论气虚胃虚
天师曰∶凡人有病气虚者，乃身子羸弱，饮食不进，或大便溏泄、小便艰涩。方用人参一两，茯
苓三钱，白术五钱，陈皮一钱，甘草一钱，泽泻一钱，车前一钱，水煎服。此乃
病欲下行，而随其性而下补之也。方中用人参为君者，开其胃气。胃为肾之关，关门不开，则上之饮食
不能入，下之糟粕不能出，妙在用人参以生胃土，而茯苓、车前能分消水谷也。且胃之性最喜温和，不喜
过湿，湿则必上壅呕，下积而泻矣。今顺土之性而温补之，则饮食自进，而大小便各安其位矣。
张公曰∶此方生胃土以消水谷，谁曰不然，然而不止生胃土也，且能健脾。脾健则胃气益开，而
胃气益壮。方中最妙用白术也、白术上利胃而下健脾，且能祛湿以生肾。有此大功，则大小便得脾肾之气
而能开能合。下既通达，又何患饮食之不进乎，吾见其饱食而无碍也。
服前方而不愈者，兼服八味丸以补土母，盖八味丸最能实大肠利膀胱也。（李子永识。）
论气喘上逆 论双蛾 论肾虚大吐
天师曰∶凡逆症甚多，不止厥症一门也。如气喘而上者，逆也，人以为气之有余也，殊不知气盛当
作气虚，有余认作不足。若错认作肺气之盛，而错用苏叶、桔梗、百部、山豆根之类，去生便远。方用
人参一两，牛膝三钱，熟地五钱，山茱萸四钱，枸杞子一钱，麦冬五钱，北
五味一钱，胡桃三个，生姜五片，水煎服。（〔批〕安喘至圣丹。雷公曰∶妙极。然天师止言
肺经之虚、肾水大耗之气喘也，而未尝论其肾火之逆，挟肝气而上冲之气喘也。虽其症轻于肾水大耗之
病，而气逆作喘则一也。病甚则有吐粉红之痰者。此肾火炎烧，肺经内热，不能克肝，则木寡于畏，龙雷
之火愈为升腾，法当清其内热。方用地骨皮一两，沙参一两，麦冬五钱，白芥子二钱，白
芍五钱，甘草三分，桔梗五分，丹皮二钱，水煎服，方名清热止喘丹。此方之妙，妙在
地骨以清骨髓中之内热，沙参，丹皮以养阴，白芍以平肝木中之火，麦冬以清肺中之火，加甘草、桔梗引
入肺经，则痰嗽自除，而气喘亦定，孙真人曰∶何论之奇辟乃尔，我有一奇方以附后。）此方绝不去治
肺经，而正所以治肺也。盖人生肺气，夜卧必归气于肾中，此母居子舍之义也，今因色欲过度，肾水大
耗，肺金日去生之。久之，则不特肾水虚，而肺金亦虚。譬如家有浪子，日费千金，母有积蓄，日日与
之，倾囊倒箧，尽数交付其子，后将安继？是子贫而母亦贫矣。一遇外侮之侵，将何物解纷？而外侮又
复恐吓之，逃之子舍，以避其锋；而子家贫乏，无以奉母，又必仍复还家，以受外侮之凌逼，势不至不
死不已。今肾水既亏，而肺金又耗，外受心火之伤，中受肝木之横，脾土又下，不来生水，则转
辗难藏，于是仍返而上喘。幸有一线元阳未绝、所以不死。苟不大剂急救其肾，使贫子来偷窃，又何以
肺金有养哉。况贫子暴富，不特母家亦富，而外侮亦不敢欺凌矣。此不治肺而正所以治肺也。或疑人参乃
肺脾之药，既宜补肾，不宜多用人参。不知肾水大虚，一时不能骤生，非急补其气，则元阳一线必且断
绝。况人参少用则泛上，多用则下行，妙在用人参至两许，使能下达病源。补气以生肾水。药中熟地。山茱
萸之类，同气相求，直入命门，又何患太多之病哉。若病重之人，尤宜多加，一两尚欠也。但喘有不同，
有虚有实。初起之喘多邪实，久病之喘多气虚，邪实者，喘必抬肩；气虚而喘者，微微气急耳。余所论乃
久病之喘。若初起之喘，若四磨、四七汤。得一剂即止。此病逆而药亦逆之也。
张公曰∶肺金补子之义，已讲透彻无遗，余再出一论以广之。肺气既弱，自然不能克木，肝木无制，
必然气旺，气旺必来凌脾胃之土。脾胃即受制于肝木，则何能来生肺金耶。方中十剂之中，或间加柴胡
五分、白芍五钱、熟地倍加一两，同前方煎饮，未必无小补也，盖欲平肝，自必旺其土，土旺
则金有不生者乎。此亦反治之义耳。
天师曰∶更有人病双蛾者，人以为热也。喉门肿痛，痰如锯不绝，茶水一滴不能下咽，岂非热症，然
而痛虽甚，至早少轻；喉虽肿，舌必不燥∶痰虽多，必不黄而成块。此乃假热之症也。若以寒凉之药
急救之，下喉非不暂快，少顷而热转甚。人以为凉药之少也，再加寒凉之品，服之更甚。急须刺其少商之
穴，出血少许，喉门必有一线之路开矣。急以附子一钱，熟地一两，山茱萸四钱，麦冬三
钱，北五味三钱；
牛膝三钱，茯苓五钱，煎服，（〔批〕消火神丹。）下喉一声响亮，其火势热症，立时消散。盖
少阴之火，直如奔马，凡人肾水大耗者，肾中元阳不能下藏。盖无水以养火，而火必上越也，日日冲
上，而咽喉口小，不能任其出入，乃结成肿痛，状似双蛾，实非双蛾也。方中妙在用附子辛热之药，
引尤雷之火下藏于窟宅。夫龙雷之火，乃相火也，喜水而不喜火，故药中熟地、山茱之类，纯是补阴
