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On Minor Diseases

The Heavenly Master said: "Shallow treatment" refers to treating a disease lightly when it has not yet penetrated deeply, without the need for deep intervention. For instance, when a person suffers from minor ailments. Why should one panic and use Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), or add Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fu Zi (Aconite Root) out of fear? If the discomfort is due to irregular diet, Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) will suffice; for headache, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) will suffice; for cough, Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) will suffice; for watery diarrhea, Wu Ling San (Five Ingredient Powder with Poria) will suffice; for abdominal pain, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) will suffice; for fullness and stuffiness in both hypochondria, Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) will also suffice. A slight soothing and regulation will naturally yield results; there is no need to use potent medicines that penetrate deeply into the zang-fu organs to treat superficial conditions. This is the method of shallow treatment, which should be understood.

Master Zhang said: The method of shallow treatment is excellent.
Master Hua said: I agree.

On Wei Syndrome, Low Back Pain, Spinal Pain, Soreness and Pain in Both Legs, Caruncle Overgrowing the Pupil (Rou Pan Jing), and Jing Syndrome

The Heavenly Master said: "Long-term management" refers to chronic conditions that cannot be measured by short periods of time, such as Wei Syndrome (Flaccidity Syndrome) and Jing Syndrome (Spasm Syndrome). In Wei syndrome, patients must remain in bed for long periods and cannot rise easily. What is the reason? Generally, all types of Wei syndrome are attributed to excessive Stomach Fire in the Yangming channel. When Stomach Fire scorches and exhausts Kidney Water, the bones become hollow and lack nourishment, making standing impossible. Therefore, if one only treats the Yangming channel, how can the marrow in the bones be replenished, and how can one expect strength in both legs? The prescription uses Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) 1 liang, Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 2 liang, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 1 liang, and Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 2 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Annotation: Xiao Yin Jian Gu Tang - Decoction to Eliminate Yin Hardness and Strengthen Bones.) The brilliance of this formula lies in not directly treating the Yangming channel but instead directly treating the Kidney channel to replenish its deficiency. Once Kidney Water is generated, Stomach Fire will naturally subside. Moreover, Mai Dong clears Lung Qi, and Niu Xi strengthens the knees and shins. Thus, using this formula for long-term management can prevent flaccid paralysis. If one merely uses Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) to lower Stomach Fire, although the fire may decrease, Kidney Water will become even drier. What substance will then be sufficient to fill the bone marrow? No wonder that after months and years, the more one treats, the weaker the patient becomes. This is the method of long-term management, which must be known.

Master Zhang said: Excellent. The method of long-term management is not limited to Wei and Jing syndromes; let me expand upon it. It applies to low back pain, spinal pain, soreness and pain in both legs, and caruncle overgrowing the pupil (Rou Pan Jing). In cases of low back pain where medication fails, it is because dampness has entered the lumbar region (kidneys), which is the most difficult to treat. Tonifying Kidney Water aggravates the pain; draining Kidney Water causes a feeling of emptiness; dispelling wind yields no benefit; dispersing cold worsens the condition; clearing heat intensifies the fire. This indicates that it is a damp-water syndrome. There are no external signs of water, nor internal forms of water, making diagnosis difficult. However, I have a method to distinguish it. It is characterized by low back pain accompanied by an inability to bend forward. The prescription uses Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) 1 qian, Fang Ji (Stephania Root) 2 qian, Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) 1 qian, Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 1 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 3 fen, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 5 fen, Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome) 3 qian, and Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Annotation: Jie Shi Xian Dan - Immortal Pill to Resolve Dampness.) The brilliance of this formula lies in entering the Kidney to resolve dampness, rather than tonifying the Kidney with fluids. However, it must be taken frequently to be effective. Generally, for such low back pain at the onset, three to four doses will yield results. If the pain has persisted for years, it requires two months of administration to show effect.

Inability to bend the waist indicates damp-water; inability to straighten the waist indicates wind-cold, not damp-water. Use Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with Fang Ji (Stephania Root) 1 qian added. At the onset, one dose can cure it; if prolonged, one dose is insufficient. One should switch to Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 2 liang and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) 1 liang, decocted in wine. Ten doses will cure it. (Annotation: Li Yao Dan - Pill to Benefit the Waist.) This can serve as a method for long-term management.

