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Depression disorders mostly occur in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). The principles of medication for the Six Types of Depression indeed capture the essence. The Middle Jiao refers to the Spleen and Stomach. The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, modeling Heaven and Earth, generating all things, embodying the vigorous and compliant nature of Qian and Kun, and possessing the Qi of Harmony and Equilibrium. All Zang and Fu organs rely on it as their master; Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and Tian Zhen Qi (Innate Vital Qi) are all enriched by Gu Qi (Grain Qi). Li Dongyuan stated that the Clear Qi, Ying Qi, Yun Qi (Transporting Qi), Wei Qi, and Spring Ascending Qi in the human body are all alternative names for Wei Qi (Stomach Qi). However, they are not entirely identical to Wei Qi but are generated with its assistance. Therefore, the Spleen and Stomach occupy the central position, the Heart and Lungs are above, and the Kidneys and Liver are below. Whenever affected by the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Liu Yin), Seven Emotions (Qi Qing), or excessive labor and movement, the Qi of the upper and lower Zang organs undergoes changes, leading to variations of deficiency, excess, and mutual overcoming. When pathogenic factors overly affect the Middle Jiao, the Zhong Qi (Central Qi) is often impacted before the other four Zang organs. If there is any disharmony, the Central Qi fails to maintain harmony and becomes depressed first. Furthermore, due to irregular diet causing stagnation, and the blockage of Phlegm-Fluids, Cold-Dampness, the Spleen and Stomach suffer directly, which explains why depression in the Middle Jiao is common.

The current prescription employs herbs with ascending and descending properties: Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) is a Yangming meridian herb with a robust, pungent, and acrid flavor; it strengthens the Stomach and Spleen and develops Gu Qi, boasting the greatest efficacy. Xiang Fu Zi (Cyperi Rhizoma) is an herb that moves Qi within Yin Blood, descending Qi most rapidly; together, one ascends and one descends to dissipate depression. Fu Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) is a herb for the Hand and Foot Jueyin meridians, reaching the Triple Burner directly, allowing the Ascending and Generating Qi to reach the eyes and head above and the Blood Sea below, serving as the agent to unblock Yin-Yang and Qi-Blood. However, this does not merely treat Middle Jiao depression. The Stomach governs moving Qi into the Three Yang meridians, while the Spleen governs moving Qi into the Three Yin meridians. Once Gu Qi circulates through the Spleen and Stomach, the organs of the Three Yin and Three Yang, even if suffering from Dryness-Jin depression, can be unblocked relying on Stomach Qi, and the blocked Tian Zhen Qi and others can be extended! Moreover, Cang Zhu can particularly enter various meridians directly to vent Dampness in the Yangming meridian. These are the general principles for treating the Six Depressions; methods of ascending, descending, resolving, and guiding out originate from modifications of the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon), likely designed for cases where the disease has not yet penetrated deeply.

Lower Depression is another name for Dryness, belonging to the transformation of Lung Metal. Methods for treating depression vary according to exterior-interior and four Qi characteristics. For those in the Exterior, use sweating. For those in the Interior, use purgation. For those complicated by Wind, use dispersing. For mild heat, harmonize with cold-natured herbs; for severe heat, purge Yang to save Yin, nourish fluids, moisten dryness, and tonify the depleted Yin. For those complicated by Dampness, assess whether warmth was applied excessively or insufficiently, akin to drought or flood in soil. For excess Cold-Dampness, use bitter-drying herbs and pungent-warm herbs; for insufficiency leading to Dryness-Heat, use pungent-warm herbs (Note: Text implies specific context) and cold-natured herbs to harmonize. Generally, one must grasp the essentials of Zhang Zhongjing's treatment methods, adhering strictly to the Qi of each meridian without deviation.