之味，使火有所归而不再沸。此因其逆势而逆导之也。
喜水而不喜火。喜水者，喜真阴之水也，而非寒凉之水不喜火者，不喜邪气之火也，而非辛热之火。
日重夜轻，治之最易。用山豆根三钱，半夏一钱，桔梗三钱，甘草一钱治之。一
剂立愈，而非逆症可比耳。
张公曰∶阴虚双蛾之症，余更有治法。用附子一钱，盐水炒成片，用一片含在口中，立时有路，
可以用汤药矣。后以八味丸一两，白滚水送下，亦立时而愈，可与岐天师方并传。
天师曰∶更有大吐之症，舌如芒刺，双目红肿，人以为热也。不知此乃肾水干槁，火不能藏，水不能
润，食入即出耳。法当用六味地黄汤，一料煎服，恣其吞饮，则余火下息，而饮食可入。盖胃为肾之关，
胃中之火，必得肾中之水以润之。肾水耗，不能上润脾胃，则胃火沸腾，涌而上出，以致双目红痛，舌
如芒刺也。但此症时躁时静，一时而欲饮水，及至水到，又不欲饮，即强饮之，又不十分宽快，此乃上假
热而下真寒也。理宜六味汤内，加附子、肉桂，煎汤与饮，始合病源。而今止用六味地黄汤者何？盖肾
虽寒而胃正热。温肾之药，必经过胃经，热性发作，肾不及救，而胃反助其邪火之焰，则病势转添。不
若竟用六味地黄汤，使其直趋肾
宫，虽经过胃中，不致相犯，假道灭虢，不平胃而胃自平矣。此亦逆治之法也。（〔批〕孙公曰∶真绝奇
之论。）
张公曰∶余立地黄丸，原所治武帝之消渴也，不意可以治此等之症，实有奇功。今又得岐天师畅为
发明，将方之功效，尽情表出，余之幸也。不独余之幸也，愿世人留意。此方治上假热而下真寒者，无不
神妙，奏功如响，非惟大吐之症宜之耳。
华君曰∶是传予之文，而子之文更多可喜也。然予更有数语，双蛾阴症，最难治而最易治也。不知
其窍而最难，知其法而最易。予常为人治此病。用附子一枚，以盐一合，水煮透，令其口含一片，而火
势立止。然后以六味汤，大剂饮之，不再发，神方也。
大吐之症，先以手擦其脚心，使滚热，然后以附子一枚煎汤，用鹅翎扫之，随干随扫，少顷即不吐
矣，后以六味丸汤，大剂饮之，即安然也。
气喘之症，莫妙用天师方，大剂饮之必生，无他方法也。
孙真君曰∶天师论喘症奇辟，然予亦有方。用人参一两。北五味一钱，麦冬二两，牛
膝三钱，胡桃三个，生姜汁三匙，水煎服。（〔批〕天师曰∶妙绝。）此方之妙，妙在麦冬用至
二两。盖喘病虽是肾虚，毕竟肺虚不能生肾水也，肾水不能速生，必须补气以生之。然徒用参以补气，
未免水亏而火愈旺，今反用麦冬以滋肾水之母，则人参亦从之以生肺，而不去助火矣。肺有养而水自
生，又何患火之不能制哉。
往往有气喘而脉微涩者，用熟地一二两，当归六七钱。甘草一钱，治之而愈。此名贞
元饮。妇人最多此症。（李子永识。）
On Qi Deficiency and Stomach Deficiency
The Heavenly Master said: Generally, when a person suffers from qi deficiency, the body becomes emaciated and weak, food intake is poor, or there is loose stool and difficult urination. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 liang, Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 5 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian, Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizoma) 1 qian, Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. This follows the pathological trend of descending and supplements according to its nature. In this formula, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) is used as the sovereign drug (principal ingredient) to open the stomach qi. The stomach is the gate of the kidney; if