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Zhongfeng (Stroke) refers to the invasion of pathogenic wind. Its severity is far greater than that of a common cold (Shangfeng). Wind is the qi of the four seasons and eight directions, typically arising from Kan (North) on the day of Winter Solstice; one must observe the winds from the eight directions. Winds coming from their native direction nourish all things; those not coming from their native direction are called "Empty Thief Winds" (Xu Zei Feng), which harm all things. Those with deficient constitution are struck by them, though symptoms may not appear immediately; if further exposed to wind pathogens, the disease manifests.

The Shu points of the Zang-Fu organs are located on the back, and Zhongfeng often enters through these acupoints. It is categorized into Zhong Fu (Stroke affecting the Fu organs), Zhong Zang (Stroke affecting the Zang organs), and Zhong Xue Mai (Stroke affecting the vessels and collaterals). In Zhong Fu, the pathology is in the exterior, often affecting the four limbs, leading to limb dysfunction, floating pulse, aversion to wind, stiffness, and numbness. Exterior manifestations correspond to the Six Channels: Taiyang channel syndrome presents with headache, fever, and stiff spine; Yangming channel syndrome with eye pain, dry nose, and insomnia; Shaoyang channel syndrome with deafness, hypochondriac pain, fever, vomiting, and bitter taste; Taiyin channel syndrome with abdominal fullness, spontaneous diarrhea, and dry throat; Shaoyang channel syndrome with dry tongue and mouth; Jueyin channel syndrome with irritability, fullness, and retraction of the genitals. Treat with Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) and Shufeng Tang (Dispersing Wind Decoction) to induce sweating.

In Zhong Zang, the pathology is in the interior, often obstructing the nine orifices. Flaccid lips indicate Spleen involvement; inability to speak indicates Heart involvement; deafness indicates Kidney involvement; nasal congestion indicates Lung involvement; blurred vision indicates Liver involvement. Treat with Sanhua Tang (Three Transformations Decoction) and Maren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill) to purge.

In Zhong Xue Mai, the pathology is at half-exterior and half-interior, without Six Channel symptoms or constipation/incontinence. Symptoms include facial deviation and hemibody pain. Do not over-sweat, lest it damage Wei Qi (Defensive Qi); do not over-purge, lest it damage Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Instead, nourish blood and regulate qi using Da Qinjiao Tang (Great Gentian Decoction) or Qianghuo Yufeng Tang (Notopterygium Wind-Dispelling Decoction) to harmonize. These are true Zhongfeng cases, further differentiated by Qi deficiency or Blood deficiency. Qi deficiency manifests as numbness in the right hand and foot; treat with Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis) and ginger juice. Blood deficiency manifests as numbness in the left hand and foot; treat with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) plus Gouteng, Zhulü (Bamboo Sap), and ginger juice. Combined Qi and Blood deficiency manifests as numbness in both hands and feet; treat with Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) plus Gouteng, Zhulü, and ginger juice.

Upon collapse from Zhongfeng, first regulate qi, then treat wind. Administer Suhexiang Wan (Styrax Pill) mixed with bamboo sap and ginger juice. If the jaw is locked, pry it open and administer. If it cannot be pried open, urgently use Ya Zhao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus), Sheng Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Recens), and Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) ground into fine powder and insufflated into the nose. Presence of sneezing indicates treatability; absence indicates death. Crucially, distinguish between Bi Syndrome (Closed Syndrome) and Tuo Syndrome (Open/Depletion Syndrome). Jaw locking and clenched fists indicate Bi Syndrome. Open with Suhexiang Wan or Ersheng Yin (Two Lifes Decoction). Mouth opening indicates Heart depletion; hand relaxation indicates Spleen depletion; eyes closed indicates Liver depletion; urinary incontinence indicates Kidney depletion—these constitute Tuo Syndrome. Other signs of terminal depletion include foaming at the mouth, fixed gaze, muscle wasting, bone/joint pain, erect hair, shaking head upward, flushed face like makeup, and bead-like sweat. Administer large doses of Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) orally, or moxa below the umbilicus, which may save one in ten cases. Misuse of Suhexiang Wan, Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), or Zhibao Dan (Treasure of Perfection Pill) is fatal.

These potent "gate-crashing" formulas are intended for Bi Syndrome. Using them for Tuo Syndrome is like throwing stones on someone already in a well. Countless deaths result from this error, hence this clarification. (Note: For Zhong Zang cases that are Closed but not Depleted, Suhexiang Wan, Niuhuang Wan, Zhibao Dan, and Longnao (Borneolum Syntheticum) may be used. However, Borneol enters the Kidney and treats bones, potentially drawing wind pathogens deep into the marrow like oil into flour, making them impossible to remove.)

