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The human body does not inherently possess "phlegm"; phlegm is the accumulation of body fluids (Jinye). When five grains enter the stomach, they are separated into three pathways along with dregs, body fluids, and Zong Qi (Pectoral Qi). Thus, Zong Qi gathers in the chest, emerges from the throat, penetrates the Heart and Lungs, and governs respiration. Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) secretes its body fluids, injects them into the vessels, transforms them into blood, nourishes the four extremities, and internally irrigates the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, corresponding to the rhythmic intervals of time. Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) releases its fierce and rapid Qi, proceeding first among the four extremities, muscles, and skin without rest. It travels through the Yang meridians during the day and the Yin meridians at night, often starting from the divisions of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and interweaving through the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. When abundant, it flows smoothly; when deficient, it stagnates and condenses. Condensation becomes phlegm; dispersion returns it to body fluids, Qi, and blood. Originally, there is no separate pathogenic evil or filth within the meridians and organs that is called phlegm. (Generally, when discussing phlegm, one must detail its origin. Phlegm is water; water is transformed by Qi. Therefore, no disease is unrelated to Qi, and no disease exists without phlegm. The clear portion of phlegm is called fluid retention (Yin), which results from Fire's failure to transform Water.) It is considered a harm to the body and must be eliminated for the illness to cease. In my youth, I liked to spit phlegm; the more I spat, the more there was. Later, I abstained from it. Whenever I felt a blockage in my throat that was unbearable, I would sip a few mouthfuls of hot water, spit it out at the door, stir and grind it with my tongue until broken, and then swallow it over a hundred times. With a mouth full of saliva, I would inhale through the nose and swallow, directing the intent to the Dantian (Lower Elixir Field), keeping it still for a moment, after which the throat would feel clear and peaceful. If not clear, I would rinse and swallow again until completely dissolved. When initially spat out, the taste was very salty; after rinsing for a long time, it became sweet. People claim it is turbid stasis with no possibility of clarification, how absurd! I once crossed a river and saw boatmen scoop muddy water into a jar, add a few fen of alum powder, and it clarified instantly. This can inspire the method of treating phlegm. Therefore, if Zong Qi in the Upper Jiao is insufficient, phlegm gathers in the chest and diaphragm, causing throat blockage, panting, and shortness of breath; if Ying Qi in the Middle Jiao is insufficient, blood transforms into phlegm, blocking the vessel channels, leading to unpredictable changes; if Wei Qi in the Lower Jiao is insufficient, its force is not fierce or rapid, and fluids stagnate between the limbs and muscles, causing numbness and swelling. To treat the root, tonification should come first; to treat the branch, there are methods for transformation. I briefly reveal these clues, awaiting the insightful to realize them on their own.

Phlegm is condensed from body fluids, gathering in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. Due to deficiency of Ying Qi, vessel channels are blocked, leading to unpredictable changes. Wang Yinjun said: Strange symptoms and bizarre diseases all belong to phlegm. Those who excel in treatment regulate Ying and Wei, and all ailments will heal themselves.

