夫痰火者，痨瘵之晦名，病之最酷者也。然以病之先后言，则火为痰之本，痰为火之标
，而其阴虚，则又为致火致痰之本矣。何则？阴虚则火动，火动则痰生，所谓痰火者，宁非
言末而忘本耶。人之一身，金水二脏，不可暂伤，盖金为生化之源，水为生生之本，真阴既
亏，则火自偏胜，火既偏胜，则上炎烁金，金母既伤，则生化之源已息，而水子何以借其胎
养乎？夫一水既亏，则五火相煽，火迫肺而为咳，痰壅喉而为嗽。所以咳嗽一症，为亡津液
之肇耶？以其伤于生化，母子俱病，真水日涸，益为致火之胎，于是阴愈消而阳愈亢，燔烁
蒸炎，迫血上行，越出诸窍，而为咳唾吐衄等候。况血为有形，难成易亏，可骤补耶？血失
既多，则阴暴脱，而阳亦微，阳微则恶寒，阴虚则发热，故寒热似疟者，乃阴消阳败之证谛
。至于潮热，则又为阴虚之极也。阴虚至极，则相火擅权，致君不务德矣。精固藏于肾，然
听命于心，心肾之液两亏，则水火不交，阳主开泄，自致玉关无约，由是一梦即遗，不交而
漏，病者即欲固守，其可得乎？真阴既竭，则孤阳无根，《内经》云“溃溃乎若坏都，汨汨
乎不可止”者，正此谓也。然是证之由，在于分毫之异，实犹淄渑水合，非易子可能辨哉！
如始于嗜欲水亏，致火炎烁金，母子俱虚，咳而多痰遗滑者，脉必弦长紧实，或滑而数，此
火郁内实，不受补者也。法当君以益水，如熟地、玄参、五味、枸杞、山药之类，佐以清金
，二母、二冬、沙参、紫菀等味，使以降火，栀、芩、柏、草、是也。如始于风寒邪郁，久
伤肺嗽血，渐至水亏，此金绝生化之源，母令子虚，脉必浮而芤濡虚火，迟缓无力，或沉
而迟涩弱细结代，皆虚而不足可补者也。法当以益肺，如参、 、山药之类，佐以滋肾，熟
地、五味、玄参、山茱等品，使以清金敛肺，二母、二冬、片芩、沙参、乌梅、五味、白芍
之属是也。若始于过力伤筋，动极逆气，肝不纳血，因而妄出上窍，遂致阴虚者。法当君以
肝，如当归、牛膝、芍药等味，佐以养气，决明、白术、柏仁、生姜等品，使以消瘀，丹皮
红花、郁金之类，更以熟地、枸杞、杜仲，以补其母，兼以二冬、知、芩、沙参，以杜其贼
，庶乃圆神。若水涸肺燥，咯唾咳嗽，法当润肺清金，如蛤蚧、阿胶、二冬、百合、贝母
、花粉是也。其曰五脏相传者，乃五脏之气自相戕贼也。如肺贼肝者，必面白目枯，口苦自
汗，心烦惊怖，以白为肺之色，目乃肝之窍，口苦自汗，心烦惊怖，皆属心病，此母令子
虚之候也。法当君以益肝，以当归、白芍、牛膝、续断，以补肝之血；以决明、白术、柏仁
、菊花，益肝之气；以枸杞、杜仲、熟地、阿胶、菟丝子，以补肝之母；佐以知母、诃子、
麦冬、片芩，以泻肺之实；使以麦冬、酸枣、茯神，以清心而镇神也。如肾贼心者，必面黑
鼻干，口疮喜忘，大便或秘或泄，以黑为肾之色，鼻为肺之窍，大便或秘或泄，亦皆金病；
口疮喜忘，又属心恙，此水克火，火克金之义也。法当君以益心，用茯神、远志、菖蒲，以
益心之气；当归、熟地，以补心之血；酸枣、乌梅、生姜、陈皮，以补心之母；泽泻、车前
、茯苓，以制水之淫；使以片芩、知母、二冬、紫菀，以润金之燥也。若肝贼脾者，必面
青唇黄，口强舌哽，吐涎体瘦，饮食无味，以青为肝之色，唇为脾之外候，余皆肝之本病，
此木克土之义也。法当君以补土，以参、 、升、葛，补脾之气；白术、白芍、大枣、胶饴
，以补脾之血；桂心、茯苓，以补脾之母；佐以芍药、乌梅，以泻木之实；以胆草、芩、连
、栀子，以泻肝之火；以二冬、二母、百合、阿胶，以坚金之肃也。若心贼肺者，必面赤鼻
白，吐痰咯血，喘咳毛枯，以赤为心之色，鼻为肺所属，余皆肺证，此火克金之候也。法当
君以泻火，用甘草、人参、赤苓、术、通、黄柏，以泻气分之火；玄参、丹参、丹皮、地黄
，以彻血分之热；使以黄连，泻心子之实；佐以二冬、百合、贝母、阿胶，以保肺润燥；使
以参、 、芍、术、大枣、甘草、胶饴，以益肺之母也。如肺贼肾者，必面黄耳枯，骨满
痛，遗精白浊，以黄为脾之色，耳为肾之窍，肾主骨，故 痛，余皆水病，此土克
水之候也。法当君以益水，用知母、玄参、补骨脂，以益肾之气；熟地黄、枸杞、黄柏、五
味、山茱，以补肾之血；佐以栀子、豆豉、莱菔子，以泻脾之子；诃子、防风、桑白皮，以
泄土之实；使以人参、山茱、玄参、熟地，以补肾之母也。此古人之成法，当的从之。惟肾
贼心之一证。意必邪水淫湿，上溢心分，以其人真火心血素亏，君不主位，相火司权，乃能
令人有面黑鼻干，口疮喜忘，便秘便溏等证，此亦心肾不交，水火未济之候，宁非湿热相蒸
，使之然乎。夫真水一脏，有虚无实者也，不亏足矣，而能有余贼心，似非至到之理，要之
真水无泻法，实火无补法，惟敦土清金为善，学人思过半矣。
