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Zhang Jingyue stated: In the ancient formula Zhizhu Wan (Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) serves as the sovereign drug. The Spleen, aided by its drying property, becomes robust. Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) acts as an assistant; with its bitter and harsh taste, it possesses the power to "push down walls and topple battlements" (metaphor for strong resolving action). Dong Yuan's Pingwei San (Powder to Calm the Stomach) aims to treat the imbalance of the Spleen and Stomach. This formula was originally designed for cases of excess Stomach heat and pathogenic accumulation; thus, its nature and flavor are acrid-drying and bitter, enabling it to dissipate stagnation. However, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) is considered Dong Yuan’s unique masterstroke. This formula uses Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) to assist in raising Qi, and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and [Gan Cao (Licorice Root)] to support Yang Qi. If the deficiency is severe, Sheng Ma and Chai Hu are highly inappropriate. The flavors of Sheng Ma and Chai Hu are both bitter and cold, and their nature involves dispersing and ascending. Only when pathogens are present can they be dispersed through this ascending action. In cases of extreme deficiency without pathogens, even pure tonification may fall short; adding dispersing agents would surely prevent success. All formulas that tonify Yang have an ascending quality, precisely because Yang governs ascent. Kou Zongshi strongly argued that in cases of five labors and seven injuries, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) is strictly contraindicated, whereas Li Shizhen disagreed. Essentially, what disperses cannot gather; what drains cannot tonify; and substances with bitter-cold flavors cannot support Yang. Therefore, Chai Hu should not be used when the exterior is insecure and sweat does not consolidate; when there is no exterior pathogen but Yin deficiency causes fever; when Yang has no root and floats outward or upward (Ge Yang/Dai Yang); when the Spleen and Lung are extremely deficient causing shortness of breath resembling asthma; when Ming Men (Gate of Life) fire is declining leading to deficiency-cold diarrhea; when Water is deficient and Fire is hyperactive causing epistaxis or hematemesis; when limbs are cold and Yang is deficient and on the verge of collapse. In summary, when Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is extremely deficient, it should not be drained; when Yin and Yang are exhausted below, they should not be raised. People only know that [Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) and Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) assist Wu Tu (Stomach Earth) in rotting and ripening food grains, but Mai Ya alone treats breast distension and pain in women who have lost a child, threatening abscess formation, using...] one [ingredient] in large amounts,

Yu Jiayan said: Lian Qiao (though text says Lian, likely Huang Lian Coptidis Rhizoma based on context of bitter cold), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba/Rubra), and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) are all bitter-cold agents capable of draining excessive fire! If internal injury to Yuan Qi (Original Qi) results from diet and overwork [...text fragment...] to multiply [...] heat inside [...] fire [...] heat [...] agent to induce [...] Nowadays, people see symptoms such as irritability, heat, and dryness, and dare not use Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), fearing it will add heat to heat. Who knows that in individuals who do not store essence, if Kidney Yang fails to [...] stimulate [...] surge, sudden collapse of True Yang presents as acute conditions with panting and rattling phlegm, treated together with Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).

Yu Tianmin said: When blood fails to return to its origin, blame lies with the Stomach. Repeated use of cold-cooling herbs is ineffective; only Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Licorice Root) and Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger Rhizome) are excellent at guiding blood back to its origin. After massive blood loss, presenting with high fever and intense thirst resembling Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) syndrome, the pulse is empty, large, and not firm—a key difference. Misusing cold-cooling herbs will cause death; treat with Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (Decoction of Angelica to Tonify Blood).

Zhao Yuhuang said: "Shen" (Ren Shen/Ginseng) implies assisting; it assists Yuan Qi (Original Qi). It is suitable not only for Qi deficiency but also for Blood deficiency; for internal injuries, and [...] to food [...] powerful [...] fullness, [...] two meridians [...] wind-cold [...] like Stomach [...] how could people recognize [...] Dou (Soybean) and Gua Di (Melon Seed) formulas [...] Slippery agents remove adherence, Gall [...] is so; Heavy agents calm [...] Qiao Chi Xiao Dou Tang (Decoction of Vicia and Adzuki Bean) is [...] Examining Zhang Zhongjing’s modification methods, one must carefully scrutinize their profound meaning. For abdominal pain, add Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix) to Shaoyang patterns, add Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to Shaoyin patterns, and add Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to Taiyin patterns. If Heart [...] on addition [...] abandon it [...] Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions are precise and uncluttered. Among them, six formulas serve as the main ones, and all other formulas are modified from them. All sweating agents are based on Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction); all vomiting agents are based on Zhi [...] ten [...] Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is designed for half-exterior, yet its symptoms all belong to the interior. Since half of the exterior syndrome has been resolved, the disease mechanism tends toward the interior. Only alternating chills and fever [...] deficiency, [...] therefore [...] Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) was originally designed for Wind-Cold of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian, capable of dispelling pathogens initially affecting the Six Meridians; Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) was originally designed for the half-exterior of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang), further capable of regulating half-exterior syndromes of the Three Yang meridians [...] principle, [...] The Spleen is the ultimate Yin, residing in the Central Palace and soothing the four limbs; it fears Cold Pathogens most. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing formulated Lizhong Wan/Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) and Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction). Lizhong regulates the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), [...] has [...] unblocks [...] generates [...] The Kidney governs the Five Fluids; entering the Heart, it becomes Sweat. When Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) is diseased, fluids do not ascend, hence Yin patterns do not typically present with sweat. Zhang Zhongjing treating the exterior of Shaoyin, using Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba)... conversely inducing sweat...