Library

(Two Discourses, Thirteen Prescriptions)

Discourse: The Way of the Sages is to save all things with compassion. By extensively seeking various medicines to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, one can obtain them at hand in emergencies; thus, there are prescriptions for treating myriad diseases.

I observed that these prescriptions were scattered among various classics, making them difficult for students to use and hard to search for. Therefore, I collected their essence to compile this section, hoping that people could obtain beneficial remedies even in haste. A gentleman should not forget danger when safe; during leisure time, he may prepare them in advance to prevent consumption (Lao Zhai, tuberculosis).

This treats all wind-cold, phlegm-fluid retention, fixed masses (Zheng Pi), and malaria. It treats conditions that many physicians cannot cure. Including One Sheng Dengxian Jiu (Immortal Ascending Wine) and One Sheng Sanjian San (Three Establishments Powder). (Qianjin Yifang names it Da Paifeng San (Great Wind-Expelling Powder)).

Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Ziwan (Asteris Radix), Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Wangbuliuxing (Vaccariae Semen), Wutou (Aconiti Radix), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Tianxiong (Aconiti Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Raohua (Daphnes Genkwei Cortex), Yelangdu (Stellerae Chamaejasme Radix), Mangcao (Polygala Tenuifolia Radix, commonly known as Fish Poison or Rat Poison), Luanjing (Koelreuteriae Fructus), Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix), Zhizhu (Rhododendri Mollis Flos), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Yinyu (Skimmiae Japonicae Cortex) [each 10 fen], Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Shinan (Acanthopanacis Tricarpus Cortex), Shichangsheng (Pyrrosiae Folium) [each 7 fen], Shechuangzi (Cnidii Fructus), Bixie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma), Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Congrong (Cynomorii Herba), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) [each 5 fen], Lilu (Veratri Radix), Shuyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Yiyiren (Coicis Semen), Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shizhuyu (Zanthoxyli Fructus), Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Huangbo (Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Shujiao (Zanthoxyli Fructus), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Juapi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Baiziren (Biotae Semen), Ben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Xuduan (Dianthi Radix) [each 2 fen].

The above sixty-four herbs (Qianjin Yifang lacks Baizhu and Shizhuyu, but includes Mahua, Banxia, Chiche shizhe, Gaoliangjiang, and Ziwei). They require no washing, roasting, or decocting. Simply shake off dust, sift through a coarse sieve, and grind. Then take orally. All pork, chicken, five pungents (Wu Xin: garlic, chives, leeks, scallions, asafoetida), raw/cold foods, and sour/slippery foods may be eaten freely without taboos. Only beans inhibit the medicinal effect and must not be consumed.

Medicine powder (3 liang), Xi Qu (Fermented Wheat Powder, 2 sheng), Nuomi (Glutinous Rice, 3 sheng), Zhen Jiu (True Wine, 5 sheng).

First, boil rice in three large dou of water to make porridge, ensuring it is extremely well-cooked. In winter, stir to dissipate heat. In spring, let it cool slightly. In summer, stir thoroughly until very cold. In autumn, keep it slightly warm. Next, add the fermented wheat powder, knead until soft and integrated. Then add the medicine powder, knead until fully cooked and mixed. Pour in the true wine, knead again to disperse. Store in a non-leaky vessel, stir with a clean stick, and leave overnight before drinking. Cover simply with cloth; no need for tight sealing. Take the medicine on an empty stomach in the early morning. The dose is adequate when effects are felt. A slight sensation of movement flowing into the four limbs and a tingling sensation on the head and face indicates the correct dosage. Do not increase further. Follow this method. It often resolves pathology internally. Unreasonable increases will cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. For powder form, sift finely, take one fangcun bi (square-inch measure), mix with water or wine/grain juice. If no effect, slightly increase until effective. For pill form, sift finely, make honey pills like wu zi (wu-tzu seeds/size of mulberry seeds). Take seven pills each time. This medicine can be taken as pills or powder, but not as a decoction. To gain tonification without vomiting or diarrhea, only internal resolution is sought; its benefit surpasses Wushi San (Five Minerals Powder), and its efficacy for various diseases is equivalent. However, taking it with wine is better than pills/powder; it is pleasant and easy to take, with rapid circulation. If a patient has suffered for a long time, with accumulated food masses, chronic qi stagnation forming zheng jia (masses), or any stubborn consolidation, increase the dose by one or two times to induce vomiting and purging to expel evil substances completely. Afterwards, take small doses to resolve internally and tonify. During medication, do not eat early; eating early triggers severe vomiting, but this does no harm and subsides shortly. It may cause throat pain, healing in 2-3 days. Patients should know this. From early morning until noon, wait for the medicinal force to stabilize. Then eat cold rice, pickles, and cold grain juice. Afternoon, once stable, hot food is allowed freely. If the force is not stable, do not walk forcibly; walking causes dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, and unconsciousness due to wind expulsion. Do not doubt this. After wind is expelled, more dosage is better. If feeling stifled, sit or lie down; wake up shortly, just like normal. Once stable, go where you wish. If needing to defecate, use a cane. If feeling restless, sit still; upon waking, walk.

