阴阳有造化升降消长者。生主长主升主造属阳。息主消主降主化属阴阴化而阳造之阴降
而阳升之至
消则灭而无复长矣又降其性沉。化其性缓。消则其性速也。化又有生生不息之机。曰生化。
曰化生。曰化
强化顽。曰风化德化。是皆由渐而致之。此物理之最微而最彰者也。陈皮理脾化气。非补脾
益气也。留白为
橘皮。尚能和中。以白性甘缓也。去白为橘红。则专乎降气消痰为剥削之物矣。降因滞气
升。消因痰壅盛
惟升则降之盛则消之降之消之有滞气痰壅则病受之。若夫脾亏作滞脾虚生痰。盒饭君以参术
疗本。恐
概用橘红半夏二陈之属。则徒耗损真气。故先哲以六物必用陈者。政为新性暴烈泄真之故耳
。至半夏
性燥。久服亦能潜消脾之真气。必惟因湿生热。因热生痰。用之则宜。亦只宜暂宜少。未有
脾胃健而湿热
能为患者也。奈何世之医者。每以二陈举为常用扶脾之品。竟不分脾阴脾阳。有湿无湿。属
虚属实。且曰王道如此。甚至阴虚劳嗽。金水俱败。尚亦妄用之。近岁鹾客连翔梧患前症。两名医俱投以
款冬橘红
麦冬石斛白芍之属。喘嗽倍增。且兼呕闷。乃支词曰正要呕唾痰尽。便速愈耳。吁昧病源而
投见病之剂。又矫本心之昧。伪自己之异。其不杀人也者几希。
Yin and Yang possess the laws of creation (Zao), transformation (Hua), ascending (Sheng), descending (Jiang), increasing (Zhang), and decreasing (Xiao). Generation, growth, ascending, and creating belong to Yang; nourishment, decreasing, descending, and transforming belong to Yin. Yin undergoes transformation, which is created by Yang; Yin descends, which is ascended by Yang. When "decreasing" occurs, things perish and do not return; when "increasing" occurs, things grow. Regarding "descending," its nature is sinking; regarding "transforming," its nature is slow; regarding "decreasing," its nature is rapid. "Transforming" also contains the mechanism of endless generation, referred to as Shenghua (generation and transformation), Huasheng (transformation into generation), strengthening the stubborn, Fenghua (wind transformation), Dehua (virtue transformation), etc. All these are achieved gradually. This is the most subtle yet most manifest principle in physical phenomena.
Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) regulates Spleen Qi and transforms Qi stagnation; it does not tonify Spleen Qi. Retaining the white pith makes it Jupi (Tangerine Peel), which can still harmonize the Middle Jiao because the white color corresponds to a sweet and mild nature. Removing the white pith makes it Juhong (Red Tangerine Peel), which specializes in descending Qi and resolving phlegm, becoming an agent of depletion and attack. Descending addresses Qi stagnation; resolving addresses Phlegm congestion. Through descending and resolving, if there is Qi stagnation or Phlegm congestion, the disease is affected (eliminated). However, if Stagnation arises from Spleen Deficiency, and Phlegm is generated from Spleen Deficiency, one should use Renshen (Ginseng) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) to treat the root. One must avoid indiscriminately using agents like Juhong, Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), and Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), as this would merely deplete True Qi. Therefore, the sages insisted that the ingredients in Erchen Tang must be aged, precisely because fresh herbs have violent properties that drain True Qi.
As for Banxia, its nature is dry and hot; long-term use can secretly consume the True Qi of the Spleen. It is appropriate only when Heat is generated from Dampness, and Phlegm is generated from Heat, and even then, it should only be used temporarily and in small doses. There is no scenario where robust Spleen and Stomach function leads to pathology caused by Damp-Heat. Why do physicians of today often regard Erchen Tang as a common spleen-tonifying preparation? They fail to distinguish between Spleen Yin and Spleen Yang, presence or absence of Dampness, and deficiency or excess patterns. They claim this is the "Kingly Way." Even in cases of Yin-deficiency with chronic cough, where Metal and Water (Lung and Kidney) are both exhausted, they still recklessly use it. In recent years, a salt merchant named Lian Xiangwu suffered from the aforementioned condition. Two physicians administered agents such as Kuandonghua (Adenophora Flower), Juhong, Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), and Baishao (White Peony Root). His wheezing and coughing doubled, accompanied by vomiting and chest fullness. Yet, they offered excuses, saying, "It is necessary to vomit out saliva and phlegm for a rapid recovery." Alas! Prescribing medication based solely on symptoms without understanding the disease origin is ignorance contrary to one's true intent, and feigning uniqueness to cover up errors. Such people rarely escape causing death.