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The *Zhi Gancao Tang* (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction) in *Baojian* is used to treat Xu Bowei. His middle qi (Middle Jiao Qi) was originally weak. After suffering from Shanghan disease (Cold Damage) for eight or nine days, the physician, seeing his severe heat, administered cold-natured purgative medicines. He then ate three pears, which injured his spleen and stomach. His four limbs were cold, he frequently experienced fainting and confusion, his pulse beat with intermittent pauses that sometimes recovered spontaneously, which is a knotted pulse (Jie Mai). His heart palpitated, hiccupping was incessant, his complexion was greenish-yellow, his spirit was diminished, he did not wish to open his eyes, curled up in bed, and disliked hearing people speak. This decoction was used to treat him.

Ingredients: Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Shengjiang (Fresh Zingiberis Rhizoma), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Maziren (Cannabis Fructus), Dazao (Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus).

Cheng Wuji stated: The tonifying method can alleviate weakness; the sweetness of Renshen and Dazao tonifies deficient qi; the pungency of Guizhi and Shengjiang benefits righteous qi. When the five zang organs are atrophic and weak, and Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) flow exhaustively, moistening agents serve to lubricate. The sweet and moistening properties of Maziren, Ejiao, Maimendong, and Dihuang nourish the meridians, benefit blood, restore the pulse, and unblock the Heart. Furthermore, Renshen and Guizhi urgently support righteous qi; Shengdihuang is halved to avoid damaging Yang Qi. One liang (approx. 30-50g depending on era) is chopped and decocted; after taking it, symptoms reduce by half, and upon further administration, peace is restored.

Commentary: This is a medicine for treating the Heart and Lungs.

Respectfully noted: Regarding formulas for hiccupping, ancient texts only contain agents for treating cold syndromes. Methods involving tonifying deficiency, descending fire, nourishing Yin, and treating phlegm-Qi reversal are not detailed. Practitioners should select treatments according to the specific syndrome.

Yan Shi stated: For treating hiccupping, locate the acupoint between the bones at the end of the line extending downward from the nipple. For men and those with smaller breasts, use one finger's width as the standard. For men, it is on the left; for women, on the right, directly aligned with the nipple, in the depression where the artery beats. Apply moxa cones the size of a small bean, three moxibustion units (zhuang).

The *Neijing* states: In the era of "Bei Hua" (Preparation and Transformation), the disease is Pi (fullness/stagnation). It also states: When Taiyin affects the body, it manifests as fluid retention, Pi, and diaphragmatic obstruction.

According to *Yuanbingshi*, "Pi" is synonymous with "Bu" (lack of smoothness/flow), referring to the blockage of the textures through which spirit, Ying, Wei, blood, qi, and fluids circulate, resulting in Pi syndrome.

Cheng Wuji stated: In Shanghan disease, if fullness below the heart occurs without prior purgation, there is a distinction between emetic and purgative approaches. If it occurs after purgation, there is a distinction between Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) and Pi Qi (Stagnant Qi). The classics state: If a patient has cold extremities and a suddenly tight pulse, with evil Qi binding in the chest causing fullness below the heart and vexation, vomiting should be induced. It also states: If the pulse is floating and large, and fullness below the heart is hard with heat, belonging to the Zang organs, purgation should be applied. In these two cases, where fullness below the heart occurs without sweating or purging, treatment involves either vomiting or purging, depending on the height or depth of the evil Qi, with the key being to drain the evil. Additionally, if evil Qi is in the exterior and purgation is forcibly applied when inappropriate, the evil Qi enters the void and binds below the heart. In excess patterns, hardness, fullness, and pain occur, termed Jie Xiong, treated primarily by Da Xian Xiong Tang (Major Sinking of the Chest Decoction). In deficiency patterns, fullness without pain occurs, termed Xu Pi (Deficiency Stagnation), which requires dispersal using various Xi Xin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoctions).