【内伤筋挛之症】皮肤干揭,遍身燥痒,手足难于举动,渐至肌肉黑瘦,筋脉挛缩,此
肝经血少筋挛之症也。若两足拘紧不能伸,或左右换易作痛,渐至两臂皆缩,此阳明经湿热筋
【内伤筋挛之因】《内经》云,脉弗荣则筋急。又云∶肝主筋,肝气热,则筋膜干,筋
干,则筋急而挛。又云∶阳明主润宗筋,束骨而利机关,若湿热不攘,则大筋 短,而筋
【内伤筋挛之脉】左关细数,肝经血热。左关细涩,血海干枯。右关弦细,阳明血虚。
【内伤筋挛之治】肝经血热者,知柏四物汤。肝主风,血少风生者,补肝散,合钩藤
膏。血海干枯者,补阴丸。若阳明虚者,薏苡仁散,合金银藤膏。阳明湿热甚者,四味舒筋
知柏四物汤 治肝经血热筋挛。
知母 黄柏 当归 生地 川芎 白芍药。
补肝散
当归 白芍药 羌活 秦艽
钩藤膏
钩藤 当归 川芎 生地 白芍药
补阴丸 治肝经血枯筋挛
当归 生地 白芍药 丹皮 牛膝 木瓜 龟板 虎骨 羊肉为丸。
薏苡仁散 治肺热痿痹筋挛,兼治阳明湿气。
薏苡仁(一斤)
焙研末,水调服。
金银藤膏 治阳明经湿热筋挛。
金银藤(一斤) 秦艽(四两) 木瓜(四两) 苍术(四两) 黄柏(四两)
四味舒筋汤 治阳明经湿热筋挛。
秦艽 木瓜 苍术 黄柏
家秘清胃汤
升麻 川连 山栀 丹皮 生地 木通 甘草
水煎,以药汁磨生犀角冲服。
家秘舒筋丸
当归(二两) 白芍药(二两) 知母(二两) 黄柏(二两) 秦艽(四两) 木瓜(四两)
上六味研细末。
金银藤(二斤) 钩藤(一斤) 天门冬(六两) 怀生地(六两) 威灵仙(四两,酒浸) 何
首乌(四两,蒸)
上六味,水煎去渣,收浓膏,拌前末药,打为丸。
桢按∶《内经》论痿云,肺热叶焦,则生痿 ,心气热,则生脉痿,胫纵不能任地。
肝气热,则筋膜干,筋急而挛。脾气热,则胃干而渴,发为肉痿。肾气热,则腰脊不举,发
为骨痿。又核上文曰∶五脏因肺热相乘而发痿 ,痿皆主于大热,肺热者色白毛败,心
热者色赤脉溢,肝热者色苍爪枯,脾热者色黄而肉动,肾热者色黑齿槁。又总结上文治痿之
法曰,独取阳明。阳明者,五脏六腑之海,主润宗筋,主束骨而利机关。明明言阳明广纳水
谷,饮食热物,必先受之,五脏六腑皆禀气于胃,若肠胃有积热,则阳明受热,肺受火刑,
而成痿矣。原病式云∶手足痿软,非外中于风,乃内热而生,因肺热而血液干燥,不能
荣养百骸故也。子和云∶痿因肺热相乘于四脏,若作寒治,是杀之也。丹溪云∶治痿而得经
旨者,千古来惟河间一人。刘宗浓云∶痿症内经所论至详,奈后代方书,概多差谬,皆
因手足瘫痿,有似中风,足 难行,又似风痹。于是误以中风诸痹治之,遗祸至今。
桢按∶诸公之论,极为正当,但尚未发明内经论痿,以阳明积热相传于肺,治宜独取
阳明,
以澄其源,则不消烁血液,而主润宗筋,能束骨利机关。故下文核明曰∶阴阳总宗筋之会
,会于气冲,而阳明为之长,属于带脉,而络于督脉,阳明病,则宗筋热而纵,带脉不引而
足痿矣。此言膏粱积热,内伤成痿之症,必当独取阳明,而为治痿下手真诀。夫内经治
病独详于针灸,而针法则曰∶虚者当补,实者当取,今言独取阳明者,以痿症乃阳明实热致
病耳。然亦不特专务用药,即针取阳明,是亦一法也。再考生气通天论云∶因于湿,湿热不
攘,大筋软短,小筋弛张,此言痿挛之症,不独内伤,亦有外感于湿,若攘夺而去之,则湿
久变热,热久变燥,燥伤血液,亦成痿挛,申明湿热未变燥热,可用祛湿清热之法。若已成
痿挛,亦宜清热润燥,主润宗筋,若误投燥湿,则违悖主润宗筋之经旨。《内经》又云∶膏
粱之变,足生大疔。又有能食而渴,则发脑疽。又云∶土太过,令人四肢不举,此真膏粱积
热,非肝肾经虚,细按诸条,皆五脏生热发毒,手足不举,足 痿挛,皆因膏粱积热而起
,须要清肠胃之积热。然论禁忌燥热之药,即专用滋阴降火,亦非肝肾经虚,而不对病者也
。但清肠胃积热,不比他经。他经之热易清,膏粱积热,随清随起。若纵肆口腹,则饮酒焉
,酒热上熏于肺矣。浓味焉,膏粱积热矣,即盐从火化,咸味太多,亦能发渴发热。骆龙吉
云,药中肯綮,若不淡薄滋味,虽日进清热,而积热日生,一寒十暴,吾知其不能万全也。
