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Tian Shi (Heavenly Master) said: There are many methods for treating the fu organs (hollow viscera). I will cite one or two symptoms to serve as a model, from which the rest can be deduced. For instance, a person suffering from urinary retention and severe constipation. Urinary retention is a disease of the Bladder (Bladder organ). When the Qi transformation (functional activity of transforming fluids) of the Bladder fails, urine cannot be discharged. Although treating urinary obstruction seems to require only treating the Bladder Meridian, the key to treatment does not lie in directly treating the Bladder itself. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) 3 qian, Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) 3 qian, Bai Guo (Ginkgo Nut) 20 pieces, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) 3 qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) 3 fen, Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria Seed) 3 qian. Decoct with water and take orally. (Annotation: Tong Shui Zhi Qi Dan [Extraordinary Pill for Unblocking Water].) After one dose, urination flows freely like a stream. The wonder of this formula lies entirely in the use of Ren Shen, followed by the use of 3 fen of Rou Gui. This is because the Bladder must rely on Qi transformation to discharge urine. What is Qi transformation? It is the Qi of the Pericardium (Pericardium organ). The Bladder must receive the descending guidance of the Pericardium's Qi for the water pathway to become patent. Especially wonderful is the use of 20 Bai Guo, the meaning of which most people do not understand. Bai Guo unblocks the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and Du Mai (Governing Vessel), and also reaches the Bladder, guiding the Qi of Ren Shen and Rou Gui straight into the Bladder; whereas Che Qian Zi and Wang Bu Liu Xing are substances that drain and circulate downwards. They follow the medicinal momentum and exit through the yin orifice. This is a subtle method for treating the fu organs. Do people know it?

Constipation is often thought to be caused by excessive dryness of the Large Intestine, but who knows that it is actually due to dryness of the Lung? When the Lung is dry, its clear and descending Qi cannot flow down to the Large Intestine, and the water in the Kidney Meridian is barely sufficient to sustain itself, let alone flow sideways to moisten the intestinal "streams." The prescription uses Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 3 liang, Yuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) 3 liang, Huo Ma Zi (Hemp Seed) 1 qian, Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) 2 qian, Niu Nai (Cow's Milk) 1 bowl, and water 2 zhong. Decoct until reduced to 6 fen, mix with cow's milk, and take 1 bowl at a time. (Annotation: Run Zao Zhi Shen Tang [Divine Decoction for Moistening Dryness].) If bowel movement is not achieved after one dose, it will certainly occur after two doses. The brilliance of this formula lies in nourishing the Kidney rather than directly moistening the Large Intestine. Even more brilliant is that it not only tonifies the Kidney but also tonifies the Lung. Most brilliantly, it not only tonifies the Lung but also raises Lung Qi. Since the Large Intestine resides in the lower part of the body, it is difficult to treat independently. One must moisten it via the Kidney Meridian and clear it via the Lung Meridian. Once the Qi descends and sinks to the "sea bottom" (lower jiao), if lifting methods are not used, the water flow will remain blocked. By opening the upper orifices (the Lung governs the skin and hair and is the upper source of water), the lower orifices naturally flow. This is the method of "treating the lower by addressing the upper," and also "treating the fu organs by addressing the zang organs." The remaining methods for treating the fu organs can be understood through this principle.

Zhang Gong said: Tian Shi was too brief; I shall expand upon it. Anyone who is timid and afraid to see others suffers from deficiency of the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. The cause of this Shaoyang Gallbladder deficiency is the decline of Liver Wood. And the decline of Liver Wood is due to insufficiency of Kidney Water. The treatment should tonify the Kidney to generate Liver Wood. The prescription uses Shu Di Huang 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) 4 qian, Shao Yao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) 5 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) 1 qian, Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) 5 qian, Bai Jie Zi (Mustard Seed) 1 qian, Sheng Zao Ren (Raw Sour Jujube Seed) 1 qian, Rou Gui 1 qian. Decoct with water and take orally. (Annotation: Zhu Yong Dan [Pill to Assist Courage].) The subtlety of this formula lies in using herbs that tonify the Liver while tonifying the Kidney. Even more subtly, it tonifies the Heart so that the Heart does not draw blood from the Liver and Gallbladder. Consequently, there is surplus gallbladder juice, and timidity can be dispelled. Furthermore, the use of Rou Gui to enter the Liver meridian is ingenious; it is like a person gaining the aid of a brave individual, causing courage to strengthen instantly. This contains profound principles for treating the fu organs. Do people know it?

The symptom of vomiting and regurgitation is commonly attributed to Stomach deficiency, but who knows it stems from Kidney deficiency? Whether food is vomited immediately after ingestion or in any other form of vomiting, it is invariably due to Kidney deficiency. Therefore, treating vomiting without addressing the Kidney means one has not perceived the root of the disease. The prescription uses Ren Shen 3 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 5 qian, Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 5 qian, Qian Shi (Euryale Seed) 5 qian, Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) 3 grains, Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit) 5 fen. Decoct with water and take orally. (Annotation: Zhuan Wei Dan [Pill to Transform the Stomach].) This formula appears to treat the Spleen and Stomach, but it is actually a method for treating the Kidney. Except for Ren Shen which saves the Stomach, all other herbs enter the Kidney Meridian and do not merely stay in the Spleen. Kidney Fire generates Spleen Earth, and only then can Spleen Earth generate Stomach Qi. Once Stomach Qi rotates, vomiting subsides. This is treating the Stomach by using herbs for the Kidney. Do people know it?

Hua Jun said: There is nothing else.

Sun Taoren (Sun Simiao) transmitted a formula for treating urinary retention: Use Che Qian Zi 5 qian, Rou Gui 3 fen. Decoct with water and take orally; urination will immediately become patent.