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Li Dongyuan said: The *Tiao Jing Lun* (Chapter on Regulating the Meridians) states: "Yin deficiency generates internal heat." Qibo explained: "Due to overexertion, the physical form weakens and vital Qi declines, causing the transformation of grain essence to be insufficient. The Qi of the Upper Jiao fails to circulate, and the Lower Wan (lower stomach area) becomes obstructed. Consequently, Stomach Qi stagnates and generates heat, which steams upward into the chest, resulting in internal heat." The *Ju Tong Lun* (Chapter on Pain Disorders) states: "Exertion consumes Qi. Exertion leads to panting and sweating; both internal and external aspects leak out, thus consuming Qi." If emotions such as anger and joy are unregulated, daily routines are irregular, or there is any physical strain, all these damage the body's Qi. When Qi declines, Ministerial Fire flares up; when Ministerial Fire flares, it overacts upon Spleen Earth. Since the Spleen governs the four limbs, symptoms include heavy sensation, feverishness, lack of energy for movement, reluctance to speak, panting and fatigue during activity, surface heat, spontaneous sweating, restlessness, and anxiety. During illness, one should sit quietly with a calm mind to nourish Qi, use Sweet-Cold herbs to drain fire-heat, use Sour herbs to gather scattered Qi, and use Sweet-Warm herbs to tonify Middle Qi. This aligns with the classic saying: "For exhaustion, use warming methods; for deficiency, use warming methods." The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) states: "A normal person with a large pulse indicates labor injury; an extremely deficient pulse also indicates labor injury." In labor injury diseases, the pulse is floating and large, hands and feet feel hot and vexed, symptoms worsen in spring and summer, and improve in autumn and winter. (A large pulse indicates pathogenic heat; an extremely deficient pulse indicates Qi damage; worsening in spring/summer is due to seasonal factors aiding the pathogen; improving in autumn/winter is due to seasonal factors overcoming the pathogen.) It is treated with Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction to Establish the Middle), which embodies the principle of "warming."

Generally, humans rely on the Qi of water and grain for life. The so-called Clear Qi, Ying (Nutritive) Qi, Yun (Transporting) Qi, Wei (Defensive) Qi, and Spring-Rising Qi are all alternative names for Stomach Qi. The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain. When food enters the Stomach, its essence floats and overflows, transporting upwards to the Spleen. The Spleen scatters essences, sending them upwards to the Lung, which regulates water passages and transports downwards to the Bladder. Water essences distribute throughout the body, and the five meridians function in parallel, harmonizing with the four seasons and five Zang organs, maintaining balance between Yin and Yang as the norm. If Yin and Yang lose their regulation, and cold and warmth are inappropriate, the Spleen and Stomach are injured. Anger, joy, worry, and fear deplete Yuan (Original) Qi. When Spleen and Stomach Qi decline and Yuan Qi is insufficient, Heart Fire becomes dominant alone. Heart Fire is also called Yin Fire; it originates from the Lower Jiao, connects to the Heart, but since the Heart does not issue commands, Xiang (Ministerial) Fire acts in its place. Xiang Fire is the fire of the Pericardium, a thief of Yuan Qi. Fire and Yuan Qi cannot coexist; if one prevails, the other loses. When Spleen and Stomach Qi is deficient, Qi flows downward to the Liver and Kidney, allowing Yin Fire to invade the position of Earth (Spleen). Thus, at the onset of Spleen disease, there is high Qi and panting, body heat and vexation, a flooding-large pulse with headache, or incessant thirst, and skin that cannot tolerate wind-cold, leading to alternating chills and fever. Because Yin Fire rushes upward, there is high Qi, panting, vexation-heat, headache, thirst, and a flooding pulse. When Spleen and Stomach Qi flows downward, grain essence cannot rise and float, meaning the command of Spring generation does not operate. Without Yang to protect Ying and Wei, they cannot tolerate wind-cold, generating chills and fever. All these are caused by insufficiency of Spleen and Stomach Qi. However, this is similar yet fundamentally different from exterior wind-cold patterns. Internal injury to Spleen and Stomach damages Qi; exterior wind-cold damages the Form. Exterior damage manifests as excess, requiring purgation; internal damage manifests as deficiency, requiring tonification. Methods like sweating, purging, vomiting, and attacking are purgations; warming, harmonizing, regulating, and nourishing are tonifications. For internal deficiency diseases, if mistakenly diagnosed as exterior excess patterns and treated with purgation, it makes the deficiency more deficient. Making excesses more excess and deficiencies more deficient leads to death; such deaths are caused by the physician. Therefore, what should be done? One must use Pungent-Sweet-Warm agents to tonify the center and raise Yang, and Sweet-Cold agents to drain fire, and the disease will heal. The classics say: "For exhaustion, use warming; for loss, use warming." Also: "Warming can eliminate great heat." Bitter-Cold drugs are strictly contraindicated as they damage Spleen and Stomach. Now, Buchong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Boost Qi) is established as the principal formula.

