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The subtlety of the "Tonification for Obstruction" (Sai Yin) method is difficult to transmit; it involves unblocking the middle while simultaneously applying vigorous tonification. If one can thoroughly comprehend this principle, who would say that the medical art cannot reach divine proficiency? The treatment of obstruction can be so drastic as to startle the senses, truly a difficult matter! People generally exercise caution regarding the notion that "Qi deficiency should not be treated with tonification," yet they fail to realize that when Qi in the lower jiao (Lower Burner) is deficient and exhausted, it leads to stagnation and excess in the middle jiao (Middle Burner). The Kidney (Shen) is the source of generating Qi; if congenital Qi is insufficient to connect with postnatal Stomach Qi, wheezing and distension arise. Therefore, when chest and hypochondriac fullness are severe, it is better to unblock and guide from the middle and vigorously tonify from the lower, which is the standard set by former sages. This method possesses the wonder of rapid efficacy, which cannot be fully described in writing; only those who understand pulse diagnosis can grasp its essence. Furthermore, regarding the method of medication: if the medicinal force is light, it may face obstacles floating upward; if heavy, descending downward causes no harm. When Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) is used with herbs for the lower jiao, it also enters the lower jiao; this must not be overlooked.

For clearing the Lung, sweet-cold flavor herbs are best; nourishing Water (Kidney) and Metal (Lung) prolongs this source. If pungent-drying or purely cold agents are added, the true primordial Qi will be injured. The Lung is the canopy of the five zang organs, governing all Qi, operating ceaselessly, belonging to the realm of utmost purity, where even the finest down is hard to offend. What it fears most is Fire. If emotional distress causes Fire to stir within the Lung, the Qi of the middle jiao will inevitably be damaged, leading to conditions such as hemoptysis and coughing with phlegm. When Metal is controlled by Fire, it loses its ability to transport and transform, giving rise to myriad diseases. Medications should be sweet-cold and nourishing, allowing the mother-son relationship (Metal-Water/Lung-Kidney) to generate each other, avoiding the form of Fire, so that Lung Qi naturally clears; this is the excellent method. Pungent-drying and purely cold agents should not be used lightly; slight overuse will damage Qi. One must examine the pulse for deficiency or excess. If the pulse indicates insufficiency, even if there is phlegm or blood, warm tonification of primordial Qi is appropriate, and cold medicines must be strictly avoided. For epistaxis or hematemesis where the condition is not severe, one should employ the "following treatment" method (treating according to the apparent nature of the disease), using Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with additions such as Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) and Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi). Using cold medicines in this context is theoretically incorrect. (Bingzhang notes: Manuscripts often record Gingeris Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang) and Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui).)

Cough caused by exogenous Wind-Cold often presents with fever and headache, or may involve Fire depression in various meridians, requiring light dispersing and ascending methods to resolve. Seasonal common colds due to Wind-Cold and epidemic patterns are not true Shanghan (Cold Damage). Initially, pathogens enter the Taiyin Lung Meridian, causing cough, excessive phlegm, nasal congestion, headache, and fever, resembling Shanghan. (Qian's version reads: "Resembling a case of severe exterior pathogen complicated by interior injury.") One should not hastily use sweet-pungent sweating methods; instead, one must examine the pulse for deficiency/excess and verify the syndrome for excess/deficiency, using light agents combined with wind-dispelling herbs to guide and ascend, such as Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), and Schizonepetae Spica (Jingjie), or formulas like Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction). If Fire depression is present, add small amounts of heat-clearing...