人有老年而健忘者，近事多不记忆，虽人述其前事，犹若茫然，此真健忘之极也。人以
为心血之涸，谁知是肾水之竭乎?夫心属火、肾属水，水火似乎相克，其实相克而妙在相生
，心必藉肾以相通，火必得水而既济。如止益心中之血，而不去填肾中之精，则血虽骤生，
而精仍长涸，但能救一时之善忘，而不能冀长年之不忘也。治法必须补心，而兼补肾，使肾
水不干，自然上通于心而生液。然而老年之人，乃阴尽之时，补阴而精不易生，非但药品宜
重，而单恃煎汤，恐有一时难以取胜之忧，服汤剂之后，以丸药继之，始获永远之效也
。方名生慧汤∶
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（四钱） 远志（二钱） 生枣仁（五钱） 柏子仁（去油，五钱） 茯神（三钱） 人参
（三钱） 菖蒲（五分） 白芥子（二钱）
水煎服。连服一月自然不忘矣。
此方心肾兼补，上下相资，实治健忘之圣药，苟能日用一剂，不特却忘，并有延龄之庆
矣。然而人必苦服药也，则丸方又不可不传耳。方名扶老丸∶
人参（三两） 白术（三两） 茯神（二两） 黄 （三两） 当归（三两） 熟地（半斤） 山茱萸（四两） 玄
参
各为细末，蜜为丸，丹砂为衣。每日晚间白滚水吞下三钱，久服断不健忘。
此方老少人俱可服，而老年人尤宜，盖补肾之味多于补心，精足而心之液生，液生而心
之窍启，窍启而心之神清，何至昏昧而善忘哉。
此症亦可用强记汤∶
熟地 麦冬 生枣仁（各一两） 远志（二钱）
水煎服。二十剂不忘矣。
人有壮年而健忘者，必得之伤寒大病之后，或酒色过度之人。此等之病，视若寻常，而
本实先匮，最为可畏。世人往往轻之而不以为重，久则他病生焉，变迁异症而死者多矣。予
实悯之，故又论及此。此种健忘，乃五脏俱伤之病，不止心肾二经之伤也。若徒治心肾，恐
胃气甚弱，则虚不受补，甚为可虑。必须加意强胃，使胃强不弱，始能分布精液于心肾耳（
。方用生气汤∶
人参（二钱） 白术（一钱） 茯苓（三钱） 远志（八分） 炒枣仁（二钱） 熟地（五钱） 山茱萸（二钱） 甘
草（三分） 神曲（三分） 半夏（三分） 麦冬（一钱） 肉桂（三分） 菖蒲（三分） 芡实（三钱） 广木香（一
分）
水煎服。四剂而胃口开，十剂而善忘少矣，连服三十剂全愈。
此方药味多而分两轻者，以病乃久虚之症，大剂恐有阻滞之忧，味少恐无调剂之益，所
以图攻于缓，而奏效于远也。扶助胃气而仍加意于补心肾二经，则五脏未尝不同补也。有益
无损，殆此方之谓欤。
此症亦可用强记汤加人参三钱治之。
人有气郁不舒，忽忽如有所失，目前之事竟不记忆，一如老人之善忘。此乃肝气之滞，
非心肾之虚耗也。夫肝气最急，郁则不能急矣，于是肾气来滋，至肝则止；心气来降，至肝
则回，以致心肾两相间隔，致有遗忘也。治法必须通其肝气之滞，而后心肾相通，何至有目
前之失记乎。然而欲通肝气，必须仍补心肾，要在于补心、补肾之中，而解其肝气之郁，则
郁犹易解，不至重郁。否则已结之郁虽开，而未结之郁必至重结矣
。方用通郁汤∶
白芍（一两） 茯神（三钱） 人参（二钱） 熟地（三钱） 玄参（三钱） 麦冬（三钱） 当归（五钱） 柴
胡（一钱） 菖蒲（五分） 白芥子（二钱） 白术（五钱）
水煎服。一剂而郁少解，二剂而郁更解，四剂而郁尽解。
此方善于开郁，而又无刻削干燥之失，直解其肝中之沉滞，使肝血大旺，既不取给于肾
水，复能添助夫心火，心肝肾一气贯通，宁尚有遗忘失记之病哉。
此症可用存注丹∶
白芍 白术 生地（各三钱） 麦冬 柏子仁（各五钱） 甘草 菖蒲（各一钱） 柴胡 天花粉（各
二钱） 青皮（三分）
水煎服。四剂愈。
人有对人说话随说随忘，人述其言杳不记忆，如从前并不道及，人以为有祟凭之也，谁
知是心肾之两开乎?夫心肾交而智能生，心肾离而智能失，人之聪明非生于心肾，而生于心
肾之交也。肾水资于心，则智能生生不息；心火资于肾，则智能亦生生无穷。苟心火亢，则
肾畏火炎而不敢交于心；肾水竭，则心恶水干而不敢交于肾，两不相交，则势必至于两相忘
矣。夫心肾如夫妇也，夫妇乖离，何能记及于他事乎!治法必须大补心肾，使其相离者，重
复相亲，自然相忘者复能相忆耳。方用神交汤∶
人参（一两） 麦冬（一两） 巴戟天（一两） 柏子仁（五钱） 山药（一两） 芡实（五钱） 玄参（一两） 丹
参（三钱） 茯神（三钱） 菟丝子（一两）
水煎服。连服十剂，即不忘矣，服一月不再忘。
此方似乎重于治心，而轻于治肾。不知夫妇之道，必男求于女，而易于相亲，重于治心
者，正欲使心之先交于肾也。然而方中之妙，无一味非心肾同治之药，是治心无非治肾也，
而交肾仍无非交心也。两相交而两相亲，宁有再忘者乎。
此症可用天丝饮亦效。
巴戟天（一两） 菟丝子（一两）
水煎服。十剂即不忘。