For those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency due to diet and overexertion, Heart Fire becomes hyperactive and invades Earth. Secondly, Lung Qi is affected. Huangqi (Astragali Radix) should be used in the largest dose, followed by Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Gancao (Licorice Radix). When Spleen and Stomach are deficient, Lung Qi is first cut off. Therefore, Huangqi is used to benefit the skin and hair and close the interstices, preventing spontaneous sweating and further damaging Yuan Qi. For upper panting and shortness of breath, Renshen is used to tonify. When Heart Fire invades the Spleen, roasted Gancao (Prepared Licorice Radix) is used for its sweetness to drain fire-heat and tonify Middle Yuan Qi. For acute Spleen-Stomach pain and severe deficiency with abdominal cramping, a larger dose of Gancao is appropriate. The classic says: "For tension, use soothing [sweet] agents." Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is bitter, sweet, and warm; it clears damp-heat in the Stomach and benefits blood circulation in the waist and umbilical region. When Clear Qi of the Stomach sinks, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) must be added to guide it. They guide the sweet-warm aroma of Huangqi and Gancao upward, replenishing dispersed Wei Qi and consolidating the exterior. They also relax the contraction of the Dai (Girdle) Vessel. These two are bitter and neutral, with thin flavors, representing Yang within Yin, guiding Clear Qi upward. If Qi is chaotic in the chest, causing confusion of clear and turbid, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) with the white pith removed is used to regulate it. It also aids Yang Qi ascent to dissipate stagnant Qi, assisting the actions of various sweet and pungent herbs. When Spleen-Stomach Qi is deficient and cannot ascend, and is damaged by Yin Fire affecting the generating Qi, Ying Blood is severely depleted. Ying Qi fails to nourish, Yin Fire blazes, and latent fire in the blood slowly boils, reducing Qi and Blood day by day. The Pericardium and Heart govern Blood; when Blood decreases, the Heart lacks nourishment, causing mental chaos and vexation. This disease is named "Xin Dan Dan Da Dong" (Palpitations with a feeling of fright). "Dan dan" means mental confusion and vexation. Therefore, Pungent-Sweet-Slightly Warm agents are added to generate Yang Qi. When Yang grows, Yin grows. For Blood deficiency, Renshen is used to tonify, and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) to harmonize. A small amount of Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) is added to rescue Kidney Water and drain latent fire in the Yin. If vexation persists, a small amount of Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) is added to tonify Kidney Water; when Water is robust, Heart Fire naturally descends. If Qi floats and the Heart is chaotic, Zhusha Anshen Wan (Cinnabar Calming the Spirit Pill) is used to stabilize and secure. If palpation reveals surface heat, it is an exterior pattern. Taking Buchong Yiqi Tang for one or two doses, resulting in slight sweating, resolves the issue. This is not proper sweating, but natural sweating due to the harmony of Yin and Yang Qi. If vexation worsens, or there are stabbing pains in the abdomen or whole body, indicating Blood stasis and insufficiency, add Danggui Shen (Body of Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 5 fen or 1 qian. If spirit is lacking, add Renshen 5 fen and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) 12 pieces. For headache, add Manjingzi (Vernoniae Semen) 3 fen; if severe, add Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 5 fen; for vertex or brain pain, add Gaoben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma) 5 fen and Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) 3 fen. These four herbs suffice for all headaches. If there is heat on the head, these herbs are ineffective; instead, use Qingkong Gao (Clear the