the gate is not open, food cannot enter from above, and waste cannot exit from below. The brilliance lies in using Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to generate and nourish the stomach earth, while Fu Ling (Poria) and Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) can separate and eliminate dampness from food and fluids. Moreover, the stomach's nature prefers warmth and mildness, disliking excessive dampness; dampness will inevitably cause upper congestion and vomiting, and lower accumulation leading to diarrhea. Now, by following the nature of earth and warming and tonifying it, food intake will naturally improve, and bowel movements and urination will return to their proper positions.
Master Zhang said: This formula generates stomach earth to digest food and fluids; who would deny this? However, it does more than just generate stomach earth; it also strengthens the spleen. When the spleen is strong, stomach qi opens further, and stomach qi becomes stronger. The most wonderful aspect of the formula is the use of Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) benefits the stomach above and strengthens the spleen below, and can dispel dampness to generate kidney essence. With this great merit, the opening and closing of bowel movements and urination are regulated by the qi of the spleen and kidney. Since the lower pathways are unobstructed, why worry about poor food intake? I see him eating his fill without obstruction.
For those who do not recover after taking the previous prescription, take Ba Wei Wan (Jin Gui Shen Qi Pill / Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) concurrently to tonify the mother of earth (the kidney), because Ba Wei Wan (Jin Gui Shen Qi Pill / Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) is best at solidifying the large intestine and benefiting the bladder. (Recorded by Li Ziyong.)