There are elderly people who suffer from amnesia (memory loss), failing to remember recent events. Even when others recount past events, they appear bewildered and unaware; this is indeed extreme amnesia. People generally believe this is due to the depletion of Heart Blood (Xin Xue), but who would know that it is actually the exhaustion of Kidney Water (Shen Shui)? The Heart belongs to Fire, and the Kidney belongs to Water. Although Water and Fire seem to overcome each other, their overcoming contains the wonder of mutual generation. The Heart must rely on the Kidney for communication, and Heart Fire must be balanced by Water to achieve Jiji (mutual interaction between Heart and Kidney). If one only supplements the blood in the Heart without filling the essence in the Kidney, although blood may be generated rapidly, the essence will remain long depleted. This can only save temporary forgetfulness, not hope for lifelong memory retention. The treatment method must tonify the Heart while simultaneously tonifying the Kidney, so that Kidney Water does not dry up and naturally flows upward to the Heart to generate fluids. However, elderly people are at a time when Yin is exhausted; tonifying Yin makes it difficult to generate essence. Not only should the dosage of medicines be heavy, but relying solely on decoctions may cause concern about lacking immediate efficacy. Therefore, after taking decoctions, pill preparations should follow to achieve permanent effects. The formula is named Shenghui Tang (Generate Wisdom Decoction):
Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) (1 liang), Cornus Fruit (Shan Zhu Yu) (4 qian), Polygala Tuber (Yuan Zhi) (2 qian), Raw Ziziphus Seed (Sheng Suan Zao Ren) (5 qian), Biota Seed (Bai Zi Ren) (de-oiled, 5 qian), Poria with Hostwood (Fu Shen) (3 qian), Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) (3 qian), Acorus Tuber (Shi Chang Pu) (5 fen), White Mustard Seed (Bai Jie Zi) (2 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. Taking continuously for one month will naturally restore memory.
