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The treatment of deficiency syndromes has three fundamental organs: the Lung, the Spleen, and the Kidney. The Lung is the "Heaven" (governing respiration and Qi mechanism) of the Five Zang organs; the Spleen is the "Mother" (transforming and transporting nutrients to nourish the whole body) of the hundred bones; the Kidney is the "Root" of life and nature (storing Essence and governing reproduction and growth). Treating the Lung, treating the Spleen, and treating the Kidney are the fundamental principles for treating various diseases. Li Zhongzi (styled Lizhai) thoroughly investigated the method of tonifying Mingmen Fire, stating that just as the sun rises, Yin-Fire naturally subsides. These three gentlemen were all outstanding physicians of ancient times who could reverse the medical trends of their era and carry forward the heart-to-heart transmission of the Qi-Huang school. However, their views all leaned towards one aspect and failed to achieve comprehensive application.

Therefore, regarding the discussion on the Spleen and Stomach, when derived from Li Dongyuan, there are no flaws; but those who rigidly adhere to Zhu Danxi's theories in treatment entirely use bitter-cold herbs to descend fire, which hinders the transformation function of the Middle Jiao Earth. As for the view that "Yang is often in excess, while Yin is often insufficient," this is indeed a biased perspective, difficult to excuse for ancients, yet later generations have followed this trend, becoming so entrenched that it is hard to correct. Whenever encountering deficiency-fire, deficiency-heat, or Yin-extreme with Yang-hyperactivity conditions, practitioners indiscriminately use Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) to tonify the Kidney and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) to clear Metal, failing to generate the True Water of the Kidney and instead extinguishing the True Fire of the Kidney.

The Kidney corresponds to the Kan trigram, where one Yang line is trapped between two Yin lines. The two Yin lines represent True Water, and the one Yang line represents True Fire. The True Water in the Kidney sequentially generates Liver Wood upwards; Liver Wood further generates Heart Fire upwards. The True Fire in the Kidney sequentially generates Spleen Earth upwards; Spleen Earth further generates Lung Metal upwards. Thus, the root of human life arises from below upwards, similar to how Fuxi drew the Eight Trigrams. Essentially, the Kidney, as an organ, integrates Water and Fire energies, serving as the root of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Can True Water be extinguished, while True Fire alone is allowed to be quenched?

However, those attempting to treat such conditions again cling to Lizhai's theory of tonifying fire, using Zuogui Wan (Left Restoring Pill) and Yougui Wan (Right Restoring Pill), relying heavily on Rongrongsu (Cibotii Rhizoma), Lurong (Deer Antler), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), without considering whether the patient has constrained fire or heat, nor worrying about whether the Lung has previously been injured. It is true that deficiency-fire can be treated by tonification. For instance, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) uses the sweet-warm properties of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to eliminate significant heat. Yet, unless there is sinking of Clear Yang, one still dares not lightly add Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)—pungent-hot ascending agents—to treat constrained fire or heat conditions. Doing so would be akin to carrying firewood to save a fire!

I exclusively adhere to the principle of moderation, harmonizing the Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Burners. First, clear Metal and protect the Lung, without violating the Earth of the Middle Jiao. This applies Danxi's theory without being bound by it. Second, cultivate Earth and regulate the Middle, without damaging the Supreme Qi (Lung Qi). This applies Dongyuan's theory without being bound by it. Third, allow Lung Metal to perform its clearing and transforming function, causing Kidney Water to flow long naturally. This unifies Metal and Water. Once these three organs are treated, why worry about Water and Fire disrupting the balance according to time? This unifies the Five Zang organs to return to harmony. Although previous sages have elaborated extensively on the Spleen and Kidney, few have thoroughly elucidated the subtleties of clearing Metal and protecting the Lung. Therefore, my discussion on the Lung is particularly detailed. These are the three fundamentals for treating consumption (Lao disease), which should...