Library

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) two liang, Poria (Fuling) one liang, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) one liang, Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) [soaked in water, skin and navel removed] one liang, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) three qian, Massa Medicata Fermentata (Shenqu) [stir-fried] one liang, Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) one liang five qian. The above are ground into powder. Using one cup of vinegar and one cup of water, make a paste from the stir-fried Shenqu to serve as a binder for pills, sized like wu-tong seeds. Each dose is 70-80 pills.

Xiao Wen Zhong Wan (Minor Warming Middle Pill) is indicated for Qi distension of the Taiyin Spleen, embodying the principle of "draining Earth when it is obstructed." The *Lingshu · Jingmai* chapter states: "Deficiency of the Taiyin channel leads to abdominal distension." It also states: "Excess heat of the Spleen Qi..." [Text missing/corrupted here, referring to damp-heat accumulation]. This serves to guide out and remove damp-heat.

Gouqi Zi (Goji Berry) [Select eight liang of plump red ones, mix with one cup of wine and one cup of clear water, soak the berries for three shichen (6 hours), drain and sun-dry, divide into four parts; one part stir-fried with Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), another part processed with water] one liang five qian, Fuling nine qian, Ligustri Lucidii Fructus (Nvzhenzi) [washed, steamed until very black, soaked in wine for six shichen, rubbed with cloth bag to remove skin] nine qian. If there are red veins in the eyes, add Tribuli Fructus (Bijili). The above are ground into powder, made into honey pills. Each dose is three qian, taken with warm boiled water.

Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pill) is an extraordinary formula. The *Bencao* records: Gouqi Zi is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, clears deficient heat, tonifies essence and marrow, and treats dim vision and corneal opacities. According to Sun Simiao... [Text missing/corrupted], miraculous effect... [Text missing]. Taking it... [Text missing]. Delete... deliberate consideration... [Text missing, referring to modifications].

Mianhua Zi (Cottonseed) [Take fresh year's harvest, remove shell; kernels white like glutinous rice are best. For every jin of cottonseeds, use one liang six qian of Zhen Qushi (True Niter), dissolve in water, add wine, process according to method, dry, then grind into powder; those remaining dark red are best] eight liang, Xian Yubiao (Fish Maw) [cut with yellow hemp, stir-fried to charcoal, mixed in, fried until puffed] six liang, Shanyuan Jili (Astragali Complanati Semen) six liang, Psoraleae Fructus (Buguzhi) [steamed with Juglans Semen (Walnut meat), stir-fried with salt and wine] two liang four qian, Platicodonis Radix? No, Baidao Ren (Biota Seed) [de-oiled] three liang two qian, Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) [washed with wine, dried, baked] three liang two qian, Sheng Duzhong Fen (Eucommiae Bark Powder) [skin removed, sliced, ground separately, sifted to remove fibers] three liang two qian, Sheng Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) [mixed with wine, dried] three liang two qian, Cudraniae Fructus (Chushizi) [soaked in wine for twelve shichen, steamed for six shichen] two liang four qian, Yun Fuling five liang, Chuan Biexie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) [soaked in wine, dried] four liang, Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong) [heart removed] four liang, Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) two liang four qian. Process as above, pound together thoroughly, bake away from direct fire, grind into powder. Use four sets (two pairs) of Sheep Kidneys (Yang Neiwai Shen), mix with salt and wine, steam until soft, pound into a paste, add appropriate amount of refined honey... [Text missing, implying pill formation]. Women all... [Text missing]. Essence, Qi, and Spirit constitute human life. Conception between man and woman relies on the interaction of Yin and Yang Qi; interaction leads to Spirit union, union leads to form transformation, like a drop of dew rising to the Dan Tian... [Text missing]. The formula contains... [Text missing]. Organs... Zi Ren... Xi Tong... Wei She... Heat of the Upper Jiao, preventing hot herbs from damaging Lung Qi. The pills use Sheep Kidney, a substance of flesh and blood with affective properties, so that they may linger within the Five Viscera.