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Madam Jin, the wife of Elder Jin, initially experienced distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, followed by flaccidity and inability to control the four limbs. She suffered from profuse sweating like water, urinary incontinence, loose stools, tight lips, and squinting eyes, yet her appetite remained good.

After more than ten days, some believed it was a stroke affecting the Zang organs (internal organs affected by wind pathogen), which caused me great concern. I said, "Incorrect. If the wind pathogen has struck the Zang organs and the True Qi has collapsed, with malignant symptoms appearing, death would occur in an instant; how could she have survived this long?"

Upon observing her complexion, her face and eyes were red, sometimes with a bluish tint. Palpating her pulse, the three positions on the left hand (Cun, Guan, Chi) were surging and rapid, with the Liver pulse being particularly prominent. I said, "The distending pain in the chest and breasts is due to Blood deficiency in the Liver channel and stagnation of Liver Qi; the flaccidity of the four limbs is due to Blood deficiency in the Liver channel failing to nourish the sinews; the continuous spontaneous sweating is due to Wind-Heat in the Liver channel causing reckless leakage of Body Fluids; the urinary incontinence is due to excessive Heat in the Liver channel impairing the function of the Yin organ; the loose stools are due to exuberant Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth."

I then prescribed Xijiao San (Rhinoceros Horn Decoction). After four doses, all symptoms resolved abruptly. Subsequently, I used Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) for regulation, leading to recovery. Later, due to depression and anger, the previous symptoms recurred, accompanied by fever, vomiting, poor appetite, and menorrhagia. This indicated that Wood exuberance was overacting on Earth, and the Spleen failed to control the blood. I used Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction) as the main formula, assisted by Xiaoyao San, to harmonize and tonify the Qi of the Liver and Spleen, and clear and harmonize the Blood of the Liver and Spleen, resulting in a cure. Thereafter, whenever she encountered anger or experienced convulsions of the hands and feet during sleep, repeating the previous medication led to recovery.

Madam Zhu, mother of Grand Secretary Zhu Yunxi, suddenly fell to the ground in September, unconscious due to phlegm misting the mind, with deviation of the mouth and lips, and the left eye tightly closed and small. Treatment with formulas for resolving phlegm and regulating blood provided slight relief.

In early April of the following year, the illness relapsed. Continuing the previous medication gradually alleviated the condition. By the end of June, the disease worsened significantly, with urinary incontinence. Some claimed wind had struck the Zang organs and deemed it incurable. Upon palpation, her left Guan position pulse was wiry, surging, and rapid, indicating Liver Fire and Blood dryness. I prescribed Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) added with Wuweizi (Schisandra), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), and Danggui (Angelica). After one dose, her appetite improved drastically, and urination normalized. Subsequently, I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Fuling (Poria), Zhizi (Gardenia), Gouteng (Uncaria), and Danpi (Moutan), stabilizing her condition. In October, due to food stagnation, she developed abdominal pain and diarrhea, with the left eye still small. Her Guan pulses (left and right) and Chi pulses were wiry, surging, and forceful against the finger. I prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandia), Wuzhuyu (Evodia), Shengma (Cimicifuga), and Chaihu (Bupleurum). After one dose, the pain and diarrhea eased. Then, using Liujunzi Tang added with Roudoukou (Myristica) and Buguzhi (Psoralea), after one dose, all pulses normalized, and pain and diarrhea ceased. I reasoned that the wiry and surging Left Guan pulse resulted from Liver Fire and Blood dryness, causing the left eye to be tight and small; the wiry and surging Right Guan pulse resulted from Liver pathogen attacking Spleen Earth, causing mouth deviation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea; the forceful Chi pulses resulted from sinking of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Had the tight eye and deviated mouth been mistaken for wind striking, and treated with wind-dispelling herbs, or had the abdominal pain and diarrhea been mistaken for accumulation and treated with harsh purgatives, further depleting Yuan Qi, the harm would have been severe. Later, sleeping on a heated box caused excessive heat steaming, leading to phlegm and wheezing. Misadministration of cold-natured medicines exacerbated the condition. When doctors were consulted later, they declined treatment, and she indeed died.

