Library

[Background Information]
Book: *Xu's Commentary on Ye Tianshi's Late-Life Prescriptions Authentic Edition*
Author: Ye Tianshi
Dynasty: Qing
Chapter: Rat Feces Decoction / Zisheng Pill
Category: Formula

Treating filth with filth shares the same ingenious conception as previously using *Awei Wan* (Asafoetida Pill) to treat *Shazhang* (acute condition caused by summerheat-dampness and turbid pathogens).

Yu (from Shenweiqian, aged 50): The Ren and Du meridians have lost their controlling function, causing essence and fluid to secretly dissipate without retention. *Bawei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill) can be taken regularly; further discussion is needed regarding methods for the extraordinary vessels to assist it.
*Lurong* (Deer Antler Glue), *Buguzhi* (Psoraleae Fructus), *Renshen* (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), *Sheng Tusizi* (Cuscutae Semen raw), *Fupenzi* (Rubiae Fructus), *Suoyang* (Cynomorii Herba)

Gu (aged 22): After childbirth, flesh and body wasted away daily, and menstruation was overdue. This belongs to internal damage and deficiency. Inquiry revealed no pain during menstruation, which is completely different from the menstrual delay due to qi stagnation recorded in medical texts. Nourishing the liver and regulating the Chong and Ren meridians suffices. (Painless menstruation with delay indicates internal deficiency.)
*Wugu Xiongji* (Black-bone Male Chicken), *Yuan Shengdi* (Rehmanniae Radix raw), *Gouqizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Baishao* (Paeoniae Radix Alba), *Guiyuanrou* (Longan Aril), *Dangguishen* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix root part), *Zi Danshen* (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), *Baiziren* (Biota Seed), *Yun Fuling* (Poria)

Zhu (from Xuji Hutou, aged 35): Managing household affairs causes labor and worry, stirring up latent internal heat, all originating from emotional factors. Heat scorching blood damages yin, causing menstrual delay, poor appetite, and dry cough/choking. Harsh purgatives for unblocking menstruation cannot be used. Staying at home in peace prevents sudden development of consumptive disease.

Min: Ten years post-childbirth, still unable to conceive. As menstruation approaches, pulling pain occurs throughout the meridians, and abdominal discomfort arises. If exerted or fatigued, chills and fever ensue. This is fatigue after menstruation, further damaging the extraordinary vessels. One should rest peacefully for a year; once collateral blood calms, the eight extraordinary vessels will naturally revive. Foolish people try various decoctions, not understanding the main principle of nourishing illness. Damage cannot be restored; consumptive weakness cannot be saved.
*Lujiaoshuang* (Deer Antler Glue Calcined), *Gouqizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Xiaohuixiang* (Foeniculi Fructus), *Danggui* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), *Shayuan Jili* (Astragali Complanati Semen), *Nanzarou* (Jujubae Mesocarp), *Fuling* (Poria), *Xiangfu* (Cyperi Rhizoma)

Qiu (from Zhongyou Jixiang, aged 47): Ten years ago, miscarriage caused severe bleeding; injury had not recovered. Managing household duties prevented physical and mental rest. Last summer and autumn, leukorrhea and dripping discharge persisted for a long time. Not only are liver and kidney essence depleted, but the extraordinary vessels and collaterals also lack stored blood (Thoroughly explained, elegant and pleasant). Qi rushes upward, attacking collaterals, causing stabbing epigastric pain and protruding hypochondrium. Further inferring lower jiao coldness, waist feels bound like a belt, legs are numb and weak when walking, urination and defecation are blocked and unsatisfactory, five fluids are withered, supreme yang does not interact with yin. This is a critical condition affecting life. The patient says one year of medication has been ineffective. Some doctors use *Chenxiang* (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) for pain. In cases of blood depletion and fluid exhaustion, aromatic-dry drugs are strictly contraindicated; Ginger and Cinnamon Twig are too drying and unsuitable for those who have lost blood. Temporarily use meat-based substances combined with Ginseng, like spring warmth nurturing plants; blood is tangible and hard to generate, while qi is intangible and fills the tangible.
*Renshen* (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), *Dangguishen* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix root part - stir-fried with Xiaohuixiang then removed), *Yangrou Shen* (Lamb Kidney), *Roucongrong* (Cistanches Herba), *Gouqizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Zhen Shayuan* (True Astragali Complanati Semen), *Hei Zhima* (Sesami Semen Nigrum)

Benefiting qi within blood naturally leads to condensation like clouds forming dew.