If the phlegm is thick and unclear, use the method of clarification. If it is scattered and unconsolidated, use the method of consolidation. If there is deficiency below and overflow above, use the method of restoration. If there is congestion above and obstruction below, use the method of descending. What is the method of clarification? For example, Alum (Bai Fan) has the nature of repelling water. Since it can clarify turbid flow, is it not sufficient to clear phlegm? However, it should not be used in large amounts. Almond (Xing Ren) can also clarify, and Ji River water has a clear and vigorous nature, penetrating underground streams. Boiled into glue, although Ji River water is clear and vigorous, modern Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) is increasingly fake. How to handle this? Ejiao best guides phlegm down to the diaphragm. Understand this to use it. This is the method of clarification. What is the method of consolidation? For cases of sudden diarrhea with Qi loss from the Large Intestine, or frequent urination, use only Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit). Yi Zhi Ren regulates Qi and consolidates saliva, and can secure collapse, with swift efficacy. It is best for achieving results. It has the wonder of stabilizing the Three Jiao, regulating various Qi, retaining saliva, and securing slippage. Thus, medical formulas often use it to treat excessive salivation, specifically utilizing its pungent property to consolidate, not merely to warm Stomach cold. This is the method of consolidation. What is the method of restoration? If the True Qi in the Kidney cannot ascend, Water and Fire do not interact. If Water and Fire do not interact, Qi does not flow, and body fluids do not pour into the Kidney, becoming turbid and turning into phlegm. Use Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill): Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome), and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) to tonify Kidney Essence; Fu Ling (Poria) and Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) to promote water passage; Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root) to moisten Kidney dryness. Rou Gui and Fu Zi are hot and drying herbs; how can they moisten? The Classics say: The Kidney dislikes dryness; urgently eat pungent substances to moisten it, open the pores, and distribute body fluids and circulate Qi. This is the method of restoration. This is an excellent method for treating Kidney deficiency cold-phlegm. What is the method of descending? If phlegm-fluids gather between the throat and diaphragm, causing cough, asthma, chest oppression, dysphagia, dizziness, and vertigo, with occasional constipation, use Yang Zheng Dan (Nourish Righteousness Pellet) or Ling Sha Dan (Cinnabar Pellet), using heavy agents to guide it downward so it does not accumulate. This is the method of descending. As for treating cold with heat, heat with cold, mild cases by opposing the pathogen, severe cases by following the pathogen, hardness by reducing, exogenous pathogens by eliminating, exhaustion by warming, binding by dispersing, retention by purging, dampness by drying, dryness by moistening, urgency by缓 (soothing), deficiency by warming, lethargy by promoting movement, fright by calming, superficial conditions by劫 (seizing/attacking), opening and venting—these are found in *Su Wen: Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* (Basic Questions: The Most Important Truths). Adapting endlessly is the key method for treating phlegm. For those with flexible wisdom, carefully observe and apply them skillfully; do not rely on a single approach. If there is phlegm due to deficiency, do not focus on resolving phlegm, but treat the deficiency. Once deficiency is restored, Qi and Blood become robust and smooth, body fluids circulate freely, and where is there phlegm? Modern people claim that tonifying medicines can stagnate Qi and generate phlegm; this is deafening nonsense, causing endless harm.

Phlegm is結 (knotted) from body fluids; it cannot be entirely dissolved, but if body fluids circulate freely, where is there phlegm? The key lies in harmonizing Blood and Qi. He Lu'an from Danyang, over seventy years old, had phlegm in his diaphragm causing discomfort and poor appetite. Initially, it was not serious. He sought medical help in Jingkou and took Yue Ju Wan (Regulate Depression Pill) and Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear Qi Transform Phlegm Pill), which slightly widened his chest. He swallowed them daily without stopping. After more than a year, he was exhausted and came to visit by boat. I examined his pulse: his flesh was wasted, both wrists' pulses were like wandering threads, and the Taixi pulse was absent. Seeing my difficulty, he said: I also expect to die, but the distension in my diaphragm is too severe, and my bowels are constipated, causing great suffering. If I could just feel slightly relieved, I would close my eyes without regret. He insisted I prescribe. Reluctantly, as a close relative, I instructed him to use large doses of Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome). Shortly after, he went to the toilet and passed about a sheng of accumulated phlegm, his chest and diaphragm felt relieved, and he died a few days later. These two pills are commonly used by contemporary physicians. They intended to relieve depression but instead increased bloating; they intended to clear phlegm but accelerated his death. Is this not absurd? Such obvious effects occurred, yet the patient's family showed no remorse or lesson learned. Was his karmic debt deep and his life nearly ended, so Heaven blocked his mind, making return impossible? Otherwise, why do so many blindly accept such treatments without reasoning?

Overuse of acrid and dispersing drugs secretly damages righteous Qi. Over time, the source of body fluids is dried up, the airways block their transmission mechanisms, causing phlegm knots to grow daily stronger, chest and abdomen more distended, bowels chronically constipated, eventually leading to imminent death. Alas! Let those who take medicine diligently despite having no major illness take this as a warning.