The Spleen and Stomach are organs that reflect the condition of the body's muscles. The Stomach is referred to as the "Sea of Water and Grain" (the organ responsible for receiving and rotting/ripening food and drink). If one suffers from Xu Lao (Deficiency-Labor, a chronic wasting syndrome), it leads to disharmony among the Zang-Fu organs, causing Qi deficiency in the Spleen and Stomach, thereby resulting in anorexia or lack of desire to eat.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency and anorexia, it is appropriate to take Baizhu San (Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder).
Herbs: Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Caodoukou (Cardamomi Fructus, peeled), Chenjupi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, soaked in hot water, white pith removed, and dried), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, radix end removed), Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen, shell removed), Yizhi (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into coarse powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add 1 zhong of water, 0.5 fen of fresh ginger, and 3 jujubes. Decoct until the volume reduces to 6 fen. Strain and take warm.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by disharmony of Spleen-Stomach Qi, cold sensation in the heart and abdomen, and anorexia, it is appropriate to take Houpo San (Magnolia Bark Powder).
Herbs: Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 1 liang, coarse bark removed, brushed with fresh ginger juice, and roasted until fragrant and cooked), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, radix end removed), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus, 0.5 liang, soaked in hot water seven times, dried, and lightly roasted), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 0.5 liang, white pith removed), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex, 0.5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into coarse powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add 1 zhong of water, 0.5 fen of fresh ginger, and 3 jujubes. Decoct until the volume reduces to 6 fen. Strain and take warm.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency, anorexia, weakness in the four limbs, insufficient sleep, and sallow complexion, it is appropriate to take Helile San (Terminalia Chebula Powder).
Herbs: Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, 3 fen, used after roasting, including the skin), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 0.5 liang, radix end removed), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 0.5 liang), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 0.5 liang), Dingxiang (Syzygii Aromatisati Flos), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into coarse powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add 1 zhong of water, 0.5 fen of fresh ginger, and 3 jujubes. Decoct until the volume reduces to 6 fen. Strain and take warm.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach disharmony, reduced appetite, and occasional spontaneous diarrhea, it is appropriate to take Houpo San (Magnolia Bark Powder).
Herbs: Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 5 liang, coarse bark removed, finely chopped, soaked overnight in juice extracted from 5 liang of fresh ginger, pressed with fresh ginger, dried, and lightly roasted until purple smoke appears), Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, 2 liang, used after roasting, including the skin).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into fine powder. Take 1 qian before meals, mixed with decoction of fresh ginger and jujubes.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold and anorexia, it is appropriate to take Wenpi San (Warming the Spleen Powder).
Herbs: Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, 2 liang, used after roasting, including the skin), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, 2 liang, wrinkled bark removed), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 1 liang), Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen, 1 liang, shell removed), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, radix end removed), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, 0.5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into coarse powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add 1 zhong of water, 0.5 fen of fresh ginger, and 3 jujubes. Decoct until the volume reduces to 6 fen. Strain and take warm.

For treating Xu Lao with anorexia, it is appropriate to take Zhu Gan San (Boiled Liver Powder).
Herbs: Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 1 liang), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, radix end removed), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex, 0.5 liang), Hujiao (Piperis Nigris Fructus, 1 fen), Buguzhi (Psoraleae Fructus, 0.5 liang), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 liang, soaked in hot water, white pith removed, and dried), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into fine powder. For each dose, take one liver (pig liver), cut into fine shreds, mix evenly with 5 qian of the powder. Place in a pan and cook with Jiangshui (fermented rice liquid) until done.

To treat Xu Lao, warm the Spleen, strengthen the Stomach, and promote appetite, it is appropriate to take Heqi Tongzhen Wan (Harmonizing Qi and Penetrating Truth Pill).
Herbs: Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 1 liang, coarse bark removed, brushed with fresh ginger juice, and roasted until fragrant and cooked), Chushi (Broussonetiae Fructus, 3 fen, washed with water to remove floating impurities, then dried), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis, 1 liang, roots removed and chopped), Rourong (Cistanche Deserticola), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 0.5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 300-500 times. Form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 30 pills before meals, administered with decoction of fresh ginger and jujubes.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, abdominal distension due to Qi stagnation, and anorexia, it is appropriate to take Jiegeng Wan (Platycodon Pill).
Herbs: Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, 1 liang, radix end removed), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1.5 liang), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex, 1 liang), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus, 1.5 liang, soaked in hot water seven times, dried, and lightly roasted), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, outer bark removed, lightly roasted until yellow), Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata, roasted until yellow).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 200-300 times. Form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 20 pills before meals, administered with warm wine, until recovered.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach dysfunction, abdominal and hypochondriac fullness/distension, and anorexia, it is appropriate to take Houpo Wan (Magnolia Bark Pill).
Herbs: Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 1 liang, coarse bark removed, brushed with fresh ginger juice, and roasted until fragrant and cooked), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, 1 liang), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, 1 liang, radix end removed), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1.5 liang), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, split and chopped).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 200-300 times. Form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 20 pills before meals, administered with warm wine.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by severe cold in the intestines and stomach, complete loss of appetite, or Qi stagnation and distension, it is appropriate to take Bibie Wan (Long Pepper Pill).
Herbs: Bibie (Piperis Longi Fructus, 1 liang), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, radix end removed), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex, 1 liang), Jiangjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, processed until cracked and chopped, 1 liang), Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, 1.5 liang, used after roasting, including the skin).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into powder. Mix with refined honey and pound 100-200 times. Form pills the size of Sophora seeds. Take 20 pills before meals, administered with millet gruel beverage.

For treating Xu Lao accompanied by Spleen-Stomach Qi cold, anorexia, or Qi stagnation with distension and stabbing pain, it is appropriate to take Muxiang Wan (Aucklandia Pill).
Herbs: Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 0.5 liang), Helile (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, 1 liang, used after roasting, including the skin), Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen, 1 fen, shell removed), Shexiang (Moschus, 1 fen).
Preparation and Administration: Crush the aforementioned herbs into powder. Mix with paste made from boiled jujubes to form pills the size of mung beans. Take 10 pills before meals, administered with warm wine.