Qian (aged 24): Last autumn, during confinement, breastfeeding damaged blood; summer heat leaked qi. Yin did not recover. Autumn brought cough, shaking caused blood loss. Diet was sufficient, so not fatal within a year. Since weaning is done, menstruation should return before winter; deep spring will see no recurrence.
*Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood), *Chao Baishao* (Stir-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba), *Gouteng* (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis), *Chao Zha* (Stir-fried Crataegi Fructus), *Chao Maiya* (Stir-fried Hordei Fructus Germinatus), *Jiao Danpi* (Charred Moutan Cortex), *Xinhui Pi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium)

Wu (from Fengmen, aged 22): Last autumn and winter, menstrual leakage and leukorrhea/dysuria occurred. Initially used *Zhenling Dan* (Vibrant Spirit Pill), then progressed to Ginseng and Deer Antler, raising yang assisting warm retention to stabilize (Prescription is detailed). From May summer until Autumn Equinox, cough worsened to vomiting. Lower back/sacrum feels heavy. Menstruation closed for two months, clearly indicating lower deficiency with rushing qi. Desire to defecate at dawn is a precursor to *Jiaxie* (mass diarrhea).
*Fu Duqi Wan* (Three qian)

Lu (from Fengmen, aged 25): Before marriage, suffered from *Houbi* (sore throat), upper heat and lower cold, caused by emotional depression heat burning upward. Ascending without descending, lacking joyful emotions. Suggests quick marriage; medicine is useless (The Way follows human nature, excellent for opening depression and dissipating knots.)
*Chuanbei* (Fritillariae Bulbus), *Xiakucao* (Prunellae Spica), *Lianqiaoxin* (Lonicerae Flos calyx/heart), *Gouteng* (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis), *Jiangxi Shenqu* (Medicated Leaven from Jiangxi), *Fuling* (Poria)

Zhang (aged 39): Miscarriage indicates lower jiao deficiency first. Blood deficiency stirs internal wind causing dizziness. Lumbar vertebrae disharmony, weak stomach with nausea. Do not use warming-drying drugs (Dizziness is always internal wind stirring.)
*Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood), *Ejiao* (Colla Corii Asini), *Chuanhu* (Dendrobii Caulis), *Tiandong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Shengdi* (Rehmanniae Radix raw), *Nvzhenzi* (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), *Gouqizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Juhua Tan* (Chrysanthemi Flos charred)

Du: Qi rushes from lower abdomen to epigastrium, each time causing pain, vomiting, and spitting sticky saliva. Frequent attacks over three years. Lower abdomen has formed a mass shape. Menstruation is late. Liver/Stomach disease initially injured the Chong vessel. Disease obtained from anger. Treatment does not exceed regulating menstruation. Let qi and blood flow, preventing reverse attack on collaterals. *Neijing* discusses pain as collateral disease. Medicine not entering collaterals is ineffective.
*Nanzarou* (Jujubae Mesocarp), *Xiaohuixiang* (Foeniculi Fructus), *Yanhusuo* (Corydalis Rhizoma - vinegar fried), *Peng'e Zhu* (Curcumae Rhizoma), *Chuanjiao* (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium), *Jinlingzi* (Meliae Fructus), *Sheng Xiangfu* (Cyperi Rhizoma raw), *Yun Fuling* (Poria), *Qingcong Guan* (Allii Fistulosi Bulb sheath)

Zhao (from Yang'an, aged 19): Illness started from fright, triggered by anger leading to Liver Jue (syncope/collapse). Yang qi rises violently, phlegm follows qi-fire upward, consciousness becomes confused. Recently added post-miscarriage condition. Must nourish liver yin, assist with cooling liver.
*Yuan Shengdi* (Rehmanniae Radix raw), *Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood), *Qing Ejiao* (Clear Colla Corii Asini), *Tiandong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Baiziren* (Biota Seed), *Baishao* (Paeoniae Radix Alba), *Ru Zhongbai* (Middle White of Bone), *Zi Danshen* (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)

Treating liver must assist with cooling. Thus, in warming-kidney prescriptions, one or two cooling-nourishing herbs are added to nourish stomach fluids and clear liver yang. Only when both yin and yang decline and vital energy is exhausted does one specialize in warming-hot methods.

Wang: Pulse is deficient, rapid, and fleeting. Chills, fever, thirst desiring drink. Ying and Wei disharmony, Yangming fluid damage. Initial cause likely involves warm pathogen; cannot accept Ginger/Cinnamon Twig acrid-warm. Elderly frail body should protect stomach qi; attacking/draining is not for nourishing the elderly.
*Shashen* (Glehniae Radix), *Huafen* (Trichosanthis Radix), *Yuzhu* (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), *Gancao* (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), *Sangye* (Mori Folium), *Tian Xingren* (Sweet Prunus Seed), *Yuanmi* (Oryzae Sativa Granum)

Chen: Chronic disease in epigastrium, pain onset vomiting black water, stopping after 5-6 days. Palpating pulse left large and wiry. Liver wood invades stomach, turbid qi rebels upward. Bowel movement blocked for several days. Long-term disease must be in blood collaterals; long-term stagnation transforms into heat. Use bitter-acid draining and descending, slightly assist with promoting blood circulation.
*Chuanlian* (Coptidis Rhizoma), *Jinlingzi* (Meliae Fructus), *Shanzhi* (Gardeniae Fructus), *Yuanhu* (Corydalis Rhizoma), *Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma), *Juhong* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium rubrum), *Taoren* (Persicae Semen)

