五痿皆因肺热生,阳明无病不能成,肺热叶焦皮毛瘁,发为痿 不能行,心热脉痿
胫节纵,肾骨腰脊不能兴,肝筋拘挛失所养脾肉不仁燥渴频。
【注】五痿,心、肝、脾、肺、肾之痿也。痿属燥病,故皆因肺热而生也,阳明者,五
脏六腑之海,主润宗筋。阳明无病,则宗筋润、能束骨而利机关,虽有肺热不能成痿也。
肺热叶焦,阳明虚弱,津液不化,筋骨失养,皮毛瘁痿,发为痿 不能行也,因而心气热
为脉痿,则胫节纵而不任地,肺兼心病也。因而肾气热为骨痿,则腰脊不能兴举,肺兼肾
病也。因而肝气热为筋痿,则筋失所养,拘挛不伸,肺兼肝病也。因而脾气热为肉痿,则
胃燥而渴,肌肉不仁,肺兼脾病也。
痿病足兮痹病身,仍在不疼痛里分,但观治痿无风药,始晓虚实别有因。
【注】痿痹之证,今人多为一病,以其相类也。然痿病两足痿软不痛,痹病通身肢节
疼痛。但观古人治痿,皆不用风药,则可知痿多虚,痹多实,而所因有别也。
痿燥因何治湿热,遵经独取治阳明,阳明无故惟病肺,胃壮能食审证攻,控涎小胃
湿痰热,阳明积热法三承,胃弱食少先养胃,久虚按证始收功。
【注】痿属燥病,因何而用治湿热苦燥之药?盖遵《内经》之治法,独取于阳明胃也。
故胃家无病,虽有肺热,惟病肺而不病痿也。是知病痿者,胃家必有故也,或湿热、或积
热、或湿痰,不论新久,若胃壮能食,当先审证攻之。胃有湿痰,用控涎丹攻之。有湿
热者,用小胃丹攻之,有积热者,用三承气汤攻之。此治胃壮能食之法也。若胃弱饮食
减少,气血津液不足,当先以补养脾胃为主。其有久病留连,诸虚燥热,或攻下之后调理,
当审证治之,始收全功也。
加味二妙汤
加味二妙湿热痿,两足痿软热难当,防己当归川萆 ,黄柏龟版膝秦苍。
【注】热难当,谓两足热难当也。膝秦苍,谓牛膝、秦艽、苍术也。
清燥汤 虎潜丸 十全大补汤 加味金刚丸
时令湿热清燥效,阴虚湿热虎潜灵,久虚痿软全金主,萆瓜牛菟杜苁蓉。
【注】清燥汤在内伤门。虎潜丸有成方。全金主,谓十全大补汤、加味金刚丸,久病
气血虚,以十全大补汤为主;筋骨痿软,以加味金刚丸为主。加味金刚丸,即萆 、木
瓜,牛膝、菟丝子、杜仲、肉苁蓉也。
The five types of Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome) all arise from Lung heat; without pathology in the Yangming channel, they cannot form. Lung heat scorches the lung leaves and causes the skin and hair to wither, leading to flaccidity where movement is impossible. Heart heat leads to Mai Wei (pulse flaccidity), characterized by laxity of the lower leg joints. Kidney heat leads to Gu Wei (bone flaccidity), characterized by the inability to raise the waist and spine. Liver heat leads to Jin Wei (tendon flaccidity), characterized by tendon spasms and loss of nourishment. Spleen heat leads to Rou Wei (muscle flaccidity), characterized by muscle numbness, dryness, thirst, and frequent drinking.
