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Chen Shiduo said: The so-called "Yin Treatment Method" refers to conditions where there is a deficiency of Yin Qi, accompanied by an invasion of Yin pathogens. For example, when the Kidney water is deficient and cold, and simultaneously exposed to cold pathogens; or when Kidney water is exhausted, resulting in night fever and daytime chills. Such diseases, if mistakenly treated as Yang syndromes, will lead to thirst and intensified heat, inevitably consuming all Yin fluids, causing vomiting of sputum like cotton floss, incessant coughing, hoarseness, and eventually evolving into Lao Zhai (chronic consumptive disease). The treatment method should be to vigorously tonify Yin. When Yin fluids are sufficient, the deficient fire will naturally subside, the bone marrow will become clear and peaceful, and the residual heat and fire above will vanish. The prescription uses Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) 5 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) 5 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) 5 qian, Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix) 3 qian, Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex) 3 qian, Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 1 qian, Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix) 5 qian, Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) 1 qian, Qian Shi (Euryales Semen) 5 qian, Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) 1 qian, Sang Ye (Mori Folium) 7 leaves, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: An Huo Zhi Sheng Tang [Supreme Sage Decoction for Calming Ministerial Fire].) The brilliance of this formula lies in its exclusive use of pure Yin herbs, which penetrate directly into the Kidney palace to nourish deficiencies. Thus, the anxious symptoms will not flare up on the surface of the mouth, tongue, skin, and hair. Furthermore, by adding Yuan Shen, Di Gu Pi, Sha Shen, and Dan Pi to slightly clear the internal heat within the bone marrow, Yin naturally grows while Yang declines. The body becomes peaceful without specifically treating Yang, so why add Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) to disperse, only for the pathogen to leave? This formula is highly effective for treating spontaneously arising Yin fire. However, it is not suitable for cases of Yin cold without fire. In such cases, one should use Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 1 qian, Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) 1 qian, Shu Di Huang 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu 4 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 3 qian, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 3 qian, Chai Hu 5 fen, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Qu Han Zhi Sheng Dan [Supreme Sage Pill for Expelling Cold].) The ingenious application of this formula lies in combining cold-expelling herbs like Fu Zi and Rou Gui with Yin-tonifying herbs like Ren Shen and Shu Di Huang, allowing Yang to be controlled by Yin, preventing it from surging and boiling. Adding a small amount of Chai Hu allows Yin pathogens to dissipate naturally. Why use purely Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) and Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) to scorch away true Yin? Moreover, the fire in the Kidneys must arise from Water. This Water is not pathogenic water but True Water. Pathogenic water can invade the Heart leading to immediate death, whereas True Water can save the Heart and prolong life. Generally, Yang is rooted in Yin, and True Yin Kidney Water is truly the mother of True Yang Jun Xiang Fire (Monarch and Minister Fire). The addition of Shu Di Huang and Shan Yu in this formula embodies this principle. (Commentary: Extremely brilliant.) Fearing that people might not understand, I have elaborated on this. If one uses only Fu Zi and Rou Gui to expel cold, it may indeed be effective. However, after the pathogen is expelled, Yin will diminish, inevitably leading to exhaustion. If treated improperly, symptoms of Wang Yang (collapse of Yang) will surely occur. I hope people pay attention to tonifying fire within water and removing pathogens within water.

Mr. Zhang said: This is an extraordinarily brilliant discussion, revealing insights never expressed in millennia. How could I add further praise to its profundity? Nevertheless, there is another formula for reference. The former symptom is Yin deficiency with fire movement, for which Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) seems appropriate; the latter symptom is Yin cold without fire, for which Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) seems usable. However, neither ultimately compares to Master Chen's two formulas. Essentially, within the treatment of Yin, methods for treating Yang are retained; and within the treatment of Yang, principles of tonifying Yin are hidden. For those too poor to afford Ren Shen, the method of my previous formula can be used.

Mr. Hua said: It is no different from the method transmitted to me.