医者，意也。如对敌之将，操舟之工，贵乎临机应变。方固难于尽用，然非方则古人之心不
传，茫如望洋，如捕风，必有率意而失之者矣，方果可以不用乎？虽然方固良矣，然必熟之素问，以求
其本；熟之本草，以究其用；熟之诊视，以察其症；熟之治疗，以通其变。始于用方，而终至
于无俟于方，夫然后医之道成矣。
善为医者，行欲方而智欲圆，胆欲大而心欲小。
七方者，奇、偶、大、小、缓、急、复是也。单用一味，或君一臣二，或君二臣三，药合阳数者，谓
之奇方。两味合用，或君二臣四，或君二臣六，药合阴数者，谓之偶方。大方，有君一臣三佐九之大方
，有分两多而顿服之大方。小方，有君一臣二之小方，有分两少而频服之小方。缓方，有甘以缓之，有丸
以缓之，有药品众多，互相拘制以缓之，有气味薄之缓方，有无毒之缓方。急方，有急病急攻之急方，有
汤散行速之急方，有气味浓之急方，有毒药之急方。复方，有二方三方及数方相合之复方，有分两等分之复
方。有本方外另加余药之复方。
十剂者，宣、通、补、泻、轻、重、滑、涩、燥、润是也。宣可祛壅，橘皮、生姜之属；宣者升
而上也，即吐剂也。通可祛滞，木通、猪令之属，味薄者通，淡味之药，谓之通剂。补可祛弱，人参、羊
肉之属。泻可去实，大黄、芒硝之属，即下剂也。轻可祛闭，麻黄、葛根之属，即汗剂也。重可祛怯，
朱砂、磁石之属。滑可祛着，滑石、葵子之属。着者有形之邪留着不去，故用滑剂以利之，与猪苓祛湿
热无形之邪不同。涩可祛脱，尤骨、牡蛎之属。燥可去湿，二术之属，润可去燥，地、冬之属。
十剂之后，陶隐居续入寒、热二剂。岂知寒有时而不可以治热，热有时而不可以治寒。何则？阴
虚内热，当用甘寒滋肾家之水，是壮水以制火也；设用芩、连、栀子苦寒之剂以攻热，则徒损胃气而
伤阴血，阴愈不足而热愈炽，胃气伤则后天之根本败，而病转增剧也。阳虚中外俱寒，当用参、 益表里
之气气，而少佐桂、附以回阳，则其寒自解，是益火以祛寒也；设专用吴萸、姜、椒辛热之属以散
寒，则辛能走散，真气愈虚，其寒愈甚，王安道所谓辛热愈投，而沉寒愈甚也。二者非徒无益而又害之
，顾不悖欤！
药之治病，有君，臣佐使。如治寒病用热药为主，则热药君也，凡温热之药皆辅君者也，臣也。
然或热药之过甚而有害也，须少用寒凉药以监制之，此则所谓佐也。至于五脏六腑及病之所在之处，各须
有引导之药，使药与病相遇，此所谓使也。余推此。
苦者直行而泄，辛者横行而散，酸者束而收敛，咸者
止而软坚，甘之一味，可上可下，土位居中，而兼五行也，淡之一味，五脏无归，专入太
阳，而利小便。
制药贵在适中，不及则功效难求，太过则气味反失。火制四， 、炮、炙、炒也。水制三
，渍、泡、洗也。水火共制，蒸煮二者焉。法造虽多，不离于此。酒制升提，姜制发散，入盐走肾而
软坚，用醋注肝而住痛，童便制除劣性而降下，米泔制祛燥性而和中，乳制润枯生血，蜜制甘缓益元。
陈壁土炒，窃土气骤补中焦；麦麸皮制，抑酷性勿伤上膈；黑豆汤甘草汤渍晒，并解毒致令平和∶羊
酥油、猪脂油涂烧，咸渗骨容易脆断。去穣者免胀，抽心者除烦。完物〔杏、桃仁、枣、苏子等类。
〕皆要劈破研碎，一起同煎，则滋味得出；香药〔乳、没、香、蔻等类是也。〕必须煎成加入，
一沸即起，则香气不故，大概具陈，初学熟玩。
酸咸无升，甘幸无降，寒无浮，热无沉，其性然也。而升者引之以咸寒，则沉而直达下焦；沉着
引之以酒，则浮而上至巅顶。
酒之气暴，如人身虚气逆气之暴。酒得肉食，则其气缠绵而不暴，如人之虚气逆气，得金石之剂沉