This formula tonifies both the Heart and Kidney, with upper and lower aspects supporting each other; it is truly a holy medicine for treating amnesia. If taken daily, it not only eliminates forgetfulness but also brings the blessing of longevity. However, people surely find taking medicine troublesome, so the pill formula must also be transmitted. The formula is named Fulao Wan (Support the Elderly Pill):
Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) (3 liang), Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) (3 liang), Poria with Hostwood (Fu Shen) (2 liang), Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) (3 liang), Angelica Sinensis Root (Dang Gui) (3 liang), Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) (0.5 jin), Cornus Fruit (Shan Zhu Yu) (4 liang), Scrophularia Root (Xuan Shen) (each appropriate amount).
Grind each into fine powder, form pills with honey, and coat with Cinnabar (Dan Sha). Swallow three qian with warm boiled water every evening. Long-term use will definitely prevent amnesia.
This formula can be taken by both young and old, especially suitable for the elderly, as the ingredients tonifying the Kidney outweigh those tonifying the Heart. When essence is sufficient, Heart fluids are generated; when fluids are generated, the orifices of the Heart open; when the orifices open, the Spirit of the Heart becomes clear. How could there be confusion and easy forgetfulness?
This condition can also be treated with Qiangji Tang (Strengthen Memory Decoction):
Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong), Raw Ziziphus Seed (Sheng Suan Zao Ren) (each 1 liang), Polygala Tuber (Yuan Zhi) (2 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. After twenty doses, memory will be restored.
Young adults suffering from amnesia usually contract this illness after a severe Shanghan (Cold Damage) disease or due to excessive alcohol and sexual indulgence. Such illnesses appear ordinary, but the root vitality is first depleted, which is most terrifying. People often underestimate them and do not take them seriously. Over time, other diseases arise, and many die due to changes into strange symptoms. I deeply pity these people, so I discuss this further. This type of amnesia is an illness where all five Zang organs are injured, not just the Heart and Kidney meridians. If one only treats the Heart and Kidney, fearing that Stomach Qi (Wei Qi) is very weak, leading to deficiency unable to accept tonification, this is very worrying. One must pay special attention to strengthening the Stomach, ensuring Stomach Qi is strong and not weak, so that essence and fluids can be distributed to the Heart and Kidney. The formula used is Shengqi Tang (Generate Life Decoction):
Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) (2 qian), Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) (1 qian), Poria (Fu Ling) (3 qian), Polygala Tuber (Yuan Zhi) (8 fen), Fried Ziziphus Seed (Chao Suan Zao Ren) (2 qian), Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) (5 qian), Cornus Fruit (Shan Zhu Yu) (2 qian), Licorice Root (Gan Cao) (3 fen), Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu) (3 fen), Pinellia Tuber (Ban Xia) (3 fen), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong) (1 qian), Cinnamon Twig (Rou Gui) (3 fen), Acorus Tuber (Shi Chang Pu) (3 fen), Euryale Seed (Qian Shi) (3 qian), Costus Root (Guang Mu Xiang) (1 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. After four doses, appetite opens; after ten doses, forgetfulness decreases; continuous use for thirty doses leads to complete recovery.
The reason this formula has many medicinal flavors but light dosages is that the illness is a chronic deficiency syndrome. Large doses might cause stagnation concerns, while few flavors might lack regulatory benefits. Thus, it aims for slow attack and achieves effects over the long term. By assisting Stomach Qi while still paying attention to tonifying the Heart and Kidney meridians, all five Zang organs are effectively tonified together. Beneficial without harm, this likely describes this formula.
This condition can also be treated with Qiangji Tang (Strengthen Memory Decoction) plus three qian of Ginseng Root (Ren Shen).
