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On Treating Various Pains by the Liver, and Vomiting/Diarrhea Symptoms by the Stomach

The Heavenly Master said: "Single treatment" refers to a condition where a disease resides in one meridian, and only that specific disease is treated. For instance, when a person suffers from body pain, hand pain, foot pain, abdominal pain, and heart pain simultaneously, this is the case. In such conditions, if one treats only one meridian, that particular ailment heals first, followed by treating each symptom one by one. Regarding these conditions, since the entire upper and lower body and center are affected, one should prioritize treating the Liver. Once the Liver Qi (Liver Energy) is unblocked, all symptoms will naturally resolve; one must not treat the head for headache or the foot for foot pain. The prescription uses Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) 1 qian, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 5 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) 1 qian, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) 2 qian, Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) 2 qian, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 5 qian, Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. ([Commentary] Modified Xiao Yao San). This formula is a variation of Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), specifically treating stagnation in the Liver meridian while adding dampness-dispelling herbs. Generally, various pains are attributed to Fire pathogenic factors, while pain in both feet is complicated by Dampness. Zhi Zi clears Heat/Fire, and Yi Yi Ren dispels Dampness; thus, although it treats only the Liver meridian, it is effective for other meridians as well. The subtlety of single treatment surpasses combined treatment; do people understand this?

Lord Zhang said: "Furthermore, there are symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, fullness and oppression, dizziness, and blurred vision. One should first treat the Stomach Qi (Stomach Energy), after which all symptoms will stabilize. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 3 fen, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) 1 qian, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 3 qian, Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) 1 qian, Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) 3 grains, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 5 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. This is a formula for treating the Stomach. Once Stomach Qi recovers, vomiting and diarrhea symptoms heal naturally. This is also a method of single treatment, appended here following the Heavenly Master's formulas."

Lord Hua said: "Not transmitted."

On Treating Heart Pain by the Liver, Stomach Vomiting by the Spleen, and Lung Dryness/Cough by the Kidney

The Heavenly Master said: "Double treatment" means that when one meridian is diseased, treating only that meridian is insufficient for efficacy; one must treat two meridians together to achieve results, hence the term 'double treatment.' For example, if a person suffers from heart pain, one cannot treat only the heart but must concurrently treat the Liver; if a person has stomach vomiting, one cannot treat only the stomach but must concurrently treat the Spleen; if a person has lung cough, one cannot treat only the lungs but must concurrently treat the Kidneys. Although heart disease causes pain and logically suggests treating the heart, why is the heart not treated directly? Because injury to Heart Qi stems from insufficiency of Liver Qi. By tonifying the Liver, Heart Qi can remain in its proper position. The prescription uses Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) 5 qian. If there is Fire, add Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit) 3 qian; if no Fire, add Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 2 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. ([Commentary] Xin Gan Shuang Jie Yin [Heart-Liver Dual Resolution Decoction]). Pain stops immediately. Bai Shao pacifies the Liver and generates Liver Blood; used with Dang Gui, it yields miraculous effects. Zhi Zi and Rou Gui are divine agents for clearing and assisting the Liver. Once Liver Qi is balanced, Heart Qi stabilizes. There is a close mother-son relationship between them; when the mother is at peace, the son is secure. This is the exquisite method of dual treatment of Heart and Liver.

Stomach vomiting arises from Spleen deficiency. When Spleen Qi fails to descend, it inevitably rebels upward causing vomiting. Tonifying Spleen Qi ensures Stomach Qi stabilizes. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 1 qian, Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) 1 qian, Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) 1 qian, Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) 3 grains, decocted in water and taken orally. ([Commentary] Pi Wei Shuang Zhi Yin [Spleen-Stomach Dual Treatment Decoction]). This formula contains mostly herbs for treating the Spleen. Why is it suitable for stomach vomiting? The Stomach is the gate of the Spleen. Turmoil at the gate results from chaos within the pass. To ensure tranquility outside the gate, one must first pacify the interior. Since the formula entirely uses Spleen-tonifying herbs, Spleen Qi receives its command; what worry is there regarding stomach vomiting? Moreover, Sha Ren, Ban Xia, and Shen Qu are all anti-emetic agents. Without miraculous efficacy, who would believe it? This is another exquisite method of dual treatment of Spleen and Stomach.

Lung cough symptoms stem from Lung deficiency; clearly, Lung deficiency requires tonifying the Lung. Why treat the Kidney concurrently? Lung Metal Qi returns to the Kidneys during sleep. Like a mother and son, even if the mother travels abroad, she returns to her son's home at night to rest. Now, Lung Metal is injured by Heart Fire and seeks refuge in its 'son' (Kidney Water) to repel external aggression. If the son is poor and weak, how can he gather allies to avenge the mother? Here is a prescription: Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) 4 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 1 liang, Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) 5 qian, Su Zi (Perilla Fruit) 1 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 1 qian, Sha Shen (Glehnia or Adenophora Root) 3 qian, Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) 1 qian, Zi Wan (Aster Root) 0.5 fen, decocted in water and taken orally. The brilliance of this formula lies in vigorously tonifying Kidney Water while slightly clearing Lung Metal, making the 'son' stronger than the 'mother,' allowing revenge on the aggressor. It also contains anti-pathogenic herbs used appropriately so as not to deplete Lung Metal. It is like a son leading friends, all united in assistance, declaring attack without costing the old mother any resources. Even if the vengeance is not fully realized, the external invaders retreat upon hearing the news and dare not re-infiltrate the maternal home. This is the exquisite method of mutual treatment of Lung and Kidney.

Lord Zhang said: "There are many methods of double treatment, but with these three, one can apply them by analogy to all cases. Generally, diseases are either of the Heart and Liver, or the Spleen and Stomach, or the Lungs and Kidneys. Since the Heavenly Master has provided double treatment methods for each, and the herbal combinations are divine, is it not worthy of being kept as a secret treasure? I therefore praise it and dare not add further commentary."

Lord Hua said: "Not transmitted."