天御孝廉太夫人。宿有胸膈气胀小恙。近臻勿药矣。孝廉膝下承欢。不以三公易一日者。今而后喜可知
也。然以太夫人福体凝重。惟恐日增一日。转为暮年之累。欲仆订方。及早图之。仆不觉悚然而动于衷曰。孝
廉未尝习医。乃思治未病消未萌。何其深于医旨若是。以知子道之贯彻者。无微不入矣。经曰。阴精所奉者其
人寿。太夫人阴血有余。即年过百岁。而形不衰。此可不问而知者。然形盛须充之以气。而气者渐衰渐耗之
物。必欲两得其平。所藉于药力不少耳。况气复有阴阳之别。身半以上阳主之。身半以下阴主之。阴气过盛
而乘阳位。则胸膈胀闷不舒。所谓地气上为云者是也。云生而天地之寥阔。顷刻窒
塞矣。故阴气不可盛也。阴气盛。势不得不用耗散之药。气日耗。则体日重。又不能兼理之术也。湖阳公主以
体盛难产。御医为制枳壳浓朴等耗气之药。名曰瘦胎散。亦以当其壮年耳。若夫年高气弱之时。而可堪其耗散
乎。我仪图之。至人服天气而通神明。只此一语。足为太夫人用药之准矣。盖天食人以五气者也。地食人以
五味者也。以地之味养阴。不若以天之气养阳。药力既久。天气运而不积。挈地气以周旋。所谓载华岳而不重
者。大气举之之谓也。方用茅山苍术一味。取其气之雄烈。可驱阴邪而通天气。本草列之上品。仙经号为山精
者。诚重之也。每岁修事五七斤。每早百沸汤吞下三钱。秋月止服二钱。另用天门冬一钱。煎汤吞下。初服
一两月。微觉其燥。服至百日后。觉一日不可缺此矣。服之一年。身体轻健。服之三年。步履如飞。黑夜目中
有光。可烛幽隐。所谓服天气而通神明者。其不诬如此。食物诸无所忌。但能稍远肥甘。白饭香疏苦茗。种种
清胜尤妙。仆饵术以后。身健无病。今服三十余斤矣。
胡卣臣先生曰。此成方也。用之通天气以苞举乎地。觉制方之人。未必辨此。
The mother of the filial scholar Tian Yu, Lady Tai, had long suffered from a minor ailment of qi distension in the chest and diaphragm. Recently, she was nearly cured without medication. The filial scholar enjoys serving her at his knees; he would not exchange one day of this joy for the position of Three Dukes (San Gong, highest officials). His subsequent joy can be imagined.
However, considering Lady Tai's blessed and heavy constitution, I feared that her condition might worsen day by day, becoming a burden in her later years. He requested me to prescribe a formula to plan ahead. I could not help but feel deeply moved within and said with reverence: "Although the filial scholar has not studied medicine, he understands 'treating disease before it arises' (Zhi Wei Bing) and 'eliminating pathology before it manifests' (Xiao Wei Meng). How profound is his understanding of medical principles! This shows that his filial piety is thorough and meticulous."
The Classic says: "Those whose yin essence is offered up [to nourish yang] live long." Lady Tai has abundant yin blood; even if she lives past a hundred, her form will not decline. This is known without asking. However, a robust form must be supplemented by qi, which is a substance that gradually declines and dissipates. To achieve balance between the two, considerable medicinal power is required.
Furthermore, qi has yin and yang distinctions: the upper half of the body is governed by yang, and the lower half by yin. If yin qi becomes excessive and invades the yang position (upper body), it causes chest and diaphragmatic distension and discomfort. This is what is meant by "earthly qi rises to become clouds." When clouds form, the vastness of heaven and earth is instantly obstructed. Therefore, yin qi should not be excessive. If yin qi is excessive, one is forced to use dispersing medicines. As qi is daily dissipated, the body becomes heavier, yet one cannot simultaneously employ tonifying methods. Princess Huyang of the Han Dynasty had difficult childbirth due to her robust physique; imperial physicians prescribed qi-dispersing herbs such as Zhi Qiao (Aurantii Fructus) and Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), naming it Shou Tai San (Fetus-Thinning Powder). This was suitable only because she was in her prime. How could an elderly person with weak qi endure such dispersion? I have pondered this carefully.
"The perfected man consumes heavenly qi to connect with spirit" (Zhi Ren Fu Tian Qi Er Tong Shen Ming). This single phrase is sufficient as the standard for prescribing medicine for Lady Tai. Heaven nourishes humans with five qi, and earth nourishes humans with five flavors. Nourishing yin with earthly flavors is inferior to nourishing yang with heavenly qi. With prolonged medicinal effect, heavenly qi circulates without stagnation, carrying earthly qi in rotation. This is what is meant by "carrying Mount Hua without feeling heavy," attributed to the lifting power of great qi.
The formula uses only one herb: Maoshan Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae). Its potent aroma drives away yin pathogens and connects with heavenly qi. Materia Medica lists it in the Highest Class, and immortal scriptures call it "Mountain Essence," showing its high regard. Process 5-7 jin annually. Each morning, swallow 3 qian with boiling water. In autumn, stop taking it or reduce to 2 qian. Additionally, take 1 qian of Tian Dong Dong (Asparagi Radix), decocted in water, to swallow the herb. In the first month or two, one may feel slightly dry. After 100 days, one feels they cannot go a day without it. After one year of use, the body becomes light and vigorous. After three years, walking is swift as flying; at night, eyes emit light capable of illuminating darkness. Thus, "consuming heavenly qi to connect with spirit" is indeed true. There are few dietary restrictions, but avoiding rich and sweet foods is advisable. White rice, fragrant vegetables, and bitter tea are excellent. Since I took Cang Zhu, I have been healthy and free of illness, having consumed over 30 jin so far.
Mr. Hu Youchen stated: "This is a established formula. Using it to connect with heavenly qi to encompass and lift earthly qi, I feel the prescriber may not have fully discerned these deeper principles."