典藏书目

Treats fatigue and exhaustion caused by labor injury, with various deficiency syndromes arising in succession, such as fever and thirst, sore throat and cracked tongue, mental confusion, dizziness and blurred vision, insomnia (sleeplessness), and indigestion.

Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, stir-fried with soil), Huangqi (Astragali Radix, honey-roasted), Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, wine-stir-fried, each 2 qian), Fuling (Poria, 1 qian), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1.5 qian), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma, stir-fried, each 0.8 qian), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, bark removed, 0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Zhu Danxi said: Excess fire can be purged with herbs like Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma); deficiency fire can be tonified with herbs like Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix). When the root of a person is injured, deficiency fire wanders and escapes outward. If one mistakenly attacks the heat with purgatives, it transforms into a critical condition, often leading to untreatable states. This formula uses Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to nourish blood, Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) to tonify qi, adds Huangqi (Astragali Radix) to assist yang and consolidate the exterior, and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) to guide fire back to its source. Xue Lizhai said: Dietary irregularities and labor-induced fatigue cause damage to the five zang organs; all heat syndromes are rootless deficiency fire. Simply taking this decoction consolidates the root, and all symptoms will recede. The *Jingui Yaolue* says: For deficiency, ten times use tonification, never once use purgation; this formula exemplifies this principle.

Treats insufficiency of the Kidney meridian manifested as fever and thirst, dysuria or urinary retention, qi stagnation with phlegm and cough, dizziness and blurred vision, deafness, dry throat and painful tongue, loose teeth, weak and flaccid waist and knees, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, loss of voice due to various bleeding disorders, edema transforming into phlegm, blood deficiency with irritability, sores and ulcers in the lower body, and pain in the heels.

Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 8 liang, boiled in wine and pounded into paste), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, moistened with wine, pitted, stir-fried), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, stir-fried until yellow, each 4 liang), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex, washed with wine, lightly stir-fried), Baifuling (Poria, processed with human milk and baked), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma, stir-fried with light salt wine, each 3 liang). Grind into powder, make pills with honey, size of paulownia seeds. Take 4 qian on an empty stomach with light salt water.

Note: The Kidney dislikes dryness, and the Spleen dislikes dampness. Most yin-nourishing herbs are damp and cloying, suitable only for those with Kidney deficiency but strong Spleen and Stomach. They should not be used if both Spleen and Kidney are deficient. Only Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), and Bawu Shenqi Wan (Eight-Substance Kidney Qi Pill) specifically tonify Kidney deficiency while regulating the Spleen and Stomach, neither too damp nor too dry, making them very appropriate for Spleen-Kidney dual deficiency. The Kidney is the Water organ. When Kidney water declines, Dragon and Thunder Fire rise unchecked without fear. Therefore, one must strengthen the master of Water to control the sunlight (hyperactive Yang). Dihuang has a rich flavor and belongs to Yin within Yin; it tonifies the Kidney and fills essence, serving as the Sovereign herb. Shanzhuyu is sour and enters the Liver, reflecting the principle of treating Liver and Kidney together (Yi-Gui same treatment); since the Kidney governs closure and retention, the astringent nature of sour herbs is suitable, so it serves as a Minister. Shanyao is sweet and enters the Spleen, stabilizing the position of Water, thus also serving as a Minister. Mudanpi also enters the Liver; its function is primarily unblocking and circulating, assisting the astringency of Shanzhuyu. Baifuling also enters the Spleen; its function is primarily draining and promoting circulation, assisting the stagnation-relieving property of Shanyao. Moreover, its white color corresponds to Metal, nourishing the Lung, embodying the principle of "tonifying the mother when there is deficiency." As for Zexie, it has three functions: first, promotes urination to clear ministerial fire; second, moves the stagnation of Dihuang, guiding other herbs rapidly to the Kidney meridian; third, it has both tonifying and draining effects, avoiding the risk of over-tonifying qi, thus serving as an Envoy. This formula is a sacred medicine for benefiting the Kidney, but its taste is mild and its action slow. Prescribers often commit four errors. First, if Dihuang is not from Huaiqing, its efficacy is shallow; second, if Dihuang is not steamed nine times, it is not properly cooked/processed; third, reducing Dihuang due to suspicion of its cloying nature weakens the Sovereign herb; fourth, reducing Zexie due to dislike of its draining nature weakens the Envoy herb. Falling into these four errors, how can one expect the medicine to be effective?

Adding Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), each 2 liang, to Liuwei Dihuang Wan creates Zhibai Bawei Wan (Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Eight-Ingredient Pill). It treats Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, bone atrophy, and marrow depletion, addressing water metabolism issues, embodying the principle of strengthening the master of Water to control sunlight. It is suitable for those with a vigorous Chi pulse (radial pulse at the deep level).

Adding Sanweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), 3 liang, to the base formula creates Duqi Wan (Duqi Pill). It treats chronic cough due to labor. Adding Sanweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), 2 liang, and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), 3 liang, creates Baxian Changshou Wan (Eight Immortals Longevity Pill). Adding one Zijheche (Placenta Humana), it also treats deficiency damage and labor-related heat. Adding Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex) and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), each 2 liang, it treats Kidney deficiency causing soreness and pain in the waist and knees. Removing Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) and adding Yizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus), 3 liang, it treats frequent urination.