others disagreed, saying alcohol toxin flares up, intestines and stomach are burning, how can one wait to dig a well for water? Urgent large purgation is needed. I said: Although purgation might work, wine drinkers' Stomach Qi is already damaged by chronic vomiting; medicine entering the stomach will cause regurgitation and fail to reach downward. Digging a well is hard, digging a canal is also difficult. Wine is a clear and potent substance, not descending with turbidity, but preferring to infiltrate. It enters the Gallbladder from the Stomach first; the Gallbladder is a pure and clear organ, seeking similar Qi. However, the Gallbladder's capacity is limited; next it enters the Intestines and Bladder, where infiltration into urine is most prominent. Once transformed into urine, only the residual quality of wine remains, and its potency is borne solely by the Gallbladder. Hence, at half-intoxication, even cowards show boldness. (Wine nature is extremely hot and tends upward; Heart and Lung receive it, not just Gallbladder. Wine strengthens Qi, causing fearlessness. Descending Qi belongs to Lung, ascending to Liver and Gallbladder. Liver is Yin, Gallbladder is Yang; wine Qi is extreme Yang ascent, thus attributed to Gallbladder.) The Gallbladder orifice has no direct outlet, but Gallbladder heat transferring to the brain causes turbid mucus to flow from the nose, slightly reducing the momentum. In Qian Xiaolu's case, Yang aspect Yang is excessive, Yang aspect Yin is deficient, no sweating, resembling barren southern lands, extreme heat, rejecting Gallbladder heat transfer. Fortunately, head sweating allows hidden brain heat release, avoiding major disaster. Since Gallbladder heat cannot be vented, compounded by wine heat and seasonal dryness, internal heat blazes, causing Gallbladder bile to overflow and infiltrate meridians, turning body and eyes yellow. It could also be driven to the Bladder for elimination via urine. Now pathology attacks Huantiao (GB30) point, leg pain like knife stabbing, indicating pathology rooted in Gallbladder channel, unable to exit via Bladder. Even acupuncture is difficult due to long-term injury at this point. My greater concern is: Post-natal life relies on Grain Qi for nourishment, which is Yuan Qi (Source Qi). Those who eat little rely on wine as Source Qi. Abandoning wine due to illness leaves no long-term resource. I devised a method: First, stimulate nose to expel yellow fluid from brain; second, needle several points connecting Gallbladder and brain, ensuring Gallbladder heat exits via brain and nose. Upper drainage relieves lower pressure, Huantiao blockage resolves, intestinal dryness recovers. Then, add Gallbladder-clearing herbs to wine, drink to intoxication daily. Same method, different wine nature, allowing Yin circulation and miraculous effect. His lifelong bias formed a fortress; wine must act as guide. Can clearing Metal/moistening dryness or purgation solve this?
Food is substance, belonging to the formless Blood aspect in the body. Food stagnation causes chest and abdominal fullness, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching with rotten egg odor, food aversion, headache, fever, and aversion to cold. (Food stagnation generates heat, attacking head causing headache, steaming exterior causing fever, Qi failing to reach surface causing aversion to cold.) Symptoms resemble Taiyang disease, but differ by Qi Kou pulse being double Ren Ying pulse and absence of body pain. Mild cases use digestion-promoting methods; severe cases use emesis or purgation. Pathogens in Upper Jiao use emesis, e.g., Genti San (Melon Sepal Powder). Pathogens in Intestines use purgation. If symptoms and ingested food are Heat-type, use Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction); if Cold-type, use Xiao Qixiang Wan (Small Seven-Aroma Pill) decocted with ginger water, swallowed with Yinggan Wan or Beiji Wan. The *Classic* states: Pulse present at upper part (head), absent at lower part (feet), patient should vomit; if not, death ensues. Li Dongyuan explained this is similar to Wood Depression, requiring emesis to unblock. Food blocking chest affects Taiyin Lung Metal. Liver Wood Qi is suppressed by food, unable to ascend, hiding in Spleen Earth, resembling Metal suppression. Thus, emesis for Wood depression allows Wood to舒展 (expand). Also, Lung is Clear Yang, like Heaven. Food obstruction prevents Heaven Qi from descending to Earth, causing Pi (stagnation). Earth water originates from Heaven Qi ("Water comes from high plateau"). Qi blockage at top cuts off source, water doesn't flow down, hence lower pulse absent. This theory is convoluted. Basically, food in upper Stomach, not yet in Intestines, should be expelled upward. Upper Qi above food, if unblocked, circulates, so upper pulse exists (pulse follows Qi). Lower Qi blocked by food, cannot circulate, so lower pulse absent.
