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Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, 白术), with a sweet and pungent taste and warm nature, has the capacity to ascend and descend, belonging to the category of Yang containing Yin. It is non-toxic. It enters the meridians of the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, and Sanjiao (Triple Burner). It eliminates dampness and resolves food stagnation, supplements Qi and strengthens Yin, and is particularly effective in promoting the flow of Qi in the waist and umbilical region. ([Commentary] The ability of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to promote Qi flow in the waist and umbilical region essentially stems from its ability to eliminate dampness in the Kidneys. When the Kidneys are not damp, the waist does not hurt; once dampness is removed, the waist and umbilical region naturally become unobstructed.) It can stop sweating when present and induce sweating when absent. Its efficacy is comparable to that of Astragali Radix (Huangqi, 黄芪), making it a sovereign drug (Jun Yao) rather than an assistant or guide drug. Often, using it as a single herb can achieve therapeutic success, a fact unknown to the world. Today, I reveal this heavenly and earthly wonder. For instance, in cases of lower back pain, administering two to three taels of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, decocted in water, reduces pain by half after one dose, and eliminates it completely after two doses. Lower back pain is a symptom of the Kidney meridian, a belief universally held. In cases of Kidney deficiency, treatments using Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang, 熟地黄) and Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu, 山茱萸) to nourish Water have failed, as have those using Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong, 杜仲) and Psoraleae Fructus (Puguzhi, 破故纸) to tonify Fire. Why does the single use of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma succeed? This is because Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is most effective in benefiting the waist and umbilical region. Lower back pain results from damp-water Qi invading the Kidney palace. Therefore, using tonic formulas may inadvertently exacerbate the pathogenic factors. It is better to use only Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, unrestricted, to directly benefit the waist and umbilical region. The Qi of these areas connects with the Mingmen (Gate of Life). When the Qi of the umbilicus flows freely, so does the Qi of the waist. Once the Qi of the waist and umbilicus is unobstructed, how can dampness in the Kidneys remain? Naturally, dampness leaves, and pain vanishes. For chronic diarrhea caused by alcohol-induced dampness lasting years, using only this single herb, taken continuously for several doses, invariably proves effective. Moreover, as dampness leaves, diarrhea stops; as diarrhea stops, the Spleen becomes robust; as the Spleen becomes robust, the Stomach also functions well. Spirit revives, complexion brightens, and benefits are infinite. Thus, the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is no inferior to that of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参). Furthermore, in cases of malaria, using two taels of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and one tael of Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia, 半夏), formed into pills with rice flour and consumed in one day, leads to cure. Malaria is a notoriously difficult disease to cure. Treatments using Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Qingpi, 青皮) to disperse pathogens fail; treatments using Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia, 鳖甲) and Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Shouwu, 首乌) to expel pathogens fail; treatments using Tsaoko Fructus (Caoguo, 草果) and Oldenlandiae Herba (Changshan, 常山) to attack pathogens fail. Why do two taels of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma as the sovereign herb and one tael of Pinelliae Tuber as the minister herb succeed? This is because Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a divine herb for strengthening the Spleen and opening the stomach, and its subtlety lies especially in eliminating dampness. Pinelliae Tuber eliminates phlegm. Without phlegm, there is no malaria; without dampness, there is no phlegm. Promoting dampness clears the source of phlegm; eliminating phlegm deprives malaria of its support. Moreover, with robust Spleen and Stomach, Yang Qi ascends vigorously, leaving no place for the "malaria demon" to exist. This explains the rapid efficacy. From this, we see that Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma must be a sovereign herb. Extending this logic: Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) adds more Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to eliminate phlegm; Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) adds more to supplement Qi; Wuling San (Five-Ling Powder) adds more to promote urination; Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) adds more to dispel cold; Xiangru Yin (Elsholtzia Drink) adds more to resolve summerheat. Before childbirth, more Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is added to calm the fetus; after childbirth, more is added to rescue collapse. To digest food, how else but to use more Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma for rapid transformation? To direct Qi downward, how else but to use more for immediate stabilization? In stroke, how else but to use more to save life in an instant? In abdominal masses, how else but to use more to rescue from deterioration? If people realize that Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a sovereign herb and pay attention to using larger doses, they will surely achieve miraculous results. One might ask: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma benefits the waist and umbilical region to remove dampness. If the pathology is not in the waist and umbilical region, it seems unsuitable. Why is it indispensable for all dampness diseases? This shows a lack of understanding of the meaning of the waist and umbilical region. At birth, the Mingmen (Gate of Life) forms first. The Mingmen is the master within the Kidneys, representing congenital Fire Qi. After the Mingmen, the five Zang and six Fu organs are generated, and then the umbilicus forms. Thus, the umbilicus is the maternal Qi of the postnatal stage. The Mingmen is located in the waist, opposite the umbilicus. The waist and umbilicus are the masters of the body. If the waist and umbilicus are unobstructed, the person is healthy; if obstructed, the person falls ill. Whenever there is water-dampness, it inevitably invades the waist and umbilicus, varying only in severity. To treat water-dampness, one must benefit the waist and umbilicus so that water enters the Bladder and is excreted via urine. Therefore, treating water requires benefiting the waist and umbilicus, which necessitates the use of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Moreover, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma benefits the Qi of the waist and umbilicus, not the water itself. When the Qi of the waist and umbilicus flows, it connects to the Bladder, preventing any water-dampness pathogen from lingering, causing them to be excreted entirely through the Bladder. This "benefiting by not directly draining" of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is superior to direct drainage. ([Commentary] Benefiting Qi does not mean purging Qi; it precisely means facilitating Qi flow to the Bladder. The Bladder cannot function without Qi; Qi closure causes obstruction, while Qi flow causes opening. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma benefits Qi to promote water metabolism, hence its necessity.)

