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1. The formulation of cold-natured prescriptions is intended to clear fire and eliminate heat. Fire is divided into yin-fire and yang-fire, while heat is categorized into upper and lower jiao (upper and lower body regions). According to ancient medical texts, it is commonly stated that Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) clears heart-fire, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) clears lung-heat, Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) clear spleen-heat, Longdancao (Gentianae Radix) clears liver-fire, and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) clears kidney-heat. Practitioners today often adhere rigidly to this method, which is akin to playing a zither with glued bridges—lacking flexibility. In general, all cold-natured substances can purge fire; there is no substance that cools one area without affecting another. The key lies in distinguishing between light-and-clear (qing) and heavy-and-turbid (zhuo) properties, as well as the intensity of their efficacy. Proper application is ideal. Light-and-clear agents are suitable for clearing heat in the upper jiao, such as Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), and Tianhua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix). Heavy-and-turbid agents are suitable for clearing heat in the lower jiao, such as Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Longdancao (Gentianae Radix), and Huashi (Talcum). Agents with potent efficacy can clear severe heat, such as Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Lvhui (Aloe), Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), and Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix). Agents with mild efficacy can clear slight heat, such as Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Tongbian (Urine of Children). Used via purgation, they remove heat from excess stagnation, such as Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). Used via diuresis, they remove heat associated with urinary obstruction, such as Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Yichen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), Zhuling (Polyporus), and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). Used via tonification, they remove heat caused by yin-deficiency and dryness, such as Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Dongchun (Asparagi Radix and Ophiopogonis Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Lizhi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae juice/pear juice), and Xigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle). The intent behind classifying drugs by meridians in medical books lies here, though the rationale is rarely explicitly stated. However, when fire is severe, even if located in the upper jiao, heavy-and-turbid agents may be appropriate; when fire is mild, even if located in the lower jiao, light-and-clear agents may suffice. All heat requiring cooling treatment is excess heat. Excess heat in the lower jiao should naturally be treated with clearing and draining methods; excess heat in the upper jiao must not be treated with ascending methods. Since fire belongs to yang, it should be treated via yin; treating via yin implies descending. Ascending would merely follow its yang nature. As the Classics state: "For those high up, suppress them." The meaning is clear. Furthermore, Li Dongyuan's method of "ascending yang and dispersing fire" was designed for heat generated by exterior pathogens and cannot be equated with internal inflammation of latent fire.

2. The formulation of hot-natured prescriptions is intended to dispel cold. Cold diseases include cold pathogens invading the muscle-surface, raw or cold foods injuring the spleen and stomach, and yin-cold penetrating the zang-fu organs. These are all external colds; removing their source makes treatment straightforward, which is generally understood. However, innate cold arises formless and soundless, initially imperceptible and unpredictable in origin. Many suffer from this condition, yet few understand it. What is it? Zhu Danxi stated: "Excess qi becomes fire." I add: "Deficient qi becomes cold." How many people today have excess qi? Those with deficient yang due to congenital endowment or acquired depletion often generate cold from within, leading to various diseases of yang decline. This process is gradual, with subtle manifestations. When unnoticed, who pays attention? Only when it becomes severe does one realize the difficulty of treatment. Moreover, mediocre physicians often fail to recognize this, mistaking false heat for true fire, resulting in countless deaths from unseen causes. Therefore, only wise physicians worry about the root of yang decline, highlighting the necessity of preparing hot-natured prescriptions in advance.

Methods for using hot-natured drugs include: Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) warms the middle and disperses exterior cold, suitable for vomiting, nausea, and absence of sweat. Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) promotes blood circulation and reaches the four limbs, suitable for blood stasis and pain. Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) warms the lower jiao, excellent for abdominal pain and diarrhea. Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen) warms the spleen and kidneys, uniquely effective for undigested stool in diarrhea. Hujiao (Piperis Longi Fructus) warms the stomach and harmonizes the middle, similar to Bibo (Piperis Kadsurae Fructus). Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos) stops vomiting and moves qi, warmer than Dou Ren (Myristicae Semen). Buguzhi (Psoraleae Fructus) has a descending nature and opens blockages, thus gathering qi to calm asthma and stop leukorrhea and diarrhea. Zhi Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) moves like wine, reaching everywhere, capable of saving emergencies and restoring yang. Other warm-natured drugs requiring distinction include Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Nanting (Arisaematis Tuber), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Wuyao (Linderae Radix), Jiangliangjiang (Galangal Rhizome), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), Xianmao (Curculiginis Rhizoma), and Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Officinalis Radix). Key principles for using hot-natured drugs include: dispersing combined with warming to dispel cold pathogens; moving combined with warming to resolve cold stagnation; tonifying combined with warming to supplement deficiency-cold. However, excessive sweating contraindicates Jiang (Ginger/Zingiberis Rhizoma) because it disperses. Hemorrhage contraindicates Gui (Cinnamon/Cinnamomi Cortex) because it agitates blood. Shortness of breath and timidity contraindicate Guzhi (Buguzhi/Psoraleae Fructus) because it descends qi. Generally, aromatic drugs are unfavorable for qi-deficiency syndromes. Pungent drugs are often unfavorable for bleeding syndromes; caution is required. This summarizes the use of hot-natured drugs.

Regarding the differentiation of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata): practitioners today often wait until the situation is hopeless before using it reluctantly. They do not know that the merit of restoring yang should be applied when yang is on the verge of departure, using it gradually to hope for recovery. If used after yang has already departed, it is like trying to reignite dead ash, serving no purpose. However, Fuzi is fierce; using it alone is difficult. It must be combined with sweet-tonic herbs like Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Shudi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), and Zhi Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle) to restrain its harshness and assist its vigor. With doubled dosage, it will be effective everywhere. It is the Great General among medicines; how can it be left unused? But only those who truly understand it and use it skillfully can be called masters of commanding generals.