人有素常发癫，久而不效，口中喃喃不已，时时忽忽不知，时而叫骂，时而歌唱，吐痰
如蜒蚰之涎，人皆谓痰病也。然以消痰化涎之药与之，多不效。盖此症乃胃中少有微热而气
又甚衰，故症有似于狂而非狂，有似于痫而非痫也。治法宜补胃气，而微用清火之药，可以
奏功。然而胃土之衰，由于心火之弱，胃火之盛，由于心火之微，未可徒补胃土而清胃火也
。方用助心平胃汤∶
人参（五钱） 茯神（一两） 贝母（三钱） 神曲（一钱） 肉桂（三分） 甘草（一钱） 甘菊（三钱） 菖
蒲（一钱） 生枣仁（五钱）
水煎服。一剂而癫止半，再剂而癫尽除也。
此方补胃气以生心气，助心火而平胃火。故心既无伤，而胃又有益，不必治癫而癫自止
此症用天半神丹亦神效。
巴戟天（三两） 半夏（三钱）
水煎服。一剂即止癫，十剂不再发。
人有壮年之人，痰气太盛，一时跌仆，口作牛马之鸣者，世人所谓牛马之癫也。其实乃
虚寒之症，痰入心包也。夫心属火，而心包亦属火也。心喜寒，而心包喜温，所以寒气一入
包络，即拂其性矣，况又有痰气之侵乎。夫人身之痰，五脏六腑无不相入，安在犯包络之即
至于迷心乎?包络为心君之相，凡有痰侵心，包络先受之，包络卫心，惟恐痰之相犯，故痰
气一入，即呼诸脏腑来相救援。作牛马之声者，所谓痛不择声也。治法急救其心，不若急救
其包络。方用济难汤∶
白术（五钱） 人参（五钱） 茯神（三钱） 菖蒲（五分） 远志（一钱） 柏子仁（三钱） 半夏（三钱） 天
花粉（一钱） 南星（一钱） 附子（一钱） 神曲（一钱）
水煎服。一剂而癫止，再剂全愈，连服八剂，此症永绝不再发。
方中虽是救包络之药，其实仍是救心之味也。心安而包络更安，况附子、南星俱是斩关
夺门之将，指挥如意，而外邪近贼扫荡无遗，可庆敉宁之福也。
此症用菖姜汤亦神效。
人参（五钱） 肉桂（二钱） 半夏（三钱） 白术（一两） 茯神（五钱） 菖蒲（一钱） 良姜（五分）
水煎服。十剂愈。
小儿易于发癫痫者，虽因饮食失宜，亦由母腹之中先受惊恐之气也。故一遇可惊之事，
便跌仆吐涎，口作猪羊之声，世医谓是猪羊之癫。用祛痰搜风之药而益甚，绝不悟其先天之
亏损，而大补其命门、膻中之火，所以愈不能见效也。治法宜补其脾胃之土，而更补命门之
火以生脾；复补膻中之火以生胃，不必治痰而痰自消化矣（癫痫成于多痰，而痰多成于胃寒
与脾寒也，温二经自然奏功）。方用四君子汤加减。
人参（一钱） 茯苓（三钱） 白术（二钱） 甘草（一分） 附子（一片） 半夏（八分） 白薇（三分）
水煎服。一剂即止惊，而痫亦即愈。
四君子汤原是补脾胃之圣药，脾胃健而惊风自收，原不必用镇定之药以止之也。况加附
子无经不达，而更能直补命门膻中之火，以生脾胃二经之土，则土更易旺，而痰更易消，益
之半夏以逐其败浊，白薇以收其神魂，安得而癫哉。
此症用温养汤亦妙。
人参（二钱） 白术（三钱） 肉桂（五分） 半夏（八分） 干姜（五分）
水煎服。一剂止，四剂全愈。
妇人一时发癫，全不识羞，见男子而如怡，遇女子而甚怒，往往有赤身露体而罔顾者，
此乃肝火炽盛，思男子而不可得，郁结而成癫也。夫肝火炽盛，何便成癫?盖妇女肝木最不
宜旺，旺则木中生火，火逼心而焚烧，则心中不安，有外行之失矣。然而心宫之外，有包络
之护，何以不为阻隔，任其威逼乎?不知肝木之火，乃虚火也。虚火与相火同类，庇匪比之
朋，忘圣明之戴，听其直烧心中而罔顾也。然而心君出走，宜有死亡之虞，何以但癫而不死
，盖有肾水之救援耳。思男子而不可得者，因肾经之旺也。虽所旺者半是肾火，而肾水实未
涸也。有肝火之相逼，即有肾水之相滋，所以但成癫痴，而未至夭丧耳。治法宜泻其肝火，
补其肾水，而兼舒其郁闷之气为得也。方用散花丹∶
柴胡（三钱） 炒栀子（五钱） 白芍（二两） 当归（一两） 生地（一两） 熟地（二两） 玄参（二两） 天
花粉（三钱） 陈皮（一钱） 茯神（五钱）
水煎服。一剂而癫轻，二剂而羞恶生，三剂而癫失，必闭门不见人也
。
此方全去泻肝之火，不去耗肝之血；疏肝之郁，不去散肝之气；补肾中之精，不去救心
中之焰。水足则木得所养，而火自息于木内；火息则神得所安，而魂自返于肝中，况有消痰
利水之剂，则痰气尽消，各化为水，同趋于膀胱而出矣。
此症用栀连泻火汤亦甚效。
生地（一两） 当归 丹皮（各五钱） 炒栀子 天花粉（各三钱） 黄连（二钱） 吴茱萸（一钱）
水煎服。一剂而癫轻，二剂全愈。
此方兼可治热入血室，少加柴胡一钱。
人有入干戈之中，为贼所执，索金帛不与，贼褫其衣，将受刀，得释，遂失心如痴，人
以为失神之病也，谁知是胆落之病乎。夫胆附于肝者也，因惊而胆堕者，非胆之果落于肝中
也。盖胆中之汁味散而不收，一如胆之堕落于肝耳。胆既堕落，则胆中之汁尽为肝之所收，
则肝强胆弱，而心不能取决于胆，心即忽忽如失，一如癫痴之症矣。治法泻肝气之有余，补
胆气之不足，则胆汁自生，而癫痴可愈矣。方用却惊丹治之。
附子（三分） 陈皮（一钱） 白术（三钱） 当归（五钱） 丹砂（一钱） 铁粉（一钱） 茯神（三钱） 远
志（一钱） 半夏（一钱） 人参（三钱） 薄荷（一钱） 天花粉（二钱） 南星（一钱）
各为细末，蜜为丸，如弹子大。
姜汤送下。一丸而惊气即收矣，连服三丸而癫痴自愈，不必尽服。
此方安神定志之圣方也。方中全在用铁粉为神，铁粉者铁落也，最能推抑肝邪而又不损
