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Chen Shiduo (styled Tianshi) stated: The so-called "Shou Zhi Fa" (Method of Astringing and Stopping) refers to the therapeutic approach of employing astringent and consolidating methods for conditions characterized by the dispersion of Qi. For instance, when a patient suffers from chronic cough that does not cease, chronic diarrhea that persists, or profuse sweating that continues unabated, these are cases fitting this description.

Regarding chronic cough, people generally believe it is caused by the accumulation of pathogenic factors. Therefore, they use diaphoretic agents daily without effect. Why? It is because the Lung Qi has become dispersed. Since the Qi is already dispersed, continuing to use dispersing herbs is no wonder if there is no improvement after a month. The treatment principle should be to use one or two doses of astringent herbs to achieve success. The prescription consists of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 3 qian, Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed) 2 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit) 1 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 5 qian, Su Zi (Perilla Fruit) 1 qian, Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) 0.5 fen, and Bai Jie Zi (Mustard Seed) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Zhi Sou Shen Dan - Divine Elixir for Cough Cessation.) Symptoms will alleviate after one dose and resolve completely after two doses. Subsequently, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) should be taken, supplemented with Mai Dong 3 liang and Bei Wu Wei Zi 1 liang. Consistent administration prevents recurrence; otherwise, recurrence cannot be guaranteed to be avoided. This is because long-term use of diaphoretic drugs depletes Zhen Yin (True Yin). Although astringent herbs may yield temporary results, the deficiency of True Yin leads to loose Cou Li (skin pores and interstitial spaces), making the body highly susceptible to Wind pathogens upon exposure, which is an inevitable trend. Taking Di Huang Wan nourishes Kidney Water to support Lung Metal (as Metal generates Water, nourishing Water supports Metal), causing the Cou Li to naturally become dense. In such a state, why worry about re-contracting Wind pathogens?

Following severe diarrhea, there is inevitably significant loss of Yin fluids. When Yin loss is extensive, Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang) also risks collapse. If immediate astringency and cessation are not employed, Yin exhaustion and Yang collapse will occur swiftly, leading to imminent death. The treatment principle dictates using substances with astringent properties. Some may doubt: if pathogens have not been fully expelled, how can one forcibly stop the diarrhea? If pathogens remain in the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach), causing abdominal distress, this must be considered. While this reasoning seems plausible on the surface, it is medically incorrect. By "severe diarrhea," I refer specifically to the passage of pure watery stool, not dysentery or general loose stools. Dysentery lacks a specific method for stopping flow; does watery diarrhea also lack a method for cessation? For patients suffering from watery diarrhea, urgent intervention is required. The prescription uses Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) 1 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi 1 qian, Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) 0.5 fen, and Suan Zao Ren 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Fen Shui Shen Dan - Divine Elixir for Dividing Waters.) In this formula, astringent herbs are fewer than tonifying herbs, aiming to strengthen the Spleen and remove Dampness, allowing water to be separated and eliminated. Thus, astringency occurs naturally without forced intervention. If one were to solely use Poppy Shell (Yu Ke) to astringently stop the flow without addressing the torrential volume of water, the blockage would only be temporary, inevitably leading to rupture and greater harm.

In cases of profuse sweating, Yang Qi escapes entirely with the sweat. If not urgently restrained, Yang Qi will dissipate instantly, resulting in immediate death. The treatment principle requires administering strong Qi-tonifying decoctions to preserve a thread of vital Qi, thereby stopping the sweating. The prescription consists of Ren Shen 1 liang, or Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) 2 liang as a substitute, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) 1 liang, Bei Wu Wei Zi 1 qian, and Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf) 7 leaves, prepared urgently for oral administration. This formula is a variation of Bu Xue Tang (Blood-Nourishing Decoction). Its brilliance lies in using more Qi-tonifying herbs than Blood-nourishing ones; when Qi becomes robust, Blood generates spontaneously, and once Blood is generated, sweating stops. Furthermore, the addition of Wu Wei Zi to astringe sweat and Sang Ye to stop sweating creates a synergistic effect. Some might argue that patients with profuse sweating likely suffer from severe panting due to Qi deficiency, and thus adding heavy doses of Ren Shen and Huang Qi to boost Qi is inappropriate, suggesting instead a pure Blood-nourishing approach. This view appears reasonable but is fundamentally flawed. Blood cannot be generated rapidly, whereas Qi must be urgently consolidated. Ignoring Qi deficiency while merely tonifying Blood rarely yields success. This perspective is superficially plausible yet essentially erroneous, requiring careful distinction.

Physicians must understand this method of consolidation and exercise diligent contemplation.

Master Zhang commented: All points were discussed thoroughly and ingeniously; nothing further needs to be added regarding vomiting and diarrhea. Regarding the treatment of chronic cough, my opinion is that it is appropriate to directly treat with Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Decoction with Rehmannia) supplemented with Mai Dong and Wu Wei Zi, seemingly avoiding the initial use of Ren Shen to rescue Lung Qi damage. However, Tianshi's usage implies profound intent, which I shall respectfully inquire about at a later date.

(Commentary by Li Ziyong: Profuse sweating syndromes often relate to Yang collapse; cases exist where large doses of Shen Fu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) were used.)