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(One treatise, two formulas)

The treatise states: In treating Liver Labor Disease (a condition of chronic exhaustion affecting the Liver), one should tonify Heart Qi to support it. When Heart Qi is robust, it can resonate with and nourish the Liver. If a person goes against the Qi of Spring, the Qi of Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder cannot generate, causing Liver Qi to stagnate and transform abnormally. Following this pattern leads to life, opposing it leads to death; following it allows for treatment, opposing it leads to chaos. Reversing compliance into opposition is called "Guan Ge" (a critical syndrome of blockage between Yin and Yang), at which point disease arises.

For Liver deficiency-cold labor, Guan Ge-induced laborial stiffness, obstruction and blockage, with emaciated hair and sallow complexion:
Pig Fat (Su Gao, 4 sheng) and Ginger Juice (Jiang Zhi, 4 sheng).
Take the above two ingredients, simmer over low heat until reduced to 3 sheng, then add 5 he of wine and simmer again. Divide into three doses.

For Liver deficiency-cold labor damage, presenting with bitter taste in the mouth, joint and bone pain, tendon contraction, and irritability:
Tiger Bone (Hu Gu, 1 sheng, roasted until charred and crushed like a sparrow's head), Danshen (8 liang), Dried Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang, 7 liang), Bark of Ground Tree Betel (Di Gu Pi), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong) (each 4 liang), Root bark of Piper Longum (Zhu Jiao Gen), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Five-leaf Acanthopanax Bark (Wu Jia Pi), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) (each 5 liang).
Process the above ten herbs, place them in a silk bag, and soak in 4 dou of wine for four days. Initial dose: 6-7 he, gradually increase to 1 sheng. Take twice daily.

(Three treatises, seven formulas, seven moxibustion methods)

The treatise states: The so-called "Six Extremes" (Liu Ji) are as follows: Heaven's Qi connects to the Lungs, Earth's Qi connects to the throat, Wind Qi corresponds to the Liver, Thunder Qi moves the Heart, Grain Qi affects the Spleen, and Rain Qi moistens the Kidneys. The Six Channels are like rivers, the intestines and stomach are like seas, and the Nine Orifices are where water flows in. Thus, the orifices correspond to the Five Zang organs. When the Five Zang organs are injured by pathogens, the Six Fu organs develop "extremes" (severe depletion), hence the term "Five Zang and Six Fu Extremes."

Another treatise states: Generally, Tendon Extremes are governed by the Liver, as the Liver governs the tendons, and the tendons harmonize with the Liver; Liver diseases often manifest through the tendons. It is also said: Illness contracted in Spring is called "Tendon Bi" (obstruction). If Tendon Bi persists and is re-exposed to pathogens, the pathogen enters internally and lodges in the Liver. This causes Yang Qi to enter inward and Yin Qi to emerge outward. If Yin Qi emerges outward, it leads to deficiency; deficiency leads to weak tendons. Weak tendons cause frequent sorrowfulness, and bluish-white discoloration appears under the eyes. If caused by Cold Damage, the tendons cannot move, and all ten fingers and nails ache, with frequent tendon spasms. The origin lies in contracting wind-pathogen on Jia-Yi days in Spring; the wind remains in the tendons, constituting Liver Deficiency Wind. If Yang Qi activates internally, activation leads to excess; excess leads to solid tendons. Solid tendons cause frequent anger, dry throat, heat injury leading to cough, coughing causing hypochondriac pain preventing turning of the body, and fullness/pain in the soles of the feet. This is called Liver Excess Wind. Therefore, for light pathogens, use dispersing methods; for heavy pathogens, use reducing methods; for declining vitality, use reinforcing methods. Carefully distinguish Yin and Yang to differentiate soft and hard. Treat Yin disorders by addressing Yang, and Yang disorders by addressing Yin. A skilled healer treats the disease when it is in the skin, hair, muscles, and tendons; next, they treat the Six Fu organs. If the disease reaches the Five Zang organs, half of the patients will die.

Bian Que said: Tendon Exhaustion (Jin Jue) is untreatable; death occurs after nine days. How do we know? If the fingernails and toenails turn blue-black, and the patient calls out and curses incessantly, it indicates that since tendons correspond to the Foot Jueyin Liver Channel, exhaustion of the Foot Jueyin Qi causes tendon contraction pulling the testicles and tongue. This signifies the death of the tendons first.

To treat Tendon Excess Extreme causing cough, where coughing leads to shrinking pain in both hypochondria, and severe pain prevents turning, use Tangerine Peel Ventilation-Qi Decoction (Ju Pi Tong Qi Tang).
Tangerine Peel (Ju Pi, 4 liang), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Gypsum (Shi Gao) (each 5 liang), Asarum Root (Xi Xin), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Xin), Poria (Fu Ling) (each 2 liang), Fermented Soybean (Xiang Chi, 1 sheng).
Process the above eight herbs, boil in 9 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain, strain, and divide into three doses.

To treat Tendon Excess Extreme, presenting with fullness and pain in both soles, inability to walk far, cutting pain in the soles, unbearable tearing pain in the tendons, use Danshen Boiled Powder (Dan Shen Zhu San).
Danshen (3 liang), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong), Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong), Teasel Root (Xu Duan), Bark of Ground Tree Betel (Di Gu Pi) (each 2 liang), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui), Tetrapanax Pith (Tong Cao), Dried Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Men Dong), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Sheng Ma), Leechite Hematite (Yu Liang Shi), Ephedra Stem (Mahuang) (each 1 liang 18 zhu), Achyranthes Root (Niu Xi, 2 liang 6 zhu), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang, sliced and fried until charred-dry), Oyster Shell (Mu Li) (each 2 liang).
Process the above seventeen herbs into a coarse powder. Place two fang-cun-bi (measurements of volume) in a silk bag. Boil in 2 sheng of well-water, shaking the bag frequently, until reduced to 1 sheng. Take in one dose, twice daily.