坠，则其气亦缠绵而不暴。故金石之缠绵，在气不在质。世人但知金石坠气，而不知所以坠气之故也。
有用质阴味浓以沉降之者，盖气阳质阴，阴阳相遇，则自然相得而不升走，亦金石缠绵之义。
如寒疝远在少腹，治法宜先用桂、附为小丸，曝令干
坚，然后用参、术浓为外廓，俾喉胃间知有参、术而不知有桂、附，递送达于积块之所，猛烈始露，庶
几坚者削而窠囊可尽空也，否则毒药从喉入胃，必致旧病未除，新病复起矣！
汤者荡也，煎成清汁是也，祛大病用之。散者散也，研成细末是也，祛急病用之。又曰∶细末者不
循经络，止祛胃中及脏腑之积，与治肺病咳嗽为宜。丸者缓也，作成圆粒是也，不能速祛病，舒缓而治
之也。祛下部之病者，其丸宜极大而光且圆，治中焦者次之，治上焦者宜小滴水丸，取其最易化。炼蜜
丸取其迟化而气循经络也。蜡丸者，取其难化，过关膈而作效，又能固护毒药之气味，使不伤脾胃也。
病在上者，不厌频而少；病在下者，不厌顿而多。少服则滋荣于上，多服则峻补于下。
病在胸膈以上者，先食而后服药；病在心腹以下者，先服药而后食；病在四肢血脉及下部者，宜空
腹而在旦；病在头目骨髓者，宜饱满而在夜。，药气与食气不欲相逢，食气稍消则服药，药气稍消则进
食，所为食先食后，盖有一定之义在其中也。
治病当明八要，表里、虚实、寒热、邪正也。表者病不在里也、里者病不在表也。虚者五虚也，脉
细、皮寒、气少，饮食不入，泄痢前后是也。实者五实也。脉盛、皮热、腹胀、闷瞀、前后不通是也。
寒者，脏腑受其积冷也。热者。脏腑受其积热也。邪者，外邪相干，非脏腑正病也。正
者，脏腑自病，非外邪所中也。审此八要，参以脉症，庶不致误。
治病当辨阴阳寒热，脏腑气血，表里标本，先后虚实，缓急阴阳。阴阳者，阴血为病，不犯阳气
之药，阳旺则阴转亏也，阳气为病，不犯阴血之药，阴盛则阳转败也。寒热者，实热则泻以苦寒咸寒
，虚热则治以甘寒酸寒，外寒则辛热辛温以散之，中寒则甘温以益之。脏腑者，经曰∶五脏者藏精
而不泻者也，故有补无泻者，其常也，受邪则泻其邪，非泻脏也。六腑者，传导化物糟粕者也。邪
客者，可攻，中病即已，毋过用也。气血者，气实则宜降宜清，气虚则宜温宜补。血虚则热，补心肝
脾肾，兼以清凉；血实则郁，轻者消之，重者行之。表里者，病在于表，毋攻其里，恐表邪乘虚
陷入于里也，病在于里，毋虚其表，恐汗多亡阳也。标本先后者，受病之原根为本，目前之多变为标，
五虚为本，五邪为标，标急则先治其标，本急则先治其木。虚实者，虚症如家贫室内空虚，锱铢累积，
非旦夕事，故无速法。实症如寇盗在家，开门急逐，贼去即安，故无缓法。
治病分国中末三法。初治之道，法当猛峻。缘病得之新暴，当以猛峻之药急祛之，不使病邪久居身
中为害也。中治之道，法当宽猛相济，养正祛邪相济而兼治之。末治之道，法刍宽缓，广服平善无毒，
用其安中养血气，俾邪自去。
治气有三法。一曰补气。气虚宜补之助之，参、术、黄 、糯米之属。二曰降气调气。降者下也。
升者宜降，轻者如苏子。橘红、麦冬、枇粑叶、甘蔗浆、芦根汁，重者如降
香、沉香、郁金、槟榔之属。调者和也。逆则宜和，和则调也。其药如木香、沉香、砂、豆蔻、
香附、橘皮之属。三曰破气。破者损也，实则宜破。如少壮人暴怒气壅之类，药用青皮、枳、朴、槟
榔之属。然亦可暂不可久，盖气分之药，不出三端，误则转剧。
治血亦有三法。一曰补血。血虚宜滋之补之。如熟地、杞、圆、人乳、牛乳、柏仁、枣仁、肉苁
蓉、鹿角胶之属。二曰凉血。血热宜清之凉之。如生地、白芍、丹皮、犀角、地榆之属。三曰活血行血
