Library

[Gu Zheng Pi (With Discussion)]

Individuals suffering from Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming) exhibit emaciated and withered skin and muscles, deficiency of Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi), and depletion of True Yang within. The water they drink cannot be digested, stagnating in the hypochondriac region, thereby forming a stubborn disease characterized by hard, indigestible masses. Sometimes, the disease arises from dietary injury to the Spleen or emotional distress causing Qi stagnation; breathing becomes cold, and the illness manifests. The lesion originates below the ribs and on both sides of the umbilicus, resembling a horizontal arm, making flexion and extension difficult, hindering eating, accumulating pain, hence termed "Gu Zheng Pi" (Bone Steaming Stagnation).

Formulas:

Biejia Wan (Turtle Shell Pill): Treats Gu Zheng accompanied by hypochondriac Pi (Stagnation/Mass), and amenorrhea in women.
Ingredients: Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, remove skirt, soak in vinegar, roast, 2 liang); Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi, remove rough bark); Tugua Gen (Radix Trichosanthis, cut and stir-fry); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, bake and crush); Mudan Pi (Cortex Moutan); Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, remove sprouts, soak in wine, cut and dry); Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, crush and stir-fry, each 1.5 liang); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, bake and crush peel); Hupo (Succinum, each 2 liang); Taoren (Semen Persicae, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends).

Muxiang Wan (Costus Root Pill) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng, abdominal Pi (Stagnation/Mass) with dull pain upon pressure, limb pain, inability to eat, emaciation, and weakness. Suitable for use.
Ingredients: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae, 0.5 liang); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until yellow, remove skirt); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, process and crush, 1 liang); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 3 qian); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and lightly stir-fry); Chen Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, 0.5 liang, soak in hot water, remove white pith and dry); Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae, 0.5 liang, lightly stir-fry); Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, 3 qian, remove radicle); Binglang (Semen Arecae, 1 liang); Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 1 liang, remove sprouts); Yuliren (Semen Pruni, 1 liang, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, lightly stir-fry).

Binglang San (Areca Seed Powder) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng with abdominal Pi (Stagnation/Mass), hypochondriac obstruction and pain, progressive emaciation.
Ingredients: Binglang (Semen Arecae, 3 qian); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 3 qian); Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae, 3 qian); Chi Fuling (Poria cum Radix Pini, 1 liang); Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, 1 liang, remove radicle); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, 3 qian, bake and remove peel); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, 1 liang, bake and crush); Taoren (Semen Persicae, 3 qian, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, double kernels, stir-fry until yellow); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until yellow, remove skirt). Crush the above ingredients and sieve coarsely into a powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger until reduced to six parts, strain. Warm and take before meals.

Jiegeng San (Platycodon Powder) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), hypochondriac obstruction and pain, progressive emaciation, loss of appetite. Suitable for use.
Ingredients: Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, 3 liang, remove radicle); Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, 3 qian); Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae, 3 qian, lightly stir-fry); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, 3 qian, bake and use peel); Xiong (Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong, 3 qian); Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 1 liang, remove sprouts); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until slightly yellow, remove skirt); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and lightly stir-fry); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 1 liang). Crush and sieve coarsely into a powder. Take 4 qian per dose, decoct with one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger until reduced to six parts, strain. Warm and take before meals. Avoid Amaranth.

Dahuang San (Rhubarb Powder) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), hypochondriac obstruction and stifling pain, joint pain. Suitable for use.
Ingredients: Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and lightly stir-fry); Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae, 0.5 liang); Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 1 liang, remove sprouts); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 3 qian); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, 3 qian, use peel); Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, 0.5 liang, bran-fried until slightly yellow); Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, 0.5 liang, honey-fried until slightly yellow); Taoren (Semen Persicae, 1 liang, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, double kernels, fried on surface until slightly yellow); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until slightly yellow, remove skirt). Crush and sieve finely into a powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger until reduced to six parts, strain.

Chaihu San (Bupleurum Powder) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), emaciation, and decreased appetite. Suitable for use.
Ingredients: Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 1 liang, remove sprouts); Chi Fuling (Poria cum Radix Pini, 3 qian); Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, 0.5 liang, honey-fried until slightly red and crushed); Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, 3 qian); Zhike (Fructus Aurantii, 1 liang, lightly stir-fry); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and lightly stir-fry); Xiong (Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong, 0.5 liang); Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi Cassiae, 0.5 liang); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, 1 liang, process and crush). Crush and sieve coarsely into a powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with one zhong of water and half a fen of fresh ginger until reduced to six parts, strain. Take before meals.