夫膏粱积热,乃油腻荤腥之湿热,若见湿热下泻,则不生疔发毒。若湿热不得下泄,则壅肿
而发毒矣。若日久变燥,二便阻涩,则为土太过,手足不举矣。故清除积热,则二便如常。
脾胃清和,输化水谷,生精养血,主润宗筋而利机关。
【内伤筋挛的症状】皮肤干燥起屑,全身燥痒,手足难以活动,逐渐出现肌肉变黑消瘦,筋脉拘挛收缩,这是肝经血少导致的筋挛病症。如果两脚拘紧不能伸展,或者左右交替疼痛,逐渐发展到双臂都收缩,这是阳明经湿热导致的筋脉拘急。
【内伤筋挛的病因】《黄帝内经》说,经脉气血不荣养则筋脉紧急。又说:肝主司筋脉,若肝气有热,则筋膜干枯,筋膜干枯则筋脉紧急而拘挛。又说:阳明经主要滋润宗筋(汇聚于前阴的大筋),约束骨骼并利于关节运动,如果湿热之邪不去除,则大筋缩短,导致筋脉拘挛。
【内伤筋挛的脉象】左手关部脉细数,为肝经血热。左手关部脉细涩,为血海干枯。右手关部脉弦细,为阳明经血虚。
【内伤筋挛的治疗】属于肝经血热的,用知柏四物汤。肝主风,因血少而生风的,用补肝散,配合钩藤膏。血海干枯的,用补阴丸。若属阳明经虚弱的,用薏苡仁散,配合金银藤膏。阳明经湿热严重的,用四味舒筋汤。
知柏四物汤 治疗肝经血热引起的筋挛。
组成:知母、黄柏、当归、生地、川芎、白芍药。
补阴丸 治疗肝经血枯引起的筋挛
组成:当归、生地、白芍药、丹皮、牛膝、木瓜、龟板、虎骨,以羊肉为丸。
薏苡仁散 治疗肺热引起的痿痹筋挛,兼治阳明湿气。
组成:薏苡仁(一斤)
制法:焙干研成粉末,用水调服。
金银藤膏 治疗阳明经湿热引起的筋挛。
组成:金银藤(一斤)、秦艽(四两)、木瓜(四两)、苍术(四两)、黄柏(四两)。
四味舒筋汤 治疗阳明经湿热引起的筋挛。
组成:秦艽、木瓜、苍术、黄柏。
家秘清胃汤
组成:升麻、川连、山栀、丹皮、生地、木通、甘草。
用法:水煎煮,用药汁磨碎生犀角冲服。
家秘舒筋丸
组成:当归(二两)、白芍药(二两)、知母(二两)、黄柏(二两)、秦艽(四两)、木瓜(四两)。
制法:以上六味药研成细末。
另取:金银藤(二斤)、钩藤(一斤)、天门冬(六两)、怀生地(六两)、威灵仙(四两,酒浸)、何首乌(四两,蒸)。
制法:以上六味药,水煎去渣,浓缩成膏,拌入前面的药末,制成丸剂。
朱桢按语:《黄帝内经》论述痿证时说,肺热叶焦,则产生痿躄;心气热,则产生脉痿,小腿松弛无法站立。肝气热,则筋膜干枯,筋脉紧急而拘挛。脾气热,则胃干口渴,发为肉痿。肾气热,则腰脊不能抬起,发为骨痿。又考证上文说:五脏因肺热相乘而发为痿证,痿证多由大热引起,肺热者面色白毛发败坏,心热者面色赤血脉溢,肝热者面色青指甲枯槁,脾热者面色黄肌肉跳动,肾热者面色黑牙齿枯槁。又总结上文治疗痿证的方法说,唯独取法阳明经。阳明经是五脏六腑的海,主要滋润宗筋,约束骨骼并利于关节运动。明明说的是阳明经广泛接纳水谷,饮食中的热物,必先受其影响,五脏六腑都禀受胃气,如果肠胃有积热,则阳明受热,肺受火刑,而成痿证。《原病式》说:手足痿软,不是外感风邪,而是内热产生,因为肺热导致血液干燥,不能荣养百骸的缘故。张子和说:痿证因肺热相乘于四脏,如果当作寒证治疗,是害死病人啊。朱丹溪说:治疗痿证能得《内经》旨意的,千古以来只有河间一人。刘宗浓说:痿证在《内经》中论述得非常详细,无奈后代的方书,大多差错谬误,都是因为手足瘫痿,类似中风,足部行走困难,又像风痹。于是错误地用治疗中风诸痹的方法来治疗,遗留祸患至今。
