凡厌疟之法，今世俗相传多用之，但其有效有不效，人每疑之，而其所以然者，自有的
确之妙，则从来人所未知也。盖疟以邪正相争，其感之浅者，乃少阳胆经病也。惟其邪本不
甚，则邪正互为胜负。当此时也，亦犹楚汉相持之势，但得一助之者，为楚则楚胜，为汉则
汉胜，故不论何物，皆可用以为厌。但使由之，勿使知之，其人恃有所助，则胆气略壮，而
邪即败矣。此即《内经》移精变气之意也。然必势均力敌者，乃可以一助而胜之，正胜则愈
也。若果彼强我弱，势不易制者，则厌必无益。故惟邪轻日作者可厌，而邪深间日者则不能
厌。此自理势之使然，无庸惑也。
凡截疟之法，方固不可，然亦无必效之方。若以愚见并及治验，则未尝藉于截也。盖有
邪者，去邪则愈。若散邪既透，解表已过，则但收拾元气而气复即愈。惟能于邪正之间，得
其攻补之宜，则无不自愈，此截之最善者也。至如截疟诸方，虽不可执，亦不可无。第有效
于此而不效于彼者，亦以人之气血阴阳各有不同故耳。故凡用截药者，亦当察人之强弱而酌
以用之，庶乎得效，然亦惟轻者，易截。而重者，不易截也。兹录诸方于后，亦可备于酌用
。截疟常山饮，气血强壮者，可用。截疟饮，气分不足者，可用。牛膝煎，血分不足者，可
用。截疟丹，时气多湿者，可用。木贼煎，湿痰邪实者，可用。何人饮、休疟饮，血气大虚
，欲急济者，可用。小柴胡汤加常山二钱，截疟如神。追疟饮，凡气血未衰，或屡散之后，
用之最效。
丹溪曰∶数发之后，便宜截而除之，久则发得中气虚弱，致病邪愈深而难治。世有砒丹
等截药，大毒，不可轻用。常山性暴悍，善驱逐，然能伤真气，病患稍虚怯者，勿用。
杨仁斋曰∶或其人素虚者，慎勿用常山等药。
薛立斋曰∶若病势正炽，一二发间，未宜遽截，恐邪气不去，正气反伤耳。若胃气弱者
，用寒凉止截，脾胃复伤，必致连绵不已。若非培养元气，决不能愈。每见饮啖生冷物者，
病或少愈，多致脾虚胃损，反为难治。若咽酸口酸，且宜节饮食，其病潮作时，虽大渴亦只
姜汤乘热饮之，此亦截疟之良法。凡欲截之，若血气俱虚，用人参、生姜各一两煎服，顿止
。不问新久并效。
凡是厌疟的方法，如今世俗间流传并广泛使用，但其效果有的有效、有的无效，人们常常对此感到疑惑。然而其之所以产生不同结果的原因，自有确实精妙的道理，只是从来没有人知晓罢了。
大抵疟疾是由于邪气与正气相互争斗所致。感邪较浅的，属于少阳胆经的病证。正因为邪气本来不重，所以邪气与正气互为胜负。在这个时候，局势就像楚汉相争一样僵持，只要得到一方的援助，帮助楚方则楚胜，帮助汉方则汉胜。因此，不论什么东西，都可以用来作为“厌”（一种通过心理暗示或仪式来压制疾病的方法）。只要让患者依从这种方法，而不必让他们知道其中的原理，患者因为倚仗有外力相助，胆气就会略微壮盛，邪气随即败退。这就是《内经》中“移精变气”的意思。
但是，只有在邪正双方势均力敌的情况下，才可以通过一点助力而战胜邪气，正气获胜则病愈。如果确实是邪气强盛而我方虚弱，形势难以控制的，那么用厌法必然没有益处。所以，只有邪气轻浅且每日发作的疟疾可以用厌法，而邪气深重且隔日发作的疟疾则不能用厌法。这是由事理和趋势决定的，不必感到困惑。
凡是截疟的方法，虽然方剂并非绝对不可用，但也并没有必定有效的固定方子。如果以我的见解并结合治疗经验来看，其实并不一定非要依赖“截断”这一手段。大概来说，体内有邪气的，去除邪气病就好了。如果发散邪气已经透彻，解表的治疗已经完成，那么只需收敛恢复元气，气机恢复自然痊愈。只要在邪气和正气之间，掌握得当攻当补的适宜时机，就没有不能自愈的，这才是截疟最好的方法。至于那些专门用于截疟的方剂，虽然不能固执地套用，但也不能完全没有。只是有的方子对某人有效而对另一人无效，这也是因为每个人的气血阴阳各不相同的缘故。所以凡是使用截疟药的人，也应当观察患者的强弱体质来斟酌使用，这样才可能见效。然而也只有病情轻浅的容易截断，病情沉重的不容易截断。现将各种方剂记录在后面，也可以供斟酌选用。
截疟常山饮：气血强壮的人可以使用。
截疟饮：气分不足的人可以使用。
牛膝煎：血分不足的人可以使用。
截疟丹：时行疫病多湿的人可以使用。
木贼煎：湿痰邪实的人可以使用。
何人饮、休疟饮：气血极度虚弱，想要急于缓解症状的人可以使用。
小柴胡汤加常山二钱：截疟效果如神。
追疟饮：凡是气血尚未衰弱，或者经过多次发散治疗后的人，使用此方最为有效。
朱丹溪说：疟疾发作数次之后，就应当及时截断并清除它，时间久了会导致中气虚弱，使致病邪气深入而难以治疗。世间有砒丹等截疟药物，毒性极大，不可轻易使用。常山药性暴烈强悍，善于驱逐邪气，但能损伤真气，病患稍微虚弱怯弱者，不要使用。
薛立斋说：如果病势正猛烈，在一两次发作期间，不宜立即截断，恐怕邪气不去，反而损伤正气。如果胃气虚弱，使用寒凉药物进行止截，会再次损伤脾胃，必然导致病情连绵不断。如果不是培养元气，决不能痊愈。我常见到饮用食用生冷食物的人，病情或许暂时减轻，大多导致脾虚胃损，反而变得难以治疗。如果出现咽酸、口酸的症状，应当节制饮食；在病情定时发作的时候，即使非常口渴，也只喝姜汤并趁热饮用，这也是截疟的好方法。凡是想要截断疟疾的，如果气血都虚弱，用人参、生姜各一两煎服，可以立刻停止发作。无论新病久病都有效。
The method of "Ya Nue" (suppressing malaria through psychological suggestion or ritual) is widely circulated and used in secular practice today. However, its efficacy varies; some cases are effective while others are not, leading people to often doubt it. Yet, the reasons behind these differing outcomes possess definite subtleties that have never been known before.