Cavity Ointment). If headache is accompanied by phlegm, heaviness, and lethargy, it is Taiyin Phlegm-Jue Headache; add Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 5 fen and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma) 3 fen. For tinnitus, yellow eyes, swelling of cheeks and jaw, pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, arm outer posterior border, red face, and flooding pulse, use Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) 2 qian, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Gaoben each 7 fen, Gancao 5 fen to unblock meridians and blood. Add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) each 3 fen to reduce swelling. Renshen 5 fen and Huangqi 7 fen tonify Yuan Qi and drain pathogenic fire; prepare as a separate dose. For throat pain and jaw swelling with flooding pulse and red face, add Huangqin and Gancao each 3 fen, and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) 7 fen. For dry mouth and throat, add Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) 5 fen to guide Stomach Qi upward for moistening. For chronic cough with phlegm and latent fire in the Lung, remove Renshen; do not remove it in early stages. In winter, or during spring cold or autumn chill, add Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) without roots and nodes, 0.5 qian. If spring is very warm, add Foercao (Petasitae Flos) and Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos) each 5 fen. For summer cough, add Wuweizi 3-5 pieces and Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix) with heart removed, 5 fen. If there is a white slippery coating on the tongue, indicating cold in the chest, do not use these. In summer without cough, still add Renshen 2-3 fen, along with equal parts Wuweizi and Maimendong to rescue the Lung from Fire pathogen. For inability to eat, indicating cold in the chest/Stomach or Qi stagnation, add Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) each 3 fen, and Chenpi 5 fen; this is a fixed method. In winter, add Yizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) and Caodoukou (Kniphofiae Rhizoma) each 5 fen. In summer, add Huangqin and Huanglian each 5 fen. In autumn, add Binglang (Arecae Semen), Caodoukou, Baodoukou (Cardamomi Albi Fructus), and Suosha (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) each 5 fen. In early spring if still cold, add a small amount of Pungent-Hot agents to supplement the insufficiency of Spring Qi, acting as assistants to Wind herbs; Yizhiren and Caodoukou are suitable. For epigastric fullness and oppression, add Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Huanglian each 1 qian. If fullness extends to abdominal distension, add Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Muxiang, and Suosharen (Amomi Fructus) each 3 fen, and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) 7 fen. If cold weather, add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) or Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) slightly. For epigastric fullness with a sensation of cold in the center, add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Huanglian each 1 qian. For inability to eat with epigastric fullness, add Shengjiang and Chenpi each 1 qian. For ability to eat with epigastric fullness, add Huanglian 5 fen and Zhishi 3 fen. For slow pulse with phlegm and fullness, add Banxia and Huanglian each 1 qian. For wiry pulse, fullness in four limbs, difficult defecation, and epigastric fullness, add Chaihu 7 fen, Huanglian 5 fen, and Gancao 3 fen. For Qi stagnation in the chest, add Qingpi 2 fen; remove if there is rapid breathing and shortness of Qi. For abdominal pain, add Baishaoyao (White Peony Root) 5 fen and Zhigancao (Honey-fried Licorice) 3 fen. If aversion to cold and painful, add Guixin (Cinnamon Twig) 3 fen. If aversion to heat, preference for cold, and abdominal pain, add Sheng Huangqin (Raw Scutellaria) 2-3 fen to the previously added Shaoyao and Gancao. This applies similarly to summer