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The origin of this syndrome lies in the deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, leading to insufficient Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain; the Spleen's function is to grind and digest food. The essence of food and drink transforms into Ying and Wei Qi to nourish the four limbs. If daily routines are irregular and eating times are untimely, it leads to a deficiency of Spleen and Stomach Qi. Consequently, the moisturizing and nourishing functions of Ying and Wei Qi become inadequate, allowing Wind Pathogen to invade due to the deficiency. Since the Spleen and Stomach govern the four limbs, and their meridians connect to the root of the tongue and link to the lips and mouth, both the limbs and the lips/mouth suffer from Bi Syndrome (numbness and obstruction), resulting in slurred speech. The treatment method should prioritize herbs that regulate the Spleen and Stomach, with minimal use of wind-dispelling herbs, which will lead to recovery. If left untreated for a long time, it may transform into Wei Disease (atrophy and weakness). As the classics state, "In treating Wei Disease, one should exclusively focus on the Yangming Meridian." The Yangming Meridian refers to the Stomach Meridian. (From *Jifang Fang*)

Zhang Wenzhong stated that there are 124 types of Wind pathogens and 81 types of Qi disorders. Only Hongxiangjiao (Foot Qi/Jiaojie disease), Toufeng (Head Wind), and Shangqi (Rebellious Qi/asthma) require continuous medication throughout the year. For other conditions, one should adjust treatment based on their onset and symptoms. However, individuals with internal Wind pathogen must undergo purgative or draining therapies during late spring/early summer and late autumn to prevent severe exacerbation. "Purgative/Draining" refers to using herbs such as Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Qianniu (Pharbitidis Semen), and Yuliren (Prunus Laevigata Seed), rather than employing harsh purgatives. (From *Taiping Yulan*)

The mother of the King of Jibei reported feeling heat in her feet and chest fullness. Chen Yi (Chunyu Yi) diagnosed this as Rejue (Heat Jue, a condition involving heat-induced dysfunction of the extremities) and prescribed acupuncture at three points on the sole of each foot, pressing until no bleeding occurred. The illness resolved quickly. This disease was caused by excessive alcohol consumption leading to drunkenness. (From *Shiji*)

Cui stated: He served in the Left Imperial Cavalry and suddenly fell ill with dim vision, unable to distinguish people within a short distance. His eyebrows and hair fell out, his nasal bridge collapsed, and his skin developed lesions resembling tinea. These were malignant diseases with an incurable prognosis. Later, while serving as the Commander of Zigui Camp in Luogu, Yangzhou, he encountered a Daoist priest emerging from the valley. The priest did not reveal his name but handed him a prescription: Burn 1-2 jin of Zaojiaoci (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) to ash, steam it, dry it thoroughly, and grind it into powder. Take one qianbi (a small measure) mixed in strong decoction of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) before meals. After ten days of administration, his sideburns regrew, his skin became lustrous, and his eyesight significantly improved. After obtaining this prescription, he entered the mountains and disappeared. (From *Ganying Shenxian Zhuan*)

Overexertion damages the Five Zang Organs, causing illness due to injury of their Qi, hence termed "Wu Lao" (Five Exhaustions).
Symptoms of Fei Lao (Lung Exhaustion): Shortness of breath, facial swelling, loss of smell.
Symptoms of Gan Lao (Liver Exhaustion): Dry and dark complexion, bitter taste in the mouth, mental instability, fearfulness, inability to sleep alone, blurred vision.
Symptoms of Xin Lao (Heart Exhaustion): Mental fogginess, forgetfulness, difficult defecation or occasional loose stools, oral ulcers.
Symptoms of Pi Lao (Spleen Exhaustion): Stiffness at the root of the tongue, difficulty swallowing saliva.
Symptoms of Shen Lao (Kidney Exhaustion): Difficulty bending or extending the back, dysuria, reddish-yellow urine with dribbling, damp scrotum with sores, urgency and tension in the lower abdomen.
Treatment principles: Tonify Heart Qi for Liver Exhaustion; Tonify Spleen Qi for Heart Exhaustion; Tonify Lung Qi for Spleen Exhaustion; Tonify Kidney Qi for Lung Exhaustion; Tonify Liver Qi for Kidney Exhaustion. This follows the principle of "Tonifying the Mother via the Son" (actually here described as using the child organ to benefit the mother organ in a cyclical generation relationship context, though traditionally "Son tonifies Mother" implies generating the parent, the text explicitly lists these pairings). The classics state: "Sages nourish Yang in Spring and Summer, and Yin in Autumn and Winter, to consolidate the root." The Liver and Heart belong to Yang; the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys belong to Yin. Excess conditions in the Five Zang can also lead to exhaustion; deficiency requires tonification, while excess requires purgation.