人有心腹饱满作胀，时或肠鸣，数欲大便，甚则心疼，两胁填实，为呕为吐，或吐痰涎
，如呕清水，或泻利暴注，以致两足面 肿，渐渐身亦重大。此等之病，初起之时，必
杂然乱治，及其后也，未有不作蛊胀治之，谁知乃是土郁之病乎?土郁者脾胃之气郁也。《
内经》将土郁属之五运之气，而不知人身五脏之中，原有土郁之病，正不可徒咎之岁气，而
不消息其脏腑之气也。夫土气喜于升腾不喜下降，肝木来侮，则土气不升；肺金来窃，则土
气反降，不升且降，而土气抑郁而不伸，势必反克夫水矣。水既
受克，不敢直走于长川大河，自然泛滥于溪涧路径，遇浅则泻，逢窍必钻，流于何经，既于
何经受病。治法宜疏通其土，使脾胃之气升腾，则郁气可解。然而脾胃之所以成郁者，虽因
于肝木之有余，与肺金之不足，然亦因脾胃之气素虚，则肝得而侮，肺得而耗也。倘脾胃之
气旺，何患成郁哉!故开郁必须补脾胃之气，补脾胃而后用夺之之法，则土郁易解耳。方用
善夺汤∶
茯苓（一两） 车前子（三钱） 白术（三钱） 柴胡（一钱） 白芍（五钱） 陈皮（三分） 半夏（一钱）
水煎服。连服四剂，而诸症渐愈。
此方利水而不走气，舒郁而兼补正。不夺之夺，更神于夺也，何必开鬼门、泄净府始谓
之夺哉!
此症用疏土汤亦佳。
白术 茯苓（各一两） 肉桂（三分） 柴胡（五分） 白芍（三钱） 枳壳（三分） 半夏（五分）
水煎服。四剂愈。
人有咳嗽气逆，心胁胀满，痛引小腹，身不能反侧，舌干嗌燥，面陈色白，喘不能卧，
吐痰稠密，皮毛焦枯，人以为肺气之燥也，而不知乃是肺气之郁。夫肺气之郁，未有不先为
心火所逼而成。然而火旺由于水衰，肾水不足不能为肺母复仇，则肺金受亏，而抑郁之病起
。然则治肺金之郁，可不泄肺金之气乎!虽然未可径泄肺金之气也，必须大补肾水，水足而
心火有取资之乐，必不再来犯肺，是补肾水正所以泄肺金也
。方用善泄汤∶
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 玄参（一两） 荆芥（三钱） 牛膝（三钱） 炒枣仁（三钱） 沙参（三钱） 贝
母（一钱） 丹皮（二钱）
水煎服。一剂轻，二剂又轻，十剂全愈。
此方滋肾水以制心火，实滋肾水以救肺金也。肺金得肾水之泄而肺安，肾水得肺金之泄
而水壮，子母同心，外侮易制，又何愤懑哉!此金郁泄之之义，实有微旨也。
此症用和金汤亦效。
麦冬（五钱） 苏叶（一钱） 桔梗（二钱） 甘草（一钱） 茯苓（三钱） 黄芩（一钱） 半夏（五分） 百
合（三
人有遇寒心痛，腰 沉重，关节不利，难于屈伸，有时厥逆，痞坚腹满，面色黄黑
，人以为寒邪侵犯也，谁知是水郁之症乎?水郁之症，成于土胜木复之岁者居多，然而脾胃
之气过盛，肝胆之血太燥，皆能成水郁之症也。然则治法何可舍脾、胃、肝、胆四经而他治
水郁哉!虽然水郁成于水虚，而水虚不同，水有因火而虚者，
真火虚也；有因水而虚者，真水虚也。真水虚而邪水自旺，真火虚而真水益衰。大约无论真
火、真水之虚，要在于水中补火，火足而水自旺，水旺而郁不能成也。方用补火解郁汤；
熟地（一两） 山药（五钱） 巴戟天（五钱） 肉桂（五分） 杜仲（五钱） 薏仁（五钱）
水煎服。连服四剂自愈。
此方于补火之中，仍是补水之味，自然火能生水，而水且生火，水火两济，何郁之有，
正不必滋肝胆而调脾胃也。
此症用浚水汤亦效。
白术（一两） 杜仲（三钱） 山药（一两） 薏仁 芡实（各五钱） 防己 桂枝（各五分）
水煎服。四剂愈。
人有少气，胁腹、胸背、面目、四肢 胀愤懑，时而呕逆，咽喉肿痛，口干舌苦，
胃脘上下忽时作痛，或腹中暴疼，目赤头晕，心热烦闷，懊 善暴死，汗濡皮毛，痰多稠浊
，两颧红赤，身生痱疮，人以为痰火作祟也，谁知是火郁之病乎?夫火性炎上，火郁则不能
炎上而违其性矣。五脏之火不同，有虚火、实火、君火、相火之异。然火之成郁者，大约皆
虚火、相火，即龙雷之火也。雷火不郁，则不发动，过于郁则又不能发动
。非若君火、实火虽郁而仍能发动也。故治火之郁者，治虚火相火
而已矣。既曰虚火，则不可用泻；既曰相火，则不可用寒，所当因其性而发之耳。方用发火
汤∶
柴胡（一钱） 甘草（一钱） 茯神（三钱） 炒枣仁（三钱） 当归（三钱） 陈皮（三分） 神曲 炒栀子（各
一钱） 白芥子（二钱） 白术（二钱） 广木香末（五分） 远志（一钱）