Helile Wan (Chebula Fruit Pill) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), Qi attacking the abdomen and hypochondrium, limb pain, weakness, and emaciation.
Ingredients: Helile (Fructus Chebulae, 3 qian, bake and use peel); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 3 qian); Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, 3 qian, remove radicle); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and stir-fry); Renshen (Radix Ginseng, 3 qian, remove radicle); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until yellow, remove skirt); Zhike (Fructus Aurantii, 1 liang, flour-fried until slightly yellow, remove pulp); Fangkui (Radix Podopteri, 3 qian, remove radicle); Xiong (Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong, 3 qian). Grind into powder, mix with refined honey, pound 200-300 times, form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 20 pills before meals with congee broth.

Muxiang Tang (Costus Root Decoction): Treats Gu Zheng Lao (Consumption), abdominal Pi (Stagnation/Mass), cold pain leading to emaciation.
Ingredients: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae); Binglang (Semen Arecae, crushed); Renshen (Radix Ginseng) (each 1 liang); Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae); Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, crushed); Chi Fuling (Poria cum Radix Pini, remove black skin); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, processed, remove strings); Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, cut and dry) (each 3 qian). Coarsely crush and sieve. Take 5 qian per dose, decoct with one and a half zhan of water until reduced to one zhan, strain. Divide into two warm doses, taken once on an empty stomach and once after meals.

Biejia Wan (Turtle Shell Pill) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng with internal abdominal Pi (Stagnation/Mass), dull pain upon pressure, inability to eat, emaciation, and weakness.
Ingredients: Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, remove skirt, vinegar-roast, 2 liang); Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae, 2 liang); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, bake and crush, 1.5 liang); Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae, 1.5 liang); Chen Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, soak in hot water, remove white pith and dry); Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae, soak in rice wash water, cut and dry, each 1 liang); Binglang (Semen Arecae, crushed, 2 liang); Yuliren (Semen Pruni, remove skin and grind, 1.5 liang). Pound the seven ingredients into powder, re-grind Yuliren evenly, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 30 pills before meals with Tangerine Peel Decoction.

Songzhi Wan (Pinus Resin Pill): Treats Chuan Shi Gu Zheng (Infectious Bone Steaming), accumulated Pi (Stagnation) and cold Qi, weak lower back and legs, wind-itchiness of the body, various sores and leprosy, malignant sores, scabies, etc. This medicine cuts off the root cause.
Ingredients: Songzhi (Pinus Resin, 20 jin, refine with ash juice from mulberry branches, remove bitter juice, pour out water, solidify in vessel and take); Bai Fuling (Poria, remove black skin, 1 jin); Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae); Xuduan (Radix Dipsaci) (each 0.5 jin); Bai Mi (Honey); Niusu (Butyrum Bovis); Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis, remove heart and dry); Sheng Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Recens, dried and roasted) (each 2 liang). Pound and sieve into fine powder. First melt refined honey and strain, then add Niusu, then add Songzhi. When melted and dry, add the powder. Stir constantly with a bamboo branch. Form pills the size of Sophora seeds when ready. Take 20 pills with warm wine or rice drink, twice daily, gradually increasing to 50 pills.

Cangzhu Wan (Atractylodes Pill): Treats Gu Zheng abdominal Pi (Stagnation/Mass), obstructive pain, accompanied by diarrhea, dozens of times a day.
Ingredients: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Lanceae); Helile Pi (Exocarpium Chebulae) (each 1.5 liang); Chen Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, soak in hot water, remove white pith and dry); Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae); Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae); Qing Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride, soak in hot water, remove white pith and dry); Bailonggu (Os Draconis); Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, cut and dry) (each 1 liang). Make into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 30 pills with Ginseng Decoction, twice daily.

Biejia Wan (Turtle Shell Pill): Treats Pi Qi (Stagnation Qi), palpitations, Gu Zheng heat, hidden wind.
Ingredients: Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, roasted); Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae); Fushe Fu (Flesh of Agkistrodon, roasted); Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) (each 6 fen); Renshen (Radix Ginseng); Helile Pi (Exocarpium Chebulae, baked); Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, roasted); Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) (each 6 fen). Make into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 20 pills with wine, gradually increase to 30 pills, twice daily.

