典藏书目

Zhu Danxi stated: "Some individuals experience a sensation of qi resembling fire, rising from the soles of the feet and entering the abdomen; this indicates extreme deficiency. The fire originates from the depths of the 'nine springs' (metaphorically referring to the deepest levels), and for such conditions, fewer than one in ten can be saved."

The treatment method involves administering Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with added heat-clearing and fire-reducing herbs, while externally applying Fuzi powder (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) mixed with saliva to Yongquan (KI 1, Spring Under the Foot) acupoint to guide the fire downward. Yu Tianmin said: "If this syndrome indeed belongs to individuals suffering from consumptive weakness (Laoqie), it should certainly be treated according to Yin deficiency patterns; however, if robust and strong individuals present with this, it is a manifestation of dampness stagnation transforming into heat." I once walked barefoot in the rain with wet clothes and contracted this syndrome. I treated it by taking pills made of Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), along with Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and was cured. Subsequently, treating several other patients yielded similar efficacy. Misdiagnosing this as Yin deficiency would lead to Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome) and death.

I have privately observed that since beginning clinical practice, I frequently encounter patients suffering from Cold-Damp syndromes, manifesting as pain in bones and tendons, heaviness and weakness in the four limbs, cough, and asthma. These patients often describe a sensation of hot qi rushing upward from the umbilicus, circling the back and entering the heart; or they report hot qi rising from the soles of the feet to the lower abdomen; or ascending to the thighs (Bi) and entering the spine; some even feel it rising directly to the head and face. None fail to consider themselves to have internal heat and request cooling, moistening, and Yin-nourishing prescriptions. I generally disregard these complaints and treat strictly according to the root pattern of Cold-Damp, adding Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Gaoben (Ligustici Chuanxiongzhong Rhizoma), Weilingxian (Clematidis Radix), and Sheng Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix). For cases where heat rises from the soles of the feet, I add Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) and Yiren (Coicis Semen), assisted by Huoshipu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Qiancao (Rubiae Cordifoliae Radix), Yujin (Curcumae Longae Radix), Jianghuang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma), Jiangxiang (Sappan Lignum), Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma), and Ezhu (Curcumae Zedoariae Rhizoma) to promote blood circulation. Even in cases of hemoptysis and coughing with asthma, which resemble consumptive weakness, I apply this method with appropriate modifications, achieving consistent success. Thus, it is evident that this syndrome is fundamentally caused by Cold-Damp filling the meridians, preventing Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) from circulating freely, causing it to erroneously enter the vessels; or it is suppressed in the interstitial spaces between the skin and fascia, rotating with the Great Qi (Da Qi) that ascends on the left and descends on the right. The subjective sensation of intense heat arises because long-term stagnation here generates excessive heat properties, and also because the abundance of Cold-Damp in the body reduces True Yang (Zhen Yang), making the heat feel more pronounced by contrast.

Regarding heat rushing up from the umbilicus: the umbilicus corresponds to the Small Intestine region. Food and drink must enter the Small Intestine before they can transform into Essence-Qi to circulate within the vessels, and into Fierce Qi (Han Qi) to circulate outside the vessels. Both the respiratory tract and vascular system ascend from the Small Intestine to the Heart and Lungs, connecting internally with the Zang-Fu organs and distributing externally throughout the body. Now, when Cold pathogens lodge outside the Small Intestine's vessels, blocking the Xu Fu (pores and microscopic openings), the newly generated heat from digested food cannot distribute evenly among the Triple Burner (San Jiao) and the Five Meridians. Instead, it surges into the vessels, resulting in a sensation of excessive heat. Therefore, the onset of this heat usually occurs long after meals or during the early morning when Yang Qi rises, unlike Yin Deficiency with Yang Hyperactivity, which typically manifests in the late afternoon. Patients often experience chest stuffiness and aversion to cold/weakness in the limbs, differing from the restlessness and floating spirit seen in Yin Deficiency with Yang Hyperactivity.

Previous experts discussing this condition attributed it to Yin Deficiency with Yang Hyperactivity (Zhu Danxi's school) or sinking of Yang Qi (Li Dongyuan's school). None identified it as Cold-Damp. Yet, reviewing my lifetime of treatments, every case proved to be Cold-Damp. I harbored deep doubts about this for a long time. It was only upon encountering Yu's theory that I felt a profound sense of relief. His statement that "multiple treatments were effective" proves to be truthful and not misleading.