On Asthma with Upward Reversal, On Double Tonsillitis, On Severe Vomiting Due to Kidney Deficiency
The Heavenly Master said: There are many types of reversal syndromes, not limited to jue syndrome alone. For example, asthma with upward rushing is a reversal syndrome. People think this is due to excess qi, but they do not realize that apparent excess should be treated as deficiency, mistaking surplus for insufficiency. If mistakenly diagnosed as lung qi excess and incorrectly treated with Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), Bai Bu (Stemona Root), Shan Dou Gen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Cortex), etc., one moves far from recovery. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 liang, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 3 qian, Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 5 qian, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) 4 qian, Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) 1 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 5 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) 1 qian, Hu Tao (Walnut) 3 pieces, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 5 slices, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: An Chuan Zhi Sheng Dan / Supreme Elixir for Calming Asthma. Lei Gong said: Extremely brilliant. However, the Heavenly Master only discussed asthma due to lung meridian deficiency and massive depletion of kidney yin, but did not discuss asthma due to rebellion of kidney fire accompanied by liver qi rushing upward. Although this condition is milder than massive kidney yin depletion, the mechanism of qi rebellion causing asthma is the same. In severe cases, patients may cough up pink frothy sputum. This is due to kidney fire flaring up, internal heat in the lung meridian failing to control liver wood, leading to "wood lacking fear," causing dragon-lei fire to surge even more. The treatment method should clear internal heat. The prescription uses Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex) 1 liang, Sha Shen (Glehnia Root) 1 liang, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 5 qian, Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed) 2 qian, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 3 fen, Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) 5 fen, Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 2 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. The formula is named Qing Re Zhi Chuan Dan / Heat-Clearing Asthma-Calming Elixir. The brilliance of this formula lies in Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex) clearing internal heat in the bone marrow, Sha Shen (Glehnia Root) and Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) nourishing yin, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) calming fire in liver wood, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) clearing fire in the lungs, plus Gan Cao (Licorice Root) and Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) guiding the herbs into the lung meridian, so that phlegm and cough are eliminated, and asthma is stabilized. Sun Taoren said: Why is the discussion so unique and unconventional? I have a unique formula to append here.) This formula does not directly treat the lungs, yet this is precisely how it treats the lungs. Generally, human lung qi returns to the kidney during sleep; this is the principle of the mother residing in the son's house. Now, due to excessive sexual indulgence, kidney yin is massively depleted, and lung metal daily goes to generate it. Over time, not only is kidney yin deficient, but lung metal is also deficient. It is like having a prodigal son in the family who spends thousands of gold daily; the mother has savings and gives them to him day by day, emptying her purse and chest, handing everything over to her son. How can she sustain this later? The son becomes poor, and the mother also becomes poor. Once external aggression invades, what will be used to resolve the conflict? And the external aggression frightens it again, causing it to flee to the son's house to avoid the sharp edge; but since the son's home is impoverished and unable to support the mother, it must return home to suffer the bullying of external aggression, inevitably until death ensues. Now, since kidney yin is depleted and lung metal is exhausted, externally injured by heart fire, internally oppressed by liver wood, and spleen earth sinking down without generating water, it辗转 (tosses and turns) unable to hide, thus returning upward to cause asthma. Fortunately, a thread of primordial yang remains intact, so death does not occur. If one does not use a large dose to urgently rescue the kidney, allowing the "poor son" to steal (metaphor for tonifying qi to generate essence), how can lung metal be nourished? Moreover, when the poor son becomes rich, not only does the mother's house become wealthy, but external aggression dares not bully anymore. This is treating the lungs by not directly treating them. Some suspect that Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) is a herb for the lung and spleen; since it is suitable for tonifying the kidney, it should not be used in large amounts. They do not know that when kidney yin is severely deficient, it cannot be generated suddenly; unless qi is urgently tonified, the thread of primordial yang will surely break. Furthermore, a small dose of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) floats upward, while a large dose descends downward. The brilliance lies in using Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) up to 1 liang, enabling it to reach the source of the disease. Tonifying qi to generate kidney yin. Herbs such as Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) in the formula seek similar energies and enter the mingmen (Gate of Life) directly; why worry about too much? For severely ill patients, even larger doses are appropriate; 1 liang is still insufficient. However, asthma varies, being either deficiency or excess. Initial asthma is mostly due to pathogenic excess, while chronic asthma is mostly due to qi deficiency. In excess patterns, asthma involves lifting the shoulders; in deficiency patterns, there is only slight rapid breathing. What I am discussing is chronic asthma. For initial asthma, Si Mo Tang (Four-Mo Decoction) or Si Qi Tang (Four-Seven Decoction) can stop it with one dose. Here, the disease is rebellious, and the medicine also acts rebelliously.
