Xu Lingtai’s commentary: This statement applies to cases of Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire. If the patient suffers from Qi deficiency with dampness abundance, or Qi stagnation with phlegm coagulation, misusing this approach will result in the medication being cloying and obstructing the chest and diaphragm (impairing spleen and stomach transportation).
Whenever there are masses in the hypochondrium or abdomen that appear and disappear intermittently, and pain arises and subsides along with the appearance and disappearance of these masses, it is entirely due to liver injury. The Wood element counter-attacks the Earth element; this is not a case of excess Qi accumulation. Contemporary physicians often treat it with aromatic, drying, acrid, and hot substances, which hastens the decline of life span. I have treated many such patients, all using Yiqi Tang (One-Qi Decoction) supplemented with Chuanlianzi (Fructus Toosendan), Taoren (Semen Persicae), and Louren (Pericarpium Trichosanthis). Usually, after only three to five doses, the disease disappears as if it had never existed.