肝气。肝与胆同类，均木之象也，木畏金刑，故用铁落以制肝，非取其金克木之意乎。金克
肝木，未必不金克胆木矣。然而肝木阴木也，胆木阳木也，铁落克阴木而不克阳木，故制肝
而不制胆。所以既伐肝邪，即引诸药直入胆中，以生胆汁，不独取其化痰而静镇也。
此症用收惊汤亦效。
当归 山茱萸（各一两） 白芍（二两） 北五味（二钱） 附子（三分）
水煎服。一剂惊收，二剂再不痴矣，三剂全愈。
人有思虑过度，耗损心血，遂至癫疾，或哭或笑，或裸体而走，或闭户自言，喃喃不已
，人以为花癫之病也，谁知是失志之癫乎。夫思虑过多，必伤于脾，脾气一损，即不能散精
于肺，肺气又伤，而清肃之令不行，而脾气更伤矣。且脾者心之子也，脾病而心必来援，犹
子病而母必来顾。心见脾气之伤，以至失志，则心中无主，欲救而无从，欲忘而不得，呼邻
而不应，忌仇而相侵，于是自忘其身，将为从井之事，见人而嚅嗫，背客而絮叨，遂至于癫
而不自觉也，治法非急清其心不可。然而心病由于脾病也，补心以定志，更不若补脾以定志
之为神。方用归神汤∶
人参（五钱） 白术（一两） 巴戟天（一两） 茯神（五钱） 紫河车（一具） 半夏（三钱） 陈皮（一钱） 甘
草（一钱） 丹砂（一钱） 菖蒲（一钱） 麦冬（五钱） 柏子仁（三钱不去油） 白芥子（三钱）
各为末，先将紫河车净水煮熟，不可去血丝，捣烂，将各药末再捣为丸。白滚水送下五钱
，连服数日，而癫如失也。
此方心脾同治之药也，虽消痰而不耗气。用紫河车者，以紫河车为先后天之母，更能归
神于顷刻；神得河车而有根据，则志即根据神而相守，不特已失者重回，而既回者尤能永固也。
此症用加味温养汤亦效。
人参（一两） 白术（二两） 麦冬（一两） 半夏（三钱） 肉桂（一钱）
水煎服。二剂少愈，十剂全愈。
A person who has been suffering from epilepsy (Dian syndrome) for a long time with ineffective treatment, muttering incessantly, often appearing absent-minded and confused, sometimes shouting and cursing, sometimes singing, and spitting phlegm as sticky as snail slime, is generally considered to have a Phlegm disease. However, treatments using herbs to resolve phlegm and transform fluids are mostly ineffective. This condition arises from slight heat in the Stomach combined with severely deficient Stomach Qi. Thus, the symptoms resemble Mania (Kuang) but are not Mania, and resemble Epilepsy (Xian) but are not Epilepsy. The treatment method should tonify Stomach Qi and slightly use fire-clearing herbs to achieve success. However, the decline of Stomach Earth is due to the weakness of Heart Fire; the excess of Stomach Fire is also due to the deficiency of Heart Fire. Therefore, one cannot merely tonify Stomach Earth and clear Stomach Fire. The formula used is Zhuxin Pingwei Tang (Assist Heart and Calm Stomach Decoction):
Ren Shen (5 qian), Fushen (1 liang), Beimu (3 qian), Shenqu (1 qian), Rougui (3 fen), Gancao (1 qian), Ganju (3 qian), Changpu (1 qian), Sheng Zaoren (5 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, the epilepsy stops by half; after two doses, it is completely eliminated.
This formula tonifies Stomach Qi to generate Heart Qi and assists Heart Fire to calm Stomach Fire. Thus, the Heart is unharmed, and the Stomach benefits; without specifically treating epilepsy, it stops naturally.
