藜（一钱五分） 水煎服。连服四剂而目痛之疾自除，再服四剂而羞明喜暗之病去。
四物汤补血，补肝中之血也，补肝而胆在其中矣。且四物汤尤入心肾，心得之而
濡，不来助胆之火；肾得之而泽，不来盗胆之气。心肝肾全无干燥之虞，而胆岂独
燥乎？所以服之而奏功也。
此症用甘风丹荆汤亦效。
丹皮（一两） 防风（五分） 荆芥（五分） 甘菊花（五钱） 水煎服。
人有双目不痛，瞳神日加紧小，口干舌苦，人以为心火之旺也，谁知是心包之
干燥乎。夫目之系通于五脏，不止心包之一经也。瞳神之光，心肾之光也；心肾之
光，心肾之精也。然而心之精，必得肾之精，交于心包，而后心肾之精始得上交于
目。盖心君无为，而心包有为也。所以心包属火，全恃肾水之滋益。肾不交于心包，即
心包不交于心，火无水济，则心包无非火气，干燥之极，何能内润心而外润目乎？
然则瞳神之紧小，皆心包之无水，由于肾水之干枯也。补肾以滋心包，乌可缓哉。
方用救瞳汤∶
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 甘菊花（三钱） 玄参（一两） 柴胡（五分） 白芍（一两）
当归（五钱） 山药（三钱） 丹皮（五钱） 水煎服。
此方乃肝肾同治之法也，心包无水，不治心包而滋肝肾者，以肝乃心包之母也。
肝取给于外家，以大益其子舍，势甚便而理甚顺，紧急之形，不化为宽大之象哉。
此症用菊女饮亦效。
女贞子（一两） 甘菊花（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 水煎服。
人有秋后闭结不能大便，此燥伤肺金，而大肠亦燥，非大肠之火也。盖肺与大
肠相为表里，肺燥而大肠不能独润。且大肠之能开能阖者，肾气主之也。肾足而大
肠有津，肾涸而大肠无泽。是大肠之不燥，全藉乎肾水之相资也。然肾水不能自生，
肺金乃肾之母，肺润则易于生水，肺衰则难于生水，肾水无源，救肾不暇，何能顾
大肠哉。治法惟补肺肾，而大肠自润矣。方用六味地黄汤加味治之。
熟地（一两） 山药（三钱） 山茱萸（四钱） 茯苓（三钱） 丹皮（三钱） 泽泻（三钱）
麦冬（一两） 北五味（一钱） 水煎服。连服四剂自通。
切戒用大黄、芒硝以开结也。盖此病本伤阴之症，又加劫阴之药，重伤其阴，
必成为阳结之症，使腹中作痛，百计导之而不得出，不更可危哉。何若大补其肺肾
之阴，使阴足而阳自化之为得耶。
此症用冬归汤亦效。
麦冬 当归（各二两） 水煎服。
人有夏秋之间，小便不通，点滴不出，人以为膀胱之热结，谁知是肺燥而膀胱
亦燥乎。夫膀胱之能通者，由于肾气之足，亦由于肺气之足也。膀胱与肾为表里，
而肺为水道之上游，二经足而水有源流，二经虚而水多阻滞。况干燥之至，既亏清
肃之行，复少化生之气，膀胱之中纯是干枯之象，从何处以导其细流哉。此小便之
不通，实无水之可化也。治法不可徒润膀胱，而亟当润肺；尤不可徒润夫肺，尤当
大补夫肾。肾水足而膀胱自然滂沛，何虞于燥结哉。方用启结生阴汤∶
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 车前子（三钱） 薏仁（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 益智仁（一钱）
肉桂（一分） 沙
参（三钱） 山药（四钱） 水煎服。
此方补肾而仍补肺者，滋其生水之源也。补中而仍用通法者，水得补而无停滞
之苦，则水通而益收补之利也。加益智以防其遗，加肉桂以引其路。滂沛之水自然
直趋膀胱，燥者不燥，而闭者不闭矣。
此症用柏桂生麦汤亦效。
麦冬（一两） 黄柏（三钱） 生地（五钱） 肉桂（三分） 水煎服。
人有消渴饮水，时而渴甚，时而渴轻，人以为心肾二火之沸腾，谁知是三焦之
气燥乎。夫消症有上、中、下之分，其实皆三焦之火炽也。下焦火动，而上、中二
焦之火翕然相从，故尔渴甚。迨下焦火息，而中、上二焦之火浮游不定，故又时而
渴轻。三焦同是一火，何悉听于下焦之令？盖下焦之火，一发而不可遏，故下焦之
火，宜静而不宜动，又易动而难静也。必得肾中之水以相制，肾旺而水静，肾虚而水
动矣。天下安有肾足之人哉，肾水虚而取资于水者又多也。水亏奚能制火乎？火动
必烁干三焦之气，则三焦更燥，势必仰望于外水之相救，以迅止其大渴也。欲解三
焦之渴，舍补肾水何法哉。方用六味地黄汤加味治之。
熟地（二两） 山茱萸（一两） 茯苓（五钱） 山药（五钱） 丹皮（一两） 泽泻（五钱） 麦冬（一两）
北五味子（二钱） 水煎服。十剂渴轻，二十剂渴解，三十剂全愈。
六味治肾，更加麦冬、五味以治肺者，非止清肺金之火也。盖补肺以助肾水之
源，肺旺而肾更有生气矣。肾水旺，足以制下焦之火，下焦之火不动，而上中二焦
之火乌能兴焰哉。
此症用二丹汤亦妙。
丹皮 丹参 玄参（各五钱） 茯苓 柏子仁（各三钱） 水煎服。
人有大病之后，小肠细小不能出溺，胀甚欲死，人以为小肠之火，谁知是小肠
之干燥哉。夫小肠之开阖，非小肠主之也。半由于膀胱，半由于肾气，故小肠之结，
全在膀胱之闭，而膀胱之闭，又成于肾气之闭也。盖肾水竭而膀胱枯，故小肠亦燥
而成结耳。治法必须大补肾中之水，而补水又必补肺金之气，以膀胱之气化，必得
肺金清肃之令以行之也。肺气旺而水流，而后助之利水之药，则肾气开而小肠亦开
也。方用治本消水汤∶
熟地（二两） 山茱萸（一两） 麦冬（一两） 车前子（五钱） 五味子（二钱）
茯苓（五钱） 牛膝（三钱） 刘
寄奴（三钱） 水煎服。一剂水通，再剂肠宽，小便如注矣。
此方不治小肠，专治肺肾，肺肾不燥，小肠之燥自润矣。
此症用广泽汤亦效。
麦冬（二两） 生地（一两） 车前子 刘寄奴（各三钱） 水煎服。
（藜一钱五分，）水煎服。连续服用四剂后，眼痛之症自然消除；再服用四剂，畏光喜暗之病也随之去除。
四物汤用于补血，是补益肝脏中的血液，补肝则胆的功能也包含在内了。况且四物汤特别能入心经和肾经，心得到它而得到濡润，就不会去助长胆的火气；肾得到它而得到滋润，就不会去盗取胆的气机。心、肝、肾完全没有干燥的忧虑，那么胆难道会单独干燥吗？所以服用此方能够奏效。
这种病症使用甘风丹荆汤也有效。
丹皮（一两） 防风（五分） 荆芥（五分） 甘菊花（五钱），水煎服。
有人双眼不痛，但瞳孔日渐缩小，口干舌苦，人们认为是心火旺盛，谁知道这是心包络干燥呢。眼睛的脉络连通五脏，不仅仅只与心包络这一条经络有关。瞳孔的神采，源于心和肾的光华；心和肾的光华，源自心和肾的精气。然而心的精气，必须得到肾精气的交合传入心包络，然后心和肾的精气才能上交于目。大概是因为心君（心）处于无为的状态，而心包络处于有为的状态。所以心包络属火，完全依赖肾水的滋益。如果肾气不能交于心包络，即心包络不能交于心，火没有水来济助，那么心包络就全是火气，极度干燥，怎么能内润心脏、外润眼睛呢？
既然这样，瞳孔的紧缩变小，都是由于心包络缺水，根源在于肾水干枯。补肾以滋助心包络，怎么可以迟缓呢。
方剂用救瞳汤：
熟地黄（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 甘菊花（三钱） 玄参（一两） 柴胡（五分） 白芍（一两） 当归（五钱） 山药（三钱） 牡丹皮（五钱），水煎服。
这个方子是肝肾同治的方法，心包络无水，不直接治疗心包络而是滋补肾肝，因为肝是心包络的母亲。肝从外部获取资源，以大大增益其子脏（心包络），形势非常便利且道理非常顺畅，紧急收缩的形态，能不转化为宽舒舒展的景象吗？
这种病症使用菊女饮也有效。
女贞子（一两） 甘菊花（五钱） 麦冬（五钱），水煎服。
有人在秋季之后大便闭塞不通，这是燥邪损伤肺金，导致大肠也干燥，并非大肠有实火。大概因为肺与大肠互为表里，肺干燥则大肠不能独自保持润泽。而且大肠之所以能开能阖，是由肾气主司的。肾气充足则大肠有津液，肾气枯竭则大肠无光泽。是大肠的不干燥，完全依赖于肾水的资助。然而肾水不能自行产生，肺金是肾之母，肺滋润则容易生水，肺衰弱则难以生水，肾水没有源头，救助肾脏都来不及，哪里还能顾及大肠呢。治疗方法只有补益肺肾，大肠自然就会润泽。方剂用六味地黄汤加味治疗。
熟地黄（一两） 山药（三钱） 山茱萸（四钱） 茯苓（三钱） 牡丹皮（三钱） 泽泻（三钱） 麦冬（一两） 北五味子（一钱），水煎服。连续服用四剂后自然通畅。
切记禁止使用大黄、芒硝来攻下通便。因为这个病本是伤阴的病症，如果再加上劫夺阴液的药物，会严重重伤阴液，必然演变为阳结之症，使腹中疼痛，千方百计导引却排不出来，不是更加危险吗？哪里比得上大补肺肾之阴，使阴液充足而阳气自然化解来得妥当呢。
有人在夏秋之间小便不通，点滴不出，人们认为是膀胱热结，谁知道是肺干燥而导致膀胱也干燥呢。膀胱之所以能通利，是由于肾气充足，也是由于肺气充足。膀胱与肾互为表里，而肺是水道的上游，这两经充足则水有源流，这两经虚弱则水多阻滞。何况干燥到了极点，既亏损了清肃的功能，又缺少化生的气机，膀胱之中完全是干枯的景象，从哪里来引导那细微的水流呢。这小便不通，实在是因为没有水可化。治疗方法不可仅仅滋润膀胱，而应当急切地润肺；尤其不可仅仅润肺，更应当大补肾。肾水充足则膀胱自然充沛，何必担忧燥结呢。方剂用启结生阴汤：
熟地黄（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 车前子（三钱） 薏苡仁（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 益智仁（一钱） 肉桂（一分） 沙参（三钱） 山药（四钱），水煎服。
这个方子补肾的同时仍补肺，是为了滋长生水的源头。在补益中仍使用通利的方法，是因为水得到补益而没有停滞的苦恼，那么水通利就能更好地收摄补益的功效。加入益智仁以防遗尿，加入肉桂以引导药路。充沛的水自然直趋膀胱，干燥的不再干燥，闭阻的不再闭阻了。