One might ask: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma strengthens the Spleen and eliminates dampness, serving as a sacred medicine for postnatal earth cultivation, truly reliable in emergencies. Although people know Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma benefits humans, they do not know it can also harm. Since Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma promotes diuresis, its nature must be drying. Dampness diseases account for four-tenths of worldly cases, while dryness syndromes account for six-tenths. If Lung Qi is dry, using Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to promote diuresis will scorch Lung fluids, leading to dry cough. If Stomach Qi is dry, using it will cause Stomach heat to vaporize fluids, leading to thirst. If Spleen Qi is dry, using it will parch Spleen fluids, leading to intestinal constipation. What is suitable for dampness is not suitable for dryness. Having benefited from removing dampness, how can one avoid harm from increased dryness?

One may doubt: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a top-grade herb for eliminating dampness and generating fluids, yet you say its nature is drying and unsuitable for dryness diseases of the Lung, Stomach, and Spleen. I do not understand this. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma generates fluids only in the state where Water and Fire are harmonized (Ji Ji), not in the state where they are disharmonized (Wei Ji). Just as dampness should be eliminated, dryness should be resolved, which is obvious. Not resolving dryness but using drying herbs to treat it means that even if fluids are generated, they will be scorched by fire. Moreover, since Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma eliminates dampness, internal fluids are depleted and external water qi is absent; from where can fluids be generated? Thus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma treats dampness but not dryness. Although its nature is drying, it ultimately strengthens the Spleen. When the Spleen is strong, fluids generate naturally. Using moistening herbs to counteract its dryness neutralizes its drying property, preventing it from aiding dryness. ([Commentary] By countering its drying nature with moistening herbs, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma can be used effectively anywhere.)

One may question: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma strengthens the Spleen and generates Stomach Qi. Sometimes, despite using it, the Spleen and Stomach cannot tolerate tonification. Why? This is "deficiency unable to accept tonification." Spleen and Stomach Qi prefer generation and expansion but dislike blockage. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a divine herb for opening the Stomach and Spleen. Failure indicates a sign of collapse. The cause of this collapse is severe failure of Kidney Fire. Earth is not born without Fire; Fire is not prosperous without Earth. Spleen-Stomach Earth must be supported by Kidney Fire to become solid and digest food and drink. Now, with Kidney Water exhausted and Kidney Fire near extinction, Earth lacks root support. Merely using Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to strengthen the Spleen and open the Stomach is futile when the congenital Fire of the Kidneys is depleted, like adding fuel to dead ashes—flames will not rise. This inability to generate is due to the Spleen's incapacity to generate, not because Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma fails to generate. ([Commentary] Rootless Earth must be supported by Fire.)

