典藏书目

The *Beimeng Suoyan* records: A young man suffered severely from vertigo and blurred vision, often seeing phantom images of mirrors. Physician Zhao Qing diagnosed him and said, "Tomorrow morning, I will serve you fish." At the appointed time, he was invited into an inner room to remain calm and stay hungry for a long period. Only after the guests had left was he allowed to eat. Soon, a bowl of mustard vinegar was placed on the table, with no other dishes. The young man, being very hungry, smelled the aroma of the mustard vinegar and drank it directly. After a short while, he drank it again, and suddenly felt his chest open up, and his blurred vision was cured. Dr. Zhao Qing said, "You ate too much fish (causing stagnation), so I deliberately deceived you by making you fast, thereby curing your illness." Ancient famous physicians, when treating diseases, would invariably investigate the root cause in detail, adapt flexibly according to the condition, employ ingenious strategies, and strive for certain efficacy. In recent times, some physicians with slight fame have shelved all books, considering themselves to possess the true transmission of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo. Such people harm patients significantly. When reflecting on oneself at midnight, can one not feel ashamed? Although I am old and dim-witted, I dare not take it lightly. Whenever I conduct a consultation, I must record the source of the disease upon returning and consult ancient texts; this is my caution.

Li Dongyuan stated: "At the high peak of the head, only wind-dispelling herbs can reach. Therefore, herbs with light flavors belong to 'Yang within Yin' and ascend from earth to heaven. Thus, headaches are generally treated with wind-dispelling herbs, speaking broadly. However, patients suffering from pain inevitably have stagnant blood, and wind-dispelling herbs are most capable of drying blood; hence, there are cases where treatment makes the condition worse. The key here lies particularly in nourishing blood, which must be carefully examined." One person traveled back and forth between Yanjing during the cold winter months, contracting wind-cold, and subsequently developed a headache that persisted for several months without healing. He took every kind of herb for treating wind-headache, yet the pain intensified, his body emaciated, and he came to my door leaning on a cane seeking prescription. I pondered that this syndrome was clearly caused by external pathogens, why did dispersing and resolving methods fail? As the saying goes, "To treat wind, first treat the blood; when blood circulates, wind extinguishes itself." Originally due to blood deficiency allowing wind-heat to invade, and now further depleted by continuous dispersion, how could it heal? Furthermore, it is heard that "pain indicates obstruction, unobstructed means no pain." Therefore, I used Danggui (Angelica sinensis) to generate and invigorate blood, and Mutong (Akebia quinata stem) to unblock orifices and collaterals, facilitating the action of Danggui. I asked him if he could drink alcohol; he replied, "Yes, and quite a lot." Recently advised by doctors to abstain, I therefore used a peck of wine, soaking these two herbs in it for three days and nights, then cooked them in a double boiler. He drank it hot until drunk, then lay down without a pillow. Upon waking, the pain had vanished. The reason for using wine was to desire the properties of the two herbs to ascend to the head. Drinking until drunk before lying down ensures that the intoxication permeates muscles and bones, allowing medicinal power to arrive. Lying down allows blood to return to its reservoir, calming the spirit. Those aspiring to save lives should extrapolate from this application, and their understanding will be more than half complete. For pain caused by fire stagnating in the upper part, the *Jingui Yaolue* states: "When fire excess prevails, people suffer from headaches, treated with cold agents," suitable for using Jiuhuangqin (Scutellariae Radix processed with wine) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum). Yet one must not rigidly adhere to this method. Another formula uses Danggui (Angelica sinensis) 2 qian, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome) 2 qian, Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) 2 qian, and Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 2 qian. Decoct in water until reduced to 60%, strain. Place Longnao Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba with borneol) 2 qian at the bottom of a bowl, pour the hot decoction over it, inhale the vapor, and drink when warm. Take it and lie down quietly; the effect is very rapid. However, this is also set for those with blood deficiency.

Headaches present differently across the Six Channels. For example, Taiyang headache extends to the vertex with stiffness in the neck and nape, and necessarily involves pain in the lower back and spine. Yangming headache is located in the forehead, necessarily accompanied by eye pain, constipation, and thirst. Shaoyang headache is at the temples, accompanied by bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, and vertigo. If there is phlegm-qiang congestion in the Taiyin and Shaoyin channels, preventing clear yang from ascending, the head will also hurt. Interference by the six exogenous pathogens, as well as the abundance or deficiency of blood and qi, can all cause pain.