A woman fell to the ground due to anger, presenting with slurred speech, deviation of the mouth and eyes, spasticity of the four limbs, sweating, and urinary incontinence. Her six pulses were surging and large, with the Liver pulse particularly prominent. All these symptoms were due to exuberant Liver Fire. Since the Liver governs urination, excessive heat caused involuntary urination. I used Jiawei Xiaoyao San added with Gouteng (Uncaria) and Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), leading to recovery soon after.

An elderly woman presented with paralysis of both arms and slurred speech. After taking wind-dispelling medicines, she suffered from sinew spasms and bone pain. I stated this was caused by Liver Fire and Blood deficiency. I used Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) to tonify Qi and Blood, Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) to tonify Kidney Water, assisted by Paifeng Tang (Expel Wind Decoction). It took over a year for her to recover.

A woman presented with deviation of the mouth and eyes during menstruation and surging phlegm-saliva. This was due to Blood deficiency stirring Liver Fire. I treated her with Jiawei Xiaoyao San added with Mudanpi (Tree Peony Bark), leading to quick recovery. Later, due to food stagnation, she vomited phlegm-saliva daily. This was due to Spleen Qi deficiency failing to guide substances to their proper channels. I used Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) for over twenty doses, achieving stability.

Another woman presented with deviation of the mouth and eyes, surging phlegm-saliva, locked jaw, and convulsions due to anger. This was due to Lung and Spleen Qi deficiency with exuberant Liver Wood. I treated her with Liujunzi Tang added with Muxiang (Aucklandia), Gouteng (Uncaria), and Chaihu (Bupleurum), leading to gradual improvement. She was then regulated with Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction) for full recovery.

A postpartum woman, diligent in needlework, suddenly fell to the ground with a locked jaw, phlegm obstruction, wheezing, and limb paralysis. This was tetanus/spasm due to Qi and Blood deficiency. In the morning, I administered Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Fuling (Poria) and Banxia (Pinellia); in the evening, Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Banxia (Pinellia). After thirty-plus doses of each, there was no response. This was because the deficiency had not yet recovered, and the medicinal power had not yet taken effect. I continued with the same two decoctions, fifty-plus doses of each, leading to recovery soon after.

A woman with chronic internal heat and irregular menstruation presented with inability to extend her limbs after menstruation, remaining bedridden for half a year. Treatment with medicines for wind-dampness, phlegm, and fire was ineffective. Her pulse was floating and slow, becoming choppy upon pressure. This is called Chongzhong Syndrome (spasmodic syndrome), attributed to wind-cold invasion. I used Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) added with Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia). After four doses, she recovered abruptly. She was then regulated with Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) for over two months until healed.

A woman with a history of delayed menstruation presented with inability to flex her limbs due to labor and anger, diagnosed as Chi Syndrome (stiffness syndrome). This was Blood deficiency with wind-heat invasion. I first used Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Gouteng (Uncaria) and Chaihu (Bupleurum), leading to gradual improvement, then assisted with Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) for regulation and complete recovery.

A woman presented with spastic and flexed limbs, painful distress, spontaneous sweating, scanty urination, and aversion to wind-cold. Her pulse was floating, wiry, and slow. This was Qi and Blood deficiency with binding of wind-cold, dampness, and heat. I first used Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction) by Dongyuan for gradual improvement, then Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) and Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Mudanpi (Tree Peony Bark) for recovery.

A woman with chronic phlegm-fire suddenly became confused, experiencing Chongzhong (spasms and convulsions), frequent stretching, yawning, limb sinew spasms, and rising phlegm-saliva. This was due to extreme dryness of Lung Metal and depletion of Blood. I prescribed Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction) and Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) concurrently, leading to quick recovery.

A woman presented with joint pain, inability to turn over, aversion to wind-cold, spontaneous and night sweats, scanty urination, and refusal to remove clothes even in summer. Her pulse was floating and tight. This was wind-cold invading the Taiyang Channel. I prescribed Gancao Fuzi Tang (Licorice and Aconite Decoction) for one dose, resulting in a cure.

A woman presented with convulsions, vomiting phlegm-saliva, locked jaw, and confusion due to anger. Her Qi Kou pulse was larger than the Ren Ying pulse. This was Qi stagnation and Food Jue (syncope). I treated her with Pingwei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) added with Fuling (Poria), Banxia (Pinellia), and Muxiang (Aucklandia), leading to revival. She was then gradually improved with Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandia). Muxiang was removed, and after twenty-plus doses, she recovered.