这种病症使用柏桂生麦汤也有效。
麦冬（一两） 黄柏（三钱） 生地黄（五钱） 肉桂（三分），水煎服。
有人患消渴症饮水，有时口渴严重，有时口渴轻微，人们认为是心肾二火沸腾，谁知道是三焦之气干燥呢。消渴症有上、中、下三焦之分，其实都是三焦之火炽盛。下焦火动，而上、中二焦的火随之翕然相从，所以口渴严重。等到下焦火息，而中、上二焦的火浮游不定，所以有时口渴轻微。三焦同是一火，为何全听命于下焦的号令？大概下焦之火，一发便不可遏制，所以下焦之火，宜静不宜动，又易动难静。必须得到肾中的水来制约，肾旺则水静，肾虚则水动。天下哪有肾气充足的人呢，肾水虚而需要汲取水源的情况又多。水亏怎能制火呢？火动必定烧干三焦之气，则三焦更加干燥，势必仰望外来的水来救助，以迅速止住大渴。想要解除三焦的渴，除了补肾水还有什么办法呢。方剂用六味地黄汤加味治疗。
熟地黄（二两） 山茱萸（一两） 茯苓（五钱） 山药（五钱） 牡丹皮（一两） 泽泻（五钱） 麦冬（一两） 北五味子（二钱），水煎服。十剂后口渴减轻，二十剂后渴解，三十剂后痊愈。
六味地黄丸治肾，再加麦冬、五味子治肺，不仅仅是为了清肺金之火。大概补肺是为了助长肾水的源头，肺旺则肾更有生气。肾水旺盛，足以制约下焦之火，下焦之火不动，那么上中二焦的火怎么能兴风作浪呢。
这种病症使用二丹汤也很奇妙。
牡丹皮、丹参、玄参（各五钱） 茯苓、柏子仁（各三钱），水煎服。
有人在大病之后，小肠细小导致无法排尿，胀满难受欲死，人们认为是小肠有火，谁知道是小肠干燥呢。小肠的开阖，并不是由小肠自己主司的。一半取决于膀胱，一半取决于肾气，所以小肠的结滞，全在于膀胱的闭阻，而膀胱的闭阻，又形成于肾气的闭阻。大概肾水枯竭而膀胱枯槁，所以小肠也干燥而成结滞。治疗方法必须大补肾中之水，而补水又必须补肺金之气，因为膀胱的气化功能，必须得到肺金清肃的指令来推行。肺气旺盛则水流，然后再辅助以利水的药物，则肾气开启而小肠也开启。方剂用治本消水汤：
熟地黄（二两） 山茱萸（一两） 麦冬（一两） 车前子（五钱） 五味子（二钱） 茯苓（五钱） 牛膝（三钱） 刘寄奴（三钱），水煎服。一剂后水通，再剂后肠宽，小便如注般流出。
(Li [Tribulus terrestris] 1.5 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. After taking it for four consecutive doses, the eye pain naturally subsides; after another four doses, the aversion to light and preference for darkness also disappear.)
Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is used to nourish blood, specifically replenishing the blood within the Liver. By nourishing the Liver, the Gallbladder is included as well. Moreover, Siwu Tang particularly enters the Heart and Kidney meridians. When the Heart receives it, it becomes moistened and does not assist the fire of the Gallbladder; when the Kidney receives it, it becomes lubricated and does not steal the qi of the Gallbladder. With no risk of dryness in the Heart, Liver, and Kidney, how could the Gallbladder be dry alone? Thus, taking this formula achieves its effect.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Ganfeng Danjing Tang (Ganfeng Danching Decoction).
Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) 1 liang, Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 5 fen, Jingjie (Herba Schizonepetae) 5 fen, Ganjuhua (Flos Chrysanthemi) 5 qian. Decoct in water and take orally.
