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Guiding Drugs (Yin Jing Bao Shi): Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba).

[Image of Stomach Anatomy]

The Classics state: The Stomach is the official in charge of granaries; the five flavors emerge from it.
It is also said: The Stomach is a gathering place. It is called the "metropolis," where all five flavors converge, accepting everything, embodying the principle that all things return to Earth.
It is also said: The stomach's opening is one chi and five cun wide, with a diameter of five cun and a length of two chi and six cun. Its horizontal curvature can hold three dou and five sheng of water and grain. Of this, grain usually remains two dou, and water one dou and five sheng, keeping it full.
The *Nan Jing* states: The stomach weighs two jin and one liang.
The Classics state: Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.
It is also said: This meridian has abundant Qi and Blood.
It is also said: During the Chen hour (7-9 AM), Qi and Blood flow into the Stomach.
It is also said: The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain.
The *Ling Shu* states: The Qi received by humans comes from grain. The place where grain enters is the Stomach. The Stomach is the sea of water, grain, Qi, and Blood. Just as clouds and Qi circulate in the sea corresponding to the world below, the Qi and Blood output by the Stomach are transmitted through the meridians and collaterals. These meridians and collaterals are the great network vessels of the Zang and Fu organs.
It is also said: The Stomach is the sea of the five Zang and six Fu organs. Water and grain enter the Stomach, and all organs receive their Qi from the Stomach. Each of the five flavors travels first to its preferred organ: Sourness goes first to the Liver, Bitterness to the Heart, Sweetness to the Spleen, Pungency to the Lungs, and Saltness to the Kidneys. Once grain Qi and body fluids have circulated, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi flow smoothly, transforming waste into feces, which are then passed down in sequence.
It is also said: When food enters the Stomach, the Stomach becomes full while the Intestines are empty; when food moves down, the Intestines become full while the Stomach becomes empty. When the Stomach is full, the Intestines are empty; when the Intestines are full, the Stomach is empty. Through this alternating fullness and emptiness, Qi ascends and descends freely without disease.
The *Ru Men* states: The Stomach is the sea of water and grain, and the Spleen is the vessel of digestion. When water enters the meridians, blood is formed; when grain enters the Stomach, the pulse channels flow. Blood must be nourished, and Wei Qi must be warmed. When blood is warm and Wei Qi is harmonious, one may live out their natural lifespan.
The *Ling Shu* states: From the Quepen point down to Tianshu, the distance is eight cun. If greater, the Stomach is large; if less, the Stomach is small.
It is also said: For the Stomach to act as a sea, one needs broad bones, a thick neck, and a distended chest to accommodate the five grains.
It is also said: The Spleen corresponds to flesh. Flesh that is firm and large indicates a thick Stomach wall; loose flesh indicates a thin Stomach wall; small and loose flesh indicates an unstable Stomach; flesh disproportionate to the body indicates a ptotic (drooping) Stomach; in ptosis, the lower Wan (pylorus) constriction is ineffective. Flesh that is not firm indicates a lax Stomach function; flesh without small nodules indicates urgent Stomach Qi; flesh with many small nodules indicates knotted Stomach Qi; in knotting, the upper Wan constriction is ineffective. (" " refers to muscle masses behind the elbows and knees.)
It is also said: Patients with Stomach disease experience abdominal distension, pain in the epigastrium centered at the heart, upward support to both hypochondria, dysphagia with blockage, and inability to eat.
It is also said: Inability to eat and blockage in the diaphragm indicate pathogenic factors in the epigastrium.
It is also said: Cold in the Stomach causes the collateral vessels on the大鱼际 (thenar eminence) to appear blue; Heat in the Stomach causes them to appear red.
It is also said: Facial heat indicates Foot-Yangming disease; vertical and hard pulses above the dorsum pedis indicate Foot-Yangming disease; these are pulses of the Stomach.
The Classics state: Doubling food intake injures the intestines and stomach.
Li Dongyuan states: Symptoms of Stomach injury include lack of appetite, chest and abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, hiccups, nausea, belching with acid regurgitation, sallow complexion, emaciation, lethargy, drowsiness, and frequent spontaneous diarrhea.
He also states: Abundant Yuan Qi in the Stomach allows eating without injury and feeling hungry only after mealtime. Robust Spleen and Stomach allow eating and gaining weight. Deficient Spleen and Stomach prevent eating and lead to emaciation, or allow eating little yet gaining weight; though fat, the limbs cannot be lifted.
He further states: Treatment for Stomach disease involves regulating diet, adapting to temperature changes, calming the mind, and waiting patiently for the recovery of True Qi.
The Classics state: Excess in the Stomach pulse manifests as distension; deficiency manifests as diarrhea.
It is also said: At the end stage of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, there is twitching of the mouth and eyes, frequent fright and delirium, yellow complexion, and excess with insensibility in the upper and lower meridians, indicating death.
It is also said: Vomiting blood filling basins or bowls belongs to the Stomach Meridian.
It is also said: Bleeding gums belong to Stomach and Kidney deficiency fire.
The *Dan Xin* states: Without a root, water and food are life. Since Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth and govern the reception of water and grain, they are the root of humanity.
The *Hui Chun* states: Light and bland flavors refresh the spirit and clear the Qi.
The *Bi Yong Fang* states: Stomach excess is suitable for Pingwei San. Stomach deficiency is suitable for Buzhong Yiqi Tang. For those unable to eat, Yangwei Jinshi Tang is suitable (Cangzhu, Baizhu, Renshen each 1 qian; Chenpi, Houpo, Baifuling, Zhigancao each 0.7 qian; Shenqu, Maiya each 0.5 qian; use Ginger and Jujube as guides or make honey pills, take 2 qian with rice drink).
