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The syndrome of Yin-cold is caused by the decline of the True Fire (Mingmen Fire) in the Kidney. The syndrome of Yin-deficiency is caused by the depletion of the True Water (Body Fluids/Yin Essence) in the Stomach. When the True Fire declines, there are cold manifestations without heat; when the True Water depletes, there are heat manifestations without cold. The Classics state: "Yin-deficiency leads to fever," which is exactly this principle. In the world, some people fail to observe carefully. Upon seeing a patient with fever, they casually say it is Shanghan (Cold Damage). Such errors and absurdities are indescribable. They do not realize that it has absolutely nothing to do with the term "Shanghan." Try to palpate their pulse; it will be neither tight but rapid, nor full but empty. Verify their symptoms: perhaps dizziness and vertigo of the head and eyes, or a preference for pulling clothes while lying down in fatigue, or soreness and pain in the waist and legs, or thirst but a preference for hot drinks. Although the body is hot, there is no aversion to cold; although there is no desire to eat, there is no feeling of abdominal distension and fullness. Inquire about the cause: if it is not due to excessive indulgence in alcohol and sexual activity, it must be after a major illness or severe labor, where one failed to exercise caution and restraint in desires, thereby causing this condition. Immediately administer a large dose of Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction), and the fever will recede and the illness will resolve. If accompanied by aversion to cold and thirst, then use Qiwei Tang (Seven-Ingredient Decoction). If the feet are cold and the pulse is weak, then administer Bawei Tang (Eight-Ingredient Decoction). Some may fear that these medicines are cloying and obstructive, thus daring not to try them lightly. This is because they do not know that Liuwei and Bawei decoctions are the primary medicines for the Kidney meridian, reaching directly to the Lower Jiao. If it is indeed Yin-deficiency, urgently borrowing them to benefit Water and supplement Fire is an indispensable and urgent remedy. What else is there to doubt?

Case Records:
A person aged fifty suffered from fever and had already taken medicine for seven or eight days. When I examined him, his pulse was deficient and rapid, his eyes were red, his lips were cracked, and his tongue was swollen and devoid of fluids. I said, "This is a sign of declining Kidney Yin-Water. It is suitable to administer Dihuang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction)." His family hesitated and invited another doctor, saying, "The pulse is extremely deficient." However, the prescribed medication consisted of Qinghuo (Clearing Heat) agents such as Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Fen (likely Shigao/Gypsum Fibrosum). I said, "If taking this generates fluids, so be it; but if taking it worsens the condition, then these medicines cannot treat it." After taking it, the condition worsened, and only then did they believe my words. Subsequently, one dose of Dihuang Tang was administered. He felt slightly better sleep and his tongue harmonized. After two doses, fluids indeed generated. Later, he alternated taking Shengmai San (Generate Pulse Powder) and recovered.

Another person, over fifty years old, who usually did not exercise caution in desires, contracted cold and developed fever. Other doctors had previously given dispersing and resolving agents. When I examined him, his pulse was faint and fine, his facial complexion was bright red, his eyes were red, his lips were cracked, and his tongue was black and dry. I said, "This is exhaustion of True Yin, with deficiency of both Water and Fire. It is appropriate to use Bawei Tang (Eight-Ingredient Decoction) added with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) for vigorous tonification." Although his family believed me, they were unwilling to administer it lightly. I said, "Without using this medicine, there is no hope of rescue." I urgently invited my friend Tang Songsheng to verify how it would go. Upon arrival and examination, he told me, "This is the indication for Bawei Tang added with Wuweizi." His words matched perfectly like tally sticks. So we took the medicine and administered it. Indeed, a slight amount of fluid appeared on the tongue. After continuous doses, the dry and scorched state instantly resolved. Later, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) was added, and he settled down after regulation. Later, failing to observe dietary/lifestyle restrictions, half a year later, he violated sexual abstinence rules and died using other medications.

A merchant from Huizhou, aged twenty-eight, developed fever after an illness due to lack of caution. His family thought it was a recurrence due to consuming rich flavors, so the doctor administered Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) for three doses. This resulted in body fatigue, pain in the waist and hips, and inability to turn sideways. I examined him; his pulse was faint and weak. I said, "This is Nulaofu (recurrence due to sexual exertion after illness)." Using Qiwei Tang (Seven-Ingredient Decoction) added with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), administered continuously for two doses, he could immediately turn sideways. After several more doses, combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), he recovered.

Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction)
Huai Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix, 3 qian)
Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, 1.5 qian, pitted)
Fuling (Poria, 1 qian)
Huai Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 1.5 qian, stir-fried)
Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex, 1 qian)
Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma, 1 qian)
Decoct in water.

Bawei Dihuang Tang (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) (i.e., the above formula)
Add Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), each 0.5 qian.
Removing Fuzi yields Qiwei Tang (Seven-Ingredient Decoction).