Question: Some say Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), Nanxing (Arisaema), Banxia (Pinellia), and other drying medicines only treat Phlegm-Fluids and Damp-Phlegm, having no effect on Phlegm from Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity, and even contradict Yin-tonifying medicines.

Answer: Phlegm from Yin Deficiency with Fire Hyperactivity should not use Nanxing (Arisaema) or Banxia (Pinellia). However, for phlegm in stroke with hemiplegia, numbness, etc., Nanxing (Arisaema) and Banxia (Pinellia) are essential. This is because the pathogenic factor resides in the muscles, skin, channels, collaterals, sinews, and bones.

My Commentary: Mr. Danxi stated: The origin of phlegm diseases includes those generated by Heat, those generating Heat, those obtained from Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, and Dampness, those from Shock, those from Qi stagnation, those from Food Stagnation, and those from Spleen deficiency failing to transform and transport. Heat diseases often involve irritability and heat; Wind-Phlegm often leads to paralysis and strange syndromes; Cold-Phlegm often leads to bone Bi; Damp-Phlegm often causes lethargy and weakness; Shock-Phlegm often leads to heart pain and epilepsy; Fluid-Phlegm often causes hypochondriac and arm pain; Food-Stagnation Phlegm often leads to masses and fullness. The manifestations are numerous and hard to name. I believe that if the previous symptoms were due to Kidney Water deficiency, making Yin difficult to descend, causing evil fluids to overflow upward, resulting in much phlegm-saliva, one should nourish the source of transformation, and the phlegm will disappear naturally. If it is due to Liver Wood insulting Spleen Earth, with Wind-Phlegm congestion, first use Nanxing (Arisaema) and Banxia (Pinellia) to clear the phlegm, then use Liujunzi-type formulas to regulate Stomach Qi, and phlegm will cease to generate. If one indiscriminately uses wind-dispelling medicines to consume Yang Qi and cut off the source of Yin Blood, it will only exacerbate the wind and worsen the disease.

Grand Secretary Liu Ziyan, due to labor, suffered from softness and pain in the lower body, fever, and abundant phlegm. I used Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction) added with Zhuli (Bamboo Juice) and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice). After taking it, fever and pain halved; after another dose, he fully recovered.

Student Chen Shiyong, usually diligent and hardworking, suffered from mouth deviation and abundant phlegm due to labor and anger. His pulse was slippery, rapid, and soft. I stated that labor injures Middle Qi, and anger injures Liver Fire. I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Zhizi (Gardenia), Fuling (Poria), Banxiaqu (Pinellia Fermented), and Jiegeng (Platycodon). After several doses, he recovered.

Yang Yongxing of the Imperial Guard suffered from softness and pain in sinews and bones, coarse breathing, abundant phlegm, thirst, and preference for water. Someone used Yufeng Tang (Wind-Nourishing Decoction) and Tianma Wan (Gastrodia Pill), but his phlegm increased and body became numb. I considered Spleen and Kidney both deficient. I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) and Jiawei Bawei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill). After over three months, he recovered.

Tao Tianjue's maternal relative, Su Duo, frequently suffered from dizziness and abundant phlegm. Labor caused limb flaccidity and bone/joint pain, resembling wind syndromes. I considered Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Qi and return it to its source. I used Jiawei Bawei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill) for recovery. Later, due to sexual excess and anger, he suffered from dizziness, neck stiffness, and pain below the ears. This was a Liver Fire syndrome. I still used the previous medicine to nourish Kidney Water, generate Liver Blood, and subdue Wind-Fire, leading to recovery.

Question: After Dao Cang (Cow Meat Purge/Emetic), phlegm was not completely eliminated and recurred severely, mostly above the chest/diaphragm and below the throat, worse at night, difficult to expectorate. Later, Radish seeds were taken to induce vomiting, but due to an empty stomach, it entered the Large Intestine causing dysentery.