To treat Tendon Excess Extreme, presenting with fingernails/toenails being blue, yellow, or dark black, urgent and irritable tendons in the four limbs, use Rehmannia Paste (Di Huang Jian).
Fresh Rehmannia Juice (Sheng Di Huang Zhi, 3 sheng), Fresh Kudzu Juice (Sheng Ge Zhi), Fresh Scrophularia Root Juice (Sheng Xuan Shen Zhi) (each 1 sheng), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Cimicifuga Rhizome (Sheng Ma) (each 2 liang), Gardenia Seed (Zhi Zi Ren), Ephedra Stem (Mahuang), Rhinoceros Horn (Xi Jiao) (each 3 liang), Gypsum (Shi Gao, 5 liang), White Peony Root (Bai Shao, 4 liang).
Process the above ten herbs. Boil the first seven in 7 sheng of water until 2 sheng remain, strain, add Fresh Rehmannia Juice, boil for one or two boils, then add Kudzu juice etc., and simmer until 3 sheng remain. Divide into three doses, twice daily.

To treat Tendon Deficiency Extreme and Tendon Bi, presenting with frequent sadness and thoughtfulness, pale complexion, panting in the four limbs, hand-foot contracture, difficulty extending/moving due to tightness, and abdominal moving pain, use Acanthopanax Wine (Wu Jia Jiu).
Five-leaf Acanthopanax Bark (Wu Jia Pi, 1 jin), Thorny Citrus Fruit (Zhi Ci), Hemp Seed (Da Ma Ren) (each 3 sheng), Root bark of Piper Longum (Zhu Jiao Gen Pi), Danshen (each 8 liang), Cinnamon Twig (Gui Xin), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui), Licorice Root (Gan Cao) (each 3 liang), Aconite Lateral Root (Tian Xiong), Sichuan Pepper (Qin Jiao - *Note: Text says Qin Jiao but context implies Qin Jiao or similar spicy herb, likely typo for Qin Jiao or Qian Hu, keeping literal*), White Phellodendron Bark (Bai Xian), Tetrapanax Pith (Tong Cao) (each 4 liang), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang, 5 liang), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren, half sheng), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuan Xiong, 5 liang).
Process the above fifteen herbs, place in a silk bag, and steep in 4 dou of clear wine for 4 days in Spring/Summer, or 6-7 days in Autumn/Winter. Initial dose: 6-7 he, gradually increase until effective.

To treat Tendon Deficiency Extreme, presenting with immovable tendons, pain in all ten fingers/nails, frequent tendon spasms, or excessive intercourse, or intercourse before recovery damaging Qi, leading to internal tendon exhaustion, curled tongue, cyanotic lips, pulling of testicles, painful/tight meridians, colicky abdominal pain, inability to defecate or eat, use Ginseng Wine (Ren Shen Jiu).
Ginseng (Ren Shen), Saposhnikovia Root (Fang Feng), Poria (Fu Ling), Asarum Root (Xi Xin), Sichuan Pepper (Qin Jiao), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi), Angelica Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui), Achyranthes Root (Niu Xi), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) (each 1.5 liang), Dried Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang), Danshen, Jujube (Zao, 30 pieces), Five-leaf Acanthopanax Bark (Wu Jia Pi, 1 sheng), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang, sliced and fried dry), Black Sesame Seeds (Wu Ma, crushed) (each 1.5 liang).
Process the above twenty-two herbs. Place Milkstone (Zhong Ru) separately in a small bag. Steep in 2.5 dou of clear wine for five nights. Warm and take 3 he, twice daily. Increase as tolerated without adverse effects. (Another version omits Black Sesame and uses Eucommia Bark Du Zhong, 2.5 liang.)

Formula for injury from intercourse, testicular retraction, and tendon contraction:
Burn the menstrual cloth of a woman to ash. Take one fang-cun-bi per dose.

Formula for Tendon Exhaustion:
Roast crab brain and marrow from legs, apply to the wound; the tendons will reconnect.

For cold qi rebellion from labor, cold bi in waist and hips, difficulty bending/extending feet: Moxibustion on Yang Qiao (Yangqiao Point), 100 moxa cones. Location: Below the lateral malleolus, space approximating a fingernail.

For stiff back/waist, tendon spasms, acute bi, and tendon contraction: Moxibustion on the 21st Vertebra, number of cones according to age.

For tendon spasms, cramping of tendons in ten fingers, inability to flex/extend: Moxibustion on the foot lateral malleolus bone, 7 moxa cones.

For seminal emission causing tendon contraction, penile retraction into abdomen, mutual pulling pain: Moxibustion on Zhongfeng (Zhongfeng SP4), 50 moxa cones. Location: Anterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression within the tendon.

For seminal emission causing tendon contraction, penile retraction into abdomen, mutual pulling pain: Moxibustion on Xia Man (Xiaman points) each 50 cones. Elderly patients double the dose; children use age-based dosage. Also stated: These two points also treat throat swelling, reversal cold, suffering of the five Zang organs, and drum-like distension.

For unbearable shin bone pain from tendon spasms: Moxibustion on the transverse tendon below the knee crease, 3 moxa cones.

For abdominal distension with tendon spasms: Moxibustion 1 cun above the umbilicus, 20 moxa cones.