Phlegm-fire is an obscure name for *Lao Zhai* (chronic consumptive disease) and is the most severe type of illness. However, regarding the sequence of pathology, fire is the root of phlegm, while phlegm is the branch manifestation of fire; furthermore, Yin deficiency is the root cause that leads to both fire agitation and phlegm generation. Why? Because Yin deficiency causes fire to move, and when fire moves, it generates phlegm. Therefore, referring to "phlegm-fire" is indeed focusing on the branches while forgetting the root. In the human body, the Lung (Metal) and Kidney (Water) organs cannot be injured even momentarily. The Lung is the source of transformation and production, while the Kidney is the foundation of life. Once True Yin is deficient, fire naturally becomes excessive; once fire is excessive, it flares upward and scorches Lung Metal. If the mother organ (Lung) is injured, the source of transformation and production ceases, so how can the child organ (Kidney Water) receive nourishment from its mother?
Once Kidney Water is deficient, the fires of the five zang organs fan each other. Heat forcing the Lung causes coughing, while phlegm obstructing the throat causes retching/clearing of the throat. Thus, is coughing not the beginning of fluid depletion? Because the source of transformation and production is damaged, leading to simultaneous disease of mother and child, True Water dries up day by day, becoming a womb for generating fire. Consequently, Yin diminishes further while Yang becomes hyperactive, burning and steaming like a blaze, forcing blood upward to escape through various orifices, resulting in symptoms such as expectoration, hemoptysis, and epistaxis. Moreover, blood is a tangible substance, difficult to produce but easy to lose; can it be tonified abruptly? If blood loss is excessive, Yin collapses suddenly, and Yang also becomes weak. Weak Yang leads to aversion to cold, while deficient Yin leads to fever. Therefore, chills and fever resembling malaria are definitive signs of Yin consumption and Yang failure. As for tidal fever, it represents extreme Yin deficiency. When Yin deficiency reaches its extreme, Minister Fire (*Xiang Huo*) takes over authority, causing Sovereign Fire (*Jun Huo*) to neglect its duties.