Some people have eyes that do not hurt, but their pupils gradually become smaller, accompanied by a dry mouth and bitter taste. People assume this is due to excessive Heart Fire, but who would know it is actually dryness of the Pericardium (Xinbao)? The vessels of the eyes connect to the five Zang organs, not just the Pericardium meridian. The brilliance of the pupil stems from the light of the Heart and Kidney; the light of the Heart and Kidney originates from their essence. However, the essence of the Heart must receive the essence of the Kidney, which intersects with the Pericardium, before the essence of the Heart and Kidney can ascend to the eyes. This is because the Heart Monarch (Heart) acts in non-action (Wuwei), while the Pericardium acts in action (Youwei). Therefore, the Pericardium belongs to Fire and relies entirely on the nourishment of Kidney Water. If Kidney Qi does not intersect with the Pericardium, i.e., the Pericardium does not intersect with the Heart, Fire without Water to balance it means the Pericardium consists solely of Fire Qi. Extremely dry, how can it internally moisten the Heart and externally moisten the eyes?
Thus, the constriction and smallness of the pupil are all due to the lack of water in the Pericardium, stemming from the dryness of Kidney Water. To tonify the Kidney to nourish the Pericardium, how can one delay?
The formula used is Jiutong Tang (Jiutong Decoction):
Shudi (Prepared Rhizoma Rehmanniae) 1 liang, Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni) 5 qian, Ganjuhua (Flos Chrysanthemi) 3 qian, Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae) 1 liang, Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri) 5 fen, Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 1 liang, Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 5 qian, Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 3 qian, Danpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) 5 qian. Decoct in water and take orally.