For this condition, Tianban Shendan (Heaven-Half Divine Elixir) is also miraculously effective.
Bajitian (3 liang), Banxia (3 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose stops the epilepsy; ten doses prevent recurrence.
A robust adult whose Phlegm-Qi is excessively abundant suddenly falls down, making sounds like cattle or horses, known in the world as "Cattle-Horse Epilepsy." In reality, this is a Deficiency-Cold syndrome where Phlegm invades the Pericardium (Xinbao). The Heart belongs to Fire, and the Pericardium also belongs to Fire. The Heart prefers Cold, while the Pericardium prefers Warmth. Therefore, when Cold Qi enters the Pericardium, it violates its nature, especially with the invasion of Phlegm-Qi. Phlegm in the human body enters all five Zang and six Fu organs; why does invading the Pericardium lead to confusing the Heart? The Pericardium acts as the minister to the Heart Sovereign. Whenever Phlegm invades the Heart, the Pericardium suffers first. To guard the Heart against Phlegm, when Phlegm enters, it calls upon other organs for rescue. The sound of cattle and horses is what is meant by "choosing no voice in pain." The treatment method: rescuing the Heart is less urgent than rescuing the Pericardium. The formula used is Jinan Tang (Rescue from Difficulty Decoction):
Baizhu (5 qian), Ren Shen (5 qian), Fushen (3 qian), Changpu (5 fen), Yuanzhi (1 qian), Baiziren (3 qian), Banxia (3 qian), Tianhuafen (1 qian), Nanxing (1 qian), Fuzi (1 qian), Shenqu (1 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose stops the epilepsy; two doses result in full recovery. Taking eight doses consecutively cures the condition permanently.
Although these are herbs for rescuing the Pericardium, they essentially rescue the Heart. When the Heart is peaceful, the Pericardium is even more peaceful. Moreover, Fuzi and Nanxing are generals who break through gates and doors, commanding freely to sweep away external evils and thieves, bringing the blessing of pacification.
For this condition, Changjiang Tang (Changpu and Ginger Decoction) is also miraculously effective.