abdominal pain without aversion to heat, treating seasonal heat. If cool weather causes aversion to heat and pain, add a little Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to Shaoyao, Gancao, and Huangqin. If cold weather causes abdominal pain, remove Shaoyao because it is sour and cold; add Yizhiren 3 fen, or Banxia 5 fen and Shengjiang 3 slices. If abdominal pain with aversion to cold and wiry pulse, Wood is overacting on Earth; treat with Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction). Shaoyao is sour and acts as the sovereign herb to drain Wood within Earth. If pulse is deep-thin with abdominal pain, treat with Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction). Ganjiang is pungent-hot and acts as the chief herb to drain Water within Earth. If pulse is slow with heavy body and joint pain, abdominal distension, spontaneous diarrhea, and undigested food, Dampness prevails; treat with Pingwei San (Level the Stomach Powder). For hypochondriac pain or constriction, add Chaihu 3 fen, or 5 fen if severe, and Gancao 3 fen. For pain below the navel, add Zhen Shudihuang (True Prepared Rehmannia) 5 fen; pain stops immediately. If not, it is extreme cold; add Rougui 2-3 fen. The *Neijing* states that lower abdominal pain is always a Cold pattern, arising from the law of retribution. The classic says: "Great victory leads to great recovery," changing from heat diseases. This is not a Shaoyin/Jueyin Cold Damage pattern, but Blood stasis in the Bladder in the Lower Jiao; Zhang Zhongjing treats it with Didang Tang and Didang Wan. Body pain indicates Dampness; body heaviness also indicates Dampness; add Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) without Guizhi, 1 qian. If Wind-Dampness combats, causing whole-body pain, add Qianghuo 7 fen, Fangfeng and Gaoben root each 0.5 qian, Shengma and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) each 1 qian; do not use Wuling San, because Wind herbs already overcome Dampness, so prepare separately. Stop taking if the disease resolves, as Wind herbs damage Yuan Qi and worsen the condition. Urinary incontinence indicates Lung Metal deficiency. Rest and nourish Qi with Huangqi and Renshen. If unresolved, there is Heat; add Huangbai and Shengdihuang each 5 fen; strictly avoid labor. If dreaming frequently while sleeping and urinary dribbling, the pathogen is in Shaoyang and Jueyin; use herbs added for the Taiyang meridian, adding Chaihu 5 fen. If dribbling, add Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) 5 fen; this is a combined Cold-Wind and Dampness pattern in the Lower Jiao. The classic says: "Diseases of the Kidney and Liver are treated similarly." Both are in the Lower Jiao; without Wind herbs to move the meridians, it is impossible, as it involves pathogenic Damp-Heat; use ascending and dispersing methods to eliminate it. For constipation and dryness, add Danggui Shao (Tip of Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1 qian, and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) wine-washed and baked, 5 fen or 1 qian. If blocked and not moving, take the decocted medicine, first sip the clear liquid, then mix with Xuanningfen (Mirabilite) 5 fen or 1 qian; stop once movement occurs. This disease should not be purged; purging may lead to ominous changes. Weakness and soreness of legs and knees, weakness or pain in walking, indicates latent heat in Liver and Kidney; add Huangbai 5 fen, taken on an empty stomach. If unresolved, add Hanfangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) 5 fen. For slow pulse with obvious sinking, fatigue, and weakness, add Cangzhu, Zexie, Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling (Poria), and Wuweizi each 5 fen. The above modifications apply to diseases starting with Heat in the Middle due to diet, overexertion, and emotional dysregulation. If it progresses to Cold in the Middle, it cannot be used. Sweet and Sour herbs sufficiently benefit Qi, such as Huangqi, Renshen, Gancao, Shaoyao, and Wuweizi.