Spinal pain is caused by the depletion of Kidney Water, which fails to moisten the brain upwards. Consequently, the path of He Che (the vehicle of essence, referring to the Du Mai or vital energy pathway) becomes dry and difficult to traverse, causing pain. Such conditions do not respond to one or two doses. Long-term administration of Qi-tonifying herbs to generate Yin, and substantial administration of Yin-nourishing herbs to generate Water, is required to achieve efficacy. The prescription uses Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) 1 liang, Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) 4 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 4 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root) 5 fen, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, and Fu Zi (Aconite Root) 1 fen, decocted in water and taken orally. (Annotation: Run He Tang - Decoction to Moisten the Vehicle.) This formula tonifies Qi with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome); tonifies Water with Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit); resolves dampness with Fu Ling (Poria); dispels wind with Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root); guides the action with Fu Zi (Aconite Root); and uses Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) to generate the mother of Kidney Water (Lung Metal). Naturally, strong Metal generates Water. When Water is sufficient, the path of He Che is not dry. When not dry, it moistens the bones, preventing severe pain. Since there is no pain, why would the back not straighten? However, this formula does not work overnight; it requires frequent and long-term administration, hence its inclusion in long-term management.

Soreness and pain in both legs are treated differently. Here, dampness has entered the bones, while the skin surface remains free of dampness. This disease involves dampness within the bones, possibly contracted from bedding. The prescription uses Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 2 liang, Qian Shi (Euryale Seed) 1 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 1 qian, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 2 qian, and Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Annotation: Zhuang Gu Qu Shi Dan - Pill to Strengthen Bones and Remove Dampness.) The brilliance of this formula lies in Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) entering the bones to remove water, combined with Qian Shi (Euryale Seed) to strengthen the Spleen and resolve dampness, preventing dampness from exacerbating dampness. Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) and Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome) are particularly beneficial for the feet. Added Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) guides the medicine directly into the bones. How could dampness not be removed and soreness not cease? However, diseases of the feet, being in the lower part of the body, are difficult to eradicate once established. Dampness in the bones is like a pond formed in a low-lying area over time; it cannot be dried up quickly by pumping. Substantial medicinal effort is required to drain it completely. Therefore, this formula must be taken frequently and for a long time, which is precisely the intent.

Caruncle overgrowing the pupil (Rou Pan Ping) arises from neglected eye diseases leading to tissue overgrowth. People fail to observe precautions, flipping their eyelids to seek coolness, unaware that wind pathogens suddenly invade, causing eyelashes to grow inward and forming the caruncle. This condition strictly contraindicates surgery; once cut, internal treatment becomes ineffective. The method should use pills or powders to dissolve it. However, half a year of administration is required before effects appear. The prescription uses Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower) 10 liang (preferably home-grown, otherwise unusable), Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 1 jin, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) 0.5 jin, Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) 4 liang, Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 3 liang, Wei Yu (Polygonatum Rhizome) 1 jin, Tong Zhou Ji Li (Tribulus Fruit) 1 jin, Cao Jue Ming (Cassiae Semen) 4 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 10 liang, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 10 liang, Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) 10 liang, and Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) 1 jin. These are ground into fine powder and formed into pills with honey. Take 1 liang daily on an empty stomach. One course will show slight improvement; two courses will result in complete recovery. Sexual intercourse is strictly contraindicated. Those who abstain from desire will recover with one course; otherwise, two or three courses are necessary. This is another method of long-term management, which I have elaborated upon.

The Heavenly Master said: Jing Syndrome (Spasm Syndrome) is caused by the accumulation of cold-damp qi between the feet, resulting in unceasing cold pain in the bones. Patients remain bedridden for years, exhibiting a hunched posture. What is the reason? All Jing syndromes are caused by damp-water. When water qi persists for a long time, it fills all joints throughout the body, weakening the Earth element (Spleen/Stomach function). How can the water and dampness be differentiated and drained? If one only treats the water, the dampness can be eliminated. However, if treating water for years yields no results, it is because one treats water without treating Earth. The prescription uses Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 2 liang, Qian Shi (Euryale Seed) 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 1 liang, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 1 qian, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 1 qian, Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome) 1 liang, and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) 3 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. The brilliance of this formula lies in promoting the drainage of water-damp qi without consuming true Yin. Taken daily without changing the formula, after three months, the patient will surely return to normal; after another three months, walking will be as usual. This is truly a method of long-term management, which people should adhere to without alteration.

Master Hua said: I agree.
Lei Gong said: Prescription for Jing Syndrome: Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 4 liang, Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 8 liang, Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome) 8 liang, Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) 1 liang, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 3 liang, Sheng Huang Qi (Raw Astragalus Root) 10 liang, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 1 liang, and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) 4 liang. Each is ground into powder and formed into pills with honey. Take 1 liang before meals, washed down with wine. One course guarantees complete recovery, utilizing tonification within the context of draining.

Another prescription for Wei Syndrome: Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) 1 liang, Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower) 5 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 1 liang, Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 2 liang, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 5 qian, and Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) 3 qian, decocted in water and taken orally.
This prescription shares the same principle as the Heavenly Master's. (Excellent)