典藏书目

Indicated for Wind-Water syndrome presenting with aversion to wind, generalized edema, a floating pulse without thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, and absence of significant external heat. It is also indicated for Interior Water retention presenting with yellowish swelling of the whole body and face, a deep pulse, and dysuria (difficulty in urination), which leads to water disease. If urination is normal and spontaneous, this indicates depletion of Body Fluids (Jin-Ye), hence the occurrence of thirst. For these conditions, Yuebi Jia Zhu Tang (Yuebi Decoction plus Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is the primary prescription.

Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) 6 liang, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, 石膏) 0.5 jin, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang, 生姜) [sliced] 3 liang, Zizyphi Fructus (Dazao, 大枣) [broken open] 15 pieces, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草) 1 liang. If aversion to wind is prominent, add one prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix (Fuzi, 附子). The above five herbs are boiled in 6 sheng of water; first boil Ephedrae Herba, remove the foam, then add the remaining herbs. Boil until 3 sheng of liquid remains, and divide into three doses.

[Collected Annotations] Yu Chang stated: Yuebi Tang (Yuebi Decoction) demonstrates a method of mild diaphoresis without causing excessive sweating, primarily aiming to regulate Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi). Among the two herbs, Ephedrae Herba is sweet and warm, while Gypsum Fibrosum is sweet and cold. When used together, if the Spleen tends toward Yin excess, it is harmonized with sweet-warm substances; if the Stomach tends toward Yang excess, it is harmonized with sweet-cold substances. Why can this formula be used for Wind-Heat (Yang pathogens) and Water-Cold (Yin pathogens) that fail to harmonize in the Middle Jiao? Because when the Middle Jiao is disharmonious, it fails to transform the essence of food and drink into robust Qi to nourish Ying and Wei. When Ying and Wei are deficient, Cold or Heat pathogens can obstruct the meridians and collaterals, preventing communication between the interior and exterior. Therefore, it is used for Exterior Wind-Water, and also for Interior Water retention accompanied by thirst and spontaneous urination, not merely to avoid damaging the Middle Jiao. By protecting the Earth element, disasters can be eliminated at their inception.

Zhao Liang stated: Each of the Five Zang Organs has its own Yin and Yang, but only the Spleen and Stomach reside in the center and belong to both. Thus, Earth does not solely generate the Four Seasons' Qi, nor is it formed solely by the Four Dimensions; it is not just Fire generating Earth. Consequently, Water-Cold from the four directions corresponds to the Spleen, while Wind-Heat corresponds to the Stomach. Similarly, the cold and hot properties of the five flavors of food entering the Spleen and Stomach follow this pattern. Any interference leads to Spleen Qi disharmony and Stomach Qi turbidity, preventing the transformation of food and drink into essences to circulate Ying and Wei and fill Yin and Yang. Sweetness is the fundamental flavor of Earth; thus, Spleen disharmony is harmonized with sweet-warm agents, and Stomach turbidity is cleared with sweet-cold agents. The sweet-warm nature of Ephedrae Herba travels through the Hand and Foot Taiyin Meridians, connects with the skin, circulates Qi in the Three Yin meridians, and dispels Yin-Cold pathogens. The sweet-cold nature of Gypsum Fibrosum travels through the Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians, reaches the muscles, circulates Qi in the Three Yang meridians, and dispels Wind-Heat pathogens. By using their sweet flavor to enter the Earth element, their cold/warm nature to harmonize Yin and Yang, and their penetrating nature to stimulate Spleen Qi, combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to moderate and relieve urgency, the two herbs cooperate to achieve success. The sweetness of Zizyphi Fructus tonifies Blood in the Spleen; the pungency of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens benefits Qi in the Stomach. Aversion to wind indicates Yang deficiency, so Aconiti Lateralis Radix is added to tonify Yang. For Wind-Water, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma is added to dissipate Wind-Water Qi in the skin, release grain essences to vent Ying and Wei, and act as guides with Ephedrae Herba and Gypsum Fibrosum to lead the medicinal action into the Earth element. Is the name "Yuebi" not fitting?

[Commentary] Yu Chang's discussion is clear and explicit, and Zhao Liang's explanation meticulously analyzes the principles, enlightening later learners; therefore, both are recorded here.