[Internal Injury Initially Manifests as Heat in the Middle, Resembling Exterior Yang Patterns] Severe headache, heavy and stifling sensation in the four limbs, high Qi with panting, body heat and vexation, upper Qi with irregular nasal breathing, four limbs too fatigued to hold themselves, lack of energy for movement or speech, or烦躁闷乱 (restlessness and confusion),心烦不安 (heart vexation and unease), or incessant thirst. In long-standing cases, the pathogen is in the blood vessels; due to Dampness, there is no thirst. If there is thirst, it is because Heart Fire flares upward and overacts on Lung Metal. Or, the exterior is deficient and cannot tolerate wind-cold, eyes do not want to open, aversion to food, loss of taste. The Right Qi Kou pulse is three times larger than the Left Ren Ying pulse. The Qi Kou pulse is urgent, large, and rapid, occasionally showing a Dai (intermittent) pulse and Se (choppy) quality. Se is the native pulse of the Lung. Dai indicates Qi discontinuity, a pulse of Spleen-Stomach insufficiency. Large indicates Flooding. Flooding and rapid indicates Heart Pulse punishing Lung. Urgent indicates Wiry, indicating Liver Wood carrying Heart Fire to punish Lung Metal. The Right Guan Spleen pulse is uniquely large and rapid compared to the other five pulses, with an occasional Dai pulse within the rapidness. This suggests mild overexertion, irregular diet, and improper temperature regulation, resulting in the absence of the Right Guan Stomach pulse due to damage; only the Spleen pulse is visible internally. Treatment uses Buchong Yiqi Tang.

[Internal Injury Progressing to Cold in the Middle, Resembling Exterior Yin Patterns] Abdominal distension, pain in the epigastrium corresponding to the heart, radiating to both hypochondria, diaphragmatic obstruction, salivation, clear nasal discharge, polyuria, pain in the soles of the feet, inability to bear weight, bone fatigue and weakness, frequent spitting, coldness in both testicles, dull pain, hallucinations of ghosts or dreams of the deceased, pain in the lower back, shoulders, scapulae, eyes, spine, and loins, no thirst, no diarrhea, pulse is large and vigorous yet choppy. This is named Cold in the Middle. Treatment uses Shensheng Fuqi Tang, Baizhu Fuzi Tang, and Caodoukou Wan.

[Resembling Exterior Yangming Heat in the Middle Pattern] Illness contracted during extreme heat from labor, road travel, field work, or in frail individuals with poor appetite undergoing labor, or those with long-term vegetarian diets causing chronic Stomach Qi deficiency. Symptoms include intense body heat, restlessness and confusion, extreme aversion to heat, desire to drink water. This resembles the Baihu Tang pattern of Yangming Cold Damage with heat. Shortness of breath and panting from nose and mouth indicate chronic Spleen-Stomach deficiency and insufficient Yuan Qi. Body pain worsens towards evening, accompanied by delirium, heat, thirst, and unceasing vexation. The pulse is flooding, large, empty, or weak. In Baihu Tang patterns, the pulse is flooding, large, and forceful, differing from this internal Heat in the Middle. Treatment uses Qingshu Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Clear Summerheat and Boost Qi). After hunger, fatigue, and labor, body heat, restlessness, thirst, red eyes and face, day and night without cessation, pulse is large and empty, vanishing under heavy pressure. The classic says: "Empty pulse indicates Blood deficiency; Blood deficiency generates heat. The presentation resembles Baihu, distinguished only by the pulse not being long and solid." Misusing Baihu Tang is dangerous; use Huangqi Danggui Buxue Tang (Astragalus and Angelica Blood-Nourishing Decoction).

[Resembling Exterior Aversion to Wind and Cold Pattern] Illness following labor while sitting or lying in cool places, resulting in exterior deficiency unable to tolerate wind-cold, shortness of Qi, reluctance to speak, and weakness. This is due to labor exhausting the body, causing boiling of Yin Fire in the Kidneys. Later, removing clothes or bathing and resting in cool places causes Yin Fire to fail to circulate and return to the skin. The interstices are extremely deficient with no Yang, obstructed by wind and coolness. Thus, exterior deficiency mimics aversion to wind/cold from exterior invasion. Do not treat as exterior invasion; use Buchong Yiqi Tang.

[Internal Injury Resembling Exterior Miscellaneous Patterns] Dietary irregularity and labor injury cause the Middle Jiao (Spleen-Stomach) to become cold, leading to wandering pain and jaundice. Treat with Xiaojianzhong Tang, Lizhong Tang, or Dajianzhong Tang, selecting as appropriate.

