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Having described the Six Channels (Liu Jing), we now summarize them comprehensively. First, let us discuss the meaning of Exterior and Interior. The Three Yang channels indeed belong to the Exterior, but is not Taiyang (Greater Yang) the exterior of the exterior? Is not Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) the half-exterior/half-interior within the exterior? The Three Yin channels indeed belong to the Interior, but is not Taiyin (Greater Yin) the interior of the exterior? Is not Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) the half-exterior/half-interior within the interior? Is not Jueyin (Terminal Yin) the interior of the interior?

Secondly, let us discuss the exterior-interior relationship between the Meridians and the Zang-Fu organs. The Taiyang Meridian relates to the Bladder Fu organ; the Yangming Meridian relates to the Stomach Fu organ; the Shaoyang Meridian relates to the Gallbladder Fu organ. Are these not the exterior-interior relationships within the exterior? The Taiyin Meridian relates to the Spleen Zang organ; the Shaoyin Meridian relates to the Kidney Zang organ; the Jueyin Meridian relates to the Liver Zang organ. Are these not the exterior-interior relationships within the interior? Once the meaning of exterior and interior is understood, the methods of sweating (Han Fa) and purging (Xia Fa) can be clarified. If the pathogen is in the exterior, sweating can be applied to all cases; this means that syndromes located in the exterior can be treated with sweating. If the pathogen is in the interior, purging can be applied to all cases; this means that Yang channel diseases can be treated with purging.

Let us further discuss the principle of ascending and descending. In the human body, the chest and diaphragm are located superiorly; the Heart is located superiorly in the middle; the abdomen is located inferiorly in the middle; the lower abdomen is even more inferior. If the pathogen is in the upper part, it can be dispersed by emesis (Yue). If the pathogen is in the upper-middle part, it can be drained by clearing the Heart (Xie). If the pathogen is in the lower-middle part, it can be purged downward (Xia). If the pathogen is in the lower part, it can be drained along its course (Xie). "Yue" refers to ascending and dispersing; "Xie" refers to draining slowly and moistening; "Xia" refers to attacking and removing; "Xie" refers to pushing out along the momentum. Therefore, besides using sweating and releasing the muscle layer to treat the exterior, there are formulas such as Xie Xin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) to drain pathogens in the middle-upper part; Cheng Qi Tang (Order the Qi Decoction) variants to purge pathogens in the middle-lower part; Di Dang Tang (Resist the Blood Decoction) variants to drain pathogens in the lower abdomen; and additionally, a Harmonizing formula to treat half-exterior/half-interior pathogens. All these involve examining the location of the pathogen and treating according to its nature, adhering to the principle of ascending and descending.

Let us further discuss the differentiation of Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess. When Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is solid, the pathogen must be weak; when Zheng Qi is deficient, the pathogen must be strong; this is the normal pattern. When Zheng Qi is deficient and the pathogen is also weak, or Zheng Qi is solid and the pathogen is also strong, this is the variable pattern. To treat pathogenic excess, one must not harm Zheng Qi; to treat Zheng Qi deficiency, one must not aid the pathogen; only then is it good treatment. When pulse and symptoms both present heat, it is true heat; when pulse and symptoms both present cold, it is true cold; this is the true presentation. When a heat syndrome presents with cold-like pulse and symptoms, or a cold syndrome presents with heat-like pulse and symptoms, this is a false presentation. To treat heat, one must simultaneously consider Yang; to treat cold, one must simultaneously consider Yin; only then is it a subtle method. Among these, if the disease is caused by mixed cold and heat pathogens, there are treatments for mixed cold and heat, making the principles of saving Yin and saving Yang even clearer. When Yin is excessive and Yang is declining, it will inevitably evolve into a state of having Yin without Yang; thus, supporting Yang and suppressing Yin should be planned early. When Yang is excessive and Yin is declining, it will gradually become hyperactive Yang leading to the loss of Yin; thus, nourishing Yin and harmonizing Yang should be recognized in advance. Without Yang, Yin cannot exist alone; without Yin, Yang cannot stand alone. Mutual maintenance leads to life; separation leads to death. This is the general principle that Yin and Yang must not prevail excessively. Understanding this, the principles of the Six Channels in Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) are exhausted, and all diseases can be extended and categorized from this, with endless principles. This is why I elaborate again.

