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See Astringent Formulas.
When Yin is excessive and Yang is deficient, sweat flows spontaneously. For spontaneous sweating due to the collapse of Kidney Yang, seek Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra (Renshen) and Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix (Fuzi). (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra 1 liang, Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix 5 qian, decocted in water, named Shenfu Decoction.) For spontaneous sweating due to the stagnation and depression of Spleen Yang, use Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) and Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix. (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma 1 liang, Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix 5 qian, named Zhufu Decoction.) If it is spontaneous sweating due to the deficiency of Defensive Yang, then administer Astragali Membranacei Radix (Huangqi) and Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix. (Astragali Membranacei Radix 1 liang, Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix 5 qian, named Qifu Decoction.)

Yu Jiayan said: When the Yang defending the exterior is not secure and causes spontaneous sweating, use Qifu Decoction; when the Yang within the Spleen is stagnant and depressed causing spontaneous sweating, use Zhufu Decoction; when the Yang within the Kidney is floating and rootless causing spontaneous sweating, use Shenfu Decoction. For all cases of spontaneous sweating belonging to Yang deficiency, one cannot abandon these three formulas for treatment. The utility of these three formulas is great indeed. However, Qifu Decoction can treat deficiency wind, Zhufu Decoction can treat cold-dampness, and Shenfu Decoction can strengthen the Yuan Spirit. The three can also be used interchangeably. If applied where appropriate, their efficacy is miraculous. They are truly worthy of value.

Take Zhufu Decoction but halve the dosage, add Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhigancao) 1 qian 5 fen, Fresh Zingiberis Rhizoma (Shengjiang) 3 slices, and Jujubae Fructus (Dazao) 2 pieces, decocted in water. It treats dizziness and heaviness of the head caused by wind-deficiency, suffering to the extreme, with loss of taste sensation. It warms the muscles and flesh, tonifies the Middle Jiao, and benefits essence and qi. Yu Jiayan said: This formula treats individuals with empty Kidney Qi, where external wind enters the Kidneys, resembling the chill inside a bird's hole, with cold winds ceaseless day and night. The wind carries the turbid Yin Qi of the Kidneys, causing it to rebel and attack upwards. The suffering of heavy dizziness in the head reaches an unbearable extreme. Accompanied by weak Stomach Qi leading to loss of taste, this formula completely avoids using wind-dispelling herbs. It only uses Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix to warm the Water Organ (Kidney), and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to warm the Earth Organ (Spleen). Once the Water and Earth organs are warmed, the turbid Yin Qi will all descend downwards, and the symptoms of heavy dizziness in the head and loss of taste will be eliminated. Observe how in winter, the water in wells is warm, and the Qi in the soil is warm; the turbid Yin Qi cannot emerge from the ground, let alone affect the heavens. The principle of formulating this prescription can be called exquisite. This is why its use yields near-immediate effects.

Chen Xiuyuan said: Yu Jiayan's explanation is very profound. However, he slightly overlooked the phrase "benefits essence and qi," failing to fully recognize the divine subtlety of prescribing. Essence is essentially the Water generated by Tianyi (One). One is Yang. Yang is Qi. Qi is Fire. Qi is the mother of Water, and Yang is the root of Yin. Flowing endlessly, the movement of Water is the function of Fire. Therefore, the formula employs Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix as the sovereign herb. By having Fire in the Spleen and Kidneys to generate Water, Water will naturally not be exhausted. Quack doctors use moistening tonics like Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudihuang) and Lycii Fructus (Gouqi), which is like water without a source; if left stagnant for long, it becomes foul. Moreover, this formula contains Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to warm the Earth Organ. When the Spleen processes more grain, Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) become abundant, blood fills, and essence is generated, thereby restoring the insufficiency of True Yin. As stated in the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues): "To treat damage to the Kidney, benefit its essence." As stated in the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon): "For insufficiency of essence, tonify with flavor." This formula deeply captures the purport of the classics. Thus, speaking separately: The *Jing* (Classics) says, "Two spirits interact, combining to form shape, born before the body, this is called Essence." Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix tonifies the Spirit within the Kidney, thus benefiting Essence. The *Jing* also says, "The Upper Jiao opens and develops, distributing the flavors of grain and food, steaming the skin, filling the body, and moistening hair, like mist and dew irrigating, this is called Qi." Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma enter the Spleen to distribute Qi, thus benefiting Qi. Speaking together, Essence is transformed by Qi, and Qi is generated by Essence. It is neither one nor two. Understanding the wonder of this formula reveals that Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) has excess in clearing heat but insufficiency in nourishing Water; it has excess in transforming Qi and promoting water metabolism but insufficiency in tonifying Fire to generate Water. Others, such as Zhang Jingyue's self-made Dabu Yuanjian (Great Tonification of the Origin Decoction) and other formulas, claim to tonify Blood and Essence, relying primarily on Prepared Rehmanniae Radix, using small doses of 2-3 qian or large doses of 1-2 liang. This is ignorant and reckless, misleading many people. Why do Chen Yuangong's *Shishi Milu* (Secret Records of the Stone Chamber) and *Bianzheng Qiwen* (Strange Questions on Syndrome Differentiation), as well as Feng Chuzhan's *Jinnang Xinyuan* (Silk Pouch New Source), exclusively follow this theory? Many blind men led by one blind man is truly lamentable.