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When heat qi accumulates in the interior for a long time, it should naturally be resolved with cooling methods. When cold qi stagnates internally for a long time, it must be eliminated with acrid-warm methods. Therefore, substances with warm-dispersing properties are indeed essential for treating deficiency-cold and qi stagnation in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). However, since the Middle Jiao lies between the upper and lower parts, treatment should primarily focus on the Middle Jiao, while conditions in the upper and lower parts are often addressed as a consequence of regulating the Middle Jiao. Thus, warmth secures the interior without causing stagnation, and dispersion moves through the exterior without leaving pathogenic factors behind. By applying both warming and dispersing methods simultaneously, diseases will not remain slightly within the body to resist treatment. However, if distinctions are not made clearly, treatments often become confused and mixed up.

For instance, Amomum fruit (Sha Ren), Aucklandia root (Mu Xiang), Cyperus rhizome (Xiang Fu), Dried ginger (Gan Jiang), Pinellia tuber (Ban Xia), Pepper (Hu Jiao), Evodia fruit (Wu Zhu Yu), Quisqualis seed (Shi Jun Zi), Malt (Mai Ya), and Pine resin (Song Zhi) are all substances that warm the Middle Jiao, move qi, and relieve stagnation. Yet, Amomum fruit only warms the stomach and relieves stagnation; Aucklandia root only soothes the Liver and awakens the Spleen; Cyperus rhizome only opens depression, moves Qi and blood, and unblocks meridians; Pinellia only resolves phlegm and expels dampness; Dried ginger only warms the Middle and dispels cold; Pepper only warms the stomach, resolves phlegm, and removes cold; Evodia fruit only drives upward-rebelling cold qi from the Liver channel into the intestines and stomach; Quisqualis seed only dries dampness and kills parasites; Malt only digests grains and grinds food accumulation; Pine resin only dispels wind and dries dampness. They have specific functions and cannot be used interchangeably.

Regarding those that warm the Middle Jiao and also affect the Upper Jiao, there is Galangal fruit (Bi Bo) which disperses cold rebellion in the chest and abdomen; Agastache herb (Huo Xiang) which awakens the Spleen, expels noxious factors, broadens the chest, and stops vomiting; Acorus rhizome (Chang Pu) which opens the heart orifices, clarifies the mind, awakens the Spleen, and expels phlegm; Corydalis rhizome (Yan Hu Suo) which moves Qi stagnation in blood and blood stagnation in Qi; and Benzoin resin (An Xi Xiang) which promotes the circulation of Qi and blood. Each has its specific jurisdiction and unique efficacy.

Regarding those that warm the Middle Jiao and also affect the Lower Jiao, there is Alpinia oxyphylla fruit (Yi Zhi Ren) which dries dampness, expels cold, warms the Kidney, and reduces urination; Cnidium fruit (She Chuang Zi) which tonifies fire, disseminates wind, and dries dampness; Tribulus fruit (Ji Li) which dispels wind-pathogens of the Liver and Kidney; and Fennel seeds (Da Xiao Hui Xiang) which drive out deep-seated cold in the Liver and Kidney. Each has its own indications and distinct merits.

Regarding those that warm the Middle Jiao and also penetrate outward, there is Tsaoko cardamom fruit (Cao Guo) which warms the stomach, expels cold, eliminates miasma, and prevents malaria; Styrax benzoin (Su He Xiang), Camphor (Zhang Nao), Garlic (Da Suan), Sand Ginger (Shan Nai), Nardostachys root (Gan Song), and Vetiver root (Pai Cao) which open orifices, expel pathogens, and eliminate evil spirits (pathogenic toxins); White Sandalwood (Bai Tan Xiang) which expels cold and reverses rebellious Qi to guide Stomach Qi upward; Galangal rhizome (Liang Jiang) and Red Cardamom (Hong Dou Kou) which warm the stomach and disperse cold; Mugwort leaf (Ai Ye) which removes deep-seated cold in the Liver channel to restore nearly exhausted Yang Qi; Pepper (Hu Jiao) which connects the Heart, Spleen, and lower abdomen, expels noxious factors, and promotes the eruption of smallpox; Tobacco (Yan Cao) which moves Qi, relieves stagnation, expels miasma, and eliminates evil; White Mustard seed (Bai Jie Zi) which removes wind-phlegm under the hypochondrium and in the subcutaneous tissues; Calcined Hematite (Duan Shi) which dries blood, stops bleeding, and dissipates blood stasis; and Lindera root (Wu Yao) which treats Qi rebellion causing discomfort in the chest and abdomen. Each has its rapid efficacy that responds like an echo.

Regarding those that warm the Middle Jiao and penetrate both up and down, there is Clove bud (Ding Xiang) which drains the Lung, warms the stomach, dries the Kidney, and stops hiccups; Sichuan pepper (Chuan Jiao) which tonifies fire, warms the viscera, dispels cold, and kills parasites. Each has its appropriate compatibility of flavor and nature.

If the warming effect is seen exclusively in the Upper Jiao, there is Greater Galangal seed (Cao Dou Kou) which expels wind-cold at the stomach opening, relieving only pain in the epigastrium; and Herba Elsholtziae (Xun Cao) which moves Qi, dispels cold, expels noxious factors, and stops pain. Their effects are undeniable.

Furthermore, if the warming effect is seen exclusively in the Lower Jiao, there is Allium macrostemon bulb (Xie Bai) which unblocks the Lung, removes obstruction, unblocks the intestines, and stops dysentery. Their effects are indelible.

Although they all warm the Middle Jiao, their flavors and natures differ greatly, and their therapeutic effects vary significantly, being so different. However, Huang Gongxiu privately believes: Substances that warm the Middle Jiao, if their Qi nature is floating and ascending, will have a strong dispersing action. Substances that warm the Middle Jiao, if their Qi nature is sinking and descending, will have a very weak dispersing action. If a Middle-warming substance has floating Qi and penetrates both interior and exterior, its dispersing action becomes even more intense and uncontrollable! Therefore, the descending nature of Clove bud and White Cardamom is completely different from the ascending nature of Greater Galangal seed and White Sandalwood. Even compared to the dispersing nature of Amomum fruit or the descending nature of Aucklandia root, they are absolutely dissimilar. Galangal rhizome has an overly dispersing flavor and nature, so it can only expel external cold entering the interior, but cannot be equated with Dried ginger's function of warming the interior. Agastache herb has a relatively thin flavor and nature, so it can only remove foul odors, vomiting, and rebellion, but cannot be discussed alongside Aucklandia root's ability to relieve stagnation. Lindera root penetrates up and down and treats Qi disorders better than Cyperus rhizome, making it essential for stroke and Qi blockage. Allium macrostemon bulb has a pungent and penetrating flavor and nature, moving Qi far beyond Aucklandia root, making it essential for chest bi-syndrome and intestinal stagnation. In all these cases, whether warming or dispersing, there is underlying logic and complexity, which requires careful contemplation by practitioners.