Master Zhang said: The meaning of lung metal tonifying the son has been explained thoroughly and completely. I offer another theory to expand upon it. Since lung qi is weak, it naturally cannot control wood. Liver wood, unchecked,必然 (inevitably) becomes hyperactive. Hyperactive qi必然 (inevitably) overwhelms spleen-stomach earth. If spleen-stomach is controlled by liver wood, how can it generate lung metal? Among the ten doses in the formula, one might occasionally add Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) 5 fen, Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, and double the Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) to 1 liang, decocted together with the previous formula. This may yield minor benefits. To calm the liver, one must necessarily strengthen earth; if earth is strong, can metal fail to be generated? This is also the principle of contrary treatment.
The Heavenly Master said: Furthermore, some people suffer from double tonsillitis (Shuang E). People assume it is a heat syndrome. The throat swells and hurts, sputum is incessant like sawing, and not even a drop of tea can be swallowed. Is this not a heat syndrome? However, although the pain is severe, it lightens slightly in the early morning; although the throat is swollen, the tongue is certainly not dry; although there is much sputum, it is certainly not yellow and clotted. This is a false heat syndrome. If emergency treatment with cold-cooling medicines is used, it may feel temporarily pleasant upon swallowing, but shortly thereafter, the heat intensifies. People think the cooling medicine was insufficient and add more cold-cooling substances, making the condition worse. One must urgently prick the Shao Shang acupoint (LU-11) to bleed a little, which will open a narrow passage in the throat. Immediately administer Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 1 qian, Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 1 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) 4 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 3 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) 3 qian, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 5 qian, decocted and taken orally. (Commentary: Xiao Huo Shen Dan / Fire-Eliminating Divine Elixir.) Upon swallowing, a loud sound is heard, and the fire-like heat symptoms dissipate instantly. The fire of the Shaoyin meridian rushes like a galloping horse. In anyone whose kidney yin is massively depleted, the primordial yang in the kidney cannot descend and store. Without water to nourish fire, fire必然 (inevitably) rises upward. Rushing upward daily, and since the throat and mouth are narrow, unable to accommodate its entry and exit, swelling and pain form, resembling double tonsillitis, but actually not true double tonsillitis. The brilliance of the formula lies in using the pungent-hot herb Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to guide dragon-lei fire back to its dwelling place. Dragon-lei fire is ministerial fire; it prefers water and dislikes fire. Therefore, herbs like Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) in the formula are purely yin-nourishing, giving fire a place to reside so it no longer boils. This is guiding the rebellion against its rebellious nature.
Preferring water and disliking fire. Preferring water means preferring true yin water, not cold-cooling water; disliking fire means disliking pathogenic fire, not pungent-hot fire. Symptoms worsen during the day and lighten at night; this is easiest to treat. Use Shan Dou Gen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Cortex) 3 qian, Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) 1 qian, Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) 3 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian to treat it. One dose brings immediate cure; this is not comparable to a reversal syndrome.
Master Zhang said: For yin-deficiency double tonsillitis, I have another treatment method. Use Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 1 qian, stir-fried in salt water into slices. Place one slice in the mouth; immediately a passage opens, allowing decoctions to be taken. Afterwards, take Ba Wei Wan (Jin Gui Shen Qi Pill / Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) 1 liang, washed down with plain boiled water. Cure is also immediate. This can be transmitted alongside the Heavenly Master's formula.
