张子和曰∶痿之为状,两足痿弱,不能行用。由肾水不能胜心火,心火上烁肺金,肺金受火制,六叶皆
焦,皮毛虚弱,急而薄者,则生痿 。 者,足不能伸而行也。肾水者,肺金之子也。今肾水衰少,随火
上炎,肾主两足,故骨髓衰竭,由使内太过而致。然《至真要大论》云∶诸痿喘呕,皆属于上。上者,上焦
也。三焦者,手少阳相火也。痿、喘、呕三病,皆在膈上,属肺金之部分也。故肌痹传为脉痿,湿痿不仁传为
肉痿,髓竭足 传为骨痿,房室太过为筋痿,传为白淫。大抵痿之为病,皆因客热而成,好欲贪色,强力
过度,渐成痿疾,故痿 属肺,脉痿属心,筋痿属肝,肉痿属脾,骨痰属肾,总由肺受火邪叶焦之故,相传
于四脏,痿病成矣。故疾病无寒,其人脉必浮而大,治之之法,与治痹颇异,风寒湿痹犹可汤蒸燔炙,时或
一效,惟痿用之转甚。盖痿以肺热
为本,叶焦而成痿,以此传于五脏,若作寒治,是不刃而杀也。《内经》谓治痿之法,独取阳明。阳明者,胃
脉也,五脏六腑之海也,主润养宗筋。宗筋主束骨,又主大利机关。机关者,身中大关节也,以司屈伸。
是以阳明虚则宗筋纵,宗筋纵则大脉不伸,两足痿弱。然取阳明者,胃脉也,胃为水谷之诲,人之四季以
胃气为本,本固则精化,精化则髓充,髓充则足能履矣。
丹溪先生曰∶诸痿起于肺热,只此一句,便见治法大意。盖肺金体燥而居上,主气,畏火者也。脾土
性温而居中,主四肢,畏木者也。火性炎上,若嗜欲无节,则水失所养,火寡于畏而侮所胜,肺得火邪而
热矣。木性刚急,肺受热则金失所养,木寡于畏而侮所胜,脾得木邪而伤矣,肺热则不能管摄一身,脾伤
则四肢不能为用,而诸痿之病作。经曰∶东方实,西方虚,泻南方,补北方。夫泻南方则肺金清而东方
不实,何脾伤之有?补北方则心火降而四方不虚,何肺热之有?故阳明实则宗筋润,能束骨而利机关矣。
治痿之法,无出于此。骆龙吉亦曰∶风火既炽,当滋肾水。
李士材曰∶丹溪之言,治痿当矣,惜乎其未备。经言病本虽五脏各有,而独重太阴肺;治法虽诸经
各调,而独重阳明胃。盖肺主气化,以行令于一身,五脏之热火熏蒸,则金被克而肺热叶焦,故致疾有五
脏之殊,而手太阴之地未有不伤者也。胃主受水谷以灌溉于四肢,肺金之受邪失正,则本无制而侮其所胜,
故治法有五脏之施,而足阳明之地未有或遗者也。然而独取阳明,所谓真气所受于天,与谷并而充身,
阳明虚则五脏无所禀,不能行气血、濡筋骨、利机关,故百体中随其不得受水谷处不用而为痿,不独取阳明
,而何取哉?