朱桢按语:各位先生的论述,极为正当,但尚未阐明《内经》论痿,指出阳明积热相传于肺,治疗应当独取阳明,以澄清源头,这样就不会消烁血液,从而滋润宗筋,能够约束骨骼利于关节运动。所以下文考证明确说:阴阳总汇于宗筋,会合于气冲穴,而阳明经为之统领,归属于带脉,联络于督脉,阳明经发病,则宗筋热而松弛,带脉不能牵引而导致足痿。这是说膏粱厚味积热,内伤形成痿证的病症,必须当独取阳明,这是治疗痿证下手的关键秘诀。《内经》治病详细论述针灸,而针法原则说:虚证应当补益,实证应当泻取,现在说独取阳明,是因为痿证是阳明实热致病罢了。然而也不仅仅专门使用药物,即使针刺取阳明经,也是一种方法。再考察《生气通天论》说:因于湿,湿热之邪不去除,大筋软短,小筋弛张,这是说痿挛的病症,不仅有内伤,也有外感湿邪,如果能祛除它,则湿久变成热,热久变成燥,燥损伤血液,也成痿挛,申明湿热未变成燥热时,可用祛湿清热的方法。如果已成痿挛,也宜清热润燥,滋润宗筋,如果误投燥湿药,则违背了“主润宗筋”的经文旨意。《内经》又说:膏粱之变,足生大疔。又有能吃却口渴的,则发脑疽。又说:土气太过,令人四肢不能举动,这真是膏粱积热,不是肝肾经虚,仔细分析各条,都是五脏生热发毒,手足不能举动,足部痿挛,都是因为膏粱积热而起,需要清除肠胃的积热。然而讨论禁忌燥热之药,即专门使用滋阴降火药,也不是针对肝肾经虚,而不针对病情的。只是清除肠胃积热,不同于其他经络。其他经络的热容易清除,膏粱积热,随清随起。如果放纵口腹之欲,则饮酒,酒热上熏于肺了。浓味,膏粱积热了,即使盐从火化,咸味太多,也能引发口渴发热。骆龙吉说,药中肯綮,如果不淡薄滋味,虽然每天进服清热药,而积热日日滋生,一寒一暴,我知道不能万全。膏粱积热,乃是油腻荤腥的湿热,如果见湿热下泻,则不生疔疮发毒。如果湿热不得下泄,则壅肿而发毒了。如果日久变成燥,二便阻塞涩滞,则为土气太过,手足不能举动了。所以清除积热,则二便如常。脾胃清和,输布转化水谷,生成精血,滋润宗筋而利于关节运动。
[Symptoms of Internal Injury Tendon Spasm] The skin is dry and scaling, with generalized dry itching. The hands and feet are difficult to move. Gradually, the muscles become dark and emaciated, and the tendons and vessels contract and spasm. This is a condition of tendon spasm caused by blood deficiency in the Liver Meridian. If both legs are stiff and cannot extend, or if pain alternates between left and right, gradually progressing to contraction of both arms, this is tendon spasm caused by damp-heat in the Stomach (Yangming) Meridian.
[Etiology of Internal Injury Tendon Spasm] The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "When meridians do not nourish, tendons become tight." It also states: "The Liver governs the tendons. If Liver Qi is hot, the tendon membranes become dry; when dry, the tendons become tight and spasmodic." It further states: "The Yangming (Stomach) Meridian primarily moistens the Zongjin (major tendons), binds the bones, and facilitates joint movement. If damp-heat is not dispelled, the large tendons become short, leading to tendon spasm."