。血瘀宜通之下之。如当归、红花、桃仁、延胡，皆通经活络之品， 虫、硝、黄，皆攻坚
下血之剂，病既不同，药亦各异，用贵合宜，不可不审。
春温夏热，元气外泄，阴精不足，药宜养阴。秋凉冬寒，阳气潜藏，勿轻开通，药宜养阳。此
药之因时制宜，补不足以和其气者也。然而一气之中，国中末异，一日之内，寒燠或殊。假令大热之候，
人多感暑，忽发冰雹，亦复感寒。由先而感，则为暑病，由后而感，则为寒病，病暑者投以
暑药，病寒者投以寒药，此药之因时制宜，以合乎权，乃变中之常也，此时令不齐所宜审也。假令阴虚
之人，虽当隆冬，阴精亏竭，水既不足，不能制火，则阳无所根据，外泄为热，或反汗出，药宜益阴，地
黄、五味、龟甲、枸杞之属是已。设从时令，误用辛温，势必立毙。假令阳虚之人，虽当盛夏，阳气不
足，不能外卫其表，表虚不任风寒，洒淅战栗，思得热食，及御重裘，是虽天令之热，亦不足以敌其真
阳之虚，病属虚寒，药宜温补，参、 、桂、附之属是已。设从时令，误用苦寒，亦必立毙，此药之舍
时从症者也。假
令素病血虚之人，不利苦寒，恐其损胃伤血，一旦中暑，暴注霍乱，须用黄连、滑石以泄之，本不利
升，须用葛根以散之，此药之舍症从时者也。从违之际，权其轻重耳。
升降者，病机之最要也。升为春气，有散之之义，降为秋气，有敛之之义。阳气下陷，泄痢不止，
宜升阳益气，因湿洞泻，宜升阳除湿；滞下不休，宜升阳解毒，开胃除热，郁火内伏，宜升阳散火、肝木
郁于地中，以致少腹作胀作痛，宜升阳调气，此病之宜升之类也。阴虚则火无制，火因
上炎。其为症也，为咳为嗽，为多痰，为吐血衄血，为头痛齿疼，为眩晕眼花，为恶心呕吐，为口苦舌干，
是为上盛下虚之候。宜用苏子、贝母、麦冬、白芍、竹茹、枇杷叶之属以降气，气降则火自降，而又益
滋水添精之药，以救其本，则诸症自瘳，此病宜降之类也。设宜降而妄升，当升而反降，将使轻者变重，
重者必毙矣。
经言邪气盛则实，精气夺则虚，二句为治病之大纲，辞甚显而义甚微。盖以邪正相搏而为病，则邪实
正虚，亦可并言。故主泻者，则曰邪气实，主补者则曰精气虚，各执己见，借口文饰，是以至精之训，反
酿莫大之害。余请以缓急有无析之。缓急者，察其虚实之缓急也，无虚者急祛其邪，恐久留而生变；多虚
者急培其正，恐临期之无济；微实微虚者、亦急祛其邪，一扫而除；大实大虚者，宜急顾其正，兼祛其邪
，寓战于守斯可矣；二实一虚者，兼其虚，防生不测也，二虚一实者，兼其实，开其一面也。总之实而
误补，固必增邪，犹可解救，虚而误攻，正气忽去，莫可挽回，此虚实及缓急不可不察也。所谓有无者，
察邪气之有无也。凡风、火、暑、湿、燥、寒皆能为邪，邪之在表在里，在腑在
脏，必有所居，求得其本，则直取之，此所谓有，有则邪之实也。若无六气之邪，而病出三阴，则惟情
欲以伤内，劳倦以伤外，非邪似邪，非实似实，此所谓无，无则病在元气也。不明虚实有无之义，绝人长
命，损德多矣。
金匮言∶人病痼疾，加以卒病，当先治其卒病，后乃治其痼病。
诸病皆宜先治其木，惟中满及大小二便不利治其标。盖胃满则药食之气不行，而脏腑皆失所禀，
二便不通，乃危急之候，故无论标本，总先治之。
治病者，但当治其所生之本原，则后生诸病，不治而自愈矣。
王应震曰∶见痰休治痰，见血休治血，无汗不发汗，有热莫攻热，喘生无耗气，遗精勿涩泻，明得
此中趣，方是医中杰。此真知本之言也。
人之元气，亦曰真气，其义有三∶曰上中下也，上者所受于天，以通呼吸者也。故上有气海，曰
