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Mother (referring to the previous context/lineage). The Baihe Zhimu Tang (Lily and Anemarrhena Decoction) for tonifying the Lung uses Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). This is also definitive evidence. By pairing Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus, acrid-warm nature) equally with it, Gui Zhi, due to Zhi Mu, enters directly into the Lung organ system. Thus, the acridity of Gui Zhi stirs up Lung Qi, and its warm-natured unblocking harmonizes the Shen (Spirit) of the Lung. Furthermore, fearing that the acrid-sweet nature might only induce sweating from the upper jiao without descending into the bone crevices of the Kidney meridian, Sour-astringent Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) is added as an assistant to guide it slightly downward. This allows the acrid-salty-warm Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to enter the Kidney organ directly in one go. Then, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), which dries dampness, is used as the sovereign herb; Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), which disperses dampness, as the minister herb; and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), which is sweet and緩 (moderating), as the envoy herb. Together they cultivate the Earth qi of the bone joints, converging with the dispersing Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), which then slowly penetrates through the sinews and bones to produce a slight sweat. Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) serves as the rear guard because it can consolidate the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), fearing that after the wind-dampness is expelled, the body might be attacked by wind again. Therefore, using Fu Zi as the guide entering the Kidney, Bai Zhu, Sheng Jiang, and Gan Cao as the central army for removing dampness, Ma Huang as the commander returning from campaign, Fang Feng as the garrison for aftermath, and Gui Zhi, Shao Yao, and Zhi Mu originally as the supervisors of the rear army, unexpectedly achieved the miraculous effect of expelling wind on the way. How divine this formula is! For the sixth clause regarding Blood deficiency in Shaoyin, where simple Wind-strike becomes Li Jie disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis/Joint Bi), although there is no dampness from stagnant sweating, the deficiency of Kidney Qi and the suitability of resolving Wind-strike through sweating are the same. In my humble opinion, if we remove the dampness-removing Bai Zhu and Sheng Jiang from this formula, and replace them with Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) to tonify Liver Blood and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) to tonify Kidney Blood, then changing one general changes the momentum of the entire army. Hence, saying "Zhu Zhi" (mainly treats) means taking this formula as the mainstay, originally giving people the flexibility to advance or retreat spiritually/intellectually, which differs from the textual convention of saying "Yi Mou Tang" (should use such-and-such decoction) elsewhere.

Clause 9: Acrid taste injures the sinews; when sinews are injured, they become flaccid, named Xie (Leakage/Flaccidity). Salty taste injures the bones; when bones are injured, they become atrophic, named Ku (Withering). Withering and Leakage intermingling is named Duan Xie (Severance and Leakage). Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) does not flow smoothly, Wei Qi cannot move independently; both Ying and Wei Qi become deficient. The Three Jiao (Triple Burner) has nothing to command; the Four Belongings (limbs/extremities) are severed. The body becomes emaciated, while only the feet swell. Yellow sweat appears, the shins feel cold. If fever occurs, it is definitely Li Jie disease. Patients with Li Jie disease cannot flex or extend their joints and experience pain. Wu Tou Tang (Aconite Decoction) is mainly indicated.

Wu Tou Tang Formula: Chuan Wu Tou (Sichuan Aconite Root) (5 pieces, crushed, boiled with 2 sheng of honey until 1 sheng remains, then remove the Wu Tou); Ma Huang (3 liang); Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) (3 liang); Shao Yao (3 liang); Gan Cao (Licorice Root) (2 liang, roasted).

The above five herbs are crushed. Take four of them (excluding Wu Tou initially processed with honey) and boil with 3 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng. Strain the dregs. Add this liquid to the honey-Wu Tou mixture and boil further. Take 7 he of the decoction; if ineffective, consume the remainder.