[Pulse Signs of Internal Injury Tendon Spasm] A fine and rapid pulse at the Left Guan position indicates Blood heat in the Liver Meridian. A fine and choppy pulse at the Left Guan position indicates dryness of the Sea of Blood. A wiry and fine pulse at the Right Guan position indicates Blood deficiency in the Yangming (Stomach) Meridian.
[Treatment of Internal Injury Tendon Spasm] For Liver Meridian Blood heat, use Zhi Bai Si Wu Tang (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Four Substances Decoction). Since the Liver governs Wind, and Wind arises from Blood deficiency, use Bu Gan San (Liver Tonifying Powder) combined with Gouteng Gao (Uncaria Paste). For dryness of the Sea of Blood, use Bu Yin Wan (Tonify Yin Pill). For Yangming deficiency, use Yiyi Ren San (Coix Seed Powder) combined with Jinyinteng Gao (Lonicera Vine Paste). For severe Yangming damp-heat, use Si Wei Shu Jin Tang (Four-Ingredient Tendons Relaxing Decoction).
Zhi Bai Si Wu Tang (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Four Substances Decoction): Treats tendon spasm due to Liver Meridian Blood heat.
Ingredients: Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba).
Bu Gan San (Liver Tonifying Powder)
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix).
Gouteng Gao (Uncaria Paste)
Ingredients: Gou Teng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba).
Bu Yin Wan (Tonify Yin Pill): Treats tendon spasm due to Liver Meridian Blood dryness.
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Gui Ban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Hu Gu (Ossis Tigris [Note: Substitute legally permitted materials]), prepared into pills with Lamb Meat (Agni Caro).
Yiyi Ren San (Coix Seed Powder): Treats Wei syndrome (flaccidity) and tendon spasm due to Lung Heat, and simultaneously treats Yangming dampness.
Ingredients: Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) (1 jin).
Preparation: Roasted, ground into powder, taken mixed with water.
Jinyinteng Gao (Lonicera Vine Paste): Treats tendon spasm due to Yangming Meridian damp-heat.
Ingredients: Jin Yin Teng (Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis) (1 jin), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) (4 liang), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) (4 liang), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) (4 liang), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) (4 liang).
Si Wei Shu Jin Tang (Four-Ingredient Tendons Relaxing Decoction): Treats tendon spasm due to Yangming Meridian damp-heat.
Ingredients: Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex).
Jia Mi Qing Wei Tang (Secret Formula for Clearing Stomach Heat)
Ingredients: Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chuan Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).
Usage: Decocted in water. Take the decoction to grind raw Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu [Note: Substitute legally permitted materials]) and ingest.
Jia Mi Shu Jin Wan (Secret Formula for Tendons Relaxing Pills)
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (2 liang), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (2 liang), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) (2 liang), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) (2 liang), Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) (4 liang), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) (4 liang).
Preparation: Grind the above six herbs into fine powder.
Additional Ingredients: Jin Yin Teng (Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis) (2 jin), Gou Teng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis) (1 jin), Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix) (6 liang), Huai Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) (6 liang), Wei Ling Xian (Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma) (4 liang, soaked in wine), He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) (4 liang, steamed).
Preparation: Decoct the above six herbs in water, remove dregs, reduce to a thick paste, mix with the previously prepared powder, and form into pills.
Commentary by Zhu Zhen: The *Huangdi Neijing* discusses Wei syndrome (flaccidity), stating: "If Lung heat scorches the leaves, Wei syndrome occurs. If Heart Qi is hot, Mai Wei (pulse flaccidity) occurs, with calves relaxed and unable to bear weight. If Liver Qi is hot, tendon membranes dry, causing tight and spasmodic tendons. If Spleen Qi is hot, the stomach becomes dry and thirsty, resulting in Rou Wei (muscle flaccidity). If Kidney Qi is hot, the waist and spine cannot lift, resulting in Gu Wei (bone flaccidity)." It further analyzes that: "All five zang organs develop Wei syndrome due to Lung heat overacting on them. Wei syndromes are primarily governed by excessive heat. Lung heat presents with white complexion and hair failure; Heart heat with red complexion and vessel overflow; Liver heat with green complexion and brittle nails; Spleen heat with yellow complexion and muscle twitching; Kidney heat with black complexion and brittle teeth." Regarding treatment, it summarizes: "Uniquely select the Yangming Meridian." The Yangming Meridian is the sea of the five zang and six fu organs, primarily moistening the Zongjin, binding the bones, and facilitating joint movement. Clearly, Yangming extensively accepts grain and water. Dietary heat substances first affect it. The five zang and six fu organs all receive Qi from the Stomach. If there is accumulated heat in the intestines and stomach, Yangming receives heat, and the Lung suffers fire punishment, resulting in Wei syndrome. The *Yuan Bing Shi* states: "Flaccidity of hands and feet is not due to external wind invasion, but arises from internal heat. Because Lung heat causes blood dryness, failing to nourish the hundred bones." Zhang Zihe said: "Wei syndrome arises from Lung heat overacting on the four zang organs. Treating it as cold is fatal." Zhu Danxi said: "Among those who treat Wei syndrome according to the *Neijing* principles, only Hejian has done so throughout history." Liu Zongnong said: "The discussion of Wei syndrome in the *Neijing* is very detailed. However, later medical texts are mostly erroneous because hand-foot paralysis resembles stroke, and difficulty walking resembles wind-bi. Thus, they mistakenly treat it with methods for stroke and bi syndromes, causing harm to this day."