膻中也，其治在肺。中者，生于水谷以养荣卫者也。故中有水谷气血之海，曰中气也，其治在脾胃。下
者，气化于精，藏于命门，以为三焦之根本者也。故下有气海，曰丹田也，其治在肾。人之所赖，惟此气
耳，气聚则生，气散则死，故医者治人，慎此元气也。
一切诸病，皆当以保其胃气，补养脾气为主。故益阴
宜远苦寒，益阳宜防泄气，祛风毋过用燥散，消暑毋轻用通下，泻利毋加消导，滞下毋用硝、巴，
胎前泄泻之忌当归，产后发热之忌芩、连，凡内外诸病之药，有与胃气相违者，投之宜慎。
经言气，归精者，以气为精母，金生水也，即天气下为雨之义。气譬之云，精譬之雨，气降则
化为精，犹雨之因云而生也。又言精化为气者，以元气必由精而化生，即地气上为云之义，精升则化
为气，犹云之因雨而出也。此精气互根之妙，欲保生者，当知戒色欲以养精，寡言语以养气。
经言味归形者，以五味生精血以成形，然味太过，则偏胜而反伤形，故又曰∶味伤形。盖形伤则
气亦不免，所以又有气伤于味之说，故节饮节食为摄生第一要着。
善为医者，必责根本，而本有先天、后天之辨。何以为先天之本？盖婴儿未成，先结胞胎，其象中
空，一茎透起，形如莲蕊，一茎即脐带，莲蕊即两肾也，而命寓焉。水生木而后肝成，木生火而后心
A physician relies on intuition and insight. Just as a general facing an enemy or a boatman steering a vessel, one must excel in adapting to changing circumstances. Prescriptions are indeed difficult to apply exhaustively; however, without prescriptions, the wisdom of the ancients cannot be transmitted. Physicians would feel lost, like gazing at the ocean or trying to catch the wind, inevitably leading to arbitrary actions and errors. Can prescriptions truly be dispensed with? Although prescriptions are beneficial, one must thoroughly study the *Suwen* (Basic Questions) to seek the root of diseases; master the *Bencao* (Materia Medica) to investigate drug properties; become proficient in diagnosis to observe symptoms; and understand treatment methods to grasp variations. Starting from using prescriptions, one eventually reaches a state where reliance on specific prescriptions is no longer necessary. Only then is the Way of Medicine perfected.