Ren Shen (5 qian), Rougui (2 qian), Banxia (3 qian), Baizhu (1 liang), Fushen (5 qian), Changpu (1 qian), Liangjiang (5 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. Ten doses cure.
Children are prone to epilepsy due to improper diet, but also because they received Qi of fright in the womb. Thus, upon encountering startling events, they fall down, spit saliva, and make pig or sheep sounds, which doctors call "Pig-Sheep Epilepsy." Using herbs to dispel phlegm and search for wind makes it worse. They fail to realize the congenital deficiency and do not greatly tonify the Fire of Mingmen (Gate of Life) and Danzhong (Conception Vessel/Chest Center), so effectiveness is lacking. The treatment should tonify Spleen-Stomach Earth and further tonify Mingmen Fire to generate Spleen; then tonify Danzhong Fire to generate Stomach. Without treating phlegm directly, it will digest itself (Epilepsy forms from excessive phlegm, which forms from Stomach Cold and Spleen Cold; warming these two meridians naturally works). The formula is Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) modified.
Ren Shen (1 qian), Fuling (3 qian), Baizhu (2 qian), Gancao (1 fen), Fuzi (1 slice), Banxia (8 fen), Baiwei (3 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose stops fright, and epilepsy heals immediately.
Sijunzi Tang is originally the holy medicine for tonifying Spleen and Stomach. When Spleen and Stomach are healthy, fright-wind naturally subsides, without needing sedatives. Adding Fuzi reaches all meridians, directly tonifying Mingmen and Danzhong Fire to generate Spleen-Stomach Earth, making Earth prosperous and phlegm easy to eliminate. Added Banxia drives out turbidity, and Baiwei gathers the spirit and soul; how can epilepsy occur?
For this condition, Wenyang Tang (Warm and Nourish Decoction) is also excellent.
Ren Shen (2 qian), Baizhu (3 qian), Rougui (5 fen), Banxia (8 fen), Jiangtang (5 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose stops it; four doses cure completely.
A woman suddenly suffers epilepsy, losing all sense of shame, acting happy when seeing men and angry when seeing women, often exposing her naked body without care. This is caused by blazing Liver Fire, frustration from desiring a man but not obtaining him, leading to stagnation and epilepsy. Why does blazing Liver Fire lead to epilepsy? Women's Liver Wood should not be too vigorous; if vigorous, fire generates from wood. Fire presses on the Heart, burning it, causing inner unrest and behavioral loss. Outside the Heart Palace, the Pericardium protects it. Why is it not blocked? The Liver Fire here is Deficient Fire. Deficient Fire is similar to Minister Fire; they are close allies who forget the Sovereign's grace, allowing direct burning of the Heart. If the Heart Sovereign leaves, death should ensue, yet only epilepsy occurs without death. This is due to Kidney Water rescue. Desiring a man reflects vigorous Kidney Meridian. Though half is Kidney Fire, Kidney Water is not exhausted. With Liver Fire pressing, Kidney Water nourishes. Thus, only dementia forms, not premature death. Treatment: purge Liver Fire, tonify Kidney Water, and soothe depression. Formula: Sanhua Dan (Flower-Scattering Elixir):
Chaihu (3 qian), Chao Zhizi (5 qian), Baishao (2 liang), Danggui (1 liang), Shengdi (1 liang), Shudi (2 liang), Xuanshen (2 liang), Tianhuafen (3 qian), Chenpi (1 qian), Fushen (5 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose lightens epilepsy; two doses restore shame; three doses remove epilepsy, closing the door to avoid people.
This formula clears Liver Fire without consuming Liver Blood; disperses Liver stagnation without scattering Liver Qi; tonifies Kidney Essence without saving Heart Flame. When Water is sufficient, Wood is nourished, and Fire extinguishes within Wood; when Fire extinguishes, Spirit is at peace, and Soul returns to Liver. With phlegm-resolving and diuretic agents, phlegm-Qi dissipates into water and exits via Bladder.
For this condition, Zhilian Xiehuo Tang (Gardenia and Coptis Fire-Purging Decoction) is very effective.
Shengdi (1 liang), Danggui, Danpi (each 5 qian), Chao Zhizi, Tianhuafen (each 3 qian), Huanglian (2 qian), Wuzhuyu (1 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose lightens epilepsy; two doses cure completely.
This formula also treats Heat entering the Blood Chamber; add Chaihu 1 qian.
