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All diseases of deficiency consumption (Xu Lao) arise from excessive emotional desires, leading to the exhaustion and injury of Ying-Wei Qi (Defensive and Nutritive Qi). This results in the emptiness of all meridians and the decline of the five Zang organs, allowing pathogenic factors to invade and cause various illnesses. The sages necessarily utilize medicinal substances to nourish Qi and Blood, and to consolidate the Couli (pores and interstitial spaces) to resist various pathogens.

The emaciation of muscles is akin to the properties of herbs such as Phallus Impudicus (Mabo), Tetrapanacis Medulla (Tongcao), Typhae Pollen (Pushao), and Junci Medulla (Dengxin). Such conditions cannot be treated with moistening and sticky substances for nourishment, as these would fail to solidify the body. Therefore, the ingredients used in ancient prescriptions—such as Cervi Cornus Gelatinum (Lujiaojiao), Asini Corii Gelatinum (Ejiao), Bos Taurus Milk, Cervi Marrow, Mutton, Saccharum Candi (Yitang), Butter, Almond, Fermented Wine, Honey, Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), and Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong)—are derived from this principle. The Materia Medica states: "Tonification can remove weakness," referring specifically to mutton and ginseng.

"Deficiency consumption" refers to the depletion caused by excessive physical labor or overexertion. Nowadays, when people observe symptoms of weakness, they indiscriminately apply drying and heating drugs, such as processed mineral drugs (Fuhuo Jinshi), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Jiang), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi). This leads to the scorching of the five Zang organs and the drying up of Qi and Blood, resulting in critical danger. All such outcomes stem from this error. If a deficiency pattern is accompanied by cold, one may only add warming herbs to various deficiency-consumption formulas as an aid. This approach aligns with the intent of the ancients. (From *Yi Yu*)

There were instances where several individuals died from infectious deficiency consumption. To prevent further transmission, corpses were nailed shut in coffins and discarded in water. This practice was reported in Jinshan, where someone investigated out of curiosity. Upon opening the coffin at the shore, a young woman was found still alive. She was rescued and placed in a fisherman's hut. After consuming many eels, her illness cured, and she eventually became the wife of the fisherman. (From *Ji Shen Lu*)

*Yang Sheng Bi Yong Fang Lun* discusses that cooling medicines should not be used for deficiency consumption; herbs such as Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia), Artemisiae Annuae Herba (Qinghao), and Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong) should all be avoided. Only Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction to Establish the Middle) should be taken. There was a girl of over ten years old who suffered from fever, cough, rapid breathing, and oliguria, which later developed into edema. After being cured with diuretic drugs, she remained extremely emaciated. She then took Huangqi Jianzhong Tang once daily for more than thirty days and recovered. This illustrates that individual constitutions vary. For deficiency consumption presenting with turbid white urine, patients with a Yin constitution often recover after taking Chenpi Jian (Tangerine Peel Decoction) combined with Huangqi Jianzhong Tang. However, those with a Yang constitution must not use warming medicines. Although Jianzhong Tang is not excessively hot, excessive cinnamon (Rougui) within it can cause harm. In summary, medication must be tailored to the patient's constitution and assessed for heat or cold patterns; one cannot universally apply Jianzhong Tang to treat all cases of deficiency consumption. Caution is required. (From *Yi Yu*)