Library

The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: The Large Intestine, as a fu organ, is interiorly-exteriorly related to the Lung. Its condition can be observed at the center of the nasal column. The reason the Lung combines with the Large Intestine to regulate qi is that the Large Intestine is the fu organ responsible for conducting and excreting waste, often referred to as the "Intendant of Granaries." It weighs two jin and twelve liang, has a length of one zhang and two chi, and a width of six cun. It is coiled and folded in twelve curves on the right side of the umbilicus, capable of storing water and grain totaling one dou and two sheng. It corresponds to the twelve double-hours of the day, helping to harmonize blood vessels and stabilize the spirit. Furthermore, if the Lung is first affected by pathogenic factors, the disease may transfer to the Large Intestine; if lung cough persists untreated, the Large Intestine will also be involved, leading to fecal and urinary incontinence during large intestine cough. The Lung corresponds to the skin; thick skin indicates a thick large intestine, while thin skin indicates a thin large intestine. Loose skin with a large abdomen suggests a relaxed and elongated large intestine; tight skin suggests a contracted and short large intestine; smooth skin indicates a straight large intestine; closely adhered skin and flesh indicate a knotted or obstructed large intestine. (*Shanfan* records this identically.)

Additionally, Bian Que stated: When the function of the Large Intestine completely fails, it cannot be treated. How do we know this? If diarrhea and dysentery are unceasing, and defecation ceases (indicating exhaustion of righteous qi), death ensues. In cases of excess syndrome, there is intestinal heat, causing distension, fullness, and obstruction, along with mouth sores. After food enters the intestine, it results in an excess state of the intestine and a deficiency state of the stomach; if the pathology descends to affect the stomach, the stomach becomes excess while the intestine becomes deficient. Thus, the presentation is "excess without fullness" (referring to alternating patterns of excess and deficiency), with symptoms appearing and disappearing intermittently. In deficiency syndromes, one is susceptible to cold damage; cold in the intestines causes borborygmus (rumbling sounds), passage of greenish-white loose stools, and disturbances in qi and fluid metabolism, with the root located in the Large Intestine. Cold in the Large Intestine leads to loose stools; heat in the Large Intestine leads to the passage of intestinal mucus/filth. Retained food in the Large Intestine causes chills and fever, sometimes resembling malaria. Disease of the Large Intestine presents with severe abdominal pain and loud borborygmus ("zhuozhuo" sound); if exposed to cold again in winter, diarrhea occurs, with pain at the umbilicus, inability to stand for long periods, and pulse signs similar to those of the Stomach. There is borborygmus, qi rushing up to the chest, panting, and inability to stand for long periods, indicating evil qi residing in the Large Intestine. Distension, rumbling, and pain in the Large Intestine, combined with cold intestines, lead to diarrhea and undigested food. (From Volume 18)

The *Qianjin Fang* states: Whenever the yang pulse at the Cun position (prior to the Kou position) on the right hand is excess and solid, it indicates pathology of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Symptoms include abdominal fullness, frequent panting and coughing, red face, body heat, and a sensation of a foreign body like a kernel in the throat and pharynx. This is named Large Intestine Excess-Heat Syndrome.

Another prescription treats Large Intestine Excess-Heat, characterized by abdominal distension and obstruction, and mouth sores. Shengjiang Xiechang Tang (Ginger Decoction to Drain the Intestines).
Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Fresh Ginger) [Shengjiang], Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Tangerine Peel) [Jupi], Bambusae Caulis Praeparatus (Prepared Bamboo Shoots) [Qingzhuru], Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Macrocephala Burreed Rhizome) [Baizhu], Scutellariae Radix (Skullcap Root) [Huangqin], Gardeniae Fructus (Gardenia Fruit) [Zhizi] (each 3 liang), Cinnamomi Cortex (Cinnamon Bark) [Guixin] (1 liang), Rehmanniae Radix Fresha (Fresh Rehmannia Root) [Shengdihuang] (10 liang), Poria (Poria Cocos) [Fuling].
The above eleven ingredients are cut, boiled in seven sheng of water until three sheng remain. Strain the dregs, add Natrii Sulfas (Mirabilite) [Mangxiao], and divide into three doses. Avoid raw scallions, Elaeagnus fruit [Wuyi], Sargassum [Haizao], Chinese cabbage [Songcai], vinegar-preserved foods, peaches, plums, and sparrow meat. (From Volume 18)

*Shanfan* treats Jue-ni (reversal) of the Lung pulse being larger than the Cun position, primarily for Large Intestine Heat-cough, qi rebellion, wheezing with sound, and irritability. Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction).
Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra Stem) [Mahuang] (6 liang, remove joints), Paeoniae Radix Alba (White Peony Root) [Shaoyao], Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Fresh Ginger) [Shengjiang], Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum (Prepared Pinellia Tuber) [Banxia] (washed ten times), Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Asarum Root) [Xixin], Schisandrae Fructus (Schisandra Berry) [Wuweizi] (each 3 liang), Cinnamomi Cortex (Cinnamon Bark) [Guixin] (2 liang), Gypsum Fibrosum (Gypsum) [Shigao] (8 liang).
The above eight ingredients are cut, boiled in nine sheng of water. First boil Ephedra for seven or eight boils, skim off the foam, then add the remaining herbs. Simmer until three sheng remain. Strain the dregs and divide into three doses. Avoid mutton, maltose syrup [Xing], raw scallions, and raw vegetables.

Another prescription treats severe Large Intestine Heat, presenting with hypochondriac fullness and heat in the palms. Danzhuye Yin (Bamboo Leaf Drink), a formula to drain heat qi.
Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Leaves (Bamboo Leaves) [Danzhuye] (cut, 3 sheng), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Tangerine Peel) [Jupi] (3 liang), Perillae Folium (Perilla Leaf) [Gansuye] (3 liang), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Macrocephala Burreed Rhizome) [Baizhu] (4 liang), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Licorice Root) [Gancao] (1 liang, honey-fried), Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (Scallion White) [Congbai] (cut, 1 sheng), Cinnamomi Cortex (Cinnamon Bark) [Guixin] (1 liang), Gypsum Fibrosum (Gypsum) [Shigao] (6 liang, crushed), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Bitter Apricot Seed) [Xingren] (60 seeds, peeled and removed of tips, roasted).
The above nine ingredients are cut, boiled in twelve sheng of water. First boil bamboo leaves until one dou remains. Strain the dregs, clarify the liquid, and take nine sheng. Add the other herbs and simmer until three sheng remain. Strain through cloth and divide into three doses. If purgation is desired, add Natrii Sulfas (Mirabilite) [Mangxiao] (3 liang). Avoid Sargassum [Haizao], Chinese cabbage [Songcai], peaches, plums, sparrow meat, and raw scallions. (All from Volume 2)