A skilled physician should conduct themselves with integrity, possess flexible wisdom, have great courage, and maintain a cautious mind.
The "Seven Forms" (Qi Fang) refer to Odd Form (Qi Fang), Even Form (Ou Fang), Large Form (Da Fang), Small Form (Xiao Fang), Slow-acting Form (Huan Fang), Rapid-acting Form (Ji Fang), and Compound Form (Fu Fang). Using a single herb, or one Sovereign herb with two Ministers, or two Sovereigns with three Ministers, where the number of herbs corresponds to Yang numbers (odd numbers), is called an Odd Form. Using two herbs, or two Sovereigns with four Ministers, or two Sovereigns with six Ministers, where the number corresponds to Yin numbers (even numbers), is called an Even Form. A Large Form includes those with one Sovereign, three Ministers, and nine Assistants, or those with large dosages taken in one dose. A Small Form includes those with one Sovereign and two Ministers, or those with small dosages taken frequently. A Slow-acting Form uses sweet herbs to moderate effects, pill forms for slow release, numerous herbs that constrain each other, thin-flavored herbs, or non-toxic herbs. A Rapid-acting Form treats urgent conditions with immediate attack, uses decoctions or powders for quick action, employs strong-flavored herbs, or uses toxic herbs for rapid effect. A Compound Form combines two or more formulas, has equal proportions, or adds extra herbs to a base formula.
The "Ten Categories" (Shi Ji) include Dispersing (Xuan), Unblocking (Tong), Tonifying (Bu), Purging (Xie), Light (Qing), Heavy (Zhong), Slippery (Hua), Astringent (Se), Drying (Zao), and Moistening (Run) categories. The Dispersing category removes stagnation, such as Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma); its function is ascending, equivalent to emetics. The Unblocking category removes obstruction, such as Mutong (Akebiae Caulis) and Zhuling (Polyporus); thin-flavored and bland-tasted herbs belong here. The Tonifying category addresses weakness, such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Yangrou (Ovis/Aries Carcass). The Purging category eliminates excess, such as Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), equivalent to cathartics. The Light category clears blockage, such as Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), equivalent to diaphoretics. The Heavy category calms fright, such as Zhusha (Cinnabaris) and Cishi (Hematitum). The Slippery category removes adherent pathogens, such as Huashi (Talcum) and Kuizi (Abutilonis Semen); "adherent" refers to tangible pathogens lingering, requiring slippery herbs to promote drainage, differing from Zhuling which drains damp-heat pathogenic factors. The Astringent category prevents leakage, such as Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi) and Muli (Concha Ostreae). The Drying category removes dampness, such as Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Baishu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). The Moistening category relieves dryness, such as Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix).
After the Ten Categories, Tao Hongjing added Cold and Hot categories. However, cold is not always suitable for treating heat, nor heat for cold. For instance, deficiency heat due to Yin deficiency requires sweet-cold herbs to nourish Kidney Water (Zhuang Shui Zhi Huo - strengthening water to control fire); using bitter-cold herbs like Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma), or Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) to attack heat would only damage Stomach Qi and injure Yin blood, worsening the condition. For Yang deficiency causing internal and external cold, Ren Shen and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) should tonify exterior and interior Qi, with minor additions of Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to restore Yang; this is Yi Huo Qu Han (benefiting fire to dispel cold). Using purely acrid-hot herbs like Wuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), or Jiaojiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) would disperse True Qi, exacerbating the cold, as Wang Andao noted: "The more acrid-hot herbs are used, the deeper the cold becomes." These approaches are harmful and contrary to principle.
