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If Heart Fire invades the Spleen Earth, this is due to Blood being harmed by Fire pathogenic factors, preventing Yang Qi from ascending. Yang Qi lies dormant within (the "Earth" refers to the human Spleen). In this case, Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) must be used to harmonize the Blood, and a small amount of Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) should be used to nourish True Yin.

For syndromes of Spleen and Stomach deficiency, Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) should be used in small amounts. This is because Sheng Ma is a guiding herb for the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, enabling Yang Qi to circulate in the Yang aspects, moving upward and leftward (Zuo Qian) from the Spleen and Stomach. The Shaoyang meridian governs the Spring command, generating the roots of all things. Additionally, a slight addition of Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) causes the Qi of various meridians to move downward and rightward (You Qian), generating the Qi of Yin and Yang to nourish the harmonious Qi of Spring.

If Spleen deficiency leads to hyperactivity of Heart Fire which then overacts on Spleen Earth, followed by Lung Qi being affected and injured by Heat, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) must be used in the largest dose, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) next, and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) third. These three are sweet-warm Yang-tonifying herbs. Since Spleen deficiency causes Lung Qi to fail first, the sweet-warm nature of Huang Qi is used to tonify the Qi of the skin and hair, and close the Cou Li (pores and interstices), preventing spontaneous sweating that would damage Yuan Qi. For symptoms such as upper asthma, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak, Ren Shen must be used to tonify. When Heart Fire invades the Spleen, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) must be used to drain Fire heat and tonify Yuan Qi in the Spleen and Stomach. However, the dose of Gan Cao should be minimal to avoid causing fullness. If there is severe pain in the Spleen and Stomach, or extreme deficiency of Spleen and Stomach with abdominal cramping and tightening of the abdominal wall, Gan Cao should be used in larger doses. This aligns with the principle in the Classics: "For tension, use soothing methods." If treating as an expedient measure, Sheng Ma must be added to guide the Qi, fearing that the pathogenic factor moving leftward may become entrenched and refuse to recede, potentially leading to pathogenic factors ascending to the nape and buttocks, moving along the Yin pathways. Therefore, it is guided to move along the Yang pathway, allowing Clear Qi to emerge from the interior, move rightward and ascend, thereby harmonizing the Qi of Yin and Yang. If there is middle Jiao fullness, remove Gan Cao; if cough is severe, remove Ren Shen; if there is dry mouth and throat, add Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix).

If the Spleen and Stomach are already deficient and unable to ascend and float, and their generating Qi is damaged by Deficient Fire (Yin Fire), Ying Blood is severely depleted. Ying Qi lies dormant within, while Deficient Fire blazes, slowly consuming day by day, resulting in a shortage of Blood and Qi. Furthermore, the Pericardium Collateral and the Heart govern Blood; when Blood decreases, the Heart lacks nourishment, causing mental confusion and vexation. This disease is named "Xin Huo" (Heart Confusion). "Hu" refers to mental perplexity, vexation, and unease. This arises because Clear Qi does not ascend, Turbid Qi does not descend, and Clear and Turbid interfere with each other, causing chaos in the chest, leading to reverse flow and disorder of Blood and Qi throughout the body. The Classics state: "For disorders rising from below, use guiding methods to expel them." Therefore, acrid-warm and sweet-warm agents should be added to generate Yang. When Yang generates, Yin grows. One might ask: How can sweet-warm herbs generate Blood? They are not blood-nourishing herbs. The answer is: According to Zhang Zhongjing's method, for Blood deficiency, Ren Shen is used to tonify; when Yang is vigorous, it can generate Yin Blood. Additionally, Dang Gui is used to harmonize the Blood, and a slight addition of Huang Bo is appropriate to rescue Kidney Water. This is because sweet-cold herbs drain Fire heat; when Fire subsides, Heart Qi becomes peaceful and calm. If vexation and chaos persist, a small amount of Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) is added to clear it. This is done to tonify Kidney Water, making Kidney Water vigorous so that Heart Fire naturally descends, supporting the Yang Qi within.

If floating Qi causes mental disorder, Zhu Sha An Shen Wan (Cinnabar Calming the Spirit Pill) should be used to stabilize and secure the mind. Once vexation subsides, do not continue taking it to prevent the rebound effect of draining Yang Qi and causing Yang collapse. If there is epigastric stuffiness, a small amount of Huang Lian is also added. Qi disorder in the chest is due to the interference of Clear and Turbid Qi, so Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) is used to regulate it. It assists the ascent of Yang Qi and disperses stagnant Qi, further aiding the action of various sweet and acrid herbs. Therefore, during the late summer when Damp Earth prevails and external Fire pathogens are strong, Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma) can be added expediently to dissipate Damp-Heat above and below. When Dampness is excessive, digestion of food is impaired, leading to reduced appetite and loss of taste for grains. Chao Qu (Fermented Medicinal Leaven) is added to digest food. Additionally, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), and Ren Shen are added to drain Fire, benefit Lung Qi, and assist the recovery of Autumn (Metal) deficiency. These are the herbs used during the San Fu days when Late Summer Qi is at its peak.

According to Li Dongyuan's opinion, his reasoning is precise, and his prescriptions are balanced. Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Benefit Qi Decoction) is widely followed in recent times. However, it is most suitable for individuals with weak Qi and Blood. For robust individuals, it may not be effective and could instead promote Damp-Heat; therefore, careful consideration is necessary.