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Qian Yi said: In cases of disharmony of the Stomach Qi (Stomach Qi), the complexion is pale and lusterless, there is a sensation of cold air in the mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting of clear fluid, emaciation, weakness, and abdominal pain. The principal formula to use is Bupi Yihuang San (Spleen-Supplementing Yellow-Protective Powder). Generally, humans rely on Stomach Qi as the root; treating diseases is no different. Stomach Qi can present with excess or deficiency patterns. Excess patterns manifest with symptoms such as epigastric fullness and internal heat, while deficiency patterns manifest with vomiting and inability to eat. Deficiency should be tonified, and excess should be reduced; achieving balance is the goal. Pingwei San (Peaceful Stomach Powder), Guanyin San (Guanyin Powder), and Yinbai San (Silver-White Powder) are agents that strengthen the Stomach Qi and are indispensable.

Yihuang San See Question 8.

Pingwei San Treats disharmony of the Spleen and Stomach, loss of appetite, distending and stabbing pain in the heart, abdomen, hypochondrium, and ribs, bitter taste in the mouth and lack of taste, chest fullness and shortness of breath, retching, nausea, belching, and acid regurgitation, sallow complexion, weak body and emaciated muscles, lethargy and desire to lie down, heavy body and joint pain, and frequent spontaneous diarrhea. It is also suitable for cholera, obstruction, dysphagia, qi reversal, and food reflux.

Cortex Magnoli Officinalis (remove coarse bark, soak in water overnight, cut into pieces, stir-fry with ginger juice, 50 liang) Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (honey-fried or roasted, 10 liang) Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (remove white pith, 10 liang) Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae Preparata (remove coarse bark, soak in rice washings for one day, bake until dry, 5 jin, stir-fry)

Grind the above ingredients into powder. Take 2 qian per dose, add 1 cup of water, 2 slices of fresh ginger, and 2 jujubes. Decoct until 70% remains, discard ginger and jujube, and take hot. Alternatively, before meals, add a pinch of salt and take with boiling water. Regular consumption regulates qi, warms the stomach, resolves retained food, eliminates phlegm-fluids, and wards off wind-cold, summerheat-dampness, and irregular climatic factors of the four seasons.

Guanyin San See Question 60 and Heji Guanyin San.

Yinbai San See Question 16.

Chao Yuanfang said: Retained food that fails to digest is due to cold in the Spleen and Stomach. If infants and children consume too much cold milk or food, cold qi accumulates in the Spleen and Stomach. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain; the Spleen grinds and digests it. When Stomach Qi is harmonious, milk and food are digested. If the Spleen is injured by cold, retained food will not digest. A deep pulse indicates injury from food stagnation. There are also cases where injury from milk or food causes fever, with heat in the abdomen being particularly severe. In cases of food accumulation, the abdomen is hot, stools are extremely foul and sour-smelling, and there is fever at night. This is a clear sign of food accumulation, which people often do not understand. For cold patterns, Xiaoshi Wan (Food-Digesting Pill) or Muxiang Wan (Aucklandia Pill) may be used. Fever at night that subsides by dawn indicates cold damage complicated by food retention that was not resolved timely. One should take Baibing Zi (White Cake Pills) first to induce mild purgation, followed by Shensu Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink). For fever, Digupi Yin (Groundsel Root Bark Drink) or Qinjiao San (Gentian Powder) can be used to reduce fever and bring peace. For excess heat, Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) with Rhubarb removed may also be taken. *Shanghan Lun* states: "When a person has retained food, how can it be distinguished?" The Master said: "The pulse at the Cun position is floating and large, but upon pressure, it feels choppy. Thus, we know there is retained food, and it should be purged. Da Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) is appropriate." For those with wheezing and fever, Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill) is the principal treatment. For cold patterns, Jinshi Wan (Appetite-Stimulating Pill) is excellent; it also treats food syncope, characterized by cold limbs and cyanotic-black complexion, where inducing vomiting may restore consciousness. For cases with phlegm, Wendan Tang (Warm Gallbladder Decoction) modified may be taken; once phlegm settles, vomiting will naturally cease. Dingxiang Wan (Clove Pill) can be taken for cold patterns; Baibing Zi can also resolve phlegm.

Xiaoshi Wan See Questions 59 and 60.

Muxiang Wan See Question 46.

Radix Aucklandiae Rhizoma Curcumae Fructus Amomi Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (remove white pith) Cinnabaris (finely ground) Haematitum (ground, each 2 qian) Flos Caryophylli Magnificus (1 qian) Semen Crotonis Tiglii (de-oiled)

Grind the above ingredients into powder and mix evenly. Use prepared wheat starch paste to make pills the size of hemp seeds. Air-dry. Take 23 pills per dose. For milk injury, take with breast milk; for food injury, take with rice drink.

Dingxiang Wan

Flos Caryophylli Fructus Amomi Semen Quisqualis Carnis Fructus Myricae Carnis Semen Crotonis Tiglii (each 3 pieces, de-oiled)

Grind the above ingredients into powder. Use soft cooked rice to make pills the size of hemp seeds. Take 2-3 pills per dose, washed down with Chenpi Tang (Tangerine Peel Decoction).