Library

The Yellow Emperor asked: How is it acquired? Qibo replied: The Lung is the chief of the Zang organs and serves as the canopy for the Heart. If one experiences loss or fails to achieve desired goals, it will cause Lung Qi to rebel and produce sounds (such as coughing or wheezing). This rebellion generates Lung Heat, leading to the scorching and withering of the Lung leaves. Therefore, it is said that when the Five Zang organs suffer from Lung Heat and withered Lung leaves, various types of Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome) arise; this is what is meant. If grief is excessive, it obstructs the Pericardium Collateral (Pericardium Meridian), causing the Qi and Blood within to stagnate. When the Pericardium Collateral is blocked, Yang Qi moves internally restlessly. Upon manifestation, there may be bleeding from the epigastrium and frequent hematuria (blood in urine). Thus, the *Ben Bing* chapter states: When the large meridians are empty, Ji Bi (muscle bi-syndrome) arises, which transmits into Mai Wei (vessel flaccidity); if thoughts are endless and wishes remain unfulfilled, with mental desires wandering outward and sexual intercourse being excessive, the Zong Jin (tendons/genitals) become flaccid and relaxed, leading to Jin Wei (tendon flaccidity) and Bai Yin (leukorrhea or spermatorrhea). Thus, the *Xia Jing* states: Jin Wei originates from the Liver due to excessive sexual activity; if one gradually becomes accustomed to dampness, engages in water-related work, or resides in damp environments, muscle tissue remains soaked by dampness, becoming numb and insensible, leading to Rou Wei (muscle flaccidity). Thus, the *Xia Jing* states: Rou Wei results from exposure to damp places; if one travels far, becomes fatigued, encounters intense heat, and feels thirsty, thirst causes internal consumption of Yang Qi. This internal consumption allows Heat to lodge in the Kidney. The Kidney is the Water organ; now Water cannot overcome Fire, leading to dry bones and empty marrow. Consequently, the feet cannot support the body, resulting in Gu Wei (bone flaccidity). Thus, the *Xia Jing* states: Gu Wei arises from intense heat.

This passage clarifies the etiology of Wei disease. The Lung sits above the Heart. Loss and unfulfilled desires cause inner vexation and agitation, leading to blazing Heart Fire. Over time, this scorches the Lung, causing Lung Qi rebellion, heat, and eventually withered Lung leaves, triggering Wei syndrome; excessive grief injures the Pericardium Collateral, blocking its meridian Qi. Internal Yang Qi then rushes upward and inward, causing epigastric collapse-like bleeding and frequent hematuria due to blood disturbance. Blood loss empties the meridians, depriving muscles of nourishment and causing Ji Bi. "Bi" refers to numbness; prolonged cases transmit into Mai Wei; excessive thinking, mental wandering, and sexual excess all consume Essence via desire-fire, transforming Yang Qi into pathogenic Heat. This leads to flaccidity of the Zong Jin, forming Jin Wei. Bai Yin refers to conditions like strangury, turbid urine, and leukorrhea, caused by blazing pathogenic Heat preventing the Kidney from storing Essence. The Liver governs tendons; thus, Jin Wei originates from the Liver due to Essence damage from sexual excess; the Spleen belongs to Damp Earth and governs muscles. Injury by Dampness causes muscle insensibility, forming Rou Wei. As mentioned earlier, Spleen Heat dries the Stomach, causing thirst and muscle insensibility, leading to Rou Wei. Generally, since the Spleen governs muscles, whether injured by Heat or Dampness, if it results in muscle insensibility, it is named Rou Wei; long journeys and fatigue combined with intense heat and thirst indicate that overwork stirs Minister Fire, damaging Yin fluids. The harmonious Yang Qi is consumed internally, transforming into pathogenic Heat, which lodges in the Kidney, further depleting Essence. This leads to dry bones and empty marrow, weak legs unable to support the body, forming Gu Wei.