Library

Slightly cold. It governs Gui Zhu (a contagious, chronic wasting disease with shifting symptoms), mania, pathogenic qi invasion, and malignant toxins.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is water collected at the top of bamboo fences, as well as rainwater in hollow trees; all can be drunk and also used to wash various sores. Current examination of Chen Cangqi's Materia Medica states: Ban Tian He (Halfway River Water) located between locust trees governs various wind diseases and malignant sores, skin itching and scabies; it is also suitable to take warm water to wash sores. Previously, when annotating the *Xin Xiu Ben Cao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica), it was originally classified in the Grass section, now moved here. Ministers Yu Xi et al. respectfully followed the *Yao Xing Lun* (Treatise on Medicinal Properties): Ban Tian He, used alone. This bamboo fence head water and heavenly rain gathered in high tree holes can kill ghost essences (pathogenic evil spirits or parasites); for those suffering from mental confusion and delirious speech, do not let them know they are drinking this, give it to them to drink, and the illness will heal. Ri Hua Zi stated: Neutral nature, non-toxic. Governs Gu Du (Gu poison).

*Wai Tai Mi Yao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies): Treats Bai Bo Feng (Vitiligo/White patches). Take water from tree holes to wash the area, crush cinnamon bark, mix with saliva, and apply to the white patches twice daily. Bai Bo refers to a skin condition that gradually spreads like tinea but without sores.

*Yan Yi* (Supplementary Meaning) states: Ban Tian He water is essentially one type of water. However, the principles of using water vary, each having its own rationale. For instance, Ban Tian He water is heavenly dew/water from high places, thus it treats Heart disease, Gui Zhu, mania, pathogenic qi invasion, and malignant toxins. Laxue Shui (Snow water from the twelfth lunar month) is extremely cold water, thus it resolves all toxins, treats epidemic febrile diseases, warm plague, heat epilepsy, Dan Shi Fa (side effects of mineral drugs), post-alcohol sudden heat, and jaundice. Jing Hua Shui (Well water drawn at dawn) is clear, cold, and transparent water, thus it opens the nine orifices, washes eye cataracts and skin opacities, and treats post-alcohol heat dysentery. Later generations also used Dong Liu Shui (East-flowing water), taking advantage of its fast and smooth flow to open passages and resolve diaphragmatic obstruction. Dao Liu Shui (Backward-flowing water) is taken for its swirling and stagnating nature, moving upward rather than downward.

It governs Wu Si (Pseudo-death caused by shock or evil qi). First, place three layers of clothing on the abdomen of the person who has suffered pseudo-death, then take a copper or earthenware vessel filled with hot water and place it on the clothing. If the water cools, remove the clothing; if too cold, replace the water, and the patient will recover. Additionally, for Huo Luan (Cholera-like syndrome) and convulsions of the hands and feet, use a copper or earthenware vessel filled with hot water to moxa/iron the affected areas. One can also step on the vessel to make the heat penetrate the soles of the feet, or rub with hot water, changing it when cool. Using vinegar-boiled water is better; boiling Polygonum hydropiper seeds and Evodia juice is also good. Cover the feet with silk wadding and broken felt corners, pour hot water over them, ensuring the heat penetrates thoroughly. Also, Silk Reeling Soup (water used for boiling cocoons) is non-toxic and governs roundworms. Drink one cup while warm; this is the juice from boiling cocoons, which kills parasites. Furthermore, Pork Soup (water used for boiling pork) is non-toxic and governs postpartum blood-stasis stabbing heart pain leading to near-death state; take one cup warm. (Newly supplemented, seen in *Baopuzi*, Chen Cangqi.)

Chen Cangqi said: Whenever one initially feels signs of Shang Han (Cold Damage) within three days, simply drink hot water until vomiting occurs, then stop. One may drink one to two sheng (units of volume); following vomiting and sweating, the illness heals. Severe cases reduce the dose by half. Also, for frozen sores that do not heal, washing with hot water is effective. *Ye Ren Xian Hua* (Idle Talk of Wild Men) *Zhu Zhenren Lingyan Pian*: A patient suffered from wind disease for years without improvement. Dig a pit, have the patient sit naked in it, and then pour hot water over them from above. After a long time, cover them with a mat, and the illness heals. Bie Shuo says: Respectfully following *Wai Tai Mi Yao*, there is a method for making Gan Lan Shui (Sweet Rotten Water): Fill a wooden basin with water, ladle and splash it thousands of times until bubbles rise forming five to six thousand pearl-sized droplets, skim off the upper layer water to treat Huo Luan and enter the Bladder channel to treat Ben Tun (Gas rushing from lower abdomen to chest), the medicinal effect is particularly superior. Volume 3 of *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders) also contains this method.

*Yan Yi* states: Hot water assists Yang Qi and promotes circulation through the meridians. Patients suffering from wind-cold qi bi-obstruction often soak their feet in hot water up to the knees, covering thickly to induce sweating throughout the body. However, other medicines ultimately rely on the steam/heat of water to act. For sudden diarrhea in any season with cold limbs and umbilical/abdominal pain, sitting in deep hot water, immersing up to the abdomen, performed frequently, generates Yang Qi to assist medication; nothing is faster than this. People with deficiency-cold constitution will inevitably shiver when first sitting in hot water, so someone should always stay nearby to monitor.