A person caught in war, seized by thieves, refused to give gold/silk, had clothes stripped, faced execution but was released. Afterwards, heart-mind lost like dementia. People think it is Spirit Loss, but it is actually Gallbladder Drop (Danluo). The Gallbladder attaches to the Liver. Fright causes Gallbladder drop, not physically falling into the Liver, but the bile flavor scatters and fails to gather, as if fallen into the Liver. Since fallen, bile is absorbed by the Liver, making Liver strong and Gallbladder weak. The Heart cannot decide through the Gallbladder, feeling lost, resembling epilepsy/dementia. Treatment: drain excess Liver Qi, tonify deficient Gallbladder Qi, regenerate bile, and cure dementia. Formula: Quejing Dan (Fright-Repelling Elixir):
Fuzi (3 fen), Chenpi (1 qian), Baizhu (3 qian), Danggui (5 qian), Dansha (1 qian), Tiefen (1 qian), Fushen (3 qian), Yuanzhi (1 qian), Banxia (1 qian), Ren Shen (3 qian), Bohe (1 qian), Tianhuafen (2 qian), Nanxing (1 qian).
Grind to fine powder, form pills with honey, size of bullet.
Take with Ginger Decoction. One pill gathers fright Qi; three pills cure dementia spontaneously.
This is a holy formula for calming Spirit and stabilizing Will. Tiefen (Iron Filings) is key; it suppresses Liver Evil without damaging Liver Qi. Liver and Gallbladder are both Wood. Wood fears Metal punishment, so Iron Filings control Liver, utilizing Metal overcoming Wood. Metal overcomes Liver Wood, but does it overcome Gallbladder Wood? Liver is Yin Wood, Gallbladder is Yang Wood. Iron Filings overcome Yin Wood but not Yang Wood, thus controlling Liver but not Gallbladder. It drives herbs into Gallbladder to generate bile, not just for resolving phlegm and sedating.
For this condition, Shoujing Tang (Fright-Gathering Decoction) is also effective.
Danggui, Shanzhuyu (each 1 liang), Baishao (2 liang), Bei Wuweizi (2 qian), Fuzi (3 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose gathers fright; two doses stop dementia; three doses cure completely.
Excessive worry consumes Heart Blood, leading to epilepsy, crying or laughing, running naked, or talking alone behind closed doors. People call it Flower Epilepsy, but it is actually Epilepsy of Lost Will. Excessive worry injures Spleen. Damaged Spleen Qi cannot distribute essence to Lung, injuring Lung Qi and stopping its clearing/descending function, further injuring Spleen. Spleen is the Son of Heart; Spleen disease invites Heart aid, like a son sick requiring mother's care. Seeing Spleen Qi damaged and Will lost, the Heart lacks mastery, unable to save or forget, calling neighbors unheard, hating enemies who invade. Self-forgetting leads to jumping into wells, stuttering before guests, babbling, resulting in unconscious epilepsy. Treatment urgently requires clearing Heart. However, Heart disease stems from Spleen disease. Tonifying Heart to stabilize Will is less effective than tonifying Spleen to stabilize Will. Formula: Guishen Tang (Return Spirit Decoction):
Ren Shen (5 qian), Baizhu (1 liang), Bajitian (1 liang), Fushen (5 qian), Ziheche (1 piece), Banxia (3 qian), Chenpi (1 qian), Gancao (1 qian), Dansha (1 qian), Changpu (1 qian), Maidong (5 qian), Baiziren (3 qian, oil removed), Baijiezi (3 qian).
Grind to powder. Cook Ziheche in clean water until soft, keep blood threads, mash, mix with powders, form pills. Take 5 qian with plain boiled water. Several days of use removes epilepsy.
This formula treats Heart and Spleen simultaneously, resolving phlegm without depleting Qi. Ziheche (Placenta) is the mother of Pre- and Post-heaven, returning Spirit instantly. Spirit anchored by Placenta, Will stays with Spirit. Lost returns, returned remains firm.
For this condition, Jiawei Wenyang Tang (Modified Warm-Nourish Decoction) is also effective.
Ren Shen (1 liang), Baizhu (2 liang), Maidong (1 liang), Banxia (3 qian), Rougui (1 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. Two doses improve slightly; ten doses cure completely.