Essence is stored in the Kidney, yet it obeys the Heart. If both Heart fluids and Kidney fluids are deficient, Water and Fire do not interact. Since Yang governs opening and releasing, this leads to insecurity of the jade gate (lower orifice), resulting in nocturnal emission upon dreaming, leakage without intercourse, making it impossible for the patient to retain essence even if they wish to. Once True Yin is exhausted, solitary Yang has no root. The *Nei Jing* states, "It is like a breached dam, gushing uncontrollably," which precisely describes this condition. However, the origin of this syndrome lies in minute differences, much like mixing water from the Zi and Mian rivers, which is not easily distinguishable by ordinary people!
If the onset is due to excessive sexual desire depleting Kidney Water, causing fire to flare and scorch Lung Metal, resulting in mutual deficiency of mother and child, with coughing, abundant phlegm, and seminal emission/slippery discharge, the pulse will likely be wiry, long, tight, and solid, or slippery and rapid. This indicates internal excess of stagnant fire, which does not tolerate tonification. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying Water, using herbs such as Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*), Scrophularia Root (*Xuan Shen*), Schisandra Berry (*Wu Wei Zi*), Lycium Fruit (*Gou Qi Zi*), and Chinese Yam (*Shan Yao*). Assist with clearing Lung Metal, using Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Fritillaria Bulb (*Bei Mu*), Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Glehnia Root (*Sha Shen*), and Aster Root (*Zi Wan*). Use Gardenia Fruit (*Zhi Zi*), Scutellaria Root (*Huang Qin*), Phellodendron Bark (*Huang Bai*), and Licorice Root (*Gan Cao*) to descend fire.
If the onset is due to wind-cold pathogenic factors stagnating, damaging the Lung over time leading to coughing and hemoptysis, gradually progressing to Kidney Water deficiency, this means Lung Metal has cut off the source of transformation and production, causing mother disease to affect the child (Kidney). The pulse will likely be floating and hollow (*Kou*) or soft (*Ru*), with empty fire presenting as slow, weak, or sinking, slow, choppy, thin, fine, knotted, or intermittent. These are all deficiency patterns insufficient for tonification. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying the Lung, using Ginseng Radix (*Ren Shen*), [missing character], and Chinese Yam (*Shan Yao*). Assist with nourishing the Kidney, using Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*), Schisandra Berry (*Wu Wei Zi*), Scrophularia Root (*Xuan Shen*), and Cornus Fruit (*Shan Zhu Yu*). Use Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Fritillaria Bulb (*Bei Mu*), Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Scutellaria Root (*Pian Qin*), Glehnia Root (*Sha Shen*), Mume Fruit (*Wu Mei*), and White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*) to clear Lung Metal and astringe the Lung.
If the onset is due to excessive physical effort injuring tendons, causing extreme movement and rebellious qi, where the Liver fails to store blood, leading to reckless bleeding from upper orifices, thereby causing Yin deficiency. The treatment method should prioritize regulating the Liver, using Angelica Sinensis Radix (*Dang Gui*), Achyranthes Bidentata Root (*Niu Xi*), and White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*). Assist with nourishing qi, using Cassia Seed (*Jue Ming Zi*), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (*Bai Zhu*), Biota Seed (*Bai Ren*), and Fresh Ginger (*Sheng Jiang*). Use Red Sage Root (*Dan Pi*), Safflower (*Hong Hua*), and Curcuma Longa Rhizome (*Yu Jin*) to resolve stasis. Further use Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*), Lycium Fruit (*Gou Qi Zi*), and Eucommia Bark (*Du Zhong*) to tonify the mother (Kidney), combined with Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), and Scutellaria Root (*Qin*), Glehnia Root (*Sha Shen*) to prevent pathogenic invasion, achieving a comprehensive approach.