[Labor Injury Deficiency with Internal Cold] Lizhong Wan. Heart and Lung are above the diaphragm (Yang); Liver and Kidney are below (Yin). Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth, located in the Middle Jiao, known as the Solitary Organ among the Five Zang, and Middle Jiao among the Three Jiao. Since treatment of the Middle Jiao is central, any imbalance is addressed by this pill, hence named Lizhong Wan. Renshen is sweet and warm. The *Neijing* says: "The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently feed Sweet to relax it." To relax the middle and benefit the Spleen, Sweet is primary; thus Renshen is the Sovereign. Baizhu is sweet and warm. The *Neijing* says: "The Spleen dislikes Dampness; Sweet overcomes Dampness." To warm the middle and overcome Dampness, Sweet assists; thus Baizhu is the Minister. Gancao is sweet and neutral. The *Neijing* says: "Of the five flavors, Sweet enters the Spleen first." For Spleen deficiency, tonify with Sweet; thus Gancao is the Assistant. Ganjiang is pungent and hot. The Stomach prefers warmth and dislikes cold; cold prevents Middle Jiao treatment. The *Neijing* says: "When Cold dominates, level it with Pungent-Hot." To disperse cold and warm the Stomach, Pungent is necessary; thus Ganjiang is the Envoy. The Spleen and Stomach are central; when diseased, pathogenic Qi moves everywhere. Hence, modifications exist. If pulsation below the navel indicates Kidney Qi movement, remove Baizhu and add Guizhi. Qi stagnation without release causes pulsation; Baizhu is sweet and tonifies Qi, removing it allows Qi to scatter. Guizhi is pungent-hot; for Kidney Qi movement threatening Ben Tun (Fleeing Tumor), Pungent-Hot is needed to disperse; thus add Guizhi. For excessive vomiting, remove Baizhu and add Shengjiang. Qi rebellion causes vomiting; Baizhu is sweet and cloying, unsuitable for rebellion. *Qianjin Fang* says: "Vomiters should take much Shengjiang for its pungent dispersion." For excessive diarrhea, retain Baizhu. Qi leakage requires retention; Baizhu’s sweet cloying nature retains Zheng Qi. Some say Dampness causes loose stools; Baizhu specifically drains Dampness, hence added for diarrhea. For palpitations due to fluid accumulation, add Fuling; Fuling is sweet and leaches hidden water. For thirst, double Baizhu to tonify fluids. For abdominal pain due to deficiency, add Renshen ("Tonification removes weakness"). For excess cold, add Ganjiang. For abdominal fullness, remove Baizhu and add Fuzi. The *Neijing* says: "Sweet causes middle fullness"; remove Baizhu. Fuzi is pungent-hot; it overcomes cold with heat and disperses fullness with pungency. Xiaojianzhong Tang: The *Neijing* describes the positions of the four organs surrounding the Spleen (Earth) in the center. The Spleen governs the Middle Jiao, generates Ying and Wei, and circulates fluids. Any imbalance requires this decoction to warm the middle and benefit the Spleen, hence "Constructing the Middle." Jiaoyi (Malt Sugar) is sweet and warm; Gancao is sweet and neutral. To build the Spleen, Sweet is primary; thus Jiaoyi is Sovereign, Gancao is Minister. Guizhi is pungent-hot, dispersing and moistening; for Ying-Wei deficiency, moisten and disperse. Shaoyao is sour and slightly cold, gathering and draining; for fluid blockage, gather and move. Thus Guizhi and Shaoyao are Assistants. Shengjiang is pungent-warm; Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) is sweet-warm. The Stomach is the source of Wei; the Spleen is the root of Ying. The *Ling Shu* says: "Ying emerges from the Middle Jiao, Wei emerges from the Upper Jiao." Wei is Yang; deficiency requires Pungent to tonify. Ying is Yin; deficiency requires Sweet to tonify. Sweet and Pungent combine to establish the Spleen-Stomach and harmonize Ying and Wei.