丹溪申明泻南补北之说固当,若胃虚减食者,当以芳香辛温
之剂治之。若拘于泻南之说,则胃愈伤矣。诚能本此施治,其于痿思过半矣。治法∶心热脉痿,铁粉、
银箔、黄连、苦参、龙胆草、石蜜、牛黄、龙齿、秦艽、白藓皮、牡丹皮、地骨皮、雷丸、犀角之属;
肝气热筋痿,生地、天冬、百合、紫葳、白蒺藜、杜仲、萆 、菟丝子、川牛膝、黄芩、黄连之属;脾气热
肉痿,二木、二陈、霞天膏之属;肾气热骨痿,金刚丸、牛膝丸、加味四斤丸、煨肾丸;肺热痿,黄 、
天冬、麦冬、石斛、百合、山药、犀角、通草、桔梗、枯芩、山栀、
杏仁、秦艽之属;挟湿热,健步丸加黄柏、苍术、黄芩,或清燥汤;湿痰,二陈、二术、竹沥、姜汁;血虚,
四物汤、二妙散、补阴丸;气虚,四君子汤合二妙散;气血俱虚,十全大补汤;食积,木香槟榔丸;死血,
桃仁、红花、蓬术、川山甲,四物汤;肾肝下虚,补益肾肝丸。
Zi Hezi stated: The manifestation of Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome) is flaccid weakness in both legs, rendering them unable to walk or function. This arises because Kidney Water fails to control Heart Fire; the ascending Heart Fire scorches Lung Metal. With Lung Metal constrained by fire, its six lobes become withered and dry, causing the skin and hair to weaken and contract tightly, thereby generating Wei Bi (a condition characterized by inability to extend the feet for walking). "Bi" here refers to the inability to extend the feet to walk. Kidney Water is the child organ of Lung Metal. Currently, with deficient Kidney Water, it follows the fire to ascend. Since the Kidneys govern the two lower limbs, the bone marrow becomes depleted, a condition caused by excessive sexual activity. However, the *Suwen: Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* states: "All Wei syndromes, panting, and vomiting belong to the Upper Jiao." The Upper Jiao refers to the upper burner. Among the Three Burners, the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao belongs to Ministerial Fire. These three diseases—Wei syndrome, panting, and vomiting—all occur above the diaphragm and fall under the domain of Lung Metal. Thus, Ji Bi (muscle bi) transmits to Mai Wei (vessel flaccidity); Shi Wei (dampness-induced flaccidity) with numbness transmits to Rou Wei (flesh flaccidity); Sui Jie Zu Fei (marrow exhaustion and foot disability) transmits to Gu Wei (bone flaccidity); excessive sexual intercourse leads to Jin Wei (tendon flaccidity), which further transmits to Bai Yin (seminal emission or leukorrhea). Generally, Wei syndrome arises from pathogenic heat. Excessive desire and lust for beauty, along with overexertion, gradually lead to this disease. Therefore, Wei Bi belongs to the Lung, Mai Wei to the Heart, Jin Wei to the Liver, Rou Wei to the Spleen, and Gu Wei to the Kidney. Ultimately, it is due to Lung Metal being affected by fire, causing leaf withering, with the pathology transmitting to the other four zang organs, thus forming Wei syndrome. Consequently, these diseases lack cold signs, and the pulse is typically floating and large. The treatment method differs significantly from that of Bi syndrome. For Wind-Cold-Damp Bi, herbal steaming and moxibustion may occasionally be effective; however, applying such methods to Wei syndrome exacerbates the condition. This is because Wei syndrome originates from Lung Heat and leaf withering, transmitting to the five zang organs. Treating it as a cold disorder is akin to killing someone without using a blade. The *Neijing* states that the treatment for Wei syndrome focuses exclusively on the Yangming channel. Yangming refers to the Stomach meridian, the sea of the five zang and six fu organs, which primarily moistens and nourishes the Zong Jin (major tendons). Zong Jin binds the bones and facilitates joint movement. Joints are the major articulations of the body, responsible for flexion and extension. Therefore, when Yangming is deficient, Zong Jin becomes lax; lax Zong Jin prevents the extension of major vessels, resulting in flaccid weakness of the lower limbs. "Exclusively taking Yangming" refers to the Stomach meridian. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain; human health throughout the four seasons relies on Stomach Qi. If the root is solid, essence is generated; if essence is generated, marrow is filled; if marrow is filled, the feet can walk.
Mr. Danxi stated: "All Wei syndromes originate from Lung Heat." This single sentence reveals the general principle of treatment. Lung Metal is dry in nature and resides in the upper part, governing Qi, and fears Fire. Spleen Earth is warm in nature and resides in the middle, governing the four limbs, and fears Wood. Fire has an upward-flaring nature. If desires are unregulated, Kidney Water loses nourishment. Fire, lacking restraint, insults the metal it normally controls, causing Lung Heat. Wood is rigid and urgent. When the Lung is heated, Metal loses nourishment. Wood, lacking restraint, insults the earth it normally controls, injuring the Spleen. Lung Heat fails to regulate the whole body, and Spleen injury causes the four limbs to cease functioning, leading to the onset of various Wei syndromes. The classic states: "When the East is excess and the West is deficient, drain the South and tonify the North." Draining the Southern Heart Fire clears Lung Metal, preventing Eastern Liver Wood from becoming excessive, thus sparing the Spleen. Tonifying Northern Kidney Water descends Heart Fire, preventing deficiency in the four directions, thus eliminating Lung Heat. Consequently, when Yangming is full, Zong Jin is moistened, able to bind the bones and facilitate joint movement. The treatment of Wei syndrome does not go beyond this principle. Luo Longji also stated: When wind and fire are blazing, one should nourish Kidney Water.