This formula employs the method of treating the Liver and Kidney simultaneously. Since there is no water in the Pericardium, instead of directly treating the Pericardium, we nourish the Liver and Kidney because the Liver is the mother of the Pericardium. The Liver draws resources from the exterior to greatly benefit its "son" organ (the Pericardium); this approach is convenient and logically sound. Will not the tense, constricted state transform into a relaxed, expanded appearance?
This condition can also be effectively treated with Jünu Yin (Chrysanthemum and Ligustrum Drink).
Nvzhenzi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi) 1 liang, Ganjuhua (Flos Chrysanthemi) 5 qian, Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 5 qian. Decoct in water and take orally.
Some people experience constipation after autumn, unable to defecate. This is dryness injuring Lung Metal, causing the Large Intestine to also become dry, not due to Fire in the Large Intestine. Since the Lung and Large Intestine are interior-exterior partners, if the Lung is dry, the Large Intestine cannot remain moist alone. Furthermore, the opening and closing of the Large Intestine are governed by Kidney Qi. When Kidney Qi is sufficient, the Large Intestine has fluids; when Kidney Qi is depleted, the Large Intestine lacks luster. The non-dryness of the Large Intestine fully depends on the assistance of Kidney Water. However, Kidney Water cannot generate itself; Lung Metal is the mother of the Kidney. If the Lung is moist, it easily generates water; if the Lung is weak, it struggles to generate water. If Kidney Water has no source, saving the Kidney is urgent enough, let alone attending to the Large Intestine. The treatment method is to tonify the Lung and Kidney, and the Large Intestine will naturally become moist. The formula used is Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with modifications.
Shudi (Prepared Rhizoma Rehmanniae) 1 liang, Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 3 qian, Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni) 4 qian, Fuling (Poria) 3 qian, Danpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) 3 qian, Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 3 qian, Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 1 liang, Bei Wuwei (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. After taking it for four consecutive doses, bowel movement will naturally resume.
Strictly avoid using Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) to purge accumulation. This disease is fundamentally a Yin-injuring condition; adding drugs that plunder Yin will severely injure Yin further, inevitably transforming into Yang Constipation (Yang Jie), causing abdominal pain. Despite myriad attempts to guide the stool out, if it cannot be expelled, is this not even more dangerous? Why not greatly tonify the Yin of the Lung and Kidney, allowing sufficient Yin to naturally resolve Yang?
This condition can also be effectively treated with Donggui Tang (Donggui Decoction).
Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) (2 liang each). Decoct in water and take orally.
Some people experience urinary retention between summer and autumn, with no drops passing. People assume this is Heat Stagnation in the Bladder, but who would know it is Dryness in the Lung causing Dryness in the Bladder? The patency of the Bladder depends on sufficient Kidney Qi and sufficient Lung Qi. The Bladder and Kidney are interior-exterior partners, while the Lung is the upper source of water passages. When these two meridians are sufficient, water has a source and flow; when they are deficient, water stagnates. Moreover, extreme dryness depletes the clear descending function and reduces the transformative Qi. The Bladder is purely dry and parched; from where can the fine stream be guided? This urinary retention is truly due to a lack of water to transform. The treatment should not merely moisten the Bladder, but urgently moisten the Lung; furthermore, one should not merely moisten the Lung, but greatly tonify the Kidney. When Kidney Water is sufficient, the Bladder naturally becomes abundant; why worry about dryness and stagnation? The formula used is Qijie Shengyin Tang (Qijie Shengyin Decoction):
Shudi (Prepared Rhizoma Rehmanniae) 1 liang, Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni) 5 qian, Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis) 3 qian, Yiren (Semen Coicis) 5 qian, Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 5 qian, Yizhiren (Semen Alpiniae Oxyphyllae) 1 qian, Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 1 fen, Shashen (Radix Glehniae seu Adenophorae) 3 qian, Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 4 qian. Decoct in water and take orally.
This formula tonifies the Kidney while still tonifying the Lung, to nourish the source of water generation. It uses unblocking methods within tonification so that when water is tonified, it does not suffer from stagnation; thus, water flows freely, maximizing the benefits of tonification. Yi Zhiren is added to prevent enuresis, and Rougui is added to guide the path. Abundant water naturally flows straight to the Bladder; the dry becomes moist, and the blocked becomes unblocked.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Baigui Shengmai Tang (Baigui Shengmai Decoction).
Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 1 liang, Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri) 3 qian, Shengdi (Rhizoma Rehmanniae Recens) 5 qian, Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 3 fen. Decoct in water and take orally.
Some people suffer from Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and drink water, sometimes feeling extremely thirsty, sometimes mildly thirsty. People assume this is boiling Heart and Kidney Fire, but who would know it is Dryness of San Jiao Qi? Xiao Ke is divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, but essentially, it is all excessive Fire in the San Jiao. When Fire moves in the Lower Jiao, the Fire in the Upper and Middle Jiao follows suit, causing severe thirst. When Fire subsides in the Lower Jiao, the Fire in the Middle and Upper Jiao wanders uncertainly, causing mild thirst. The San Jiao shares one Fire; why should it all obey the commands of the Lower Jiao? The Fire of the Lower Jiao, once ignited, is unstoppable. Therefore, the Fire of the Lower Jiao should be calm rather than active, yet it is prone to movement and hard to calm. It requires Water from the Kidney to control it: when the Kidney is robust, Water is calm; when the Kidney is deficient, Water moves. How many people in the world have robust Kidneys? There are many cases of Kidney Water deficiency requiring supplementation. How can deficient Water control Fire? Active Fire scorches and dries San Jiao Qi, making the San Jiao even drier. It inevitably looks outward for water rescue to rapidly stop the great thirst. To relieve the thirst of the San Jiao, what method other than tonifying Kidney Water exists? The formula used is Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with modifications.
Shudi (Prepared Rhizoma Rehmanniae) 2 liang, Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni) 1 liang, Fuling (Poria) 5 qian, Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 5 qian, Danpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) 1 liang, Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 5 qian, Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 1 liang, Bei Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 2 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. After ten doses, thirst lessens; after twenty doses, thirst resolves; after thirty doses, full recovery occurs.
Liuwei Dihuang Wan treats the Kidney; adding Maidong and Wuweizi treats the Lung. This is not merely to clear Lung Metal Fire. Tonifying the Lung aids the source of Kidney Water; when the Lung is robust, the Kidney gains vitality. Robust Kidney Water is sufficient to control Lower Jiao Fire; if Lower Jiao Fire does not move, how can Upper and Middle Jiao Fire flare up?
This condition is also excellently treated with Erdan Tang (Erdan Decoction).
Danpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis), Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae) (5 qian each), Fuling (Poria), Baiziren (Semen Platycladi) (3 qian each). Decoct in water and take orally.
After a major illness, some people find their Small Intestine narrowed, unable to pass urine, with severe distension threatening death. People assume it is Fire in the Small Intestine, but who would know it is Dryness of the Small Intestine? The opening and closing of the Small Intestine are not controlled by the Small Intestine itself. Half depends on the Bladder, half on Kidney Qi. Thus, blockage in the Small Intestine lies entirely in the closure of the Bladder, and closure of the Bladder results from the closure of Kidney Qi. When Kidney Water is exhausted and the Bladder is withered, the Small Intestine also becomes dry and blocked. The treatment must greatly tonify Water in the Kidney, and tonifying Water must include tonifying Lung Metal Qi, because the Qi transformation of the Bladder requires the clear descending command of Lung Metal to execute. When Lung Qi is robust, water flows; then, assisting with diuretic herbs allows Kidney Qi to open and the Small Intestine to open. The formula used is Zhiben Xiaoshui Tang (Zhiben Xiaoshui Decoction):
Shudi (Prepared Rhizoma Rehmanniae) 2 liang, Shanzhuyu (Fructus Corni) 1 liang, Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 1 liang, Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis) 5 qian, Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 2 qian, Fuling (Poria) 5 qian, Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) 3 qian, Liu Jinu (Herba Lysimachiae) 3 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, water flows; after two doses, the intestine relaxes, and urine pours forth.
This formula does not directly treat the Small Intestine but focuses on the Lung and Kidney. If the Lung and Kidney are not dry, the dryness of the Small Intestine naturally moistens.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Guangze Tang (Guangze Decoction).
Maidong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 2 liang, Shengdi (Rhizoma Rehmanniae Recens) 1 liang, Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis), Liu Jinu (Herba Lysimachiae) (3 qian each). Decoct in water and take orally.