All diseases manifest as symptoms (biao, superficial manifestations), but they must have a root (ben, fundamental cause). The "root" is the source that causes the disease. Generally, for any human disease, there is one symptom and necessarily one root that leads to that symptom. Therefore, in medical treatment, for every root, there is a prescription designed to eliminate that root. If one does not identify the root causing the symptom, the prescribed formula will certainly not address the condition. If one does not administer a formula appropriate to the condition, treating the disease will certainly fail to eliminate its root.

When attending to clinical cases, if one wishes to resolve doubts that other physicians cannot decide, one must examine internal and external causes and investigate the origin of the disease. If one wishes to hit the mark precisely in treating various symptoms, whether using direct treatment (zheng zhi) or contrary treatment (cong zhi), one must strive to ascertain the truth of the empirical formulas.

Therefore, I have compiled formulas for main symptoms and listed them following the section on tongue diagnosis.

Whenever the tongue appears cyanotic with a firm, contracted, and aged/coarse texture, it indicates an excess of pathogenic factors in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Xie Huo Qing Gan Yin (Fire-Draining Liver-Clearing Decoction) is the primary prescription.

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, stir-fried with wine), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, stir-fried with wine), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus, stir-fried with wine, each 1 qian), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix, soaked in wine, 3 qian), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, washed with wine, 2 qian), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian).

Note: The above formula primarily treats excess pathogens in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, resulting in hypochondriac pain, deafness, bitter taste in the mouth due to bile overflow, flaccidity of sinews, sweating in the genital area, swelling and pain in the genitals, white turbid discharge, and hematuria.

Whenever the tongue appears cyanotic with a puffy, tender, and delicate texture, it indicates a deficiency of essence and qi in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Zi Shui Sheng Gan Yin (Nourishing Water to Generate Liver Decoction) is the primary prescription.

Shu Di (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 4 qian), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 2 qian), Yu Rou (Corni Fructus, 2 qian), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex, 1.5 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 1.5 qian), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma, 1.5 qian), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus, 1 qian), Gui Shen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1.5 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 2.5 qian).

The above formula primarily treats dribbling and difficult urination, irregular menstruation in women, distension and stuffiness in both hypochondria, pain in the lower abdomen, alternating chills and fever, pain in the chest and breasts, a wiry and surging pulse at the left guan position, and a wiry and rapid pulse at the right guan position. This pathology arises from depression and anger injuring the Liver, leading to deficiency of Spleen blood and stagnation of qi. It uses Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with halved dosages, adding Chai Hu, Bai Zhu, Gan Cao, Dang Gui, and Wu Wei Zi. Combining Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) by removing Bai Shao and adding Wu Wei Zi implies integrating the intent of Du Qi Wan (All-Qi Pill) to nourish the Liver. Thus, Bai Shao is removed while Bai Zhu and Gan Cao are retained to tonify the Spleen. Tonifying the Spleen serves to generate Metal to control Wood. Using "control" as "generation" is the natural principle of heaven and earth.

Whenever the tongue appears cyanotic and dry, it belongs to yin deficiency and fire stagnation in the Gallbladder organ. Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) added with Sheng Di and Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) is the primary prescription.