Commentary by Zhu Zhen: The arguments of these masters are extremely correct, yet they have not fully elucidated the *Neijing*'s discussion on Wei syndrome, which points out that accumulated heat in Yangming transmits to the Lung. Treatment should uniquely select the Yangming Meridian to clear the source. This prevents the consumption of blood, thereby moistening the Zongjin, binding the bones, and facilitating joints. As stated later: "Yin and Yang converge at the Zongjin, meeting at Qichong, with Yangming as their leader, belonging to the Dai Meridian, and connecting to the Du Meridian. When Yangming disease occurs, Zongjin becomes hot and slack, and the Dai Meridian fails to pull, resulting in foot flaccidity." This describes how accumulated heat from rich foods causes internal injury leading to Wei syndrome. One must uniquely select Yangming; this is the true key to treating Wei syndrome. The *Neijing* details acupuncture for diseases, stating: "Deficiency requires tonification, excess requires draining." Now, saying "uniquely select Yangming" is because Wei syndrome is caused by Yangming excess heat. However, one should not rely solely on medication; acupuncture targeting Yangming is also a method. Furthermore, the *Shengqi Tongtian Lun* states: "Due to dampness, if damp-heat is not dispelled, large tendons become soft and short, small tendons become lax." This indicates that Wei and spasm syndromes involve not only internal injury but also external dampness invasion. If dispelled, long-standing dampness turns to heat, and long-standing heat turns to dryness. Dryness damages blood, also causing Wei and spasm. This clarifies that before damp-heat transforms into dry-heat, damp-clearing and heat-clearing methods can be used. If Wei and spasm are already established, heat-clearing and dryness-moistening methods should be used to moisten Zongjin. Misusing drying-dampness methods violates the principle of "moistening Zongjin." The *Neijing* also states: "Changes from rich foods often produce large carbuncles." Those who eat well but feel thirsty may develop brain carbuncles. It also states: "Excess Earth causes inability to move the limbs." This is truly accumulated heat from rich foods, not Liver-Kidney deficiency. Careful analysis shows that heat generated in the five zang organs produces toxins, leading to limb immobility and foot flaccidity/spasm, all arising from rich food accumulated heat. One must clear intestinal and stomach accumulated heat. Discussing contraindications for dry-heat drugs, even using yin-nourishing and fire-descending drugs is inappropriate if not targeting Liver-Kidney deficiency or the specific disease. Clearing gastrointestinal accumulated heat differs from other meridians. Heat in other meridians is easy to clear, but rich-food accumulated heat rises immediately after clearing. If one indulges in diet, drinking alcohol sends heat upward to the Lung. Strong flavors create rich-food accumulated heat. Even salt transforms via fire; excessive salty flavor can induce thirst and fever. Luo Longji said: "Even if medicine hits the mark, without bland diet, although daily heat-clearing herbs are taken, accumulated heat grows daily. Alternating cold and sudden heat, I know it cannot be completely successful." Rich-food accumulated heat is damp-heat from greasy and meaty foods. If damp-heat drains downward, carbuncles do not arise. If damp-heat cannot drain downward, it obstructs, swells, and produces toxins. If long-standing and transforming into dryness, with blocked urination and defecation, it becomes excess Earth, causing limb immobility. Therefore, clearing accumulated heat restores normal urination and defecation. When Spleen and Stomach are clear and harmonious, they transport and transform grain and water, generate essence and blood, moisten Zongjin, and facilitate joint movement.