One might ask: Spleen Earth is indeed generated by Kidney Fire, while Stomach Earth is generated by Heart Fire. If Kidney Fire is extinct but Heart Fire remains, can Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma strengthen the Stomach to generate Earth? Stomach Earth cannot be born without Heart Fire, but Heart Fire must be assisted by Kidney Fire. If Kidney Fire is extinct, how can it assist Heart Fire? With Heart Fire relying on the extinction of Kidney Fire, and Heart Fire too busy trying to save Kidney Fire, how can it save the Stomach? If the Stomach cannot be saved, lacking the generation of both Fires, Stomach Qi cannot survive. Once Stomach Qi perishes, although Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma can strengthen the Spleen, it cannot generate the Stomach. ([Commentary] Spleen Earth is born from Kidney Fire, Stomach Earth from Heart Fire. Though distinguished, both actually originate from Kidney Fire. Thus, if Kidney Fire perishes, both Spleen and Stomach are beyond rescue.)

One might further ask: Since Heart and Kidney Fires are extinct, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma fails. If I rescue Heart and Kidney Fire while simultaneously using Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, can generation occur? Alas! Congenital Fire, though seemingly extinct, is not fully gone. Postnatal Fire, once extinct, is totally gone. Kidney Fire is congenital Fire; Heart Fire is postnatal Fire. The extinction of postnatal Fire results from the prior extinction of congenital Fire. Rescuing congenital Fire allows postnatal Fire to arise spontaneously. Rescuing postnatal Fire makes congenital Fire hard to revive. Therefore, rescuing Fire requires first rescuing Kidney Fire. If Kidney Fire arises, Heart Fire survives; if Kidney Fire perishes, Heart Fire cannot arise. Thus, to rescue the generation of Spleen and Stomach, one must not merely rescue Heart Fire. It is not that Heart Fire should not be rescued; rescuing Kidney Fire is precisely how one rescues Heart Fire. If the extinction of Kidney Fire is not addressed urgently, and one merely tries to rescue Heart Fire by adding large amounts of Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi, 肉桂) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi, 附子) to Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, attempting to save the Kidney by saving the Heart, death is inevitable. How much less so with only Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma? ([Commentary] Elucidating the meaning of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma yields such extraordinary theories, truly startling.)

One may suspect: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is drying, so it is unsuitable for those with Fire in the Spleen and Stomach, fearing it aids heat. Such discussions are a great misfortune for the people. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is sweet and warm, capable of clearing heat. How could it be unsuitable for those with Fire in the Spleen and Stomach? ([Commentary] Sweet and warm Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma precisely resolves fire-heat.) Only when evil Fire boils in the Stomach should it not be used, lest it aid the pathogen. If deficient Fire harasses the Stomach, what else but the sweet warmth of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma can resolve heat? People seeing Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, regardless of presence or absence of Fire, or whether Fire is deficient or evil, uniformly claim it aids Fire and is unsuitable. Even more laughable is the suspicion that it closes Qi. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma benefits the Qi of the waist and umbilicus; how could benefiting the waist and umbilicus hinder the Spleen and Stomach?

One may suspect that Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma closes Qi, specifically Upper Jiao Qi. You stated it benefits Lower Jiao Qi. Upper and Lower differ; perhaps benefiting Lower does not imply benefiting Upper. I reply: The waist and umbilicus are the root of generating Qi. How could the root benefit greatly while branches and leaves fail to expand? Those claiming it closes Qi refer to cases of Qi deficiency and dispersion; Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma tonifies and consolidates dispersed Qi. People mistakenly interpret "close" as blocking, causing this Qi-promoting herb to be discarded as a Qi-blocking agent. This is an injustice spanning millennia.

One asks: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a Yang herb, yet it benefits Yin of Spleen Earth. Does it generate Yin within Yang itself, or does it rely on Yin-tonifying herbs to generate Yang? I reply: Yang herbs tonify Yang, but Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma uniquely tonifies Yin within Yang, making it also a Yin-category herb. Since it tonifies both Yin and Yang, combining it with Yin or Yang herbs achieves success through mutual assistance. Why insist on using Yin herbs to generate Yang or Yang herbs to generate Yin?

One doubts: Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is a Yang herb, yet it tonifies Yin of Spleen Qi, implying Yang generates Yin. How then can Yang generate Yang? Yin and Yang originally generate each other. Yang generating Yang is slower than Yang generating Yin, but one cannot say Yang does not generate Yang. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, being a Yang herb, generates Yin within the Spleen eight parts out of ten, and Yang within the Spleen two parts out of ten.