Library

Cui Jun, the Regional Transport Commissioner of Zhejiang and Huaihe Rivers, had an eldest son named Yunqing. He was twenty-five years old. His physique was naturally robust and plump, and his diet consisted mainly of rich and greasy foods (Gao Liang Hou Wei). He frequently presented with heat syndromes. Friends advised him to consume cold-natured foods, and he also took cold-natured medicines. In the autumn of the Gengchen year of the Zhiyuan era, he suffered from malaria (a disease characterized by chills, high fever, and sweating) that persisted for a long time. Physicians treated him with arsenic trioxide (Pishuang) and other drugs, administered with freshly drawn cold water, and prohibited the consumption of warm-natured foods. Consequently, the malaria did not resolve; instead, vomiting and diarrhea were added. The Spleen and Stomach were further injured, the Middle Qi became increasingly deficient, leading to abdominal pain and borborygmus. He frequently experienced pain in the epigastric region at the heart's location, which was unbearable. Multiple changes of physicians and prescriptions yielded no effect. By winter, upon returning home, despite various treatments, he remained unwell. By April of the following year, due to excessive physical exertion and mental distress, the previous symptoms exacerbated severely. He requested my treatment and recounted the history of his illness. Upon pulse diagnosis, the pulse was wiry, thin, and faint. His hands and feet were slightly cold. His complexion was greenish-yellow and lusterless. He was emotionally depressed, disliked being disturbed or bothered, had reduced appetite, and felt stifling fullness below the heart after eating even a small amount. He vomited sour fluid, experienced painful episodes, broke out in cold sweats, suffered from shortness of breath, chest tightness, restlessness, and anxiety. He needed someone to sit with their foreheads touching him for support, changing persons frequently. I reflected on the *Neijing* (Inner Canon), which states: "When Middle Qi is insufficient, urination and defecation become abnormal, and the intestines suffer from loud rumbling." It also states: "When Lower Qi is insufficient, it leads to flaccidity, cold extremities, and internal oppression/pain." Furthermore, it says: "When cold pathogenic factors invade between the stomach and intestines, sudden pain occurs, which resolves upon receiving warmth." "Jiong" refers to heat. Without potent sweet and acrid hot formulas, cure would be impossible. Thus, I formulated this prescription.

[Fuyang Zhuwei Tang (Support Yang and Assist Stomach Decoction)]
Dried Ginger (Pao, 1.5 qian), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen, selected), Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen (Caodoukou Ren), Licorice Root (Zhi Gancao, honey-fried), Cinnamon Twig (Guigui), White Peony Root (Baishaoyao) (each 1 qian), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu), Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu) (each 0.5 qian), Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix (Hei Fuzi, Pao, peeled, 2 qian), Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit (Yizhiren) (0.5 qian, another version prescribes 1 qian).
The above herbs are coarsely crushed. Prepare as one dose. Add three zhen of water, three slices of fresh ginger, and two jujubes. Decoct until one zhen remains. Strain and discard the dregs. Take warm, before meals. After three doses, the major symptoms largely disappeared, and pain decreased by more than half. In autumn, moxibustion was applied to Zhongwan (CV12) for thirty moxa cones to assist Stomach Qi. Subsequently, moxibustion was applied to Qihai (CV6) for over one hundred moxa cones to generate Yuan Qi, nourish the blood vessels, and restore vitality. He also took Hushao Dan (Lesser Age Pill), which improved his appetite, increased muscle mass, and moisturized the skin. In the spring of the next year, moxibustion was applied to Zusanli (ST36) for fourteen moxa cones. This is the He-Sea point of the Stomach channel, which also assists Stomach Qi and guides Qi downward. In spring, aromatic herbs were used to assist the Spleen, and Yuqi Tang (Nourish Qi Decoction) with added White Sandalwood (Baitanxiang) was used for regulation. He was advised to restrain anger, curb desires, speak sparingly, and regulate his diet. One year later, he fully recovered.

The *Neijing* states: "When cold excesses internally, treat with acrid-hot substances, assisted by bitter-warm substances." Aconite and Dried Ginger are highly acrid and hot, warming the middle and dispersing cold, thus serving as the Sovereign (Jun) herbs. Alpinia Katsumadai Seed and Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit are acrid, sweet, and highly hot, treating exogenous cold invading the stomach, serving as Assistant (Zuo) herbs. For Spleen deficiency, tonify with sweet flavors; Honey-fried Licorice is sweet and warm, while Atractylodes and Tangerine Peel are bitter and warm, tonifying the Spleen and nourishing Qi. Water qi, carrying Wood energy, may insult Earth, causing acute pain. Cinnamon Twig is acrid and hot to dispel cold-water; White Peony Root is sour to drain Wood insulting Earth; Evodia Fruit is bitter and hot to drain rebellious Jue Qi ascending to the chest, serving as Envoy (Shi) herbs.