Li Shicai stated: Danxi’s words are correct for treating Wei syndrome but are incomplete. The classics state that although the root of the disease varies among the five zang organs, particular emphasis is placed on the Taiyin Lung; although treatment involves regulating all meridians, particular emphasis is placed on the Yangming Stomach. The Lung governs Qi transformation and commands the body. When heat and fire from the five zang organs steam and scorch, Metal is overcome, leading to Lung Heat and leaf withering. Thus, while the etiology differs among the five zang organs, the Hand-Taiyin Lung is invariably injured. The Stomach receives water and grain to irrigate the four limbs. When Lung Metal is invaded and loses its proper function, it lacks control and insults the wood it normally controls. Thus, while treatments vary according to the five zang organs, the Foot-Yangming Stomach is never neglected. However, "exclusively taking Yangming" implies that true qi is received from heaven and combines with grain qi to fill the body. If Yangming is deficient, the five zang organs have no source, failing to circulate qi and blood, nourish sinews and bones, and facilitate joints. Therefore, any part of the body that cannot receive water and grain nutrients becomes flaccid. If we do not exclusively take Yangming, whom else should we take?
Although Danxi’s clarification of "draining the South and tonifying the North" is appropriate, for patients with deficient Stomach Qi and reduced appetite, aromatic and acrid-warm formulas should be used. Adhering strictly to "draining the South" would further injure the Stomach. If treatment is based on this principle, half of the understanding of Wei syndrome treatment will be mastered. Treatment methods: For Heart Heat causing Mai Wei, use substances such as Iron Powder, Silver Leaf, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), Sophora Root (Kushen), Gentian Root (Longdan Cao), Rock Sugar, Realgar (Niuhuang), Dragon Tooth, Gentian Root (Qinjiao), Dictamnus Root Bark (Baixianpi), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), Phellodendron Bark (Digupi), Ophiocordyceps (Leiwan), and Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao); for Liver Qi Heat causing Jin Wei, use Rehmannia Root (Shengdi), Asparagus Tuber (Tiangong), Lily Bulb (Baihe), Trumpet Vine Flower (Ziwei), Tribulus Fruit (Bajili), Eucommia Bark (Duzhong), Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome (Bixie), Dodder Seed (Tusizi), Achyranthes Root (Chuan Niuxi), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian); for Spleen Qi Heat causing Rou Wei, use Atractylodes Macrocephala and Bitter Atractylodes (Er Zhu), Dried Tangerine Peel and Pinellia Tuber (Er Chen), and Xiataian Gao; for Kidney Qi Heat causing Gu Wei, use Jingang Wan, Niuxi Wan, Jiawei Sijin Wan, and Weishen Wan; for Lung Heat causing Wei, use Astragalus Root (Huangqi), Asparagus Tuber (Tiandong), Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), Dendrobium Stem (Shihu), Lily Bulb (Baihe), Chinese Yam (Shanyao), Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Akebia Stem (Tongcao), Platycodon Root (Jiegeng), Scorched Scutellaria Root (Kuqing), Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhi), Apricot Kernel (Xingren), and Gentian Root (Qinjiao); for cases complicated by Damp-Heat, use Jianbu Wan added with Phellodendron Bark (Huangbai), Atractylodes Rhizome (Cangzhu), and Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), or Qingzao Tang; for Damp-Phlegm, use Erchen Tang, Er Zhu, Bamboo Sap (Zhuli), and Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi); for Blood Deficiency, use Siwu Tang, Ermiao San, and Buyin Wan; for Qi Deficiency, combine Sijunzi Tang with Ermiao San; for combined Qi and Blood Deficiency, use Shiquan Dabu Tang; for Food Stagnation, use Muxiang Binglang Wan; for Fixed Blood (Blood Stasis), use Peach Kernel (Taoren), Safflower (Honghua), Curcuma Zedoina (Pengzhu), Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia), combined with Siwu Tang; for Lower Deficiency of Kidney and Liver, use Buyi Shen Gan Wan.