In ancient times, sages and worthies had a principal formula for each disease. Regardless of thousands of variations, they did not deviate from the root. For conditions in the Qi level, one merely regulates Qi; there is no need for heavy medication to attack the Blood level just because the illness seems light. For conditions in the Blood level, one must simultaneously regulate Qi, as stated: "When Qi moves, Blood follows."

Generally, for patients with constitutionally weak bodies, when expelling pathogens halfway, one must simultaneously protect Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) (such as Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Gan Cao (Licorice Root)), while assisting in clearing the pathogens.

For Summerheat diseases, one first uses Acrid-Cool herbs, then Sweet-Cold herbs, followed by Sour-draining or Sour-astringent herbs. Purging is unnecessary. This can be called essential words without verbosity. However, contemporary practitioners mostly use dispersing and guiding-out methods, adding one herb of Xiang Ru (Moslae Herba) or taking Yi Liu San (Six-Ingredient Powder). Examining the Materia Medica, Xiang Ru is Acrid-Warm, induces sweating, and can drain retained water. In summer, when heat closes pores causing anhidrosis, thirst, and drinking leading to water retention, Xiang Ru must be combined with Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), because Xing Ren is Bitter and descends/drains Qi. In late summer when Dampness prevails, Summerheat must combine with Dampness. Summerheat damages the Qi level, and Dampness also damages Qi. Sweating consumes Qi and injures Yang, greatly depleting Stomach Jin Ye (Body Fluids), leading to many complications. During the season of dispersal, the internal True Yuan is naturally deficient; therefore, the use of Xiang Ru in summer months should be cautious.

Sha Zhen (Miasma Rash) occurring in Spring arises from Wind-Warmth-Dampness; in Summer from Summerheat-Wind (Summerheat always combines with Heat); in Autumn from Heat-Burning-Dryness; in Winter from Wind-Cold (this is a secret). Sha originates from the six climatic factors invading pathogens. Wind, Cold, Summerheat, and Dampness must transform into Fire. Once Sha erupts externally, people say the pathogen has penetrated. Who realizes that at the time of emergence and disappearance, ascending must have descending, and prevailing must have reacting? Often, after Sha erupts externally, body heat persists, leading to hoarseness, gingival rot, panting, abdominal distension, dysentery, inability to eat, irritability, lethargy, and eventually death. These are all due to unclear Interior syndromes causing changes. One must distinguish which Jiao (Burner) suffers more from the pathogen, or if other diseases are concurrent, requiring careful discernment.

Medicines for the Upper Jiao should be Acrid-Cool; for the Middle Jiao, Bitter-Acrid-Cold; for the Lower Jiao, Sour-Cold. Medicines for the Upper Jiao should have light flavors. The Lung governs Qi, and skin/hair belongs to the Lung's exterior combination. External pathogens are best overcome by Acrid flavors; severe Interior conditions are best overcome by Bitter flavors. If there is no irritability or thirst, and the disease has lasted long with stagnant pathogens unclear, one can use Light-Perculating herbs to drain the Qi level. For Middle Jiao medicines, Sha fire is in the middle, belonging to Yangming Dryness transformation, characterized by abundant Qi and Blood; thus, Bitter-Cold flavors are suitable. If days pass and Stomach fluids are depleted, Bitter flavors will aid dryness and deplete fluids; Sweet-Cold should be used. For Lower Jiao medicines, Salty-Bitter is primary. If Heat-Toxin flows downward becoming dysentery, there is no need for Salty to soften hardness; simply take Bitter flavors to firm Yin and dry Dampness.