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The classics mention the "Six Channels" (Liujing), and immediately follow with: "San Yin San Yang, the Five Zang organs and Six Fu organs are all subject to disease." What does this mean? I would like to attempt to summarize it using the Three Yin channels, is that acceptable?

When the pathogen of Cold Damage (Shanghan) transmits into the Three Yin channels, the cold has already transformed into heat. The Taiyin channel corresponds to the Spleen. Its meridian distributes to the Stomach and connects with the throat; therefore, when the pathogen enters, abdominal fullness and dryness of the throat occur. Since the channel belongs to the Spleen, disease in the channel implies disease in the Spleen. The Spleen governs digestion and transformation, but here it loses its function. Moreover, since it distributes to the Stomach, food fails to digest, leading to abdominal fullness; since it connects with the throat, heat damages Yin fluids, leading to dryness of the throat. Furthermore, the mention of only "fullness" indicates that the pathogen remains in the Middle Jiao, and purgation should not be rushed. Therefore, for abdominal fullness, Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) are used to level it; for dryness of the throat, Gegen (Pueraria Root), Zhike (Aurantium Fructus), and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) are used to harmonize it. Although this treats the Taiyin channel, it essentially treats the Yangming Fu organs.

The Shaoyin channel corresponds to the Kidney. Its meridian connects with the Lung system and the root of the tongue; therefore, when the pathogen enters, dryness of the mouth, dryness of the tongue, and thirst occur. Although the channel belongs to the Kidney, when Earth (Spleen) is prosperous, Water (Kidney) must be deficient. The Kidney serves as the gate of the Stomach, but here it loses its function of transmission and transformation. Moreover, since it connects with the Lung, water fails to ascend, causing thirst; since it ties to the tongue, body fluids are further depleted, causing dryness of the mouth. At this time, the pathogenic heat is deep-seated. As Zhang Zhongjing stated, one must urgently use purgation to preserve body fluids. Thus, for excess patterns, Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) or Xiaochengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) are used to purge; for deficiency patterns, Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is used to moisten. Although this treats the Shaoyin channel, it essentially treats the Fu organs of the Foot-Yangming, Hand-Taiyang, and Hand-Yangming channels.

The Jueyin channel corresponds to the Liver. Its meridian circulates around the genitalia and connects with the throat; therefore, when the pathogen enters, vexation, fullness, and contraction of the scrotum occur. Jueyin represents the end of Yin. Although the channel belongs to the Liver, at this time, pathogenic factors from the Stomach have sunk downward, Yang is hyperactive, and Yin is thirsty. Since Kidney Water is already deficient, Liver Fire burns even more fiercely. If accumulated heat is not resolved, vexation and fullness will persist; if Yin qi reaches its extreme, scrotal contraction and reduced excretion will occur. If the stool has not yet been passed, urgent purgation is required. If the condition persists after purgation, formulas such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity) are given to disperse accumulated heat, perhaps offering a chance of survival. Although this treats the Jueyin channel, it essentially treats diseases where the Five Zang and Six Fu organs are all affected. Otherwise, some argue that the pathogen enters the Zang organs, others that it enters the Fu organs, and there are endless debates about the organs that store essence; it is better to correct these views.

Note: The pathogenic heat of the Three Yin channels is transmitted from the Three Yang channels, and cases of mismanagement of the Yangming channel are particularly common. Initially, excessive sweating depletes fluids; subsequently, excessive purgation damages Yin. Fluids are the surplus of Qi; Yin belongs to Blood. Once Qi and Blood are damaged, symptoms such as vexation, fullness, dryness, and thirst arise. Moreover, without Yang, Yin cannot be generated; without Yin, Yang cannot transform. Once the Three Yin channels are deficient, the functions responsible for rotting and ripening food and transmitting waste lose their duties even more. Did Zhang Zhongjing's desire to urgently purge to preserve body fluids lack those who perceived its subtlety?

Mr. Yangkui appeared and directly used Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to tonify Kidney Water, retrieving the source to treat the condition.