Obese individuals are prone to stroke because their Yang qi is abundant externally but deficient internally. The Lung is the pathway for qi; obesity leads to rapid qi movement, causing phlegm-saliva to surge upward, indicating excess pathogen. Treatment must first regulate qi. After stroke, if qi is unregulated and phlegm remains, use Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi) combined with Xingxiang San (Aucklandia and Costus Powder) decocted for administration. This treats not only stroke but also Qi stagnation and Evil Qi invasion; it is also suitable for common vomiting and phlegm syncope, even without fullness/distension.

Sansheng Yin (Three Lives Decoction) [Treats sudden stroke with coma, facial deviation, hemiplegia; and phlegm/qi syncope]
Xing Nan (Arisaematis Rhizoma, raw) 1 liang
Chuan Wu (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Preparata, peeled, raw)
Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix Preparata, peeled, raw)
Each 5 qian
Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) 2 qian
Take 5 qian per dose, decoct with water and ginger.

Wang Yongzhi once suffered sudden stroke with coma, facial deviation, surging phlegm-qiu, audible phlegm in the throat, and submerged pulses. This was true qi deficiency with wind pathogen invasion. He was treated with Sansheng Yin plus Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 1 liang, decocted and administered. He recovered immediately.

The previous formula acts on meridians and treats cold-phlegm, possessing the power to breach gates and take flags. Each dose must include approximately 1 liang of Ginseng to drive out pathogens and tonify true qi. Otherwise, it is not only ineffective but detrimental. The wisdom of ancient physicians using Fuzi and Shenfu Tang can be seen here. *Fan Shi Jiaju Yilu*

Xixian San (Thin Saliva Powder) [Treats stroke with drowsiness like drunkenness, loss of bodily control, or drooling; urgent emesis required if not saved promptly]
Xin Za Jiao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus, fresh, black skin removed) 4 tings
Ming Fan (Alumen) 1 liang
Grind to fine powder. Take 5-7 fen per dose, mix with warm water and administer. Induce mild thinning/cold sensation or expectoration of 1-2 sheng of saliva. After waking, administer conditioning medicine. Avoid excessive vomiting to prevent injury from overdose. Proven effective repeatedly.

Zong said: "This method uses 1 liang of Gleditsiae, 5 qian of raw Alumen, and 5 qian of Mi Fen (Calomel), mixed with water, 1-2 qian taken, inducing vomiting upon swallowing. Ming Fan is used to separate and drain phlegm from the diaphragm." (*Sun Shi Mibao Fang*)

Zhongfeng Koujin (Locked Jaw in Stroke)
Jingjie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica) ground to powder, taken with wine, 2 qian per dose, cures immediately. Jia Sidao stated: "This formula has been used successfully before and after." *Zeng Gong Tanlu*

Shujin Wan (Sinew-Relaxing Pill) [Treats inability to extend/flex hands and feet in men and women]
Ruxiang (Olibanum)
Moyao (Myrrha)
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix)
Gusuibu (Drynariae Rhizoma, stir-fried)
Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix)
Baifu (Bai Fu Zi, Typhonii Rhizoma)
Mubie (Strychni Semen)
Baijiao (Colla Corii Asini)
Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix)
Hugu Jin (Tiger Bone substitute/preparation, roasted)
Gouqi (Lycii Fructus)
Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus)
Tian Guazi (Benincasae Semen)
Jingmo (Beijing Ink)
Dilong (Pheretima, washed in wine, dried)
Each 1 qian 5 fen
Shexiang (Moschus) a small amount
Grind all to powder, make pills with honey the size of wutong seeds. Take 60 pills per dose with wine. This formula neither nourishes blood nor dispels wind, which is remarkable. (*Baiyi Xuanfang*)

Facial Deviation
Use one white eel, place it in a bamboo tube, pierce the tail deeply with a needle to draw blood. Spread the blood on silk fabric and apply while hot. If deviated to the left, apply to the right side; if to the right, apply to the left. Correction is immediate. Wash off once corrected. (*Wanbing Hui Chun*)

[Missing Character] Wan [Treats limb numbness, joint soreness, weak waist/knees, hemiplegia, stroke. Tested effective. Suitable for robust individuals.]
Harvest [Missing Character] grass on the 5th day of the 5th month, 6th day of the 6th month, and 9th day of the 9th month. Remove roots, wash stems/flowers/fruits clean, dry in sun. Place in bottle, sprinkle wine layer by layer.

[Floating Duckweed] One Pill [Treats left paralysis/right hemiplegia, facial deviation, thirty-six types of wind, leprosy, and frontal/occipital headaches]
Harvest purple-backed floating duckweed from ponds on the 15th day of the 7th month. Dry, grind to powder, sift finely, make pills with refined honey the size of quail eggs. Take one pill daily with black bean steeped wine. After taking over 100 pills, one becomes whole. For minor wind syndromes, 20-30 pills suffice. (*Fuke Yin [Missing Character] Wen Zhu Zheng*)