The Five Elements each possess Yin and Yang, such as the categories of Jia, Yi, Ren, Gui, etc. Their natures and preferences often oppose each other and differ because when Yang is born, Yin dies, and when Yin is born, Yang dies. For example, Jia Wood is born in Hai month, so Yi Wood dies in Hai month; Yi Wood is born in Wu month, so Jia Wood dies in Wu month; Ren Water is born in Shen month, so Gui Water dies in Shen month; Gui Water is born in Mao month, so Ren Water dies in Mao month, and so on. The Liver is the Wood organ. Within Wood, there is Jia Yang and Yi Yin. Jia governs the Yang Spirit, flowing outward its residual Qi to correspond to the sinews. Thus, its nature prefers smoothness and free flow. The *Neijing* states that Acrid flavor tonifies it and Sour flavor drains it, which is correct. Yi governs the Yin Image, internally solidifying the Form Organ to correspond to the Liver. Thus, its nature prefers gathering and binding. The *Jinkui Yaolue* states that Sour flavor tonifies it, which is correct. However, when Jia is born, Yi dies; excessive Acrid flavor injures the Form Organ Liver. When Yi is born, Jia dies; excessive Sour flavor injures the residual Qi sinews. Generally, Sour flavor gathers the Yin Blood of the Liver but also gathers the Yang Qi that nourishes the sinews. Without the healthy function of Yang Qi, the sinews become flaccid, named Xie (Leakage), meaning Liver Blood does not accompany the sinews, and its Qi gradually leaks away. The Kidney is the Water organ. Within Water, there is Ren Yang and Gui Yin. Ren governs the Yang Spirit, flowing outward its residual Qi to correspond to the bones. Thus, its nature prefers tranquility and stillness. The *Neijing* states that Sweet flavor tonifies it and Salty flavor drains it, which is correct. Gui governs the Yin Image, internally solidifying the Form Organ to correspond to the Kidney. Thus, its nature prefers descending and moistening. The *Jinkui Yaolue* states that Salty flavor tonifies it, which is correct. However, when Ren is born, Gui dies; excessive Sweet flavor injures the Form Organ Kidney. When Gui is born, Ren dies; excessive Salty flavor injures the residual Qi bones. Generally, Salty flavor suppresses the Yin Essence of the Kidney but also suppresses the Yang Qi that strengthens the bones. Without the healthy function of Yang Qi, the bones become atrophic, named Ku (Withering), meaning Kidney Essence does not accompany the bones, and its Qi gradually withers. Bone Yang pathology leads to withering; Sinew Yang pathology leads to leakage. When these two intermingle, it signifies that the Liver and Kidney have severed their nourishment, and the Qi of sinews and bones gradually leaks. Is it not appropriate to name this Duan Xie (Severance and Leakage)? The above discusses the self-pathology of Liver, Kidney, sinews, and bones. The Ying Qi in the meridians, although transformed from food and drink in the Stomach, is actually connected with the Essence and Blood of the Liver and Kidney. When Liver and Kidney pathology causes severance and leakage, Ying Qi becomes blocked and gradually diminishes. The fierce Qi (Han Qi) transformed in the Stomach, which usually emerges via Ying Yin to become external Wei Qi, finds that since Ying Qi is weak, Wei Qi cannot move independently and itself becomes depleted/disordered. Thus, both Ying and Wei Qi become deficient. This describes how internal pathology of Liver and Kidney leads to external pathology of Ying and Wei. "Yu" (Command/Drive) implies driving like a chariot. The Yang of the Upper Jiao (chest), the Yang of the Middle Jiao (Stomach area), and the Yang of the Lower Jiao (Mingmen) all use Essence and Blood as the chariot and drive them to circulate throughout the body. When the Essence and Blood of Liver and Kidney gather inward and sink downward, the Qi of the Three Jiao has nothing to ride upon, implying a gradual cooling. This describes how lower pathology of Liver and Kidney leads to upper pathology of the chest and Stomach. "Si Shu" (Four Belongings) refers to the upper, lower, interior, and exterior. Continuing from the above, Sour astringency and Salty descending cause Essence and Blood to gather inward and sink, leading to internal and lower pathology of Liver and Kidney Yang. Consequently, external Ying and Wei become weak, and Upper Jiao becomes deficient. The Four Belongings (upper, lower, interior, exterior) all face obstruction and tend toward severance. Because Ying and Wei in the meridians are both deficient, the body becomes emaciated. Because the Essence and Blood of Liver and Kidney are gathered and suppressed by Sour and Salty flavors, only the feet swell, and yellow sweat appears. As Yin Qi naturally sinks, Yang Qi naturally weakens, hence the cold shins, which aligns with the logic of flaccid sinews and atrophic bones mentioned earlier. If fever occurs, it means Yang Qi cannot move independently but stagnates in the sinew-bone crevices, undoubtedly indicating Li Jie disease. This discusses the external symptoms of Li Jie to prove the concept of the severance of the Four Belongings. Wu Tou Tang is mainly indicated because Wu Tou (Aconite) acts as the sovereign herb to unblock Yang and penetrate the joints. Using honey to decoct it allows it to linger in the Stomach, serving as a base for internal penetration and external reach. Then, sweet and moderating Gan Cao breaks the astringency of Shao Yao, specifically directing the Yang Qi of Wu Tou to enter the sinews and bones internally to strengthen the exterior. Exterior-consolidating Huang Qi monitors the dispersing action of Ma Huang, specifically directing the Yang Qi of Wu Tou to circulate externally through Ying and Wei. By raising together the latent Yang of Liver and Kidney, it steams the Essence and Blood, allowing reconnection with the Ying and Wei of the Three Jiao. Regarding its pure use of Acrid and Sweet flavors, not only does Acrid break Sour and Sweet rescue Salty, but since the pathogenesis arises from tonifying Yin and harming Yang, the formula's intent focuses on raising Fire to transport Water.