论曰其寐也魂交，其觉也形开，若形数惊恐，心气妄乱，精神 郁，志有摇动，则有鬼
邪之气，乘虚而来，入于寝寐，使人魂魄飞荡，去离形干，故魇不得寤也，久不寤以致死，
必须得人助唤，并以方术治之乃苏，若在灯光前魇者，是魂魄本由明出，唤之无忌，若在夜
暗处魇者，忌火照，火照则神魂不复入，乃至于死，又人魇须远呼，不得近而急唤，恐神魂
或致飞荡也。
治心气怯弱，常多魇梦，恍惚谬忘，镇心丸方
紫石英（二两研） 丹砂（一两研） 雄黄（研） 白茯苓（去黑皮） 茯神（去木） 银
屑菖
风（去芦头）
上一十八味，捣研罗为末，炼蜜丸如梧桐子大，每服十丸，食后熟水下、日三，稍增之
治形体虚羸，心气怯弱，多魇善忘，小定心汤方
茯神（去木一两） 甘草（炙锉） 芍药 干姜（炮） 远志（去心） 人参 桂（去
粗皮各二
上七味，锉如麻豆大，每服五钱匕，水一盏，入枣二枚劈，煎取七分，去滓温服、日
治卒魇不寤方
上捣薤汁，吹两鼻孔，冬月取韭，绞汁灌口中。
又方
以芦管吹两耳，并其人头发二七茎作绳，内鼻孔中，割雄鸡冠取血，以管吹喉咽中、大
良。
治卒魇方
以盐汤灌之，多少任意。
治魇及恶梦方
用麝香不以多少，安头边佳，又灌少许在口中。
又方
以雄黄如枣核，系在腋下，令人终身不魇。
治卒魇不寤方
伏龙肝末，或末雄黄，或末桂心，以芦管吹入两鼻孔中。
又方
凡卒魇之人，多语声不出，不必高叫，但敲卧床，其人当自寤。
治卒魇寐不寤。魂魄外游，为邪所执录，欲还未得，切忌火照治之方。
皂荚（一两去皮子生用）
上一味，捣罗为散，每用一字许，吹两鼻窍中，魇至死三四日犹活。
治卒魇死方
上以井底泥 死人目，令垂头就井，呼姓名即活，此法灵异莫测。
又方
勿以火照，但痛啮其足后跟，及足大趾爪甲即活，啮其踵不觉者，宜用 石散，方见
鬼击门。
Commentary states: When sleeping, the Hun (Ethereal Soul) interacts internally; when awake, the Xing (Physical Form) opens externally. If the physical form suffers frequent frights, causing the Heart Qi to become chaotic and disordered, leading to the stagnation of Spirit (Shen), and the instability of Will (Zhi), then Ghostly or Evil pathogens will take advantage of the deficiency to enter, invading sleep, causing the Hun and Po (Corporeal Soul) to fly and scatter, leaving the physical body. Thus, one experiences nightmare suffocation (Yan) without waking. If this persists for a long time leading to death, it is necessary to have others assist in calling out and apply medical formulas and techniques to restore consciousness. If nightmare suffocation occurs under lamplight, it is because the soul originally exited through brightness; calling out at such times carries no taboo. If it occurs in darkness, one must avoid shining fire upon the person, as fire illumination prevents the spirit from returning, potentially leading to death. Furthermore, when someone suffers from nightmare suffocation, bystanders should call out from a distance and must not approach and shout urgently, lest the spirit become further scattered.
Formula for Zhenxin Wan (Heart-Calming Pill) to treat weak Heart Qi, frequent nightmares, mental confusion, forgetfulness, and delirium:
Zhiyingshi (Hematite, two liang, ground) Dansha (Cinnabar, one liang, ground) Xionghuang (Realgar, ground) Baifuling (Poria with Wood, black skin removed) Fushen (Poria with Pine Root, wood removed) Yinjian (Silver filings) Changpu (Acorus tatarinowii, rhizome root removed)
The above eighteen ingredients are crushed, ground, and sieved into powder. Honey is refined to make pills the size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take ten pills per dose, administered after meals with warm water, three times daily. The dosage may be gradually increased.
Formula for Xiaodingxin Tang (Minor Heart-Calming Decoction) to treat emaciated physique, weak Heart Qi, frequent nightmares, and poor memory:
Fushen (Poria with Pine Root, wood removed, one liang) Gancao (Licorice, roasted and cut) Shaoyao (Peony root) Jiangjiang (Dried Ginger, processed) Yuanzhi (Polygala root, heart removed) Renshen (Ginseng root) Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig, coarse bark removed, each two liang)
The above seven ingredients are cut into pieces the size of hemp seeds. Take five qianbi (a traditional measure) per dose, add one sheng (unit of volume) of water and two split jujubes. Decoct until seven-tenths of the liquid remains, strain, and take warm. Once daily.
Formula for sudden nightmare suffocation without waking:
Crush Xie (Scallion bulb) to extract juice and blow it into both nostrils. In winter, take Jiucai (Chinese Chive), wring out the juice, and pour it into the mouth.
Another formula:
Use a reed tube to blow air into both ears. Take fourteen strands of the patient's hair, twist them into a rope, and insert them into the nostrils. Cut the comb of a rooster to obtain blood, use a tube to blow it into the throat/pharynx. This method is highly effective.
Formula for treating sudden nightmare suffocation:
Pour Yan Tang (Salt solution) into the mouth, quantity at discretion.
Formula for treating nightmare suffocation and bad dreams:
Use Shexiang (Musk), amount unspecified. It is best to place it near the head, and also instill a small amount into the mouth.
Another formula:
Tie a piece of Xionghuang (Realgar) the size of a date pit under the armpit. This prevents nightmare suffocation for life.
Formula for sudden nightmare suffocation without waking:
Take Fulonggan (Vermilion Dragon Liver/Calcined Earth from Hearth) powder, or Xionghuang (Realgar) powder, or Guixin (Cinnamon Heart) powder. Use a reed tube to blow the powder into both nostrils.
Another formula:
For those suffering from sudden nightmare suffocation who cannot speak, there is no need to shout loudly. Simply knock on the bedstead; the person will likely wake up spontaneously.
Formula for sudden nightmare suffocation where the soul wanders outside and is detained by evil pathogens, unable to return, strictly avoiding treatment with fire illumination:
Zaojia (Gleditsia sinensis fruit, one liang, peel and seeds removed, used raw)
The above single ingredient is crushed and sieved into a powder. Use approximately one zi (a small measure) per application, blowing it into both nasal cavities. Even if the person has been dead from nightmare suffocation for three or four days, they can still be revived.
Formula for sudden death from nightmare suffocation:
Apply Jingdi Ni (Mud from the bottom of a well) to the eyes of the deceased. Lower their head towards the well mouth and call their name. They will revive. This method is miraculous and unfathomable.
Another formula:
Do not use fire illumination. Instead, bite firmly on the heel and the nail of the big toe. Revival will occur. If biting the heel elicits no sensation, use Shisan (Stone Powder), see the formula under "Guiji Men" (Ghost Strike Door).