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Heatstroke causing mental restlessness, a deficient pulse with spontaneous sweating, dryness burning the Metal (referring to the Lung organ), and flaccidity with weakness are all conditions where warming methods must not be used. Furthermore, patients with Yin deficiency, presenting with a fine and rapid pulse, and hematemesis due to Yang hyperactivity attacking, should also not be treated with warming; doing so would result in adverse outcomes. This is what is meant by "using warming when it is not indicated."

However, there are cases where warming is indicated but the method is not correctly applied. Why is this? For instance, if one contracts Cold in winter, one should use warming to disperse it; if one contracts Wind in winter, one should use warming to resolve the exterior; if Cold-Phlegm obstructs and blocks, one should use warming to open it; if injured by cold food, one should use warming to digest it. As for sudden severe pain from internal Cold, with stool that is paradoxically hard, if simple warming herbs fail, one should use hot purgatives. If it is summer, but one seeks coolness and drinks cold beverages, suddenly contracting Cold, warming should still be employed. For those with constitutional deficiency accompanied by Cold, warming should be used to tonify. If Cold resides in the Middle Jiao, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) should be used to warm it; if Cold resides in the Lower Jiao, Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) should be used to warm it. In cases of extreme Yin Cold repelling Yang to the exterior, where warming herbs are ineffective, Baitong Tang (White Tongue Decoction) combined with human urine and pig bile should be used as counter-agents to guide the medicine. This corresponds to the *Jing* (Classic) saying: "Use heat with cold administration" (Re-using heat through cold means).

Furthermore, in cases of true deficiency with Cold and decline of the Fire of the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen), one must tonify the True Yang. Taipu (Zhang Jingyue) stated: "In severe Cold syndromes, if heat therapy does not produce warmth, it indicates a lack of Fire; one should frequently tonify the Heart." Here, the term "Heart" refers to the Mingmen. There are also cases where both interior and exterior are Cold. Initially using warming herbs may quickly resolve interior Cold, but if exterior pathogens remain unresolved, they may transmit into the meridians, transforming an initial Cold syndrome into a subsequent Heat syndrome. This can occur if one fails to weigh the timing and prescribe appropriately, first using warming herbs to rescue, and then inadvertently harming with further warming. Similarly, in direct transmission of Cold to the Three Yin channels without initial exterior symptoms, excessive use of warming agents may cause Cold to retreat and Heat to arise, leading to different outcomes at the beginning and end. One must be cautious, which illustrates why mastering the correct method is crucial for warming therapy.

Moreover, there are instances where warming is applied without considering the patient's constitution. For individuals with Qi deficiency and lack of Fire, whose Yang is inherently weak, if external Cold attacks, heavy doses of warming agents are appropriate and can be taken in quantity without harm. However, for those who naturally have excess Fire, dislike acrid-warm herbs, or have a history of Yin deficiency with bleeding, warming is contraindicated. Even if they recently contracted Cold, warming herbs should not be too strong; treatment should stop once symptoms improve, without necessarily finishing the prescription. This is considered appropriate for the individual.

Regarding symptoms: for severe Cold, mild warming may not suffice; for mild Cold, excessive heat may lead to hyperactivity. Warming and tonifying methods may be combined or used separately. When both deficiency and Cold exist, they are combined; when only Cold exists without deficiency, warming alone is sufficient. Danxi said: "For sudden severe pain due to external Cold with food stagnation, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuzi (Aconite Root) may be used, but Renshen (Ginseng Root) should not be used immediately." Essentially, warming acts as tonification. Following this principle, I first use Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) to warm, and after confirming deficiency, I use Renshen and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) to tonify. Thus, it has been repeatedly effective without error, demonstrating the importance of weighing symptoms when applying warming.

Regarding timing: in midsummer, warming agents should be light; in deep winter, they should be heavy. Yet, there are cases in midsummer where extreme deficiency-Cold occurs, cured by Shenfu Paste (Ginseng and Aconite Paste), illustrating the principle of "abandoning the season to follow the syndrome." Conversely, while Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is generally contraindicated after Frost's Descent, there are cases of Yangming syndrome with steaming fever, spontaneous sweating, delirious speech, irritability, and thirst for cold drinks, where Baihu Tang was successfully used even during snowfall, provided it was not overused. This demonstrates the importance of weighing the season when using warming, and the same logic applies to cooling agents."