Answer: For diseases in the intestines and stomach, this method is appropriate. The intestines and stomach are like granaries. "Dao Cang" is explained in *Gezhi Yulun* (Explanations on Investigation of Things), worth pondering. Granaries contain old, rotten grain that must be dumped out. The intestines and stomach contain phlegm-blood and stagnation that must be cleansed. Beef belongs to Kun Earth, originally a substance to tonify Spleen and Stomach, not an emetic or purgative. It only causes vomiting and purging when consumed in excess, filling the stomach! This borrows tonification to achieve purgation. Thus, after the disease leaves, the Stomach is tonified, and Qi arises. It is a clever method. If the disease does not belong to the intestines and stomach, how can it be lightly used? Ancients treating wind: initially, when phlegm-saliva obstructs the chest and diaphragm, blocking channels and collaterals so medicines cannot act, one must first vomit out the phlegm before applying treatment. Now, after Dao Cang, how can one again induce vomiting or purging? Vomiting and purging after already having done so constitutes "making the deficient more deficient." Although phlegm accumulated long-term in the chest/diaphragm and intestines/stomach is suitable for vomiting/purging, phlegm generates daily; can Dao Cang exhaust its root? One fears that after Dao Cang, the Stomach becomes deficient, and phlegm generates easily. Hence, Mr. Danxi said, one should tonify Middle Qi to transport phlegm. Furthermore, between the skin, channels, and tunnels, pathogens reside, causing blockage. Fluids moving there gather into phlegm. Daily dietary fluids entering the Stomach fail to disperse, transforming into phlegm-fluids, gathering in the chest/diaphragm, rising to the throat. Hence, there is much. This is also injury to the interior from the exterior.

My Commentary: If the previous symptoms were due to Spleen Qi damage, with phlegm lodging in the Middle Jiao, blocking the clear pathways, causing various diseases in the four limbs and hundred bones, one should primarily strengthen Spleen Qi, assisting with phlegm-resolving methods, so that Middle Qi becomes robust and phlegm-saliva transforms naturally. If after Dao Cang, phlegm increases, this indicates Spleen Qi is more deficient, causing fluids to transform into phlegm. One should primarily tonify Middle and augment Qi. Only Ginseng, Atractylodes, and Erchen-type formulas can treat this. One must strictly avoid Qi-moving, phlegm-resolving, and Dao Cang methods.

Jiang Dayong, Provincial Judge, aged fifty, robust in physique, suffered from middle fullness and phlegm. Labor caused dizziness. He had taken medicines for clearing phlegm and regulating Qi. I said: Middle fullness is Spleen Qi deficiency; abundant phlegm is Spleen failure to transport; dizziness is Spleen failure to ascend; finger numbness is Spleen Qi deficiency failing to circulate. I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Fuling (Poria) and Banxia (Pinellia) to tonify Spleen Earth, and Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to tonify the Mother of Spleen (Kidney), leading to recovery. *Qiankun Shengyi Fang* says: Whenever fingers are numb and soft, stroke may occur within three years. One may take Shunfeng Sanqi Wan, Tianma Wan, Qinjiao Tang, etc., for prevention. Confused by this, he strictly took them, leading to incontinence of feces, inability to eat, and death. I believe the principle of prevention is to nourish Qi and Blood, regulate diet, guard against Seven Emotions, and abstain from sexual activity. Taking the aforementioned medicines for prevention actually attracts wind and invites stroke.

Liu Yungong, Scholar, robust in physique, usually careless with alcohol and sex, suffered from dizziness and falling due to labor and anger, surging phlegm-saliva, numbness of hands and feet, occasional facial redness, dry mouth, and desire to drink. His six pulses were surging, forceless, and very rapid. I said: Lung governs Qi, Kidney stores Qi. Now Kidney deficiency fails to grasp Qi and return it to its source, so Yang dwells alone above, causing dizziness; it also fails to grasp Water and return it to its source, so fluid stagnates in the middle, transforming into phlegm. Yang Qi deficiency with heat causes numbness; Deficient Fire flaming upward causes thirst. One should nourish the source of transformation. I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang combined with Liuwei Dihuang Wan ingredients. After one dose, he recovered. Later, labor or sexual activity triggered recurrence, which resolved with the previous medicine.

Question: After Dao Cang, I often feel much phlegm in the mouth with heat, am easily hungry, have phlegm, and find slight relief using small amounts of Shigao (Gypsum) to clear heat.