If Kidney Water is dry and Lung is dry, causing spitting and coughing, the treatment method should moisten the Lung and clear Metal, using Gecko (*Ge Jie*), Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*), Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Lily Bulb (*Bai He*), Fritillaria Bulb (*Bei Mu*), and Trichosanthes Root (*Hua Fen*).
The phrase "transmission among the five zang organs" refers to the mutual destruction of qi among the five zang organs. For example, if Lung Metal harms Liver Wood, one must observe pale complexion, withered eyes, bitter taste, spontaneous sweating, mental restlessness, and fright. Pale color is the hue of Lung; eyes are the orifice of Liver; bitter taste, spontaneous sweating, mental restlessness, and fright all belong to Heart disease. This is a sign of mother disease affecting the child, leading to child deficiency. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying the Liver, using Angelica Sinensis Radix (*Dang Gui*), White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*), Achyranthes Bidentata Root (*Niu Xi*), and Drynaria Rhizome (*Xu Duan*) to tonify Liver blood; Cassia Seed (*Jue Ming Zi*), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (*Bai Zhu*), Biota Seed (*Bai Ren*), and Chrysanthemum Flower (*Ju Hua*) to benefit Liver qi; Lycium Fruit (*Gou Qi Zi*), Eucommia Bark (*Du Zhong*), Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*), Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*), and Dodder Seed (*Tu Si Zi*) to tonify the mother (Kidney); assist with Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Chebula Fruit (*He Zi*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), and Scutellaria Root (*Pian Qin*) to drain Lung excess; use Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Sour Jujube Seed (*Suan Zao Ren*), and Poria (*Fu Shen*) to clear Heart heat and calm the spirit.
If Kidney Water harms Heart Fire, one must observe dark complexion, dry nose, mouth ulcers, forgetfulness, and bowel movements that are either constipated or loose. Dark color is the hue of Kidney; nose is the orifice of Lung; abnormal bowel movements also indicate Lung metal disease; mouth ulcers and forgetfulness belong to Heart ailments. This illustrates the principle of Water overcoming Fire and Fire overcoming Metal. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying the Heart, using Poria (*Fu Shen*), Polygala Root (*Yuan Zhi*), and Acorus Rhizome (*Chang Pu*) to benefit Heart qi; Angelica Sinensis Radix (*Dang Gui*) and Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*) to tonify Heart blood; Sour Jujube Seed (*Suan Zao Ren*), Mume Fruit (*Wu Mei*), Fresh Ginger (*Sheng Jiang*), and Tangerine Peel (*Chen Pi*) to tonify the mother (Liver); Alisma Rhizome (*Ze Xie*), Plantago Seed (*Che Qian Zi*), and Poria (*Fu Ling*) to restrain excessive Water; use Scutellaria Root (*Pian Qin*), Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), and Aster Root (*Zi Wan*) to moisten Lung dryness.
If Liver Wood harms Spleen Earth, one must observe greenish complexion, yellow lips, stiff mouth, blocked tongue, salivation, emaciation, and loss of appetite. Green is the hue of Liver; lips are the external manifestation of Spleen; the rest are primary Liver diseases. This illustrates the principle of Wood overcoming Earth. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying Earth, using Ginseng Radix (*Ren Shen*), [missing character], Cimicifuga Rhizome (*Sheng Ma*), and Kudzu Root (*Ge Gen*) to tonify Spleen qi; Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (*Bai Zhu*), White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*), Jujube Fruit (*Da Zao*), and Maltose (*Jiao Yi*) to tonify Spleen blood; Cinnamon Twig (*Gui Xin*) and Poria (*Fu Ling*) to tonify the mother (Heart); assist with White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*) and Mume Fruit (*Wu Mei*) to drain Liver excess; use Gentian Root (*Long Dan Cao*), Scutellaria Root (*Qin*), Coptis Rhizome (*Lian*), and Gardenia Fruit (*Zhi Zi*) to drain Liver fire; use Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Fritillaria Bulb (*Bei Mu*), Lily Bulb (*Bai He*), and Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*) to strengthen Lung metal's descending function.
