论曰脉极之病,本于心包络中风,心主身之血脉,风邪中其经,则令脉极而生病,所谓
脉极者,令人无颜色,眉发堕落,忽忽喜忘是也,然脉有虚极,有实极,有极虚寒,有极实
热,皆由包络感风,邪气盛则血脉实,实则热,热则血伤心,使人好怒面赤,言语不快,血
脱色干燥不泽,食饮不为肌肤,若精气夺,则血脉虚,虚则寒,寒则咳,咳则心痛,喉仲介
介如梗,甚则咽肿喉痹,治法阳经脉病疗阴络,阴络脉病疗阳经,脉实宜泻,气虚宜补,当
治其微,若甚则脉气空虚,颜焦发落,手心主气绝,则脉不通,不通则血不流,故色不泽而
面黑如漆,是为血脉先死,则不可救矣。
治脉极虚寒,咳嗽心痛,喉仲介介如梗,甚则咽肿喉痹,止痛益气,半夏汤方
半夏(汤洗去滑焙干三两) 芎 细辛(去苗叶) 附子(炮裂去皮脐) 干姜(炮)
人
仁(三十
上一十一味,锉如麻豆,每服五钱匕,水一盏半,入生姜一枣大拍碎,煎至一盏,去
滓分温二服,早晚食后各一。
治脉极实热,血气伤心,好生嗔怒,口唇色变,言语不快,消热气调血脉理中,茯苓汤
方
赤茯苓(去黑皮) 黄芩(去黑心) 栀子仁(各一两半) 赤石脂 升麻 紫菀(去
苗土各一两) 麦门冬(去心焙一两半) 豉(炒一合) 石膏(一两)
上九味,粗捣筛,每服五钱匕,水一盏半,入竹叶五片,煎至一盏,去滓下芒硝一钱匕,
分温二服,早食后日午各一。
治脉极实热,伤风损脉,为心风状,多汗面无滋润,消虚热极,止汗,麻黄汤方
麻黄(去根节) 杏仁(汤去皮尖及双仁各二两) 栀子仁 黄芩(去黑心) 防风(去
叉)
膏(三两)
上一十二味,粗捣筛,每服五钱匕,水一盏半,入枣三枚劈,煎至一盏,去滓分温二服,
早晚食后各一。
治脉极实,遇风为痹,面色白不润泽,脉空虚,口唇色干,服此润色消痹止热,升麻汤
方
升麻 射干 芎 人参(各一两半) 赤小豆(一合捣) 麦门冬(去心焙) 葳蕤
(各二两) 生干地黄(焙三两) 甘草(一两炙锉)
上九味,粗捣筛,每服五钱匕,水一盏半,入生姜一枣大拍碎,竹叶五片,煎至一盏,
去滓温服,早晚食后各一。
治脉极惊悸,补虚丸方
人参 麦门冬(去心焙) 黄 (锉炒) 甘草(切焙) 石菖蒲 防风(去叉) 远
志(去心) 附子(炮裂去皮脐) 白茯苓(去黑皮) 五味子(炒) 桂(去粗皮各一两)
上一十一味,捣罗为末,炼蜜和丸,如梧桐子大,每服十五丸,米饮下。
治脉极惊悸,安五脏,镇心丸方
丹砂(研) 铁粉(研) 远志(去心) 人参(各半两) 茯神(去本一两) 牛黄
(研) 龙脑(研各一分) 虎睛(研一只) 琥珀(研一分) 金薄(研五片) 银薄(研
五片)
上一十一味,捣研极细,枣肉为丸,如梧桐子大,每服十丸,空心煎金银汤下。
治脉极好忘,言语错乱,精神不守,肩臂痛,虚惊不定,人参散方
人参 赤茯苓(去黑皮) 牛黄(研) 铁粉(研) 麝香(研) 远志(去心) 蛇
黄(烧醋淬) 羚羊角(镑) 酸枣仁(等分)
上九味,捣研为散,每服二钱匕,煎淡竹茹汤放冷调下。
治脉极虚寒,鬓发堕落,柏叶沐头丸方
生柏叶(一两) 附子(生去皮脐半两) 猪膏(五两)
上三味,将柏叶附子为末,炼猪膏和为二十丸,每用布裹一丸,内沐头汤中,洗头令发
长不落。
治脉极虚寒,鬓发堕落,桑白皮沐头方
桑根白皮(锉二斤)
上一味,以水淹渍一宿,煮五六沸,去滓沐发,数数为之,佳。
治脉极虚寒,鬓发堕落方
麻子(研二升) 白桐叶(一把切)
上二味,以米泔一斗,煮五六沸,去滓沐头,则鬓发不落而长。
It is discussed that the disease of Mai Ji (Pulse Extremity) originates from Wind pathogen invading the Xin Bao Luo (Pericardium). The Heart governs the blood vessels throughout the body; when Wind pathogen invades its meridians, it causes Mai Ji and induces disease. What is referred to as Mai Ji manifests as lack of luster in complexion, falling of eyebrows and hair, mental confusion, and forgetfulness. However, Mai Ji can be characterized by extreme deficiency or extreme excess, as well as extreme cold or extreme heat. All these are caused by the Pericardium contracting Wind. When pathogenic qi is abundant, the blood vessels become full; fullness generates heat; heat damages the Heart, causing irritability, facial redness, and sluggish speech. If blood is depleted and color fades, the skin becomes dry and lacks luster, and food and drink fail to nourish the flesh. If essence and qi are exhausted, the blood vessels become deficient; deficiency generates cold; cold leads to coughing, which in turn causes heart pain, a sensation of obstruction in the throat as if something were stuck, and in severe cases, sore throat and bi syndrome of the throat. The treatment principle is: for diseases of Yang meridians, treat the Yin collaterals; for diseases of Yin collaterals, treat the Yang meridians. For full pulses, use draining methods; for deficient qi, use tonifying methods. Treatment should begin when the condition is mild. If the condition becomes severe, with empty pulse qi, emaciated face, and falling hair, the Qi of the Hand Jueyin (Pericardium) is severed, leading to blocked pulses. Blocked pulses result in stagnant blood flow, causing dull complexion and a black, lacquer-like face. This indicates that the blood vessels have died first, rendering the condition incurable.
Ban Xia Tang (Pinellia Decoction), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme deficiency and cold, accompanied by cough, heart pain, throat obstruction sensation, and in severe cases, sore throat and throat bi, possesses the effects of relieving pain and benefiting qi.
