长则气治，短则气病，数则气热，迟则气寒，大则阴伤，弦则气郁，上盛则气
高，下盛则气胀，涩则气滞，衰则气少，凡气不舒者脉必沉。
结者散之，郁者达之，闭者开之，（气闭者无小便，或两手脉伏不见。）陷者举之，高者抑
之，浮越者镇坠之，脱者固之，散者收之，虚者补之，（痞满似难补，然由脾虚不行，正宜补脾
以复其健运之职，则浊气行而痞满自除。所谓塞因塞用也。）热者清之，寒者温之。其病在七情，非
药可愈者，以五志相胜。故悲可以治怒，以怆恻苦楚之言感之。喜可以治悲，
以谑浪亵狎之言娱之。恐可以治喜，以迫遽死亡之言怖之。怒可以治思，以污辱欺
罔之言触之。思可以治恐，以虑彼忘此之言夺之。又习可以治惊。（使之习见则不惊。）
逸可以治劳也。大约青皮疏肝，枳壳利膈，香附散郁，木香舒脾，浓朴散满，沉香
降逆，前胡下痰，柴胡升清，乌药、川芎、紫苏能散邪气从汗而解。槟榔、大腹皮
能使浊气下行，而去后重。莱菔子、苏子、杏仁下气润燥，肺气滞于大肠者宜之。
豆蔻、沉香、丁香、檀香辛热能散滞气，暴郁者宜之。郁久成火者忌用，须以姜炒
山栀子佐之。以上皆治有余气病。若兼痰火、兼积滞、兼血，各随症加减。调气用
木香，然性温上升，若阴火上冲胸、喉，似气滞而实非气者，用之反以助火，当
用黄柏、知母，少佐枳壳。气虚气滞，六君子汤加益智、苏梗。血虚气滞，四物汤
（见血）加香附、陈皮。肾阴虚气滞，六味地黄汤（见虚损）加沉香、石斛、砂仁。肾阳虚气
滞，四逆汤（见厥）加肉桂、补骨脂。肥人气滞必挟痰，二陈汤（见痰）加香附、枳壳，燥以
开之，甚者加苍术、白芥子。瘦人气滞必挟火，宜苏子、山栀、归、芍，降以润之。
妇人性执，易于动气，痞满胀痛，上凑心胸，或攻筑胁肋，腹中结块，月水不调，
或眩晕呕吐，往来寒热，正气天香散、四七汤酌用之。如气不升降，痰涎壅盛者，
苏子降气汤。气不归元，以补骨脂为主，取其壮肾，收浊气归就膀胱，使化而出也。
或白术亦可，以其能和胃，胃和则气自归元，此为脾肾两虚者立法也。若肺肾两虚，
气不归元，喘促不卧者，宜五味、胡桃、人参之类。气郁久则中气伤，不宜克伐，
宜归脾（见血）、逍遥（见郁）二方，佐抚芎、香附、枳壳以舒郁。胎产同法。木香流气饮，通
治一切气病，利三焦，通营卫，达内外，肿胀、喘嗽、痛疼皆效。分心气饮，治
七情气滞。苏子降气汤，治气上逆。补中益气汤，治气虚下陷。越鞠汤（见郁）治气郁中焦。
脉象长，说明气机调畅；脉象短，说明气机有病；脉象数（快），说明气分有热；脉象迟（慢），说明气分有寒；脉象大，说明阴液受损；脉象弦，说明气机郁滞；上部脉盛，说明气机上逆；下部脉盛，说明气机胀满；脉象涩，说明气机停滞；脉象微弱无力，说明气虚不足。凡是气机不舒展的，脉象必然沉伏。
对于结聚的病证，用消散的方法；对于郁滞的病证，用通达的方法；对于闭塞的病证，用开通的方法。（如果是气机闭塞导致无小便，或者两手脉搏伏匿不见的情况。）对于下陷的病证，用升举的方法；对于上逆的病证，用抑制的方法；对于浮越散乱的病证，用重镇降逆的方法；对于脱失的病证，用固摄的方法；对于散漫的病证，用收敛的方法；对于虚损的病证，用补益的方法。（痞满似乎难以补治，但如果是由脾虚运化无力引起的，正应当补脾以恢复其健运的功能，这样浊气得以运行，痞满自然消除。这就是所谓的“塞因塞用”法。）对于热证，用清热的方法；对于寒证，用温里的方法。