Herbs for damaging foods: Pinellia, Shenqu, Dried Ginger, Burreed Tuber (Sanleng), Curcuma (Ezhu), Croton Seed (Badou). Zhizhong Tang plus Amomum Cardamomum (Sharen) 1 qian, followed by Hongwanzi; Xiao Qixiang Wan; Banxia Zhizhu Wan. For cold-heat disharmony, add Shang'erhuang Wan 10 pills per dose, or Muxiang Ganjiang Zhizhu Wan, Dingxiang Lanfan Wan.
For heat-damaging foods: Zhishi, Baizhu, Qingpi/Chenpi, Maiya, Huanglian, Dahuang. Shang'erhuang Wan, Zhizhu Daoshi Wan.
General for cold/heat: Baohe Wan, Zhizhu Wan, Qu Zhizhu Wan, Muxiang Zhizhu Wan, Binglang Wan.
For damp-heat indigestion with fullness/confusion: Zhishi Daoshi Wan.
For meat, wet noodles, spicy/rich flavors: Sanhuang Zhizhu Wan.
For heat-food stagnation with retching: Shang'erhuang Wan.
For wet noodles with chest/abdominal fullness/heavy limbs: Chushi Yiqi Wan.
For bean powder, wet noodles, grease: Baizhu Wan.
For noodle sheet accumulation: Strong decoction of Perilla Folium (Zisu) mixed with Almond paste.
For undigested dog meat with epigastric hardness/bloating/dry mouth/fever: Rehumax Rhizome (Lugen) juice; Apricot Seed (Xingren) treats dog meat.
For raw fish/meat causing masses: Purslane Juice (Biancao) and Ginger juice.
Generally: Shenqu/Maiya digest grains; Radish (Laifu) digests wheat; Sha Ren, Asafetida (Awei), Hawthorn (Shanzha) digest meat; Perilla (Zisu) resolves fish/crab toxicity; Musk (Shexiang) resolves wine/fruit accumulation.
Ratio of cold/hot damage dictates herb ratio (e.g., 1 part cold, 2 parts heat -> 2 parts cold herbs, 1 part warm herbs).
Complexion cyan/black, pulse floating/sinking irregular, wiry/weak: Jueyin injury (Liver cold stagnation), Guisii Nixi Tang plus Evodia (Wuzhuyu) or Ginger.
Complexion red, pulse irregular/fine/faint: Shaoyin injury (Kidney cold forcing fire up), Tongmai Sini Tang.
Complexion yellow, pulse irregular/slow/soft: Taiyin injury, Lizhong Wan/Tang. (All warming herbs).
Spleen pulse slight surging (Fire): Damage from bitter substances (Fire flavor); Salty overcomes Bitter.
Pulse slight wiry: Damage from cold/hard; Warmth overcomes.
Pulse wiry-tight: Damage from sour/hard; Acrid overcomes Sour.
Pulse slight choppy: Damage from spicy; Bitter overcomes Acrid.
Pulse slight slippery: Damage from fishy/salty; Sweet overcomes Salty.
Pulse surging-slow: Damage from sweet/soft; Sour overcomes Sweet.
Pulse slight slow: Cold-phlegm/stagnation, warm Stomach/resolve phlegm.
Hidden pulse: Indigestion, use Shenqu, Bohe, Sanleng, Ezhu.
Surging-floating-rapid: Alcohol intoxication, Gegen, Chenpi, Fuling.
Diarrhea from food stagnation: Add Nutmeg (Roudoukou) and Alpinia Oxyphylla (Yizhiren) to secure.
Food stagnation with Wind-Cold: Add body ache, Qi Kou/Ren Ying pulses strong. Use Shengliao Wuji San, Yangwei Tang, Xiong Zhi Xiangsu Yin, Hejie San.
General formula for food stagnation: Pingwei San. Add Guya/Maiya/Shenqu for grains; Shanzha for meat; Laifuzi for wheat; Zhishi for distension.
If Spleen/Stomach weak: Liujunzi Tang plus Dingxiang, Huoxiang, Muxiang, Jianlian, Houpo, Suosha, Maiya, Shenqu.
Spleen Qi sinking: Buzhong Yiqi Tang.
Liver Fire invading Spleen: Zuojin Wan, Guipi Tang.
Kidney Fire invading Spleen: Liuwei Wan.
Mingmen Fire decline failing to generate Earth: Bawei Wan.
Some doubt tonification during fullness; but tonification has method:疏通 middle, tonify lower. Small dose aids upper congestion, large dose tonifies lower strongly. Ginseng 1 liang plus slight Shengma cures instantly. This is "treating obstruction with obstruction" (Sei Yin Sei Yong).
Stomach strong/Spleen weak (eat but cannot digest): Pingwei San plus fried salt, pepper, Shanzha, Maiya, Shenqu, Tribulus (Bijili) pills. Restrict diet.