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Resolve gallbladder nodules. White lotus root moistens the dryness of the Qi level in the Heart channel. Cow's milk moistens the dryness of the Blood level in the Heart channel. Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) drains damp-heat from the Blood level. Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) can be used. Tinglizi (Lepidii Semen) combined with Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) greatly enhances the water-draining efficacy. Chishizhi (Halloysit Rubrum) enters the Heart and Large Intestine channels; its astringent nature can stop collapse. For Qi collapse due to deficiency-cold, the astringent method implies the use of warming methods. Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos) warms the Stomach. Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) promotes urination and invigorates blood; when combined with Kidney-tonifying herbs, it removes damp-heat and treats flaccidity and weakness in the Lower Jiao. Wancansha (Bombyx Batryticatus) removes wind-damp-heat from the Upper Jiao. Zhixiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma processed) treats pain caused by wandering Qi. Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) has a descending nature. If there is distension in the umbilical and abdominal regions, indicating that Qi has sunk, using too much Wuzhuyu will cause further sinking of Qi; therefore, Qi-moving herbs are used in small doses (1 fen). If there is pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, indicating stagnation of pathogenic factors, Wuzhuyu should be used sparingly to avoid difficulty in dispersing the pathogen; thus, Qi-breaking herbs are used in doses of 3-5 fen. Da Huixiang (Anisi Stellati Fructus) and Xiao Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus) are both acrid and warm. Xiao Huixiang travels to the Shaoyin channel and Qihai (CV6), while Da Huixiang travels to the Jueyin Liver channel.

Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) resolves blood stasis, blood masses, and blood accumulations. Added with Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), it moves blood, causes Qi to ascend, and allows various accumulations to exit via urination. In Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction), Renshen (Ginseng Radix) pairs with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) pairs with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) pairs with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Fuling (Poria) pairs with Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix). When using Chuanxiong, one must not use Shengdihuang or Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix); when using Renshen, one must not use Fuling. This reflects mutual restraint between upper and lower aspects, preventing exclusive reliance on the power of any single herb.

The method of grasping Qi includes using mild/harmonizing methods to grasp Qi: using 1.5 qian of Gancao (Licorice Root) to harmonize the Middle Jiao, and 1 qian of Yizhiren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) to warm the Kidney; this is grasping Qi through harmonization. Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Cishi (Magnetitum), and Renshen (Ginseng Root) represent grasping Qi through warming. There are also cooling methods to grasp Qi: using 5 qian of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and 1 liang of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Fresh), pounded together for administration. For deficiency of Lung and Spleen where Qi does not return to the Kidney, use 1 liang of Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) and 7 qian of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), pounded together for administration, or use Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) added with Cishi (Magnetite) and Muli (Ostrea Concha).

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) is indicated for patients with tight and rapid pulse, aversion to cold, and absence of sweating. Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) is indicated for patients with slow and moderate pulse, aversion to wind, and presence of sweating.

Baishao (White Peony Root): For loose stools, use wine-fried until yellow. If there is tenesmus and urgency, use raw.

For dryness-thirst accompanied by severe diarrhea, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is essential. It is contraindicated in sore throat.

Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) used raw digests food; stir-fried it resolves accumulation; made into paste it resolves phlegm. Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) is mild and harmonious, treating borborygmus in the abdomen and distension due to stagnant blood. Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus) breaks stagnation; those with deficiency should use it sparingly.

Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) is indicated only when the Chi (Kidney) pulse is full, large, and truly forceful.

Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) can be used when the Chi pulse is slow and weak, and stools are loose. It is contraindicated if the Chi pulse is full and large with constipation.

If stools are hard and the pulse is deep and forceful, it is definitely a heat syndrome. Poxiao (Natrii Sulfas) should be used, assisted by Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). Dahuang can be used in 5 qian, and Poxiao in 7 qian.

Badou (Crotonis Fructus) 1 grain, Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) soaked in wine and powdered, used in 3-4 li; Banmao (Mylabris) 1 insect; Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos) 3 fen; Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) 3 fen. These five herbs must be used strictly according to these quantities; exceeding them harms the body. (The above items exist in Qian Denggu's edition but are not recorded in the Caolu edition; they are appended here.)

Renshen (Ginseng Root) 0.5 qian, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) 3 qian, can be paired with Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) 1 qian. (This item was copied from the Zhou Shenzhai family medical records held by Hu Nian'an's family, illustrating that Chaihu should not be overused; it is not recorded in the Caolu edition. Appended here.)