Some people have Qi stagnation and discomfort, feeling恍惚 (hazy) as if they have lost something, completely forgetting current events, just like the elderly who are prone to forgetfulness. This is due to Liver Qi (Gan Qi) stagnation, not Heart and Kidney deficiency. Liver Qi is most urgent; when stagnant, it cannot be urgent. Consequently, Kidney Qi comes to nourish but stops at the Liver; Heart Qi descends but returns at the Liver. This causes separation between Heart and Kidney, leading to forgetfulness. The treatment method must unblock Liver Qi stagnation, after which Heart and Kidney can communicate, preventing loss of memory. However, to unblock Liver Qi, one must still tonify the Heart and Kidney. Within the process of tonifying Heart and Kidney, resolve Liver Qi stagnation; then stagnation is easier to resolve and less likely to become severely re-stagnated. Otherwise, although existing stagnation may open, unformed stagnation will inevitably become severely knotted again. The formula used is Tongyu Tang (Unblock Stagnation Decoction):
White Peony Root (Bai Shao) (1 liang), Poria with Hostwood (Fu Shen) (3 qian), Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) (2 qian), Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Di Huang) (3 qian), Scrophularia Root (Xuan Shen) (3 qian), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong) (3 qian), Angelica Sinensis Root (Dang Gui) (5 qian), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) (1 qian), Acorus Tuber (Shi Chang Pu) (5 fen), White Mustard Seed (Bai Jie Zi) (2 qian), Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) (5 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, stagnation slightly resolves; after two doses, stagnation resolves more; after four doses, stagnation completely resolves.
This formula excels at opening stagnation without causing desiccating or drying defects. It directly resolves deep stagnation in the Liver, making Liver Blood abundant. It neither draws from Kidney Water nor fails to assist Heart Fire. With Heart, Liver, and Kidney Qi flowing through as one, how could there still be forgetfulness and memory loss?
This condition can also be treated with Cunzhu Dan (Preserve Focus Pill):
White Peony Root (Bai Shao), Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di Huang) (each 3 qian), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong), Biota Seed (Bai Zi Ren) (each 5 qian), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), Acorus Tuber (Shi Chang Pu) (each 1 qian), Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu), Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen) (each 2 qian), Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi) (3 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. Cure in four doses.
Some people forget what they say immediately upon speaking to others. When others recount their words, they have no memory of it, as if they never spoke before. People think it is possessed by spirits, but who knows it is the separation of Heart and Kidney? When Heart and Kidney interact, intelligence arises; when they separate, intelligence is lost. Human wisdom does not arise from Heart and Kidney alone, but from their interaction. When Kidney Water nourishes the Heart, intelligence grows endlessly; when Heart Fire nourishes the Kidney, intelligence also grows infinitely. If Heart Fire is hyperactive, the Kidney fears the fire flare-up and dares not interact with the Heart; if Kidney Water is exhausted, the Heart dislikes the dryness and dares not interact with the Kidney. If the two do not interact, they will inevitably forget each other. Heart and Kidney are like husband and wife; if husband and wife separate, how can they remember other matters? The treatment method must greatly tonify Heart and Kidney, so that the separated parts reunite and love each other again, naturally allowing the forgotten to be remembered. The formula used is Shenjiao Tang (Divine Interaction Decoction):
Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) (1 liang), Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong) (1 liang), Morinda Officinalis Root (Ba Ji Tian) (1 liang), Biota Seed (Bai Zi Ren) (5 qian), Chinese Yam (Shan Yao) (1 liang), Euryale Seed (Qian Shi) (5 qian), Scrophularia Root (Xuan Shen) (1 liang), Salvia Root (Dan Shen) (3 qian), Poria with Hostwood (Fu Shen) (3 qian), Dodder Seed (Tu Si Zi) (1 liang).
Decoct in water and take orally. Continuous use for ten doses restores memory; one month of use prevents recurrence.
This formula seems to focus more on treating the Heart and lightly on the Kidney. However, the way of husband and wife requires the male to seek the female, making reconciliation easier. Focusing more on treating the Heart is precisely to make the Heart interact with the Kidney first. Yet, the subtlety of this formula lies in the fact that not a single ingredient fails to treat both Heart and Kidney together. Treating the Heart is essentially treating the Kidney, and interacting with the Kidney is essentially interacting with the Heart. When the two interact and love each other, how could there be further forgetting?
This condition can also be effectively treated with Tiansi Yin (Dodder Drink):
Morinda Officinalis Root (Ba Ji Tian) (1 liang), Dodder Seed (Tu Si Zi) (1 liang).
Decoct in water and take orally. Ten doses restore memory.