Library

Miao Zhongchun said: The brain is the convergence point of all Yang meridians and the sea of marrow. Its position is high, and its Qi is clear. If turbid substances suddenly flow downward, this is a pathological change. Li Dongyuan stated: When the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) is insufficient, the brain feels empty and unfulfilled. The Classics state: Heat from the Gallbladder transferring to the brain causes Bi Yuan (Nasal Sinusitis/Ozena). Marrow is the most refined substance, belonging to Water; the brain is the most pure Yang substance, the dwelling place of Clear Qi. Now, invaded by turbid Qi and pathogenic heat, foul and turbid fluid flows out. This indicates that Fire can consume matter, and the brain is injured. The treatment method should first focus on clearing and purifying the Qi mechanism of the Upper Jiao, suppressing Heart Fire, and nourishing Kidney Water (Source Water). This is the general principle. Medicines are mostly chosen for their acrid-cool properties. Acidity belongs to Metal and enters the Lung, possessing the meaning of purification; thus, they are often used to ascend and disperse pathogenic factors in the Upper Jiao, such as Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Ganju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma); to suppress Heart Fire and nourish Kidney Water, such as Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu - *Note: Substitute with legal alternatives in practice*), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Zhusha (Cinnabar), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Fuling (Poria), Danpi (Moutan Cortex). However, one must also regulate the Lung and Liver. The nose is the orifice of the Lung and the pathway for Brain Qi to communicate; it governs the Upper Jiao and executes the command of purification. The Gallbladder possesses the Shaoyang Qi of spring ascent, is interior-exterior related to Jueyin (Liver), and connects upward to the brain. Dai Ren (Zhang Congzheng) said: The Gallbladder and Sanjiao (Triple Burner) seek Fire for treatment. The *Neijing* states that invasion by Gallbladder heat clarifies this principle. To regulate the Lung, use Sangbai (Mori Cortex), Niubangzi, Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Erdong (Tiandong and Maidong), Huafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Zhuli (Bambusae Succus); to clear the Liver and Gallbladder, use Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Lingyangjiao (Saigae Tataricae Cornu - *Note: Substitute with legal alternatives*), Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taenia), Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosomi Semen), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma). Some argue that people often achieve results using acrid-warm or acrid-hot medicines because acrid-hot and sweet-warm medicines can generally promote circulation and dispersion, so even mild diseases respond. This is the "Congzhi" method (treating by following the disease's nature to expel pathogens), not a standard routine method; wise practitioners should examine this carefully.

Miao Zhongchun said: Shazhen (Measles-like exanthematous diseases) are illnesses caused by the fire-heat of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian erupting. They occur mostly in children, but adults occasionally get them too. Are they not similar to seasonal qi epidemics? Their symptoms mostly include coughing, frequent sneezing, eyes tearing like weeping, frequent diarrhea, phlegm, fever, thirst, irritability, and in severe cases, restlessness and confusion, sore throat, scorching lips, and coma. These are its signs. The treatment method should primarily focus on cooling and dispersing, using acrid-cold, sweet-cold, and bitter-cold medicines to promote eruption. One must strictly avoid sour-astringent herbs and favor acrid-dispersing ones. Mistakenly applying warm-tonifying treatments will bring disaster swiftly. Acrid-dispersing herbs include Jingjiesui (Schizonepetae Spica), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Xihe Liu (Salicis Capreae Ramulus), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Niubangzi; cooling herbs include Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Huafen, Bohe, Zhuye (Phyllostachidis Folium), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis); sweet-cold herbs include Maidong, Sheng Gancao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhe Jiang (Saccharum Japonicum Juice); bitter-cold herbs include Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Lianqiao. These are all applicable medicines.

Since Lung and Stomach pathogenic heat initially causes coughing, one should clear heat and vent toxins, not stop the cough forcibly. After the rash appears, if coughing persists, use only Beimu, Huafen, Gancao, Maidong, Kujie (Jiegeng), Xuanshen, Bohe to clear residual heat and eliminate phlegm congestion, leading to easy recovery. Strictly avoid astringent agents like Wuweizi. Frequent wheezing occurs because heat pathogen congests the Lung; do not use anti-asthmatic drugs. Instead, use a large dose of Zhuye Shigao Tang (Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) plus Xihe Liu (approx. 1 liang), Xuanshen and Bohe (2 qian each). If the weather is extremely cold, and Shazhen toxin is constrained internally by cold Qi preventing eruption, add Mahuang stir-fried with honey wine; one dose stops it immediately. For severe heat conditions, use Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) plus Xihe Liu. Avoid Shengma, as it will cause wheezing. Frequent diarrhea should not be stopped; use Huanglian, Shengma, Gange, Gancao cautiously, and the diarrhea will stop naturally. Patients with Shazhen do not fear diarrhea; diarrhea allows the Yangming heat pathogen to resolve, reflecting the principle of resolving exterior and interior simultaneously. Diarrhea and bloody pus stools after Shazhen are due to heat pathogen sinking inward; absolutely forbid astringent antidiarrheals. Use ascending and dispersing methods with Shengma, Gange, Baishao, Gancao, Bian Dou (Dolichos Lablab Seed), Huanglian. Add Huashi (Talcum) powder for bloody pus stools; self-healing will occur. Dental gangrene (Ya Gan) after Shazhen is critical. Externally, use Xionghuang (Realgar), Niu Fen Jian (Tip of Cow Dung, charred), ground finely, mixed with Zhen Naopian (Ice Borneol), applied as powder. Internally, use Lianqiao, Jingjie, Xuanshen, Gange, Shengma, Huanglian, Gancao, Shengdi decocted in water, mixed with 1-2 spoons of fresh Xijiao juice. Delay leads to incurability. After Shazhen, if Yuan Qi does not recover and Spleen-Stomach is weak, use Baishao and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) as Sovereign herbs, with Lian Rou (Lotus Seed Flesh), Bian Dou, Shanyao, Qingdai, Maidong, Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril) as Minister herbs. Long-term use strengthens the body gradually. Do not lightly use Renshen and Baizhu. Sores persisting after Shazhen are due to incomplete resolution of residual heat. Use Yinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Jingjie, Xuanshen, Gancao, Shengdi, Bieshi (Beetle/Insect - *specific traditional term*), Humaxia (Sesami Seed), Chuanlian (Coptis), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) decocted thickly for drinking; this is effective.

Shazhen should not be treated merely according to symptoms, but by treating the root. The root is the pathogenic heat in the Hand-Taiyin Lung and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Resolving this pathogenic heat eliminates all symptoms naturally.