The *Mai Jing* states: Absence of Stomach Qi leads to death in five days. How do we know? Spinal pain and heavy waist, inability to turn over.
Ta Yi Zhenren states: Delicious food nourishes Stomach Qi.
Large volume of vomit indicates hematemesis.
It is also said: The Stomach is the official of granaries, distributing nourishment to the four Zang organs; thus, all five Zang organs rely on Stomach Qi, making it the root of the five Zang. Therefore, food Qi entering the Stomach scatters essence to the Liver, nourishing the sinews. Food Qi entering the Stomach sends turbid Qi to the Heart, nourishing the vessels. Vessel Qi flows through the meridians, and meridian Qi returns to the Lungs; the Lungs face all vessels, transmitting essence to the skin and hair; hair and vessel essence combine, moving Qi to the Fu organs; Fu organ Qi becomes bright and spiritual, remaining in the four Zang organs; Qi returns to balance, reflected in the radial pulse (cunkou) to determine life and death.
Li Dongyuan treats internal injury focusing on Spleen and Stomach, stating that the Spleen governs transportation and transformation, while the Stomach receives Qi and nourishes the body, which is the state of a healthy person. If dietary habits are irregular, Spleen and Stomach are injured; Spleen injury prevents transformation, and Stomach injury prevents reception, leading to various diseases.
Zhu Danxi says: In treating hundred diseases, first observe the condition of Stomach Qi.
The Classics state: Jue Qi invading the Stomach causes dreams of food and drink.
It is also said: Stomach distension presents as abdominal fullness, epigastric pain, smelling burnt odors, difficulty eating, and constipation.
It is also said: Stomach Malaria causes jaundice. The patient feels hungry but cannot eat; upon eating, they feel distended and swollen abdomen. Treat by needling Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin meridians and bleeding transverse vessels.
It is also said: Stomach Wind presents with excessive sweating on the neck and aversion to wind, inability to eat, diaphragmatic blockage, abdominal fullness, worsening distension when clothes are removed, diarrhea after eating cold food, thin lips, and a large abdomen. ("Zhen" refers to lips.)
Sun Simiao states: Catching wind immediately after eating new food is called Stomach Wind.
The Classics state: Grain entering the Stomach allows the pulse channels to flow.
It is also said: Heat transferring from the Large Intestine to the Stomach causes polyphagia with emaciation, also known as "Shi Yi" ("Yi" sounds like "Yi").
It is also said: Humans rely on water and grain as their root. Thus, cutting off water and grain leads to death; absence of Stomach Qi in the pulse also leads to death. "Absence of Stomach Qi" means only the Zang organ pulses are seen, without Stomach Qi.
It is also said: The Stomach is the sea of water and grain, governing adaptation to the four seasons, always based on Stomach Qi. This is the key to seasonal diseases and life and death.
It is also said: The great collateral of the Stomach is named Xuli, piercing the diaphragm and connecting to the Lungs, emerging below the left breast, with pulsation visible through clothing. This pulse reflects Zong Qi.
It is also said: The Stomach is like a market, the destination of water and grain and entry of five flavors, just as a market is mixed.
The *Tai Su* states: The Stomach is the Grand Granary. The five orifices of the Stomach (referring to the pharynx, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Bladder) are like village gates.
The Classics state: The great collateral of the Spleen is named Dabao. Its system starts from the center below the diaphragm, slightly attaching to the left hypochondrium, located above the Stomach, attached to the Stomach pericardium. The Stomach's wrapping is above the Spleen, parallel to the Stomach, with interconnected networks and adipose tissue distributed up and down with two systems; the upper system pierces the diaphragm into the Lungs, running parallel to the lung system behind it, ending at the pharyngeal gate. Below the pharynx is the epigastrium. Below the epigastrium is the upper opening of the Stomach, the Cardia (Benmen). Water and grain enter here. The Stomach releases grain Qi, transmitting it to the Lungs. Since the Lungs are above the diaphragm, it is called Benmen. The gate area is between adhering diaphragmatic membranes, wrapped in adipose. If the Stomach rots and cooks water and grain, it passes through the幽门 (Pylorus) to the Small Intestine. Thus, it is said: Below the Grand Granary, the mouth is the Pylorus; its position is hidden, hence the name.
The *Mai Jing* states: A Stomach pulse that is firm and long with red complexion indicates hip fracture-like pain ("Bi" sounds like "Bi"). A soft and scattered pulse indicates food obstruction.
It is also said: A floating Duyang pulse ("Fu" sounds like "Fu") indicates deficient Stomach Qi. A rapid pulse indicates Stomach heat, leading to polyphagia. A choppy pulse indicates Stomach cold and indigestion. A coarse and floating pulse indicates difficult-to-treat disease. Floating and slow indicates chronic disease.
It is also said: If the Stomach pulse is deep and choppy, it indicates rebellious Qi; rebellious Qi makes the Renying pulse strong; Renying is the Stomach pulse. Rebellion causes heat to gather at the gastric opening without flowing, causing epigastric carbuncle.
It is also said: Meridian disturbance causes chills, frequent stretching and yawning, dark complexion, aversion to people and fire upon onset, startle at the sound of wood, palpitations, desire to stay alone behind closed doors, and in severe cases, singing on heights and running naked. Abdominal rumbling and distension constitute Jue, governing blood. (" " sounds like "Gan", referring to tibia.)
It is also said: Diseases generated by this meridian include manic malaria, dampness overflow, sweating, nasal congestion and epistaxis, oral ulcers ("Zhen" sounds like "Zhen", lip sores), neck swelling and sore throat, massive abdominal edema, knee and patella swelling and pain, pain along the chest, breast, Qichong, thigh Fubian, lateral leg, dorsum pedis, and back, with non-function of the middle finger. Excess Qi causes heat in the anterior body; excess in the Stomach causes polyphagia and yellow urine. Deficient Qi causes cold and shivering in the anterior body; Stomach cold causes distension. Excess: Renying (left hand) is twice as large as Cunkou (right hand). Deficiency: Renying is smaller than Cunkou. (" " sounds like "Wai".)