[Note] The "Five Weis" refer to the flaccidity syndromes associated with the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. Wei syndrome belongs to dryness diseases, thus arising from Lung heat. The Yangming channel is the sea of the five zang and six fu organs, primarily moistening the Zong jin (major tendons). If the Yangming channel has no pathology, the Zong jin are moistened, capable of binding the bones and facilitating joint movement; even with Lung heat, Wei syndrome cannot form. Lung heat scorches the lung leaves, combined with Yangming deficiency, preventing the transformation of body fluids. Without nourishment for the sinews and bones, the skin and hair wither and become flaccid, resulting in limb flaccidity and inability to walk. Consequently, Heart qi heat becomes Mai Wei (pulse flaccidity), causing the lower leg joints to be lax and unable to bear weight on the ground; this is Lung disease combined with Heart disease. Consequently, Kidney qi heat becomes Gu Wei (bone flaccidity), causing the waist and spine to be unable to rise or lift; this is Lung disease combined with Kidney disease. Consequently, Liver qi heat becomes Jin Wei (tendon flaccidity), causing the sinews to lose nourishment, spasm, and fail to extend; this is Lung disease combined with Liver disease. Consequently, Spleen qi heat becomes Rou Wei (muscle flaccidity), causing stomach dryness and thirst, and muscle numbness; this is Lung disease combined with Spleen disease.
Wei syndrome affects the feet, whereas Bi syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome) affects the body; the distinction lies in the presence or absence of pain. Observing that ancient treatments for Wei syndrome do not use wind-dispelling herbs reveals that the etiologies of deficiency and excess are distinct.
[Note] The conditions of Wei syndrome and Bi syndrome are often considered one disease today due to their similarities. However, Wei syndrome presents with flaccidity and weakness in both legs without pain, while Bi syndrome involves pain throughout the limbs and joints. Observing that ancient practitioners did not use wind-dispelling herbs when treating Wei syndrome indicates that Wei syndrome is mostly deficiency, whereas Bi syndrome is mostly excess, and their causes differ.
Why treat Wei syndrome, a dryness condition, with methods for damp-heat? Follow the classics by exclusively targeting the Yangming channel. If the Yangming channel is healthy, Lung heat will only affect the Lung, not cause Wei syndrome. Thus, those suffering from Wei syndrome must have pathology in the Stomach/Yangming. This may be damp-heat, accumulated heat, or damp-phlegm. Regardless of whether it is new or chronic, if the Stomach is strong and appetite is good, first examine the syndrome and apply purgative methods. For damp-phlegm in the Stomach, use Kong Xian Dan (Phlegm-Controlling Pill) to purge. For damp-heat, use Xiao Wei Dan (Minor Stomach-Purging Pill). For accumulated heat, use the Three Chengqi Decoctions method. This is the method for treating strong Stomachs with good appetite. If the Stomach is weak with reduced intake, leading to insufficiency of Qi, blood, and body fluids, prioritize tonifying and nourishing the Spleen and Stomach. For prolonged lingering illness with various deficiencies and dryness-heat, or for regulation after purgation, examine the syndrome and treat accordingly to achieve full efficacy.
Jia Wei Er Miao Tang (Modified Two Marvels Decoction): Treats Wei syndrome caused by damp-heat, where the two legs are flaccid and the heat is unbearable. Ingredients include Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuan Bixie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Guiban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), and Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma).
[Note] "Heat unbearable" refers to the intense heat in the two legs. "Xi Qin Cang" refers to Niu Xi, Qin Jiao, and Cang Zhu.
Qing Zao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction), Hu Qian Wan (Tiger's Latent Pill), Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction), Jia Wei Jin Gang Wan (Modified Diamond Pill): For seasonal damp-heat, Qing Zao Tang is effective; for Yin deficiency with damp-heat, Hu Qian Ling is efficacious; for prolonged deficiency and flaccidity, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is primary. Ingredients for the latter context include Bixie, Gualou, Niu Xi, Tusizi, Duzhong, and Rongcongrou.
[Note] Qing Zao Tang is recorded in the Internal Injury section. Hu Qian Wan exists as a established formula. "Quan Jin Zhu" refers to Shi Quan Da Bu Tang and Jia Wei Jin Gang Wan. For prolonged illness with Qi and Blood deficiency, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is primary; for sinew and bone flaccidity, Jia Wei Jin Gang Wan is primary. Jia Wei Jin Gang Wan consists of Bixie, Mugua, Niu Xi, Tusizi, Duzhong, and Rongcongrou.