Lu: Spring yang sprouts, qi-fire secretly attacks collaterals. Pain in sternum, left/right hypochondrium. Blood collaterals are empty, qi attack feels like distension but actually nothing there. Heat starts between left little finger and ring finger, Hand Jueyin meridian reaches Laogong (Laogong acupoint is in palm). Nourishing blood difficult to enter if greasy; breaking qi-heat-dry is inappropriate. Propose using acrid-sweet moistening agents to soak/nourish.
*Baiziren* (Biota Seed), *Taoren* (Persicae Semen), *Guiyuan* (Longan Aril), *Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood), *Shanzhi* (Gardeniae Fructus), *Juhong* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium rubrum)

Gu: Left ear canal gurgling sound, left hypochondrium Chong vessel waves rising wanting to distend. Liver blood collaterals greatly deficient, qi偏 (biasedly) enters collaterals, emptiness causes distension. When pain erupted in past, *Guipi* [Tang/Pill] was safest. But staying rigidly in middle-upper seems contrary to qi rising/distension for years. Extraordinary vessels already empty. Use dispersing-unblocking and replenishing fluids to make extraordinary vessels flow, void-distension can ease.
*Qizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Guishen* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix root part), *Baiziren* (Biota Seed), *Taoren* (Persicae Semen), *Guiyuan* (Longan Aril), *Lujiaoshuang* (Deer Antler Glue Calcined), *Xiaohuixiang* (Foeniculi Fructus), *Xiangfu* (Cyperi Rhizoma), *Fuling* (Poria)

Wu: Liver blood long empty, Yangming stomach meridian also deficient. Muscle/skin distension, qi gathering heat flowing/sticking. Self-feels intense heat, cannot treat as excess heat. Unblock meridians congestion, still assist harmonizing blood extinguishing wind, making internal wind slightly calm. Hope for slight rest.
*Qizi* (Lycii Fructus), *Bajili* (Tribuli Fructus), *Hugǔ* (Tiger Bone - *Note: Modern usage prohibited, historical term*), *Niuxi* (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), *Tiandong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Shengdi* (Rehmanniae Radix raw), *Guishen* (Angelicae Sinensis Radix root part), *Baiziren* (Biota Seed)

Zhou: Emotions moving generates heat. Five zhi qi-fire burns Heart Ying. Lung/Wei pain, nasal sinusitis/throat feels narrow. Only suitable for sweet medicine to moisten/nourish. Do not see heat and throw cold.
*Renshen* (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), *Maidong* (Ophiopogonis Radix), *Chuanbei* (Fritillariae Bulbus), *Baiziren* (Biota Seed), *Fushen* (Poria with Hostwood), *Gancao* (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)

Zhu: Large group of yin medicines assisted by Renshen. Indeed a method of benefiting qi in yin division. Taking it, heat boils arise continuously, lochia flows slowly. Supporting upright, repelling pathogen, parallel without contradiction. Now grain/food is stable, likely no recurrence. However, yin that is hard to form and easy to lose requires peaceful nourishment to hope for success. If adding emotional triggers, lightly extraordinary vessels damp-leukorrhea, heavily marrow dryness internal damage.

Su: Elderly, yang qi daily declines, turbid yin naturally rises from below interfering. From lower abdominal pain/distension extending to epigastrium, gradually hindering diet. Pi (fullness) disperses becoming drum-like (tympanites). Method should adjust yang to drive out turbid yin. If ignorant of this principle, merely using Cardamom/Aquilaria to break/draining, consuming true qi, then distension/fullness arrives immediately.
*Shu Fuzi* (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix), *Sheng Ganjiang* (Raw Dried Ginger Rhizome)
Decoct in water, filter into tea cup to 70%, mix in one raw pig bile, to extreme bitterness degree.

Wang: Weak stomach not eating, spleen deficiency loose stool. Due to organ qi thin, fu-yang loses circulation. At scabbing stage, should advance cooling appropriate resolution, discussing its normality. Generally, severe smallpox healing itself, upright qi收纳 (receives/stores), evil heat excretes outward, fixed principle. Now it is body deficiency evil not fully resolved symptom, still not pure tonifying pure attacking.
*Renshen* (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), *Jiao Zhu* (Charred Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), *Fuling* (Poria), *Baishao* (Paeoniae Radix Alba), *Chuanlian* (Coptidis Rhizoma), *Zharou* (Crataegi Fructus flesh), *Guangpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), *Zexie* (Alismatis Rhizoma), *Yiren* (Coicis Semen)

Chen (aged 48): Encountering烦劳 (annoyance/labor) inevitably causes epigastric qi blockage choking pain. Looking at five-year age, should not have this.