如果病根在于七情（喜、怒、忧、思、悲、恐、惊），非药物所能治愈的，采用五行相胜的情志疗法。所以悲伤可以治疗愤怒，用凄凉悲痛的话语来感动患者；喜悦可以治疗悲伤，用戏谑轻浮的话语来娱乐患者；恐惧可以治疗喜悦，用紧迫死亡的话语来惊吓患者；愤怒可以治疗思虑过度，用污辱欺骗的话语来触动患者；思虑可以治疗恐惧，用考虑其他事情的话语来转移患者的注意力。另外，习惯性的适应也可以治疗惊恐。（让患者习以为常就不惊恐了。）安逸可以治疗劳倦。
大致而言，青皮能疏肝理气，枳壳能宽胸利膈，香附能疏散郁结，木香能舒缓脾气，厚朴能消除胀满，沉香能降逆气，前胡能降痰，柴胡能升发清阳，乌药、川芎、紫苏能发散邪气从汗而解。槟榔、大腹皮能使浊气下行，从而消除里急后重感。莱菔子、苏子、杏仁能降气润燥，适用于肺气壅滞影响大肠的情况。豆蔻、沉香、丁香、檀香性味辛热，能消散滞气，适用于突然郁结的情况。但郁久化火者忌用，必须用姜炒的山栀子作为佐药。以上都是治疗气机有余（实证）的方法。如果兼夹痰火、积滞或血瘀，各随症状加减。调理气机常用木香，但其性温且上升，如果是阴火上冲至胸、喉，看似气滞实则非气滞者，使用木香反而助火，应当使用黄柏、知母，少量佐以枳壳。气虚兼气滞，用六君子汤加益智仁、苏梗。血虚兼气滞，用四物汤加香附、陈皮。肾阴虚兼气滞，用六味地黄汤加沉香、石斛、砂仁。肾阳虚兼气滞，用四逆汤加肉桂、补骨脂。肥胖之人气滞必夹带痰湿，用二陈汤加香附、枳壳，用燥湿的方法来开通它，严重的加苍术、白芥子。消瘦之人气滞必夹带火热，宜用苏子、山栀、当归、芍药，用降逆润燥的方法。妇女性格执拗，容易动气，出现痞满胀痛，气上冲心胸，或者攻窜胁肋，腹中结块，月经不调，或者眩晕呕吐，往来寒热，酌情使用正气天香散、四七汤。如果气机不升降，痰涎壅盛，用苏子降气汤。气不归元（肾不纳气），以补骨脂为主药，取其壮肾作用，使浊气归入膀胱，化为尿液排出。或者也可以用白术，因为它能和胃，胃气和顺则气自然归元，这是为脾肾两虚者设立的治疗法则。如果肺肾两虚，气不归元，喘促不能平卧，宜用五味子、胡桃肉、人参之类。气郁久了会损伤中气，不宜使用攻伐之法，宜用归脾汤、逍遥散两方，佐以抚芎、香附、枳壳以舒解郁结。孕妇和产妇的治疗原则相同。木香流气饮，通治一切气病，疏通三焦，调和营卫，通达内外，对肿胀、喘咳、疼痛都有效。分心气饮，治疗七情引起的气滞。苏子降气汤，治疗气机上逆。补中益气汤，治疗气虚下陷。越鞠丸，治疗气郁在中焦。
A long pulse indicates that Qi is regulating properly; a short pulse indicates Qi pathology; a rapid (Shu) pulse indicates Heat in Qi; a slow (Chi) pulse indicates Cold in Qi; a large pulse indicates damage to Yin fluids; a wiry (Xian) pulse indicates Qi stagnation; excess in the upper part indicates ascending Qi; excess in the lower part indicates abdominal distension; a choppy (Se) pulse indicates Qi stasis; a weak pulse indicates Qi deficiency; whenever Qi is not free and unobstructed, the pulse must be deep (Chen).