Biejia Wan (Turtle Shell Pill) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), Qi attacking abdomen and hypochondrium causing pain, emaciated limbs, weakness, loss of appetite. Suitable for use.
Ingredients: Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until slightly yellow, remove skirt); Renshen (Radix Ginseng, 3 qian, remove radicle); Chi Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 1 liang); Helile (Fructus Chebulae, 3 qian, bake and remove peel); Zhike (Fructus Aurantii, 1 liang, bran-fried until slightly yellow, remove pulp); Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, 0.5 liang); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1 liang, crush and stir-fry); Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 1 liang, remove sprouts). Make into powder, mix with refined honey, pound 200-300 times, form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 30 pills before meals with congee broth.

Dafu Tang (Betel Nut Decoction): Treats Gu Zheng, accumulated Pi (Stagnation) in abdomen, hypochondriac obstruction and pain, progressive emaciation.
Ingredients: Dafu (Fructus Arecae Catalpae, 4 pieces); Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae); Chi Fuling (Poria cum Radix Pini, remove black skin); Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis, crush and stir-fry, each 1.5 liang); Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae); Helile Pi (Exocarpium Chebulae) (each 1 liang); Taoren (Semen Persicae, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, double kernels, separately grind, 1.5 liang). Coarsely crush and sieve. Take 5 qian per dose, decoct with one and a half zhan of water until reduced to one zhan, strain. Divide into two warm doses, taken once on an empty stomach and once after meals.

Qisheng San (Seven Sages Powder): Treats Gu Zheng accumulated Pi (Stagnation), Gui Qi (Ghost Qi) and Zhu Wu (Transmission), deficiency and damage in men and women, vexing pain in hands and feet, soreness and heaviness in back and shoulders, worsening at night, emaciated limbs, sallow complexion, cold and painful knees, borborygmus in abdomen, frequent diarrhea, tasteless food, inability to walk. Treats all deficiency consumptions of the Five Zang Organs.
Ingredients: Huang Ci Ji (Yellow Hen, one, prepare as food, clean feathers, do not open belly, thoroughly clean intestines, heart, and liver); Shujiao (Fructus Schisandrae, remove eyes and closed ones, 1 fen); Sheng Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Recens, 1 sheng, wash select plump); Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, remove skin, 1 liang); Huangqi (Radix Astragali, crushed); Renshen (Radix Ginseng); Chen Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, soak in hot water, remove peel and dry, each 1 liang). Except for the chicken, chop other ingredients to hemp seed size, mix evenly, place inside chicken belly, sew up. Place in silver or ceramic vessel, cover with new cloth, steam in a steamer. Place a bowl with rice and half a bowl of water on one side of the steamer, cover together, ensure no leakage. Steam until rice and chicken are soft and cooked. Remove medicine, dry separately, pound and sieve into powder. Take 1 qian per dose, mix with rice drink, three times daily. Split the chicken, sprinkle with little salt, let patient eat freely until full. After a while, dress warmly and cover to induce sweating. If sweat is excessive, apply calcined Ostreae powder. Avoid wind and cold.

Secret Formula for treating Pi Qi (Stagnation Qi), Ghost Qi, Zhu Wu (Transmission), and Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming).
Ingredients: Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, soak separately in soup, add near end, 4 liang); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, roasted); Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis); Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae); Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, roasted, 2 liang); Dingxiang (Flos Caryophylli, 27 pieces, add near end). Chop ingredients, decoct with 7 sheng of water until reduced to 2.8 sheng, strain, divide into two doses. Additionally, use Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), Xijiao (Cornu Rhinocerotis, raw powder), Zhusha (Cinnabaris), Shexiang (Moschus) (each 1 fen), finely ground, divided into three parts. Take one part per dose mixed with the soup. Avoid pork, sticky foods, raw/cold foods, Amaranth, Algae, and Chinese Cabbage.

Fangkui Wan (Podopteris Pill) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng Pi (Stagnation/Mass), dull pain upon pressure, inability to eat, progressive weakness in emaciated patients.
Ingredients: Fangkui (Radix Podopteri, 1 liang); Bie Jia (Tartar Testudinis, 1 liang, coat with vinegar, roast until yellow, remove skirt); Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, 0.5 liang, honey-fried until slightly red and crushed); Chuan Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 1.5 liang, crush and lightly stir-fry); Jing San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii, 1 liang, process and crush); Taoren (Semen Persicae, 1 liang, soak in hot water, remove skin and pointed ends, double kernels, bran-lightly stir-fried). Make into powder, mix with refined honey, pound 200-300 times, form pills the size of Sophora seeds.