Herbs treat disease through Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Guide (Shi) roles. Treating cold with hot herbs makes the hot herb the Sovereign; other warm/hot herbs are Ministers. If hot herbs are too harsh, cool/cold herbs are added as Assistants to moderate them. Guide herbs direct the formula to specific organs or locations.
Bitter herbs descend and purge; Acrid herbs disperse horizontally; Sour herbs astringe and collect; Salty herbs soften hardness; Sweet herbs are central and versatile; Bland herbs enter the Taiyang channel and promote urination.
Processing herbs requires balance. Insufficient processing lacks efficacy; excessive processing loses flavor/aroma. Fire processing includes roasting, scorching, stir-frying, and baking. Water processing includes soaking, steeping, and washing. Combined water-fire processing includes steaming and boiling. Wine processing raises Qi; Ginger processing disperses; Salt processing guides to Kidneys and softens hardness; Vinegar processing guides to Liver and stops pain; Child urine processing reduces harshness and promotes descent; Rice wash water processing reduces dryness and harmonizes the Middle; Milk processing moistens dryness and generates blood; Honey processing enhances sweetness and tonifies Yuan Qi. Earth-cooking boosts the Middle; Bran-processing moderates harshness; Black bean/Glycyrrhiza processing detoxifies; Animal fat processing aids penetration into bones. Removing pith prevents bloating; removing hearts relieves irritability. Whole seeds/fruits must be crushed to release essence; aromatic herbs (e.g., Rush Xiang, Mo Yao) should be added near the end to preserve aroma.
Sour and Salty do not ascend; Sweet and Acrid do not descend; Cold does not float; Hot does not sink. However, ascending herbs guided by salty-cold herbs sink to the Lower Jiao; sinking herbs guided by wine rise to the vertex. Wine's nature is violent, like sudden rebellious Qi; combined with meat, it becomes lingering. Minerals are heavy and sinking; their "lingering" effect is due to Qi-Yin interaction, not just physical weight.
For deep-seated Cold Hernia, use Guizhi and Fuzi pills coated with Renshen and Baizhu to protect the throat/stomach until the medicine reaches the lesion, then the potent effects act locally. Otherwise, toxic herbs may harm the stomach before reaching the target.
Decoctions (Tang) cleanse major diseases; Powders (San) scatter acute conditions; Pills (Wan) treat slowly. Large smooth pills for Lower Jiao; smaller pills for Upper Jiao for easier dissolution. Honey pills dissolve slowly to circulate via meridians; Wax pills resist digestion to pass through the diaphragm and protect against toxicity.
Diseases above: frequent small doses; below: single large doses. Above chest/diaphragm: eat then take medicine; below heart/abdomen: take medicine then eat; limbs/lower body: empty stomach morning; head/marrow: full stomach night. Avoid mixing food and medicine Qi excessively.
Eight Essentials: Exterior/Interior, Deficiency/Excess, Cold/Heat, Pathogenic/Healthy. Exterior: disease not in Interior. Interior: disease not in Exterior. Five Deficiencies: fine pulse, cold skin, shortness of breath, inability to eat, incontinence. Five Excesses: surging pulse, hot skin, abdominal distension, chest oppression/confusion, urinary/fecal retention. Cold: accumulated cold in organs. Heat: accumulated heat. Pathogenic: external invasion. Healthy: internal organ dysfunction. Combine with pulse/symptoms for accuracy.
Differentiate Yin/Yang, Cold/Heat, Organs/Qi-Blood, Exterior/Interior, Root/Branch, Priority, Deficiency/Excess, Urgency. Yin/Blood disease: avoid Yang-tonics. Yang disease: avoid Yin-nourishers. Excess Heat: purge with bitter/cold. Deficiency Heat: treat with sweet/cold. External Cold: disperse with acrid-warm. Internal Cold: tonify with sweet-warm. Five Zang store essence (tonify usually, purge pathogen if present). Six Fu transmit waste (purge if pathogenic, stop when cured). Qi Excess: descend/clear; Qi Deficiency: warm/tonify. Blood Deficiency: generate heat, tonify Heart/Liver/Spleen/Kidney with cooling. Blood Excess: stasis, resolve or move. Exterior disease: do not attack Interior (risk of pathogen entering). Interior disease: do not weaken Exterior (risk of sweating depleting Yang). Root is cause; Branch is manifestation. Treat Branch if urgent, Root if urgent. Deficiency accumulates slowly; Excess attacks quickly.
