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For those who cannot afford to use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) can be used as a substitute. Physicians often use Yang Shen (American Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) as a substitute, which is a major error. Dang Shen is the Ren Shen of previous dynasties. Currently, its potency is weaker; if one lacks the strength to consume Ren Shen, doubling the dosage of Dang Shen is acceptable. (Later, various Great Immortals provided methods for processing Dang Shen, with efficacy comparable to Ren Shen.)

Some individuals suffer from diseases of the Spleen Meridian. For instance, watery diarrhea results from the warming deficiency of Spleen Qi, while bloody dysentery arises from excessive dryness and heat. For watery diarrhea, use Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 1 liang and Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) 5 qian. Decoct these two herbs in water; the effect will be immediate. Bloody dysentery is different, presenting with either abdominal pain or no pain. If painful, it is due to fire-heat; use Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix tail), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Guang Mu Xiang (Costi Radix), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Luo Bo Zi (Raphani Semen). Decoct in water and take orally. If painless, it is due to cold; use Bai Shao 3 qian, Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Luo Bo Zi 1 qian, Zhi Ke 1 qian, Bing Lang (Arecae Semen), and Gan Cao 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. Watery diarrhea is caused by transient damp-water invading the Spleen. Bai Zhu is used to benefit the Qi and Blood of the waist and umbilicus, while Che Qian Zi helps to dissipate the water accumulation. This is the correct treatment method.

Blue Great Immortal said: Bai Zhu and Che Qian Zi benefit the waist and umbilicus and eliminate damp-water. However, Bai Zhu also strengthens the Spleen; when the Spleen is strong, water dissipates naturally, so there is originally no need to rely heavily on Che Qian Zi.

Shen'er Cao Great Immortal said: Bloody dysentery involves Liver Wood overcoming Spleen Earth. Although it stems from dampness in Spleen Earth, it is further aggravated by latent summer-heat infiltration and internal injury from melons and fruits. Ultimately, it is due to Liver Wood Fire affecting the blood.

Han Great Immortal said: Although bloody dysentery presents with differences between painful and painless types, essentially both are caused by fire-heat combined with dampness. Theoretically, both formulas could treat them generally, but Lü Zu distinguished them... [Text implies differentiation based on fire pathogen characteristics].

Li Tieguai Great Immortal said: Regarding bloody dysentery, Lü Zu identified it as fire-pathogen combined with dampness, which refers to dysentery in robust individuals. However, regarding internal injury from overwork and deficiency of Middle Qi... [Text implies the need for warming herbs like Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) for such cases].

Lü Zu said: People differ by North and South, distinguished by their constitution's strength. The weakness of Southerners does not reach the strength of Northerners, yet some Southerners are stronger than some Northerners. Those with Yin bias... [Text implies specific treatment principles for Yin-biased constitutions].

Guo Lao said: Correct.