Pathology above the diaphragm, caused by long-standing cold leading to phlegm-fluid accumulation, masses, hernias, solid food masses, cough with rebellious qi, etc., all stubborn consolidations. Constant spitting, rebellious qi rushing to chest and throat. These are caused by cold accumulation in the stomach. Cold in the San Jiao and intestines forms these diseases. Such cases require vomiting to expel evil. Mild cases: one purge, then induce vomiting. Severe cases: 3-5 purges until complete. Vomiting stages: first cold air/bubbles, then sour water, then thick yellow juice, bitter like ox saliva. Heavier cases: purple phlegm like purple grass juice. Those with this enter death's path and die soon. If suffering from Zhu disease (infectious/parasitic) with hematemesis: old black blood or fresh red blood. After vomiting, permanent cure without recurrence. When taking emetics, extreme stifling occurs during vomiting, resolving shortly. No deficiency, deafness, or numbness results. If stomach issues have persisted, a mass blocks chest/throat during vomiting, unable to vomit out or swallow back. Extreme stifling ensues. Add 1-2 he of medicated wine, re-administer. Soon, a fist-sized mass is vomited, resembling a chicken yolk on the ground, breakable with a knife. Heavy cases: 10 pieces; mild: 3-5 pieces. For such diseases, if not vomited out during medication, symptoms improve temporarily but recur after 1-2 years. Hence, emetics are necessary. Take emetics in the first three months of spring, as spring suits vomiting. For cold above diaphragm, full lower abdomen, borborygmus, cold qi in bladder, frequent diarrhea: add purgative herbs to this wine. Purge characteristics: watery like rice wash, yellow juice, or green mud. Mild: 1-2 purges to exhaust source. Severe: 5 purges frequently to exhaust root. Method: take in morning, by evening have 2-3 bowel movements, then stop. For chronic patients, weak/damaged elderly/nobles: take small amounts, gradually increase over days to resolve internally and cure. Except for chronic cases, avoid vomiting/purging. If overdose causes extreme continuous vomiting/diarrhea: take raw soybean powder (fangcun bi) with water to stop. Or chew Isatis leaf or black bean leaves. Stops instantly. Use only for extreme distress, not mild. For those with deficiency, yang decline, emaciation: this is highly tonifying. Within weeks/months, flesh fills, complexion glows, marrow fills, essence abundant, rejuvenating to youth. Removes myriad diseases. Treats all wind diseases, Leprosy/Jie Feng: 2 liang herb + 5 dou wine. Thief Wind, Hot Wind, Great Wind: same. Biased Wind, Bi Leg Wind, Paralysis Wind: 1.2 liang + 3 dou wine. These seven types involve heat; add cold herbs to promote urination. Thief Wind spasms: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Damp Wind General Bi: same. Waist/leg cramps: 1.2 liang + 3 dou wine. Tendon/joint cramps: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Post-illness anhidrosis: initial 3 doses, 1 cup each; chronic: 1 sheng. Eating hot food feels like needle prick: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Facial paralysis (eye closed): acute 0.4 liang + 1 dou wine; chronic 1.2 liang + 3 dou wine. Head/facial wind like insects/hairs: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Dizziness upon rising: 0.4 liang + 1 dou wine. Chest oppression, vomiting, stiff neck (Wind in Heart, premonition of weather): 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Stiff neck/back from wound exposure: 5 doses, 1 cup each. Treats all cold diseases/emaciation: 0.4 liang + 1 dou wine; strong constitution 0.6 liang + 1.5 dou wine. Phlegm-fluid/Hernia: same. Food stagnation/vomiting: 0.4 liang + 1 dou wine. Masses/Borborygmus/Belching: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Chronic Zhu/Labor: same. Hard hemorrhoids/Cold cough/rebellious qi: 2 liang + 5 dou wine. Ben Tun (running piglet)/Cold Qi: 0.6 liang + 1.5 dou wine. Dysphagia/Cold Dysentery: same. Stroke/Evil Infestation/Sudden abdominal distension/choking: 3 doses, 1 cup each. Hematemesis/Miasma: same. Gu Poison: 5 doses, 1 cup each. Warm Malaria/Malaria: same, 5 doses for permanent cure. Women's Wind/Diseases/Leukorrhea: 1.2 liang + 3 dou wine. Metrorrhagia: 0.6 liang + 1.5 dou wine. Amenorrhea/Cold infertility: same. Infertility: 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine. Irregular menstruation/infertility: 0.4 liang + 1 dou wine. Postpartum wind-cold/infertility: 0.6 liang + 2 dou wine; severe 0.8 liang + 2 dou wine; very severe 1.6 liang + 3 dou wine; uterine prolapse 1.6 liang + 4 dou wine.

Discourse: Looking back anciently, this prescription was unseen. A sage Li Xiaolong claimed to receive it from Monk Huitong of Dingzhou mountains in early Sui Dynasty. It proved effective but was kept secret. Only the name was known, not the formula. I received it from Daoist Jingzhi thirty years ago. Contemporary famous doctors did not approve. Yet recent practice shows miraculous efficacy. Its usage is irregular, administration contrary to common sense, yet emergency results are unique. Divine efficacy ignores routine. Ultimate principles rely on resonance, beyond intellectual comprehension. Like dragon roaring raising clouds, tiger growling generating wind. This is "unknown why, yet so." Even sages cannot distinguish it. Thus recorded at chapter end for future scholars. Not only to save beings, but deeply...