For knotted conditions, use dispersion; for stagnant conditions, use unblocking; for closed conditions, use opening; (Qi closure may present with no urination, or invisible pulses at both wrists.) For sinking conditions, use lifting; for ascending/rebellious conditions, use suppressing; for floating/scattering conditions, use heavy sedation; for collapsing conditions, use consolidation; for scattering conditions, use gathering; for deficient conditions, use tonification. (Although fullness/stuffiness seems difficult to treat with tonification, if it arises from Spleen deficiency failing to transport, one should indeed tonify the Spleen to restore its function of healthy transportation, so that turbid Qi moves and the stuffiness clears naturally. This is called "treating obstruction with obstruction" [Sai Yin Sai Yong].) For Heat conditions, use clearing; for Cold conditions, use warming. If the disease stems from the Seven Emotions (Seven Passions) and cannot be cured by herbs alone, utilize the principle of mutual overcoming among the Five Wills. Thus, grief can cure anger by moving him with words of sorrow and bitterness; joy can cure grief by entertaining him with playful and frivolous words; fear can cure joy by frightening him with words of imminent death; anger can cure overthinking by provoking him with words of insult and deception; overthinking can cure fear by distracting him with thoughts of other matters. Furthermore, habituation can cure fright (by making familiar sights common so as not to startle). Leisure can cure fatigue. Generally speaking, Qingpi (Green Citrus Peel) soothes the Liver; Zhike (Immature Bitter Orange) benefits the diaphragm; Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) disperses depression; Muxiang (Vladimiria Root) relaxes the Spleen; Houpo (Magnolia Bark) disperses fullness; Chenxiang (Agarwood) directs rebellious Qi downward; Qianhu (Peucedanum Root) descends phlegm; Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) raises clear Yang; Wuyao (Lindera Root), Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome), and Zisu (Perilla Leaf) can disperse pathogenic Qi through sweating; Binglang (Areca Seed) and Dafupi (Betel Nut Pericarp) cause turbid Qi to descend, relieving tenesmus; Laifuzi (Radish Seed), Suzi (Perilla Seed), and Xingren (Apricot Seed) descend Qi and moisten dryness, suitable for Lung Qi stagnation affecting the Large Intestine; Doukou (Cardamom), Chenxiang (Agarwood), Dingxiang (Clove), and Tanxiang (Sandalwood) are acrid and hot, capable of dispersing stagnant Qi, suitable for sudden depression. However, they are contraindicated when depression has transformed into Fire; instead, Jiangchao Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit stir-fried with ginger) should be added as an assistant. All the above treat Qi excess syndromes. If accompanied by Phlegm-Heat, food stagnation, or Blood stasis, modify according to symptoms. To regulate Qi, Muxiang is used, but its nature is warm and ascending; if Minion Fire rushes up to the chest and throat, resembling Qi stagnation but actually not being so, using it will instead aid Fire; one should use Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), with a little Zhike. For Qi deficiency with Qi stagnation, use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Yizhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) and Sugeng (Perilla Stem). For Blood deficiency with Qi stagnation, use Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) plus Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel). For Kidney Yin deficiency with Qi stagnation, use Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) plus Chenxiang (Agarwood), Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), and Sharen (Amomum Fruit). For Kidney Yang deficiency with Qi stagnation, use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) plus Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Buguzhi (Buckwheat Fruit). In obese individuals, Qi stagnation must involve Phlegm; use Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) plus Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Zhike (Immature Bitter Orange), drying to open it; in severe cases, add Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed). In thin individuals, Qi stagnation must involve Fire; use Suzi (Perilla Seed), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), and Shaoyao (Peony Root), descending and moistening to treat it. Women tend to be stubborn and prone to Qi disturbance, presenting with stuffiness, fullness, pain, Qi rushing to the heart and chest, or attacking the hypochondrium, masses in the abdomen, irregular menstruation, dizziness, vomiting, alternating chills and fever; use Zhengqi Tianxiang San (Righteous Qi Heavenly Fragrance Powder) or Siqi Tang (Four Emotions Decoction) as appropriate. If Qi does not ascend or descend, and saliva/phlegm is abundant, use Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Perilla Seed Descending Qi Decoction). If Qi fails to return to its origin (Kidney failing to grasp Qi), use Buguzhi (Buckwheat Fruit) as the main herb, leveraging its ability to strengthen the Kidney and gather turbid Qi into the Bladder for transformation and excretion. Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) can also be used because it harmonizes the Stomach; when the Stomach is harmonized, Qi naturally returns to its origin; this establishes treatment for Spleen-Kidney dual deficiency. If Lung-Kidney dual deficiency causes Qi to fail returning to origin, with panting and inability to lie flat, use Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), Hutaoren (Walnut Kernel), Renshen (Ginseng Root), etc. Long-term Qi depression damages Middle Qi; do not use attacking methods; instead, use Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) and Xiaoyao San (Free Wanderer Powder), assisted by Fuxiong (Borneo Camphor/Borneol), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Zhike (Immature Bitter Orange) to soothe depression. The method is the same for pregnancy and postpartum. Muxiang Liuqi Yin (Muxiang Flowing Qi Drink) treats all Qi diseases generally, unblocking the Triple Burner, harmonying Ying and Wei, reaching inside and out, effective for swelling, panting/cough, and pain. Fenxin Qi Yin (Divided Heart Qi Drink) treats Qi stagnation caused by the Seven Emotions. Suzi Jiangqi Tang treats rebellious Qi. Buzhong Yiqi Tang treats Qi deficiency with sinking. Yueju Tang treats Qi depression in the Middle Jiao.