Answer: After Dao Cang, the Stomach is deficient; Shigao (Gypsum) should not be used. If Spleen and Stomach Yin Blood are deficient, Yang Fire becomes hyperactive. Fire consumes food, hence easy hunger. Temporarily using Shigao (Gypsum) to clear Stomach Fire feels effective, but it is not the orthodox method. One should use Baizhu (Atractylodes) to tonify Spleen, Shaoyao (Peony) to generate Blood, Gancao (Licorice) to moderate the middle and clear fire, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and Fuling (Poria) to move phlegm. This is the "Kingly Way" of treatment.

My Commentary: Fire hyperactivity after Dao Cang is actually false heat from Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold. Mistaking it for Excess Heat is an error. Mr. Dongyuan discusses this in detail in *Pi Wei Lun* (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach). If a person has high voice and wheezing, body heat and irritability, waving hands and throwing feet, and abundant oral phlegm, this belongs to Middle Qi deficiency with transformed symptoms; use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). If a person is timid and weak in Qi, afraid of wind-cold, or limbs curled and phlegm surging, this belongs to Spleen Qi deficiency failing to hold saliva; use Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction). If accompanied by drooling from the corner of the mouth, this belongs to Spleen Qi deficiency-cold failing to govern saliva; use Zhang's Wenspi San. If ineffective, urgently use Liujunzi Tang added with Fuzi (Aconite). If due to Mingmen Fire decline failing to generate Spleen Earth, urgently use Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill). If a person has chronic Kidney deficiency with fever or phlegm due to Kidney deficiency, combine with Liuwei Wan ingredients. If a person has chronic Yang deficiency with aversion to cold or phlegm due to Kidney deficiency, combine with Bawei Wan ingredients.

A Confucian scholar, with chronic Spleen and Kidney deficiency and phlegm, was treated with phlegm-draining methods. His phlegm increased, causing thirst, dizziness, and irritability. I stated this was Middle Qi deficiency with transformed symptoms. I used Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) for recovery. Later, labor caused fever and dizziness, due to Qi deficiency failing to ascend. I used the previous decoction added with Manjingzi (Vernonia) for recovery. Later, mental exertion caused aversion to wind-cold, cold extremities, and copious phlegm-saliva. I considered this true Spleen Qi deficiency-cold. I used Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) added with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) for recovery.

A man, with chronic Kidney deficiency and coughing phlegm, was also treated with phlegm-draining methods. His deficiency symptoms manifested fully, with surging phlegm-saliva and frequent urination. I stated this was damage to the Three Yin channels of the Foot. In the morning, I used Buyang Pipi Tang (Tonify and Nourish Spleen-Lung Qi Decoction) to cultivate Spleen and Lung Qi; in the evening, Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) added with Wuweizi (Schisandra) to consolidate scattered Essence. He recovered.

Question: After Dao Cang, walking causes dizziness and phlegm generation. Dizziness always occurs after labor. Usually, stools are unformed, but recently they have become dry and constipated.

Answer: Dao Cang is not the direct treatment for the disease, so wind syndromes did not recede. Instead, abundant phlegm, constipation, dizziness, and blurred vision occurred, all due to Yuan Qi deficiency after vomiting and purging. Dao Cang causes Yang loss in the Large Intestine, hence constipation. Huanglian (Coptis) is bitter and cold, with dry nature. Bitterness dries dampness; cold clears heat. Huanglian (Coptis) solidifies the Large Intestine. Those with usually unformed stools have damp-heat in the intestines and stomach. Due to taking Huanglian (Coptis), stools became formed.

My Commentary: After Dao Cang, Stomach Qi is injured, Yuan Qi is depleted, unable to generate Yin Essence, causing internal Deficient Fire, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. One should tonify with sweet flavors. The Classic says: "For the ruler of the Earth position, purgation uses bitter, tonification uses sweet." Dizziness and blurred vision are due to Stomach Qi failing to ascend. Unformed stools are due to Spleen deficiency failing to constrain. Constipation is due to Blood deficiency failing to moisten. The Classic says: "The Kidney governs defecation." And: "The Kidney governs the Five Fluids." If Kidney Qi is harmonious and fluids are moistening, defecation will naturally be smooth. All these cases require strengthening Spleen Earth and tonifying Lung Metal for spontaneous recovery. If constipation is due to Large Intestine Fire dryness, use Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill). If unformed stools are due to Spleen-Stomach deficiency, use Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) and Paojiang (Prepared Ginger). If unformed stools are due to Spleen-Kidney deficiency, use Sishen Wan (Four-Spirit Pill) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction).