Treatment phases: Initial (aggressive), Middle (balanced), Late (gentle/nourishing).
Treating Qi: 1. Tonify (Renshen, Baizhu, Huangqi). 2. Descend/Regulate (Subanzi, Chenpi, Chenxiang, Mugua). 3. Break (Qingpi, Zhishi, Houpo) for excess/stagnation; use temporarily.
Treating Blood: 1. Nourish (Shudi, Gouqi, Rou Congrong). 2. Cool (Shengdi, Baishao, Mudanpi). 3. Invigorate (Danggui, Honghua, Taoren, Yanhusuo; Shexiang, Mangxiao, Dahuang for severe stasis).
Seasonal adjustments: Spring/Summer: nourish Yin. Autumn/Winter: nourish Yang. Adjust for daily weather changes. Yin deficiency in winter: nourish Yin (Dihuang, Wuweizi). Yang deficiency in summer: warm/tonify (Renshen, Guizhi, Fuzi). Deviate from season based on symptoms. Deviate from symptoms based on season (e.g., heatstroke in blood-deficient patient). Weigh severity.
Ascending/Descending is crucial. Ascending (Spring/Qi): for sinking Qi, diarrhea, dampness, dysentery, liver stagnation. Descending (Autumn/Qi): for rising Fire due to Yin deficiency (cough, bleeding, dizziness). Use Subanzi, Beimu, Maidong, Baishao to descend Qi and nourish Yin. Mistakes here are fatal.
Classic: "Excess means Pathogenic Qi is strong; Deficiency means Essence is depleted." Both can coexist. Prioritize based on urgency. No pathogen: purge urgently. Many deficiencies: tonify urgently. Mixed mild cases: purge. Mixed severe cases: protect Righteous Qi while purging. Pure Excess mistaken for tonification: increases pathogen (reversible). Pure Deficiency mistaken for purging: collapses Qi (irreversible).
Pathogen presence: Wind/Fire/Summerheat/Damp/Dryness/Cold are pathogens. If no external pathogen, disease arises from internal injury (emotion/labor), affecting Yuan Qi.
Complication management: Treat acute illness before chronic illness (Jinkui Yaolue). Exception: Fullness in middle or urinary/fecal retention (treat branch first).
Treat the root cause to prevent secondary diseases.
Wang Yingzhen: Do not just treat phlegm/blood/sweat/fever/wheezing/emission directly; understand the root. This is true mastery.
Yuan Qi (True Qi): Upper (Lung/Breath), Middle (Spleen/Stomach/Nutritive/Defensive), Lower (Kidney/Mingmen/Jiao). Guard this Qi.
Protect Stomach Qi and Spleen Qi primarily. Avoid bitter-cold when nourishing Yin; avoid dissipating when tonifying Yang; caution with drying/dispersing for wind; caution with purgatives for summerheat; avoid digestive aids for diarrhea; avoid drastic purgatives for dysentery. Contraindications: Danggui for antenatal diarrhea; Huangqin/Lianzi for postpartum fever.
Qi transforms into Essence (Cloud to Rain); Essence transforms into Qi (Rain to Cloud). Regulate desires and speech.
Flavors form the body; excess flavors damage the body and Qi. Moderation in diet is key.
Roots: Pre-heaven (Kidneys/Mingmen) and Post-heaven (Spleen/Stomach). Pre-heaven begins with conception (Kidneys as Lotus Bud). Water generates Wood (Liver); Wood generates Fire (Heart)...