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Discussion states: Qi Lao (Qi Consumption) arises from unregulated emotions of joy and anger, and excessive worry and overthinking. This leads to the withering of Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood) and the dispersion of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), causing the Qi of grain and water essence to fail in proper regulation. Consequently, Qi and Blood become dry and depleted, unable to nourish muscles and flesh, resulting in emaciation and haggard appearance, sallow complexion, chest and epigastrium fullness and obstruction, reduced food intake, and gradual progression to severe wasting (Lei Zhai). Hence, it is termed Qi Lao.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as heart and abdominal distension and fullness, inability to eat, chest and diaphragm vexation and stuffiness, sallow complexion, physical weakness, inability to walk, use Nongpo Tang (Magnolia Bark Decoction):
Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Nongpo) [remove coarse bark, process with ginger juice, cut into pieces] Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [remove skirt-like edges, process with vinegar] Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [remove seedlings] Polyporus (Shihu) [remove roots]
Myristicae Semen (Roudoukou) Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Muxiang) [half liang]
The above twelve ingredients are coarsely pounded and sieved. Each dose consists of three qianbi (approx. 9g), boiled in one sheng (approx. 200ml) of water with two fractured jujubes and a piece of fresh ginger (size of a jujube) smashed. Decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, strain, and take warm before meals, twice daily.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as limb pain, chest and abdominal oppression, reduced appetite and weakness, progressive emaciation, lethargy, and groaning, use Chenxiang Wan (Agarwood Pill):
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) [cut into pieces] Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Muxiang) [Note: Context implies different species or part, likely Xanthoceras or similar aromatic root, but standard Muxiang is Aquilaria; here listed separately, possibly distinct variety or error in source text, retaining name] Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Xiong) Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin] Arecae Semen (Binglang) [cut into pieces] Meliae Fructus (Lianshi) [processed] Typhonii Rhizoma (Baifuzi) Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Polyporus (Shihu)
Cistanches Herba (Roucongrong) [soaked in wine, sliced, wrapped in dough and roasted] Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Sharen) [processed with vinegar]
The above twenty ingredients are pounded and ground into powder and mixed evenly. Take two papayas, remove skin and seeds, steam until soft, and grind. Mix with the herbal powder and pound into pills the size of sophora seeds. Each dose is twenty pills, taken before meals with warm wine or salted water.

For treating Qi Lao presenting with alternating cold and heat, lack of appetite, excessive sleep with little rising, and heavy limbs, use Biejia Tang (Turtle Shell Decoction):
Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [nine-ribbed type, soaked in urine of young boy for half a day, processed with vinegar, remove skirt-like edges, two liang] Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [remove seedlings] Coptidis Rhizoma (Huhuanglian) Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Muxiang) Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin] Platycodi Radix (Jiegeng) [stir-fried] Arecae Semen (Binglang) [cut into pieces] Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) [sliced] Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang) [cut and processed] Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhiqiao) [remove pith, stir-fried with bran] Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) [each one liang]
The above twelve ingredients are coarsely pounded and sieved. Each dose consists of three qianbi, boiled in one sheng of water with small amounts of fresh ginger and licorice. Decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, strain, and take warm.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as chest and heart discomfort, progressive emaciation, heavy and tired limbs, tasteless diet, sore joints, yellow-red urine, and disharmony of Ying and Wei Qi, use Chenxiang Tang (Agarwood Decoction):
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) [remove coarse bark] Arecae Semen (Binglang) Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) [sliced and roasted] Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Xiong) Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang) [processed, each half liang] Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin] Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) [processed, cracked, remove skin and umbilicus] Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) [washed seven times with hot water, roasted after soaking in ginger juice overnight, two liang]
Take warm at any time without restriction.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as heart and abdominal pain, reduced food intake, weak limbs, deficiency and damage of the five zang organs, promoting smooth flow of Qi and opening the stomach, use Fuzi Wan (Aconite Pill):
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) [processed, cracked, remove skin and umbilicus] Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang) [processed] Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) [processed and cut, each one liang] Persicami Semen (Taoren) [remove skin and pointed ends, stir-fry double-kernel ones, half liang]
Aconiti Radix (Wutou) [boil together with two he of black beans and five sheng of water until water is exhausted; then add three sheng of wine and boil together with the previous five ingredients until wine is exhausted, then roast] Cistanches Herba (Roucongrong) [soaked in wine, sliced, roasted] Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) [remove white pith, roast] Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (Peng'ezhu) [roasted and cut] Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Qingpi) [remove white pith, roasted] Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Xiong) Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhiqiao) [remove pith, stir-fried with bran] Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) [remove coarse bark] Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Muxiang) Arecae Semen (Binglang) [cut into pieces] Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) [stir-fried, each one liang]
The above sixteen ingredients are pounded and sifted into powder. Mix with refined honey to form pills the size of cherries. Each dose is one pill, chewed down with warm wine. If there is upper jiao wheezing and lack of appetite, take with decoction of Cardamomi Fructus (Caodoukou). If there is Xiao Chang Qi (Small Intestine Qi disorder), take with decoction of stir-fried Cyperi Rhizoma.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as chest and abdominal oppression, lack of desire to eat, use Chenjupi Tang (Aged Tangerine Peel Decoction):
Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) [soaked in hot water, remove white pith, roast, one liang] Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) [processed and cut, two liang] Persicami Semen (Taoren) [54 pieces, soaked in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, stir-fry double-kernel ones] Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus (Helile) [skin only, three liang]
