典藏书目

The *Classic of Medicine* (*Huangdi Neijing*) states: If the functions of entering and exiting cease, the divine mechanism (*Shenji*) of transformation will perish; if the movements of ascending and descending stop, the qi-establishment (*Qili*) will become isolated and perilous. It also says: If one breath does not circulate, the mechanisms of life are exhausted; if even a tiny continuity is interrupted, the difference becomes as vast as that between heaven and earth.

Therefore, every movement and stillness in the human body contains profound principles; every ascent and descent determines survival or demise. The classics state: The Heart expels blood, the Liver stores blood; the Lung exhales qi, the Kidney stores qi. Generally, the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Foot-Shaoyin Shenshu Jing) is the master controller of Yuan Qi (Original Qi). If this meridian suffers deficiency and cannot store its qi, then qi has no foundation and exits through other pathways, similar to passing gas (i.e., flatulence), which ancient texts referred to as "transmitting stool qi." This occurs due to overeating or qi stagnation, where relief is felt upon the release of gas; this does not apply to infants and the elderly. However, some young people suffer from excessive sexual indulgence, leading to involuntary leakage of qi without awareness or control. Such individuals necessarily present with a dark, sallow complexion and emaciated appearance, indicating the onset of deficiency consumption. Those suffering from this should be vigilant. Furthermore, after prolonged illness in both men and women, the Kidney Meridian may become deficient and depleted, causing True Water (Jin Shui) to dry up. When qi fails to return to its origin (Qi Bu Gui Yuan), it transforms into wheezing, chest fullness, and急促 breathing, with phlegm-qi obstruction and coughing, shortness of breath, inability to lie flat, and even symptoms like lifting shoulders and protruding abdomen. If one takes too many medications for descending qi, clearing the diaphragm, calming asthma, and widening the chest, forcibly pushing down the qi, it causes the qi to have no abode, resulting in increased sensation of rectal heaviness, tenesmus, frequent trips to the toilet without successful defecation. Some cases are cured by using Kidney-tonifying herbs; initially, these were caused by excessive desire damaging essence and frustration damaging the will, so the Kidney could not nourish itself nor store and secure its qi, just as a broken vessel cannot hold contents. Cases of men with seminal emission and women with leukorrhea that cannot be stopped, as well as frequent urination or defecation that is easy to pass but uncontrollable, can all be inferred by analogy. If one practices moderation in desire and diet, maintains regular daily routines, then the Spleen and Kidney will become strong and solid, essence will circulate freely, there will be no qi to leak, strength will fully secure retention, preventing reckless qi movement. What disease would remain?

According to the *Materia Medica* (*Bencao*), there are two names for tea: Cha and Ming. Tea tastes sweet and bitter, is slightly cold and non-toxic. Early-harvested fine leaves have clear, ascending qi. They treat sores, clear the head and eyes, remove phlegm, heat, and thirst, and reduce sleep. Ming has the same taste; late-harvested coarse leaves have heavy, turbid, descending qi. They descend qi, digest retained food, promote urination, unblock the large intestine, and are suitable for hot drinking. Excessive drinking leads to reduced sleep, weight loss, and fat reduction. The *Ode to Tea and Ming* states: Relieving stagnation and resolving obstruction offers temporary benefit for one day; emaciating qi and invading essence brings great lifelong burden. Among the tonifying and reducing, warming and cooling herbs of the twelve meridians, tea is a draining agent for the Kidney Meridian. The *Classic of Difficult Issues* (*Nanjing*) states: Drain the South, tonify the North. Dongyuan (Li Gao) said: The Kidney has no excess conditions and should not be drained. Since the beginning of humanity, the seven fires are often in excess, while the one water is often insufficient. The *Seven Organ Spirits* (*Qizang Shen*) states: The Kidney stores essence and will, particularly housing the Original Qi; draining the Kidney causes daily depletion of essence and qi. In ancient times, there was no tea; tea began in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty, yet people only drank it after full meals, consuming only boiling plain water on an empty stomach. Alcohol is extremely hot and toxic. It treats killing various evil toxins, promotes blood circulation, thickens the stomach and intestines, wards off wind-cold and miasma, nourishes the Spleen, and enhances medicinal potency. Pungent flavors disperse, guiding throughout the body to the highest parts; bitter flavors descend; sweet flavors harmonize the middle; bland flavors promote urination. However, when the sea freezes deeply, alcohol remains liquid. It can ignite Heart fire, damage Lung metal, corrode the stomach and intestines, form accumulations, and even lead to consumptive diseases. Patients with Cold Damage (*Shanghan*) who drink alcohol may die. Fire wine and those that are overly pungent and potent cause even greater harm. Moreover, alcohol is a tonic for the Liver Meridian; excessive drinking causes Liver qi to rise recklessly and Gallbladder qi to float. The Liver is the General, from whom courage arises, thus anger knows no fear. The Gallbladder is the Official of Justice, thus it allows directness without concealment, inviting disaster and blame, all due to alcohol. Alas! It can nourish people but also harm them; those who wish to preserve health must be cautious.