Chen Keming, Da Yin, had increased phlegm after Dao Cang, unformed stools, preference for extremely hot food/drinks, and cold extremities. I stated this was Mingmen Fire decline with Spleen-Lung deficiency-cold, failing to guide phlegm-saliva back to its source. I used Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) for quick recovery.

Zhang Yugong, Jinshi, had food stagnation, chest fullness, and spitting phlegm. Medicines for guiding stagnation caused surging phlegm-saliva, dizziness, heat-thirst, constipation, preference for cold drinks/food, and hot extremities. I stated this was Kidney Water deficiency, difficulty descending fluids, causing ruined fluids to transform into phlegm. I used Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) for recovery.

Question: Recently, some wish to perform Warm Needle therapy, a Chu region method. The method involves needling an acupoint, placing a round cake of Xiangbaizhi (Angelica Dahurica) around the needle, and warming it with moxa. It often yields results.

Answer: In ancient times, needling was done without moxibustion, and moxibustion without needling. There was no practice of combining needling with moxibustion. This is a later folk method. This method is practiced among poor people in mountains and wilds with wind-cold invading channels causing disease. It may be effective, merely warming channels and promoting Qi flow. It has no relation to Blood or Phlegm. Ancient needling techniques were profound, but transmission is lost now. Unless performed by a highly skilled person, misuse could lead to danger instantly. Only accurate moxibustion is beneficial and harmless. It should be practiced in the future.

My Commentary: Acupuncture and moxibustion each have their indications and contraindications. The Classic says: "If Form-Qi is insufficient and Pathogen-Qi is insufficient, this is insufficiency of both Yin and Yang. Do not needle. Needling will cause double insufficiency. Double insufficiency leads to exhaustion of Yin and Yang, depletion of Blood and Qi, emptiness of the Five Zang, withering of sinews, marrow, and bones. The elderly will perish; the vigorous will not recover." Mr. Dongyuan said: "If the pulse is floating and rapid with fever, dry throat, red face, and occasional thirst, all Heat is external. Do not moxa. Disaster will arise immediately." From this, we see that indications and contraindications must be handled carefully. The Warm Needle method is particularly erroneous. Perhaps it is acceptable only for swelling due to Cold-Qi and pathogens of the Eight Winds!

Question: Drinking a few cups of wine makes hands and feet soft and healthy-looking. Doctors advise brewing medicinal wine. What do you think?

Answer: Wine warms, moves Qi, and invigorates Blood, so drinking little feels good. However, its damp-heat nature generates phlegm and assists fire, truly increasing disease. Moreover, such diseases often arise when pores open after drinking, Qi and Blood are hot, and are attacked by cold wind/air. Only Wujiapi (Acanthopanax Bark) soaked in wine, taken a few cups daily, is beneficial for this disease. Among wines infused with herbs, only Wujiapi (Acanthopanax Bark) combines well with wine and tastes good. Add Wujiapi (Acanthopanax Bark) when brewing wine, seal with mud, and it can be taken after a month.

My Commentary: If the aforementioned wind-dispelling and blood-invigorating medicines are ineffective, one should seek the root cause and treat it.

The treatment for this disease involves invigorating Blood, moving Phlegm, opening channels and collaterals, penetrating interstices, securing the root internally, and dispersing pathogens externally. But now, after Dao Cang, Middle Qi has not recovered. Tonifying Middle Qi and regulating Phlegm should be prioritized. Renshen (Ginseng) can also be used. Recent medications focus on regulating Spleen and Phlegm. Therefore, although many doses of Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) are taken, they are ineffective. Blood medicines are Yin, cold, congealing, and descending, thus damaging Stomach Qi. Stomach Qi is ascending Clear Qi. Spring favors ascent, but long-term use of descending medicines goes against the seasons. Hence, it is said that Middle Qi deficiency leads to easy phlegm generation.

My Commentary: The Classic says: "Where pathogenic factors gather, Qi must be deficient. If lingering and not departing, the disease becomes Excess." If a person's Spleen and Stomach are solid, Ying Qi is robust, and channels/collaterals flow smoothly, while pathogens...