The above four ingredients are coarsely pounded and sieved evenly. Each dose consists of five qianbi, boiled in one and a half sheng of water until reduced to one sheng. Strain, add a small amount of pig bile, and take warm after meals. Take again after some time.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as emaciation, limb pain, chest and abdominal oppression, and lack of appetite, use Shuijin Biejia Tang (Water-Soaked Turtle Shell Decoction):
Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [nine-ribbed type, remove skirt-like edges, process with vinegar] Ephedrae Herba (Shengma - *Note: Source says Shengma, usually Ephedra is Ma Huang, Shengma is Cimicifuga. Text says Shengma*) Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [remove seedlings] Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin] Arecae Semen (Binglang) [cut into pieces]
Myristicae Semen (Roudoukou) [remove shell] Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus (Helile) [skin only] Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) [sliced] Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Qingpi) [soaked in hot water, remove white pith, roast] Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) [soaked in hot water, remove white pith, roast] Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) [processed and cut] Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Suosharen) Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) [stir-fried] Saccharum Stelis Fermentatum (Chenqu) [stir-fried, each half liang]
The above fifteen ingredients are coarsely pounded and sieved. Each dose consists of three qianbi, soaked in one and a half sheng of water for two days. Decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, strain, and sip slowly on an empty stomach, pressing down with food afterwards.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as cough and panting, lower jiao deficiency damage, upper jiao vexation and heat, and emaciated limbs, use Tianmendong Wan (Asparagus Root Pill):
Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong) [remove heart, roast] Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [remove skirt-like edges, process with vinegar] Ophiopogonis Radix (Maimendong) [remove heart, roast] Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang) [roast, each two liang] Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Astragali Membranacei Radix (Huangqi) [cut into pieces] Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) [soaked in wine, white roasted] Armeniaci Semen Amarum (Xingren) [soaked in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, stir-fry double-kernel ones, ground] Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin] Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyu) Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wuweizi) [stir-fried] Polyporus (Shihu) [remove roots] Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi) [each one liang] Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) [cut into pieces] Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus (Helile) [skin only] Cistanches Herba (Roucongrong) [soaked in wine overnight, sliced, roasted] Asteris Radix et Rhizoma (Ziwan) [remove seedlings and soil, each three fen]
The above seventeen ingredients are pounded and ground into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 300-500 times. Form pills the size of sophora seeds. Each dose is twenty pills, taken before meals with jujube water.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as emaciated body, weak limbs, sallow complexion, reduced food intake, vomiting and regurgitation of phlegm foam, cough and chest fullness, use Muxiang Tang (Aquilaria Decoction):
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Muxiang) Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi) Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang) Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyu) Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) [processed, cracked, remove skin and umbilicus] Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma) Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) [washed seven times with hot water, roasted] Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao) [remove seedlings and soil] Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) [sliced and roasted] Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [remove skirt-like edges, process with vinegar] Astragali Membranacei Radix (Huangqi) Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) [soaked in wine, sliced, roasted, each half liang] Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) [remove rhizome head] Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhiqiao) [remove pith, stir-fried with bran] Morindae Officinalis Radix (Bajitian) [remove heart] Poria (Baifuling) [remove black skin, each one fen] Myristicae Semen (Roudoukou) [remove shell, four pieces] Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [remove seedlings]
The above twenty ingredients are chopped like hemp or soybeans. Each dose consists of three qianbi, boiled in one sheng of water with two slices of fresh ginger and one cun of scallion white. Decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, strain, and take warm at any time.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as chest and heart vexation and stuffiness, accumulation of phlegm and saliva, lack of appetite, dizziness of head and eyes, use Renshen Jupi Tang (Ginseng and Tangerine Peel Decoction):
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Jupi) [remove white pith, roast] Peucedani Radix (Qianhu) [remove rhizome head] Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia) [remove skirt-like edges, process with vinegar] Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [remove seedlings] Eriobotryae Folium (Pipaye) [wipe off hairs] Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) [washed seven times with hot water, roasted] Poria (Fuling) [half liang]
The above ten ingredients are coarsely pounded and sieved. Each dose consists of three qianbi, boiled in one and a half sheng of water with three fen of fresh ginger and one jujube. Decoct until reduced to one sheng, strain, and take warm.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as bone-steathing fever and body pain, absent-mindedness, restless sleep at night, red-yellow urine, dry mouth and sore eyes, use Liguj Wan (Cat Bone Pill):
Felis Ossiculum (Ligu) [one liang, roasted until scorched yellow] Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao) [one liang] Trichosanthis Radix (Tugua Gen) Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu) Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) Hirundo Nidus (Hu Yan Fen - *Note: Swallow droppings/nest material*) Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) Cinnabaris (Zhusha) [finely ground] Realgar (Xionghuang) [finely ground] Alum (Danfan) [remove rhizome head] Trichosanthis Radix (Gualou Gen) [above each three fen]
The above fifteen ingredients are pounded and sifted into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 300 times. Form pills the size of sophora seeds. Each dose is twenty pills, taken after meals with warm water.

For treating Qi Lao manifesting as bone-steathing heat, use Huanglian Jian Wan (Coptis Decoction Pill):
Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) [remove roots] Asteris Radix et Rhizoma (Ziwan) [wash, remove seedlings and soil] Capitis Humanis Calvaria (Tianlinggai) [coated with butter, roasted until slightly yellow] Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) [processed until slightly red, cut] Celosiae Semen (Qingsangzi) [above each two liang] Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) [one liang, remove seedlings]
The above six ingredients are pounded and sifted into fine powder. Soak the herbs in five sheng of urine from a young boy overnight. Slowly decoct until thick. Form pills the size of sophora seeds. Each dose is twenty pills, taken after meals with warm water.