Library

Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction). (Section 9) Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). (Section 48) Zuojin Wan (Left Metal Pill). (Section 88) Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction). (Section 21) Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction).
(Section 2) Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill). (Section 14) Bawei Shenqi Wan (Eight-Ingredient Kidney Qi Pill). (Section 15) Sanyi Chengqi Tang (Three-One Purging Decoction). (Section 54) Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction). (Section 107) Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Aucklandia and Amomum Six Gentlemen Decoction).

Niuquan Erhui San (Two Ashes of Ox and Dog Powder).
Regardless of whether it is a yellow ox or a water buffalo. Whenever a dog defecates on top of the ox dung, collect both feces together and mix them evenly. Wait for them to dry and seal them for storage. Each time, take three qian of the carbonized ash (preserving its nature), and take it with good vinegar. Subsequently, take one genuine Yunnan chess piece: white for males, black for females, crush and grind it into an extremely fine powder, then stew it thickly with vinegar and take it orally.

Ganzhe Yin (Sugarcane Drink).
Take sugarcane, peel it, and cut it into thin slices. Place a small amount of white rice in a porcelain bowl, moisten the rice thoroughly with water, put the sugarcane slices into the rice, cover the bowl again with porcelain, and steam slowly over low heat until it becomes cooked rice. First, take out the sugarcane slices, let the patient chew and swallow the juice slowly to moisten and open the throat, then eat this rice. This is the first prescription for treating Ge Ye Syndrome (dysphagia/esophageal obstruction). That is, prescribe medicine based on syndrome differentiation. ○ Erhui San is difficult to obtain; use this method first, followed by the black and white chess pieces, and then prescribe medicine according to symptoms to achieve complete efficacy. In some cases of Ge Ye Syndrome, where neither decoctions nor drinks can be taken, needling the Hegu acupoint (LI4) can also help to open the blockage.

Doumen Fang (Doumen Prescription).
Select one of the largest Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root). (Note: Recently used Fuzi should be soaked in boiling water until warm to remove salt, changing the water twice a day, soaking for three days, then taking it out to dry.) Sit on a brick, generate fire around all four sides, gradually baking it until it breaks apart. Put it into fresh ginger juice, and again bake it dry using the previous method, repeating the quenching process. When approximately half a bowl of ginger juice remains, crush and sieve it into powder. Take one qian sent down with millet drink. It will heal within no more than three doses.

Ge Ye Syndrome (Dysphagia/Regurgitation): The treatment methods of ancient and modern times are most urgent, yet following them is not very effective. The above discussion on treatment methods is somewhat too brief, fearing that beginners may not comprehend it. I intended to continue the discussion to elaborate on its principles. Fortunately, a friend came from Anhui and left me with Zhang Xin'ai's book "Fu Jing" (Attached Classics). Upon reviewing it, I deeply appreciated that he had gained insights from his reading and could learn the Dao together. Although meeting in person must wait for another day, our spiritual connection across thousands of miles is no different from face-to-face meetings in the same hall. Please allow me to interpret the original text of "Fu Jing" into a question-and-answer format. I wonder if Xin'ai agrees.

Question: At the initial stage of Ye Ge (dysphagia/choking), there are cases where food enters but causes choking and cannot be swallowed. This is due to Lung Qi rebelling upward, and the epiglottis failing to cover in time, causing pathology in the Qi throat. What medicine should be used?
I replied: Treat with Pipa Ye (Loquat Leaf), Baihe (Lily Bulb), Tianmendong (Asparagus Root), Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), and Gancao (Licorice Root). Let the governing regulation function operate normally, and the rebellious Qi will become smooth. However, it is necessary to assist with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) for opening, Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry) for closing, and Xixin (Asarum) for stimulating the divine mechanism, so that the two apertures of the throat can follow their normal entry and exit routines, thereby avoiding the trouble of choking and rebellion. Those unfamiliar with Zhongjing's books will not realize this.