Song of Guiding Drugs for Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian:
Chen hour Stomach uses Ding (Clove), Fang (Atractylodes/Prepared), Sha (Amomum), Kou (Tsaoko), Zhu (Atractylodes); Ban (Pinellia), Zhi (Anemarrhena), Cong (Scallion), Ge (Pueraria), Qu (Medicated Leaven), Cang (Atractylodes), Wu (Costus). Shigao (Gypsum), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Sheng (Cimicifuga), Tan (Sandalwood), Mu (Aucklandia). Passed down through generations with unfailing efficacy.

The Classics state: Excess in the Stomach pulse manifests as distension; deficiency manifests as diarrhea.
The Yellow Emperor asked: Why does seeing the Zang organ pulse mean death? Qibo answered: All five Zang organs rely on Stomach Qi; the Stomach is the root of the five Zang. Zang Qi cannot reach the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian on its own; it must rely on Stomach Qi to arrive. Thus, each Zang organ reaches the Hand-Taiyin at its respective season via Stomach Qi. When pathogenic Qi is excessive, essential Qi is deficient. In severe illness, Stomach Qi cannot reach the Taiyin along with the Zang Qi, so only the Zang Qi appears alone. Disease overcoming the Zang leads to death.
It is also said: Stomach excess causes insomnia.
It is also said: Restless sleep is due to dryness of fluids in the Stomach, failing to nourish the Hun and Po internally.
Whenever food intake decreases and bowel movements become difficult, it indicates Stomach disease with sluggish transformation mechanisms. Muscle emaciation occurs because the Stomach governs muscles. Physical fatigue occurs because Stomach disease impairs the controlling mechanisms.
Yangming Excess Pathogen. (Aversion to people and fire, startle at wood sounds.) Yangming Deficiency of Righteous Qi. (Preference for fire, sunlight, to aid righteousness.) Edema and swelling have ten types; urinary retention is called Stomach Water.
The Classics state: Those who obtain grain prosper; those who lose grain perish.
Feng Luzhan states: Spleen and Stomach are particularly the root of postnatal Yuan Qi, the mechanism of source transformation and generation, the great source of the five Zang and six Fu organs. Qi, blood, and essence all rely on them for nourishment.

Tonifying Herbs: Baizhu, Huangqi, Qianshi, Chenpi, Bian Dou, Lian Zi, Shanyao, Banxia, Cangzhu, Baihe.
Purgative Herbs: Zhishi, Poxiao, Dahuang.
Warming Herbs: Huoxiang, Xiangfu, Liangjiang, Yizhi, Hujiao, Wuzhuyu, Roudoukou, Dingxiang, Houpo, Muxiang, Ganjiang, Cao Kou, Shengjiang, Baidoukou.
Cooling Herbs: Huashi, Shanzhi, Huanglian, Zhuru, Xuanmingfen, Huangqin, Shigao, Lianqiao, Shihu, Shengma, Tianhuafen, Gegen, Zhimu.

Guiding Drugs (Yin Jing Bao Shi): Shengma, Gegen ascend. Baizhi, Shigao descend.