Ingredients: Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, washed with decoction to remove slipperiness, dried by baking, 3 liang); Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma); Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, remove seedlings and leaves); Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed until cracked, remove skin and umbilicus); Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, processed); Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma); Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 30 seeds, remove skin, tips, and double kernels).
The above eleven ingredients are chopped like hemp or bean seeds. Each dose consists of 5 qian bi (approx. 15-20g depending on era/standard, here kept as unit), added with 1.5 zhan of water and one date-sized piece of Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) smashed. Boil until reduced to 1 zhan, strain, and divide into two warm doses. Take once after morning meal and once after evening meal.
Fu Ling Tang (Poria Decoction), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme excess and heat, where blood and qi damage the Heart, causing irritability, changes in lip color, and sluggish speech, has the effects of clearing and dissipating heat, regulating blood vessels, and harmonizing the middle.
Ingredients: Chi Fu Ling (Poria cum Risus, remove black skin); Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, remove black heart); Zhi Zi Ren (Gardeniae Fructus, 1.5 liang each); Chi Shi Zhi (Halloysit Rubra); Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma); Zi Wan (Adenophorae Radix, remove seedlings and soil, 1 liang each); Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, remove heart, bake, 1.5 liang); Chi Dou (Sojae Seminis Preparatum, fried, 1 he); Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 1 liang).
The above nine ingredients are coarsely crushed and sifted. Each dose consists of 5 qian bi, added with 1.5 zhan of water and five slices of Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium). Boil until reduced to 1 zhan, strain, add Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas, 1 qian bi), and divide into two warm doses. Take once after morning meal and once at noon.
Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme excess and heat, wind injury damaging pulses, presenting as Wind affecting the Heart with symptoms of excessive sweating and lack of moisture in the face, clears extreme deficiency heat and stops sweating.
Ingredients: Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba, remove root and joints); Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, soaked in water, remove skin, tips, and double kernels, 2 liang each); Zhi Zi Ren (Gardeniae Fructus); Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, remove black heart); Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, remove forked branches); Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried, 3 liang).
The above twelve ingredients are coarsely crushed and sifted. Each dose consists of 5 qian bi, added with 1.5 zhan of water and three split dates. Boil until reduced to 1 zhan, strain, and divide into two warm doses. Take once after morning meal and once after evening meal.
