论春宜理气 夏宜健脾
天师曰∶春夏治者，随春夏发生之气而治之得法也。春
宜疏泄，夏宜清凉，亦不易之法也。然而舒发之中，宜用理气之药，清凉之内，宜兼健脾之剂，未可尽
为舒发与清凉也。春用方，春则用人参一钱，黄 一钱。柴胡一钱，当归二钱，白芍三钱，陈皮五分，甘
草一钱，神曲五分，水煎服。（〔批〕迎春汤。）此方有参、 以理气，又有柴、芍、当归以养肝而舒
木气，则肝不克脾土，自然得养矣。夏则用麦冬三钱，元参三钱，五味子一钱，白术五钱，甘草一钱，
香薷八分，神曲三分，茯苓三钱，陈皮五分，水煎服。（〔批〕养夏汤。）此方妙在健脾之中；而有润肺
之药，脾健而肺润，又益之去暑之品，又何患暑极之侵入哉。此春夏之法，所宜知者。
张公曰∶春夏治法最妙，以老幼加减法门法通用之，妙甚。
论秋宜润肺 冬宜补肾
天师曰∶秋冬治者，以顺秋气之肃，冬气之寒也。然秋天而听其气肃，冬令而顺其气寒，则过于肃杀
矣。法当用和平之药以调之，使肃者不过于肃，而寒者不过于寒也。秋则用麦冬五钱，北五味一钱。人参
一钱，甘草一钱，百合五钱，款冬花一钱、天花粉一钱，苏子一钱，水煎服。（〔批〕润秋汤。）此方妙在
不寒不敛、不热不散、则肺金既无干燥之患，而有滋润之益，又何虑金风之凉也，冬则用白术五钱，茯苓
三钱，山茱萸二钱，熟地五钱，肉桂三分，生枣仁一钱，枸杞子一钱，菟丝子一钱，薏仁三钱，水煎
服。（〔批〕温冬饮。）此方补肾之水多，补肾之火少，使水不寒而火不沸，又何虞冬令之
寒哉。秋冬治法之佳妙者。
张公曰∶妙。亦以老少门法加减之。
Background Information:
Book Title: Shishi Milu (Secrets of the Stone Chamber)
Author: Chen Shiduo
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Chapter: Treatment Methods for Spring and Summer / Autumn and Winter
Category: Comprehensive
On the Suitability of Regulating Qi in Spring and Strengthening the Spleen in Summer
The Heavenly Master said: The treatment during spring and summer involves following the method of treating according to the generating qi of spring and summer. It is appropriate to disperse and drain in spring, and to clear heat and cool in summer; this is an unchangeable principle. However, within the process of soothing and promoting, it is appropriate to use herbs that regulate qi; within the cooling process, it is appropriate to combine with formulas that strengthen the spleen. One cannot rely solely on dispersing and clearing.
For spring, the formula is as follows: In spring, use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 qian, Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) 1 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 1 qian, Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 qian, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 5 fen, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 5 fen. Decoct in water and take orally. ([Annotation] Yingchun Tang (Spring Welcoming Decoction).) This formula uses Ren Shen and Huang Qin to regulate qi, and Chai Hu, Bai Shao, and Dang Gui to nourish the Liver and soothe the Wood qi. Thus, the Liver will not overact upon the Spleen Earth, and the body will naturally be nourished.
For summer, the formula is as follows: In summer, use Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) 3 qian, Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix) 3 qian, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 5 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Xiang Ru (Elsholtziae Herba) 8 fen, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 3 fen, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 5 fen. Decoct in water and take orally. ([Annotation] Yangxia Tang (Nourishing Summer Decoction).) The brilliance of this formula lies in strengthening the spleen while including herbs that moisten the lungs. When the spleen is strong and the lungs are moistened, combined with herbs that dispel summerheat, what need is there to worry about the invasion of extreme summerheat? These are the methods suitable for spring and summer that one should know.
Master Zhang said: The treatment methods for spring and summer are most exquisite. They can be universally applied to the elderly and children with modifications based on age, which is very ingenious.
On the Suitability of Moistening the Lungs in Autumn and Tonifying the Kidney in Winter
The Heavenly Master said: The treatment during autumn and winter aims to comply with the肃 (solemn/descending) nature of autumn qi and the cold nature of winter qi. However, if one allows the qi to be overly solemn in autumn and overly cold in winter, it would be excessively desiccating and chilling. The method should employ mild and harmonious herbs to regulate, ensuring that the solemnity does not become excessive and the coldness does not become extreme.
For autumn, the formula is as follows: In autumn, use Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) 5 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) 1 qian, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Bai He (Lilii Bulbus) 5 qian, Kuan Dong Hua (Farfarae Flos) 1 qian, Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) 1 qian, Su Zi (Perillae Fructus) 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. ([Annotation] Runqiu Tang (Moistening Autumn Decoction).) The brilliance of this formula lies in its balance: neither too cold nor astringent, neither too hot nor dispersing. Thus, the Metal of the Lung avoids dryness and gains the benefit of moistening. What need is there to fear the coolness of the autumn wind?
For winter, the formula is as follows: In winter, use Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 5 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) 2 qian, Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 5 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 3 fen, Sheng Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) 1 qian, Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) 1 qian, Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen) 1 qian, Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) 3 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. ([Annotation] Wendong Yin (Warming Winter Drink).) This formula tonifies Kidney Water more than Kidney Fire, ensuring that the Water is not too cold and the Fire does not boil. What need is there to fear the cold of winter? These are the excellent aspects of the treatment methods for autumn and winter.
Master Zhang said: Excellent. They should also be modified according to the principles for the young and old.