The Heavenly Master said: There is also a severe vomiting syndrome where the tongue feels like thorns and both eyes are red and swollen. People think it is heat. They do not know this is due to dried-up kidney yin, fire unable to store, water unable to moisten, so food comes out immediately after entering. The method should use Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill Decoction), one dose decocted and taken, allowing free swallowing, so residual fire subsides downward, and food intake resumes. The stomach is the gate of the kidney; fire in the stomach must be moistened by water in the kidney. When kidney yin is depleted, it cannot ascend to moisten spleen and stomach, causing stomach fire to boil and surge upward, resulting in red and painful eyes and a tongue feeling like thorns. However, this syndrome alternates between agitation and calmness; sometimes one desires to drink water, but when water arrives, one does not want to drink. Even if forced to drink, it is not very relieving. This is false heat above and true cold below. Ideally, Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) should be added to Liu Wei Tang (Six-Ingredient Decoction), decocted and drunk, to match the disease source. Why use only Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill Decoction) now? Because although the kidney is cold, the stomach is currently hot. Warming-kidney medicines must pass through the stomach meridian; if their hot nature activates, the kidney cannot be saved in time, and the stomach反而 (instead) aids the flame of pathogenic fire, worsening the disease. It is better to simply use Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill Decoction), allowing it to go directly to the kidney palace. Although passing through the stomach, it avoids conflict. Borrowing the road to destroy Guo (a metaphor for bypassing an intermediate obstacle), the stomach is calmed without directly treating it. This is also a method of contrary treatment. (Commentary: Mr. Sun said: Truly an extraordinarily unique theory.)
Master Zhang said: I originally established Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) to treat Emperor Wu's xiao ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). I did not expect it could treat such conditions, truly having miraculous efficacy. Now, thanks to the Heavenly Master's thorough explanation, bringing out the full efficacy of the formula, it is my fortune. Not only my fortune, but I hope everyone pays attention. This formula is miraculously effective for all cases of false heat above and true cold below, working as swiftly as an echo, not only suitable for severe vomiting.
Mr. Hua said: You transmitted my text, but your writing is even more delightful. However, I have a few more words. Yin-type double tonsillitis is the hardest to treat and the easiest to treat. Not knowing the key makes it hardest; knowing the method makes it easiest. I often treat this disease for others. Use one piece of Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata), boiled thoroughly with one he of salt. Let the patient hold a slice in the mouth, and the fire sensation stops immediately. Then drink a large dose of Liu Wei Tang (Six-Ingredient Decoction); it will not recur. A divine formula.
For severe vomiting, first rub the sole of the foot with hands until boiling hot. Then decoct one piece of Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata) in water. Use a goose feather to sweep the mouth/throat area. Sweep as it dries. Shortly after, vomiting stops. Then drink a large dose of Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) decoction, and peace is restored.
For asthma, nothing is more wonderful than the Heavenly Master's formula. Drinking a large dose ensures survival; there is no other method.
Sun Zhenjun said: The Heavenly Master's discussion on asthma is unique and unconventional, but I also have a formula. Use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 liang, Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) 1 qian, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 2 liang, Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) 3 qian, Hu Tao (Walnut) 3 pieces, Sheng Jiang Zhi (Fresh Ginger Juice) 3 spoons, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Heavenly Master said: Absolutely brilliant.) The brilliance of this formula lies in using Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) up to 2 liang. Although asthma is due to kidney deficiency, ultimately lung deficiency fails to generate kidney yin. Kidney yin cannot be generated quickly; qi must be tonified to generate it. However, using only Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to tonify qi may exacerbate fire due to water deficiency. Now, conversely, using Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) to nourish the mother of kidney yin allows Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to follow and generate lung qi without aiding fire. With lung nourishment, water generates itself; why worry about fire not being controlled?
Often, there are cases of asthma with a faint and choppy pulse. Treating with Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) 1-2 liang, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) 6-7 qian, Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 1 qian cures it. This is named Zhen Yuan Yin (True Origin Decoction). Women suffer from this syndrome most frequently. (Recorded by Li Ziyong.)