If Heart Fire harms Lung Metal, one must observe red complexion, white nose, expectoration, hemoptysis, wheezing, coughing, and withered hair. Red is the hue of Heart; the nose belongs to Lung; the rest are Lung syndromes. This is a sign of Fire overcoming Metal. The treatment method should prioritize draining fire, using Licorice Root (*Gan Cao*), Ginseng Radix (*Ren Shen*), Red Poria (*Chi Fu Ling*), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (*Bai Zhu*), Thunberg Fritillary Bulb (*Tong*), and Phellodendron Bark (*Huang Bai*) to drain qi-level fire; Scrophularia Root (*Xuan Shen*), Salvia Root (*Dan Shen*), Red Sage Root (*Dan Pi*), and Rehmannia Root (*Di Huang*) to eliminate blood-level heat; use Coptis Rhizome (*Huang Lian*) to drain the excess of Heart's child (Small Intestine); assist with Asparagus Tuber (*Tian Dong*), Ophiopogon Tuber (*Mai Dong*), Lily Bulb (*Bai He*), Fritillaria Bulb (*Bei Mu*), and Donkey-hide Gelatin (*E Jiao*) to protect and moisten the Lung; use Ginseng Radix (*Ren Shen*), [missing character], White Peony Root (*Bai Shao*), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (*Bai Zhu*), Jujube Fruit (*Da Zao*), Licorice Root (*Gan Cao*), and Maltose (*Jiao Yi*) to tonify the mother (Spleen) of the Lung.
If Lung Metal harms Kidney Water, one must observe yellow complexion, withered ears, bone fullness and pain, seminal emission, and cloudy urine. Yellow is the hue of Spleen; ears are the orifice of Kidney; Kidney governs bones, hence bone pain; the rest are Water diseases. This is a sign of Earth overcoming Water. The treatment method should prioritize tonifying Water, using Anemarrhena Rhizome (*Zhi Mu*), Scrophularia Root (*Xuan Shen*), and Psoralea Fruit (*Bu Gu Zhi*) to benefit Kidney qi; Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*), Lycium Fruit (*Gou Qi Zi*), Phellodendron Bark (*Huang Bai*), Schisandra Berry (*Wu Wei Zi*), and Cornus Fruit (*Shan Zhu Yu*) to tonify Kidney blood; assist with Gardenia Fruit (*Zhi Zi*), Fermented Soybean (*Dou Chi*), and Radish Seed (*Lai Fu Zi*) to drain the child of Spleen; use Chebula Fruit (*He Zi*), Saposhnikovia Root (*Fang Feng*), and Mulberry Root Bark (*Sang Bai Pi*) to drain Earth excess; use Ginseng Radix (*Ren Shen*), Cornus Fruit (*Shan Zhu Yu*), Scrophularia Root (*Xuan Shen*), and Prepared Rehmannia Root (*Shu Di Huang*) to tonify the mother (Lung) of the Kidney. These are established methods of the ancients and should be strictly followed.
However, regarding the syndrome of "Kidney Water harming Heart Fire," I believe it must be due to evil water and dampness overflowing into the Heart region. Because the person's True Fire and Heart Blood have been chronically deficient, Sovereign Fire cannot hold its position, and Minister Fire takes charge, thus causing symptoms like dark complexion, dry nose, mouth ulcers, forgetfulness, constipation, and loose stools. This is also a sign of Heart-Kidney non-interaction and Water-Fire imbalance. Is it not caused by the steaming interaction of damp-heat? True Water (Kidney Yin) is an organ that only presents deficiency, never excess. It is sufficient if it is not deficient; how could it have excess to harm the Heart? This seems contrary to profound principles. In summary, True Water has no draining method, and Excess Fire has no tonifying method. Only thickening Earth and clearing Metal is beneficial. Those who study this will have grasped more than half of the knowledge.