Generally, malaria arises from the struggle between pathogenic factors (Xie) and healthy qi (Zheng). When the infection is superficial, it constitutes a disease of the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Shaoyang Dan Jing Bing - a syndrome involving the Shaoyang channel characterized by alternating chills and fever). Since the pathogen is not severe, the pathogen and healthy qi contend for supremacy. At this stage, the situation resembles the standoff between Chu and Han forces; whichever side receives assistance will prevail. Therefore, any object can be used for "Ya" (suppression). As long as the patient follows the procedure without understanding the mechanism, they will rely on the perceived external support, causing their Gallbladder Qi (Dan Qi - governing courage and decision-making) to strengthen slightly, thereby defeating the pathogen. This aligns with the principle of "Yi Jing Bian Qi" (Shifting Spirit and Transforming Qi - altering mental focus to change physiological state) found in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon).
However, this method is only applicable when the pathogen and healthy qi are evenly matched, allowing a slight boost to tip the balance toward health. If the pathogen is strong and the body weak, making the situation uncontrollable, "Ya Nue" is useless. Thus, "Ya Nue" is suitable only for mild pathogens causing daily attacks, but ineffective for deep-seated pathogens causing every-other-day attacks. This is determined by natural laws and trends, requiring no confusion.
Regarding methods to "Jie Nue" (intercept/cut off malaria), although formulas exist, there is no single formula that guarantees effectiveness. Based on my insights and clinical experience, interception is not always necessary. Generally, if pathogens are present, removing them leads to recovery. Once the pathogen is dispersed thoroughly and exterior-releasing treatments have passed, one should merely consolidate and restore Yuan Qi (Primary Qi - the fundamental vital energy). By appropriately balancing attack (dispersing pathogens) and tonification (supporting healthy qi) during the interaction of pathogen and healthy qi, self-healing occurs naturally; this represents the best approach to intercepting malaria. While specific anti-malarial formulas should not be rigidly applied, they should not be absent either. Variations in efficacy among individuals arise because everyone's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang differ. Therefore, when using interceptive drugs, one must assess the patient's constitution to adjust usage accordingly. Only mild cases are easily intercepted; severe cases are difficult. The following formulas are recorded for reference:
- **Chanshan Yin** (Cordyceps/Mountain Herb Decoction): Suitable for those with strong Qi and Blood.
- **Jiemai Yin** (Malaria Intercepting Decoction): Suitable for those with insufficient Qi.
- **Niuxi Jian** (Achyranthes Decoction): Suitable for those with insufficient Blood.
- **Jiemai Dan** (Malaria Intercepting Pill): Suitable for epidemic diseases accompanied by dampness.
- **Muzei Jian** (Equisetum Decoction): Suitable for cases with damp-phlegm and excess pathogenic factors.
- **Heren Yin** (Mr. He Decoction) and **Xiumai Yin** (Malaria Resting Decoction): Suitable for those with severe Qi and Blood deficiency seeking rapid relief.
- **Xiao Chaihu Tang** (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with 2 qian of **Chanshan** (Dichroa Root): Highly effective for intercepting malaria.
- **Zhuimai Yin** (Malaria Pursuing Decoction): Most effective for those whose Qi and Blood are not yet depleted, or after multiple dispersing treatments.
Zhu Danxi stated: After several attacks, it is advisable to intercept and eliminate the pathogen promptly. Delaying causes middle-Jiao Qi deficiency, driving the pathogen deeper and making treatment difficult. Drugs like Pidans (Arsenic Pills) used for interception are highly toxic and should not be used lightly. Chanshan has a violent and aggressive nature; while good at expelling pathogens, it damages true Qi. It should not be used for patients who are slightly weak or timid.
Yang Renzhai stated: If the patient is constitutionally weak, one must strictly avoid using Chanshan and similar drugs.
Xue Lizhai stated: If the disease momentum is intense, during the first one or two attacks, one should not hastily intercept, lest the pathogen remain and healthy Qi be damaged. If Stomach Qi is weak, using cold-natured drugs to stop the malaria will further damage the Spleen and Stomach, leading to lingering illness. Without nourishing Yuan Qi, recovery is impossible. I often see patients consuming raw or cold foods; their symptoms may temporarily subside, but this usually results in Spleen deficiency and Stomach damage, making the condition harder to treat. If acid regurgitation or sour taste in the mouth occurs, diet should be regulated. During periodic flare-ups, even if extreme thirst exists, only warm Ginger Tea should be consumed hot; this is also an excellent method for intercepting malaria. For those wishing to intercept malaria where both Qi and Blood are deficient, decocting and administering 1 liang each of **Renshen** (Ginseng Root) and **Shengjiang** (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) can stop attacks immediately. This is effective regardless of whether the disease is new or chronic.