Question: There are cases where swallowing food feels like being cut by a knife or strangled by grass, with chest pain and fear of eating. This is internal swelling at the upper opening of the Stomach, making the esophagus unfavorable. What medicine should be used?
I replied: Use Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower) boiled into a paste, taken regularly with rice drink. Or, roast Shuiniu Hou (Water Buffalo Throat) until dry, grind it into powder, and assist with Jinyinhua. It can relieve pain and reduce swelling. Its taste is sweet and texture moist, nourishing the Yin of the Stomach cavity; its nature is cold and aroma fragrant, clearing the closure caused by stagnant heat.

Question: In cases where every meal must be washed down with water to go down, the Qi in the Stomach fails to absorb upward, so food cannot descend on its own. Without water, obstruction occurs. What medicine should be used?
I replied: If Stomach Qi cannot absorb upward, without the assistance of Renshen (Ginseng Root), the Stomach cannot receive food. Obstruction cannot be resolved without the descending moistening action of Ganlan Shui (Agitated Water) and Baimi (White Honey). Moreover, this obstruction is a disease of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel); only Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) can descend the rebellion of the Chong Mai. Zhongjing's Dabanxia Tang (Major Pinellia Decoction) is excellent.

Question: There are cases where alcohol must be consumed before eating to enable ingestion. This is because Stomach Qi is stagnant and blocked, only becoming unblocked by the fierce nature of wine. What medicine should be used?
I replied: It is suitable to use Pingwei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) ingredients plus Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Maiya (Barley Sprout), Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Baiddoukou (Cardamom), Shashen (Glehnia Root), and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome). Place them inside a sheep stomach, steam until cooked, and dry. Replace with a new sheep stomach and repeat the process three times as before. Remove the sheep stomach, grind into powder, and take three qian sent down with aged rice soup, twice daily. Use pungent medicines to resolve knots, and aromatic medicines to awaken the Spleen. The ingenuity of the preparation lies in transforming the fierce energy of wine, so the formula does not damage Yin Qi. The Classic says: "Yin is the guardian within." This formula is quite appropriate.

Question: There are cases of Liver Qi rebelling and Gallbladder Qi transgressing, with collateral vessels constraining each other, causing intermittent pain in both hypochondriac regions. If food entering does not invade the collaterals of the Liver and Gallbladder, it descends; if it invades these small collaterals, the Earth (Spleen/Stomach) is controlled by Wood (Liver/Gallbladder), unable to accept grain, resulting in vomiting. The disease originates from Wood stagnation, causing Earth to stagnate as well. What medicine should be used?
I replied: It is suitable to use Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), adhering to the original proportions but divided into smaller doses. (Chaihu 4 qian, Banxia washed seven times with water, do not boil with Fan (alum), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root), and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) each 1.5 qian, one Dazao (Jujube), decocted in water.) Add whole Zijie (Purple Perilla Stemlets), Sheng Zhuru (Raw Bamboo Shavings) each 2 qian, Ju Nei Jin Mo (Inner Membrane of Tangerine Peel) and Danggui Xu (Angelica Sinensis Root Tips) each 1 qian. Tonify deficiency, clear fire, resolve stagnation, and unblock collaterals. When combined properly, each herb enhances the others, naturally differing from the generic nature of other formulas.

Question: There are cases of excessive Stomach Fire, where food enters and causes incessant vomiting and regurgitation. What medicine should be used?
I replied: Food cannot enter the throat because Fire blocks the upper part. It is suitable to use the great cold nature of Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) and Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) to purge it, and their great bitter nature to direct it downward. Furthermore, use Renshen (Ginseng Root) to assist the Stomach, so that the Stomach delights in accepting food and eagerly welcomes it inward. However, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) must be used—greatly pungent and hot—to break through the barrier, thus avoiding the trouble of rejection. These four herbs in equal parts, decocted and taken, is a favored formula of Zhongjing. If food enters the throat but is immediately vomited out, this indicates pre-existing Heat in the Stomach. Upon encountering food, the two heats clash, preventing retention and causing immediate expulsion. It is suitable to use 4 qian of Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and 2 qian of Gancao (Licorice Root), which is the method of drawing fire from under the cauldron. This, along with the Huanglian-Huangqin-Ganjiang-Renshen Decoction, are both bitter-cold agents, yet there is a difference of a thousand li between them, let alone the opposition of cold and hot.

