典藏书目

Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi): Its nature is warm, and all five flavors are present, with sour and salty flavors being predominant. Its sour flavor can astringe the Lung Qi; therefore, *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states that it primarily treats cough with counterflow qi (ke ni shang qi). Its salty flavor can nourish Kidney Yin; therefore, *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that it strengthens Yin and benefits male essence. The astringing power of its sourness can also secure the Qi transformation of the Lower Jiao, treating dawn diarrhea (wugeng xie xie), seminal emission during dreams, and frequent urination due to Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), or cases where one drinks once and urinates once (yin yi sou yi), or even drinks once and urinates twice (yin yi sou er). Its extremely sour taste enters the Liver channel effectively. Since the Liver opens into the eyes, Schisandrae Fructus can constrict dilated pupils. However, its astringing power is very strong. If cough with counterflow qi is accompanied by an external pathogen, it must be used together with acrid-dispersing herbs (such as Dry Ginger/Sheng Jiang, Fresh Ginger/Sheng Jiang, Ephedra Herb/Mahuang, and Asarum Root/Xixin). Only then will it not retain pathogens after administration. When decocted, it should be crushed because the acrid flavor of its kernel balances the sour flavor of its skin, preventing excessive astringency which would cause abdominal distension upon ingestion.

Zou Run'an said: "In *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), whenever cough appears, Schisandrae Fructus and Dry Ginger are always added. The principle is profound. The classics state: 'The Spleen scatters essence, which ascends to return to the Lung.' Therefore, although cough is a Lung disease, its source is actually governed by the Spleen. Only when the essence scattered by the Spleen and ascending to the Lung is not clear does the Lung's command to regulate water passages fail to descend. Later practitioners treat cough only knowing how to moisten the Lung and eliminate phlegm. They do not realize that moistening the Lung makes it even less clear, and eliminating phlegm further damages the Spleen, leaving the phlegm retained in the Lung unable to be eliminated. Dry Ginger warms the Spleen and Lung, addressing the origin of cough; when the origin is cleared, the source of cough is cut off. Schisandrae Fructus causes Lung Qi to descend and return to the Kidney, addressing the exit of cough; when the exit is cleared, Qi descends properly. Combining these two herbs represents one opening and one closing. When opening is required but closing is applied, it is like locking the door to chase away thieves; when closing is required but opening is applied, it risks consuming body fluids. Thus, in Xia Qing Long Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction), Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction), and Si Ni San (Four Counterflow Powder), if cough is present, they are all used, regardless of whether the pathology is exterior or interior."

Bianxu (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma): Its taste is bland, and its nature is warm. Because its taste is bland and nature is warm, it can directly target the Bladder to warm and tonify the Qi transformation of the Lower Jiao. It treats nocturnal enuresis in children or frequent urination in adults, leading to dry stools. Its warming and tonifying properties also astringe essence and secure Qi. It is contraindicated for patients with Lin Syndrome (strangury). This was discussed in detail after Xing Pi Sheng Xian Tang (Spleen-Reviving and Yang-Raising Decoction).

Bianxu is a key herb for treating urinary incontinence (shi ni) and should not be used to treat Lin Syndrome. *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) states that Bianxu treats impotence, urinary incontinence, and the Five Slownesses (wu huan) in the elderly. Generally, the condition of urinary incontinence is indeed due to the lack of constraining force in the sphincter muscles of the Bladder. This is a disease of muscle laxity and is actually one of the Five Slownesses. Bianxu excels at treating the Five Slownesses, hence its use. In my proposed Xing Pi Sheng Xian Tang, I heavily used Bianxu to treat frequent and uncontrollable urination, achieving repeated success. This confirms that Bianxu is a key herb for treating urinary incontinence. Yet, Bianxu Li Qing Yin (Bianxu Clearing Turbidity Decoction) uses it to treat Gao Lin (chyluria). How can this be so contradictory? While residing in my hometown, a neighbor suffered from Lin Syndrome. The physician prescribed Bianxu Li Qing Yin. After two doses, the patient experienced dribbling inability to urinate. Subsequent administration of various diuretic herbs was ineffective. Later, he sought my treatment. Ten days had passed; his spirit was confused, and he had no sensation. His pulse was rapid, approaching ten beats per breath, and vanished upon pressure. I told his family, "Based on this pulse, even if urination resumes, rescue may be impossible." His family pleaded earnestly, so I administered a formula to greatly nourish True Yin, assisted by diuretic herbs. After infusion, urination resumed shortly, wetting the bed and bedding. Upon re-examination, the pulse was faint and thin, nearly imperceptible. I urgently took leave and returned home. Later, I heard the patient died that day. Recently, while treating a Lin Syndrome case in Tianjin, the patient recovered after ten doses. Two months later, the illness relapsed. At that time, I was back in my hometown, so another physician was consulted. The prescription also heavily used Bianxu. After two doses, the patient again experienced dribbling inability to urinate, and diuretics were ineffective. Western methods, including catheterization combined with oral diuretics, were repeatedly employed. After nearly ten days, urination became slightly patent but still dribbled, requiring two hours between each voiding. Finally, after taking yin-nourishing and diuretic herbs for ten doses, full recovery was achieved.