Sheng Ma Tang (Cimicifuga Decoction), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme excess, becoming Bi syndrome upon encountering wind, with white and non-lustrous complexion, empty pulse, and dry lips, moistens the complexion, dissipates Bi, and stops heat.
Ingredients: Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma); She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma); Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma); Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1.5 liang each); Chi Xiao Dou (Phaseoli Radiatus Semen, 1 he, crushed); Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, remove heart, bake); Wei Yu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, 2 liang each); Sheng Gan Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix, baked, 3 liang); Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried and chopped, 1 liang).
The above nine ingredients are coarsely crushed and sifted. Each dose consists of 5 qian bi, added with 1.5 zhan of water, one date-sized piece of Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) smashed, and five slices of Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium). Boil until reduced to 1 zhan, strain, and take warm. Take once after morning meal and once after evening meal.
Bu Xu Wan (Tonify Deficiency Pill), used to treat Mai Ji with palpitations and fright.
Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma); Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, remove heart, bake); Huang Qi (Astragali Radix, chopped and fried); Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, cut and baked); Shi Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma); Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, remove forked branches); Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix, remove heart); Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed until cracked, remove skin and umbilicus); Bai Fu Ling (Poria cum Risus, remove black skin); Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus, fried); Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, remove coarse bark, 1 liang each).
The above eleven ingredients are pounded and sieved into powder. Mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 15 pills per dose, washed down with rice drink.
An Wu Zang, Zhen Xin Wan (Calming Five Viscera and Settling Heart Pill), used to treat Mai Ji with palpitations and fright, calming the five viscera and settling the heart.
Ingredients: Dan Sha (Cinnabaris, ground); Tie Fen (Ferrum, ground); Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix, remove heart); Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 0.5 liang each); Fu Shen (Poria cum Radice, remove wood, 1 liang); Niu Huang (Bovis Calculus, ground); Long Nao (Borneolum Syntheticum, ground, 1 fen each); Hu Jing (Tigris Oculus, ground, 1 eye); Hu Po (Electrum, ground, 1 fen); Jin Bo (Lamina Aurea, ground, 5 pieces); Yin Bo (Lamina Argenti, ground, 5 pieces).
The above eleven ingredients are pounded and ground extremely fine. Form pills with jujube paste, the size of Sophora seeds. Take 10 pills per dose on an empty stomach, washed down with decoction of gold and silver.
Ren Shen San (Ginseng Powder), used to treat Mai Ji with forgetfulness, confused speech, loss of spirit, shoulder and arm pain, and unstable false fright.
Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma); Chi Fu Ling (Poria cum Risus, remove black skin); Niu Huang (Bovis Calculus, ground); Tie Fen (Ferrum, ground); She Xiang (Moschus, ground); Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix, remove heart); Yu Li Huang (Yulii Lithospermum, roasted and quenched in vinegar); Ling Yang Jiao (Saigae Tataricae Cornu, shaved); Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, equal parts).
The above nine ingredients are pounded and ground into powder. Take 2 qian bi per dose, mixed and taken after cooling a decoction of Dan Zhu Ru (Bambusae Caulis in Taenia).
Bo Ye Mu Tou Wan (Cupressus Leaf Head-Washing Pill), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme deficiency and cold, and falling hair of the temples.
Ingredients: Sheng Bo Ye (Cupressi Cacumen, 1 liang); Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix, raw, remove skin and umbilicus, 0.5 liang); Zhu Gao (Searcia, 5 liang).
The above three ingredients: Pound Bo Ye and Fu Zi into powder. Mix with refined Zhu Gao to form 20 pills. Wrap one pill in cloth for each use, place in head-washing water, and wash hair to promote growth and prevent falling.
Sang Bai Pi Mu Tou Fang (Mulberry Root Bark Head-Washing Formula), used to treat Mai Ji with extreme deficiency and cold, and falling hair of the temples.
Ingredients: Sang Gen Bai Pi (Mori Cortex, chopped, 2 jin).
The above single ingredient: Soak in water overnight, boil for five or six boils, strain, and use to wash hair. Repeat frequently for best results.
Fang to treat Mai Ji with extreme deficiency and cold, and falling hair of the temples.
Ingredients: Ma Zi (Cannabis Fructus, ground, 2 sheng); Bai Tong Ye (Toosendanii Folium, one handful, chopped).
The above two ingredients: Cook in one dou of Mi Tan (rice washing water) for five or six boils, strain, and use to wash the head. This prevents falling of temple hair and promotes growth.