Question: There are cases of morning consumption and evening regurgitation, undigested food, where one must empty everything completely before feeling relief. This refers to food remaining for a long time and coming back up due to lack of Fire. What medicine should be used?
I replied: Using warming and tonifying methods for this syndrome is known to everyone. However, when it fails, there are reasons. One must distinguish between lack of Fire in the Middle Jiao and lack of Fire in the Lower Jiao. Lack of Fire in the Middle Jiao has two types: in the Yangming channel, there is chest fullness, suitable for Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction); in the Taiyin channel, there is abdominal fullness, suitable for Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill). One might worry that this pill is overly sweet, in which case Gancao (Licorice Root) can be halved. One might worry that its effect is too slow, in which case Bijia (Long Pepper Fruit), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit), Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), and Fuling (Poria) can be added. Do not stick rigidly to established methods. Lack of Fire in the Lower Jiao also has two types: in the Jueyin channel, vomiting food accompanied by sourness and rotteness, also suitable for Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction); additionally, use Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Chuanlianzi (Szechwan Lovage Fruit), Renshen (Ginseng Root), and Shashen (Glehnia Root), grind into powder, form pills with Jujube Soup, and take three qian sent down with millet drink, twice daily. In the Shaoyin channel, vomiting food accompanied by fluids, suitable for Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction), doubling Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), or using Doumen Fang (Doumen Prescription) for vigorous tonification. After recovery, Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) is suitable, doubling Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) to conclude treatment.

Another question: None of the above syndromes have reached the state of emaciation/dryness, but all can lead to it. When reaching the point of spitting white foam, stool like sheep droppings, exhaustion of body fluids, non-circulation of Ying and Wei, and blockage of the Five Zang organs, food cannot enter at all, and the disease is incurable. Does Mr. still have a method to save it?
I replied: Body fluids are essentially True Water. Water is transformed by Qi and generated by Fire. Investigating the cause of exhaustion, it is either that Qi deficiency fails to transform it, or Fire deficiency fails to generate it. People nowadays do not understand this principle, believing that moistening, sweet, and cool drugs can generate fluids and nourish essence, but this actually dries up the source of fluids and accelerates death. Zhongjing said: "Dry vomiting with saliva froth, Evodia Decoction governs it." Although this was not specifically formulated for Ge Ye Syndrome, sage words encompass everything. In Shaoyang syndrome, Fire rebels upward; vomiting with sound but no grain expelled is called dry vomiting; if no grain is expelled but only saliva froth is vomited, it is called dry vomiting with saliva froth. This syndrome involves total inability to ingest food, no grain to vomit, so it falls under the category of dry vomiting. Fluids are born from Grain Qi; cutting off food exhausts fluids, and vomiting saliva froth exhausts them completely, so they cannot nourish the intestines and stomach downwards, resulting in stool like sheep droppings. Only Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) uses great pungency to open the rejection, great bitterness to suppress rebellion, and great sweetness to cultivate the center. Pungency transforms into Yang through sweetness, bitterness transforms into Yin through sweetness. When Yin and Yang harmonize, rain descends like timely showers, instantly creating a scene of vast irrigation. Moreover, assisted by Renshen (Ginseng Root) which greatly generates fluids, and taming the nature of other herbs, it is fittingly a miraculous elixir for bringing the dead back to life. As for retained phlegm and stasis blocking the stomach aperture, causing obstruction in the path of food entry, this belongs to excess syndromes. The theories of various schools are not without merit, and there is no need for Xiuyuan to add further comments. The Classic also mentions the syndrome of Upper Qi and Lower Parasites; if treated with mule or horse urine without success, it seems Umei Wan (Mume Pill) could follow. Words cannot fully express the meaning; it depends on the person's ability to comprehend.