Chenqi Wan (Aged Lacquer Pill): Treats Chuan Shi Fei Shi Zhu Qi (Infectious Flying Ghost Transmission Qi), mass accumulation, rebellious Qi causing asthma, Edema, Hongjiao (Gout), Ghost Zhu insect poison, undigested food, abdomen like an inverted basin, or nine worms, leukorrhea (red and white) in women, malignant skin sores, distended abdomen with emaciation, jaundice, and other diseases. Extends life, nourishes nature, darkens hair and beard.
Ingredients: Chenqi (Lacquer, 2 sheng, squeeze through fine silk to remove dregs); Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, 6 liang, make into powder); Yiyiren (Semen Coicis, 5 liang, make into powder); Wuhui Jiu (Pure Wine, 5 sheng); Manjingzi (Fructus Viticis, 3 sheng, make into powder). Mix Manjingzi powder with clear wine, boil, stirring constantly for about half a day, filter dregs. Place in silver/ceramic vessel, double-boil, stirring constantly with bamboo spatula for one shichen (2 hours). Add Chenqi, Dahuang, Yiyiren powders, boil for another shichen. When ready to pill, form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Store in non-porous vessel, seal tightly. For patients, fast overnight. Next morning, take 10 pills on empty stomach with warm wine. Elderly or those with cold diseases take 15 pills. After 100 days, hair and beard become black as lacquer, old scars disappear. In first 4-5 days, within 7 days, expect evacuation of stored food or fish-like mucus/pus/blood clots; do not doubt.

Guhan Lin Fang (Bone Sweat Bath Formula) (from *Shenghui Fang*): Treats Gu Zheng accumulated Pi (Stagnation) and various diseases, cuts off root cause, bathing formula.
Ingredients: Kuxiu Gu (Decayed Bones, crushed, 2 dou, any cattle/sheep/pig); Lan Jici (Rotten Thorn Needles, 3 dou); Suodie (Herba Siegesbeckiae, stems/leaves/roots crushed, 1 dou); Nen Liuzhi (Young Willow Branches, crushed, 1 dou). Decoct with 12 dou of water until reduced to 7 dou, filter dregs. Add 3 sheng of coarse salt, dissolve completely. Pour into large basin or ceramic vessel. When warm and suitable, immerse patient. Warm basin edges with horse dung fire to keep water temperature constant, avoid cooling. If cold, add hot water. Stay in bath for duration of one meal. Upon exiting, dry body, if sweating excessively, dust with white rice flour. Remain in quiet room, sit or lie still, avoid wind/toxicity. Bathe once every three days, three times total, then stop. Pause 3-5 days in Spring/Autumn/Winter, 1-2 days in Summer, reheat and use. For itching, add Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Baifan (Alumen) powder, each 1 da sheng. Immerse up to cheeks for full efficacy. Alternative formula without Suodie uses Taozhi (Peach Branch).

Chaihu Fuling Tang (Bupleurum and Poria Decoction): Treats Pi Qi (Stagnation Qi), high fever with cough, prolonged becoming Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming).
Ingredients: Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri, 4 liang); Fuling (Poria); Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae); Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, roasted, each 3 liang). Chop, decoct with 7 sheng of water until reduced to 2.5 sheng, divide into three doses. If accumulated heat persists, add Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, 6 fen) to induce purgation. After heat clears, take one dose every three days. After recovery, take one dose monthly to achieve fat/white constitution permanently and eliminate disease. Avoid [foods].

Treatment for Gu Zheng Accumulated Pi (Stagnation) Emaciation Disease:
Suan (Allium Sativum, peel 7 cloves, grind); Xionghuang (Realgar, almond-sized, grind). Grind thoroughly, mix well, take with clear wine. Within a short time, hairs should emerge from fingertips, indicating efficacy.

Another Bathing Decoction:
Take branches and leaves of Peach, Willow, Suodie, and Plum, each 1 dou. In winter, use roots only. Decoct with 8-9 dou of water. Reduce to 5-6 dou, filter dregs, add 2 dou of salt, immerse. Same method as above.

Treatment for Consumption Emaciation, Wind-Empty Transmitting Qi, Accumulated Pi Cold Qi, Heart Pain, and Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming):
Use Taoren (Semen Persicae, remove skin and pointed ends, double kernels, 1200 pieces), finely grind. Use 5 sheng of good wine. First, mix 2 sheng with grind, filter juice. Add remaining 2 sheng, re-grind until very fine, filter again. Add last 1 sheng, re-mix, grind, filter white juice completely. Store in dry ceramic vessel, seal tightly. Boil slowly over mild fire for one shichen. Take one spoon per dose, mixed with wine or rice drink.