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On Consumption (Xu Lao)

The Heavenly Master said: In the method of warm treatment, cold and cooling medicines must not be used, nor should pungent and hot medicines be employed. Reluctantly, one must use warm-tonifying medicines to treat it with a neutralizing approach. For instance, when a person suffers from consumption (Xu Lao), characterized by weakness in the four limbs, reduced appetite and lack of desire for food, palpitations (Zhengchong), and frightful palpitations (Jingji), this occurs after hemorrhage or excessive sweating. For these various symptoms, neither偏-cold nor偏-hot medicines should be used. One must use medicines of a mild nature, administered in small amounts, allowing for gradual transformation and subtle absorption, so that efficacy may be achieved. If one were to use extreme measures like an unconventional army, there would inevitably be subsequent troubles. The prescription consists of Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) 5 qian, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 5 qian, Fuling (Poria) 5 qian, Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen) 5 fen, Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 2 qian, Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus) 1 qian, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1 qian, Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) 5 fen, Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 1 qian, Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 3 fen, and Qianshi (Euryales Semen) 3 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. This prescription contains mostly damp-draining herbs, which strengthen the Spleen and promote Qi circulation, generate blood, and nourish essence. It avoids the risk of偏-heat and the concern of偏-cold; its nature is neutral, pure, and upright. It can be taken over a long period. When dampness is eliminated, Spleen Qi functions naturally; when blood is sufficient, spirit and vitality grow spontaneously. This is the subtlety of warm treatment.

Lord Zhang said: The method of warm treatment is wonderful. I also have a prescription to preserve. It consists of Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) 5 qian, Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Fuling (Poria) 1 qian, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Nüzhenzǐ (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus) 1 qian, Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 3 qian, Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 qian, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 qian, Tuszizi (Cuscutae Semen) 1 qian, Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) 1 qian, Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) 8 fen, Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 3 fen, Sharen (Amomi Fructus) 1 grain, and Fupenzi (Rubiae Fructus) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. This prescription is neither cold nor hot; it tonifies the Kidney, Liver, Lung, Spleen, and Heart (the five Zang organs) without the worry of偏-concentration on any single organ. For those who can undergo warm treatment, I hope you pay attention to this prescription.

Lord Hua said: Not transmitted.

On Pulse Dryness (Mai Zao)

The Heavenly Master said: In the method of clear treatment, cooling medicines must not be used, nor should warm-tonifying medicines be employed. Instead, one switches to clear-and-neutral agents, hence it is called clear treatment. Such diseases are necessarily due to dryness of Lung Qi. Once the Qi of Metal-Lung becomes dry, there is a risk of unexpected complications. If not treated urgently, it will inevitably transform into conditions such as Lung Atrophy Fei Wei (Fei Wei) or Lung Abscess Fei Yong (Fei Yong). Generally speaking, extreme dryness transforms into fire, so one ought to use cooling medicines. Why then can cooling medicines not be used here? The Lung resides in the Upper Jiao. If cooling medicines are used to chill the Lung, or if the medicine cannot quickly enter the Lung, it will inevitably tend toward the Stomach and Spleen. The heat in the Lung will not be cleared, while the Stomach's appetite area will instead develop deficiency-cold symptoms, inevitably leading to diarrhea. Prolonged diarrhea will deprive the Stomach of vital energy (Shengqi). Since the Stomach lacks vital energy, how can it generate Metal-Lung and nourish Lung Qi? Therefore, it is better to use flavors that are clear and neutral, to mildly tonify the Stomach's appetite area, and thereby clear the Qi of Metal-Lung above. This is the appropriate approach. The prescription consists of Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) 3 qian, Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 5 qian, Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) 1 qian, Tiandong (Asparagi Radix) 1 qian, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Ziwan (Asternis Radix) 1 qian, Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos) 1 qian, Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus) 1 qian, and Suzi (Perillae Fructus) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Qingfei Yiqi Tang/Clear Lung and Boost Qi Decoction.) This prescription consists entirely of clear-and-neutral substances and is a miraculous agent specifically entering Metal-Lung. Long-term consumption ensures the Stomach remains unchilled, while Metal-Lung is nourished, thus preventing the occurrence of Lung Atrophy or Lung Abscess. Therefore, when a person suffers from chronic cough that does not cease, they should respectfully take this prescription. Do not be confused by contemporary physicians and use偏-cold medicines.

Lord Zhang said: The method of clear treatment and its prescriptions are most wonderful. I cannot add a word of comment, nor do I leave a prescription.