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Diseases of deficiency consumption (Xu Sun) must have a specific cause. However, conditions that resemble deficiency consumption but are not actually such often arise suddenly. This is due to external contraction of wind-cold pathogens that were not properly dispersed and resolved, followed by erroneous treatment using warming tonics, cooling agents, or digestive aids. Consequently, the external pathogens become depressed and latent, lingering for a long time without dispersing. This leads to alternating chills and fever, as well as tidal fever and coughing. These symptoms completely mimic chronic consumption diseases (Lao Sun). If one applies treatments for deficiency consumption in this scenario, yin-nourishing formulas will further retain pathogenic heat and exacerbate steaming sensations. Over time, a condition that was not originally deficiency consumption will truly transform into one. To distinguish this, one should examine whether there is no history of gradual accumulation of causes. For instance, if the body aches and fever subsides with slight sweating but returns when sweating does not occur; or if loud coughing is present, and although the pulse is wiry and tight, it is not particularly rapid; or if other mild symptoms are present, yet even after one or two months of illness, the pathogen remains unresolved and the disease persists—these are originally not chronic consumption diseases, and erroneous treatment should be avoided.

For persistent alternating chills and fever, one of the Chaihu Yin (Bupleurum Decoctions) numbered one through five should be selected and used according to suitability, or Zheng Chaihu Yin (True Bupleurum Decoction) may also be used. If accompanied by coughing, Chai Chen Jian (Bupleurum and Tangerinae Peel Decoction) is indicated. In cases of Spleen and Kidney Qi deficiency accompanied by coughing, Jin Shui Liu Jun Jian (Metal-Water Six Gentlemen Decoction) is appropriate. If the pathogen has not yet resolved and is accompanied by alternating chills and fever, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) should still be added.

There is a type of blood-level stagnation where Qi moves but Blood does not, manifesting merely as steaming fever. When the steaming sensation dissipates and slight sweating occurs, the fever subsides. Such cases require treatment primarily focused on invigorating Blood.

This formula treats Kidney Water deficiency, presenting with dribbling urinary obstruction, dizziness and vertigo of the head and eyes, soreness and weakness of the waist and legs, Yin-deficiency fever, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, emaciation and frailty, mental fatigue and lassitude, loss of voice due to bleeding, phlegm generated from water flooding, and swelling caused by disease. It belongs to the category of formulas that strengthen Water to control Fire (Zhuang Shui Zhi Huo).

Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang, eight taels, steamed and mashed) Cornus Fruit (Shan Yu Rou, four taels) Chinese Yam (Shan Yao, four taels, stir-fried) Alisma Rhizome (Ze Xie, three taels) White Poria (Bai Fu Ling, three taels) Moutan Cortex (Dan Pi, three taels)

Grind the above ingredients into a fine powder, mix with Prepared Rehmannia Paste and refined honey, and form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take seventy to eighty pills per dose, before meals on an empty stomach, washed down with plain boiled water or light salt water as preferred. If this formula is decocted with water into a soup, it is named Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Soup); the Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) mentioned below is similar in composition.