水煎服。一剂而火郁解，再剂而诸症愈矣。
此方直入胞络之中，以解其郁闷之气，又不直泻其火，而反补其气血，消痰去滞，火遂
其炎上之性也。或疑龙雷之火在肾、肝而不在心包，今治心包恐不能解龙雷之火郁也。殊不
知心包之火，下通于肝、肾，心包之火不解，则龙雷之火郁何能解哉!吾解心包之郁火，正
所以解龙雷之郁火也。不然心包之郁未解，徒解其龙雷之火，则龙雷欲上腾，而心包阻抑，
劈木焚林之祸，必且更大。惟解其心包之火，则上火既达，而下火可以渐升；且上火既达，
而下火亦可以相安，而不必升矣，此治法之最巧者也。
此症用通火汤亦妙。
白芍 玄参 麦冬（各一两） 生地（五钱） 甘草（一钱） 陈皮（五分） 荆芥（一钱） 白芥子（二钱）
茯苓（三钱） 半夏（八分）
水煎服。一剂而郁解矣，二剂全愈。
人有畏寒畏热，似风非风，头痛颊疼，胃脘饱闷，甚则心胁相连 胀，膈咽不通，
吞酸吐食，见食则喜，食完作楚，甚则耳鸣如沸，昏眩欲仆，目不识人，人以为风邪之病，
谁知是木郁之症也。夫木属肝胆，肝胆之气一郁，上不能行于心包，下必至刑于脾胃。人身
后天以脾胃为主，木克脾土，则脾不能化矣；木克胃土，则胃不能受矣。脾胃空虚，则津液
枯槁何能分布于五脏七腑哉!且木尤喜水，脾胃既成焦干之土，则木无水养，克土益深，土
益病矣。土益病，则土不生肺，而肺金必弱，何能制肝!肝木过燥，愈不自安而作祟矣!治法
宜急舒肝胆之本气。然徒舒肝胆之气，而不滋肝胆之血，则血不能润，而木中之郁未能尽解
也。方用开郁
至神汤∶
人参（一钱） 香附（三钱） 茯苓（二钱） 白术（一钱） 当归（二钱） 白芍（五钱） 陈皮（五分） 甘
草（五分） 炒栀子（一钱） 柴胡（五分）
水煎服。一剂而郁少解，再剂而郁尽解也。
此方无刻削之品，而又能去滞结之气，胜于逍遥散多矣。或疑郁病，宜用解散之剂，不
宜用补益之味，如人参之类，似宜斟酌。殊不知人之境遇不常，拂抑之事常多，愁闷之心易
结，而木郁之病不尽得之岁运者也。故治法亦宜更改，不可执郁难用补之说，弃人参而单用
解散之药，况人参用入于解散药中，正既无伤，而郁又易解者也。
此症用舒木汤亦效。
白芍 当归（各三钱） 川芎 荆芥 郁金 苍术（各二钱） 香附 车前子 猪苓 甘草（各一
钱） 青皮（五分） 天花粉（一钱）
水煎服。四剂愈。
人之郁病，妇女最多，而又苦最不能解，倘有困卧终日，痴痴不语，人以为呆病之将成
也，谁知是思想结于心、中气郁而不舒乎?此等之症，欲全恃药饵，本非治法，然不恃药饵
，听其自愈，亦非治法也。大约思想郁症，得喜可解，其次使之大怒，则亦可解。盖脾主思
，思之太甚则脾气闭塞而不开，必至见食则恶矣；喜则心火发越，火生胃土，而胃气大开，
胃气既开，而脾气安得而闭乎?怒属肝木，木能克土，怒则气旺，气旺必能冲开脾气矣。脾
气一开，易于消食，食消而所用饮馔必能化精以养身，亦何畏于郁乎!故见此等之症，必动
之以怒，后引之以喜，而徐以药饵继之，实治法之善也
。方用解郁开结汤∶
白芍（一两） 当归（五钱） 白芥子（三钱） 白术（五钱） 生枣仁（三钱） 甘草（五分） 神曲（二钱） 陈
皮（五分） 薄荷（一钱） 丹皮（三钱） 玄参（三钱） 茯神（二钱）
水煎服。十剂而结开，郁亦尽解也。
此方即逍遥散之变方，最善解郁。凡郁怒而不甚者，服此方无不心旷神怡。正不必动之
以怒，引之以喜之多事耳。
此症亦可用抒木汤加栀子一钱、神曲五分，殊效（方见前）。
人出现心腹部胀满不适，有时肠鸣，频繁想大便，严重时心痛，两胁部感觉充实堵塞，表现为呕吐或反胃，或者吐出痰涎清水，或者突发剧烈腹泻，导致双脚背浮肿，逐渐全身也感到沉重。这类疾病，在初起时，往往被杂乱无章地治疗，到了后期，没有不被当作蛊胀病来治疗的，谁知道这其实是土郁的病证呢？所谓土郁，就是脾胃之气郁结不畅。《内经》将土郁归属于五运六气中的土运之气，却不知道人体五脏之中，原本就有土郁这种病证，实在不能仅仅归咎于岁气的变化，而不仔细审察脏腑之气的状况。土气（脾胃之气）喜欢升发向上，不喜欢下降；如果肝木来克制它，土气就不能上升；如果肺金来窃取它的能量，土气反而下降。既不能上升又下降，导致土气抑郁而不能舒展，势必反过来克制水（肾）。水受到克制后，不敢像正常那样流向长川大河，自然就会泛滥于溪涧小径，遇到浅处就溢出，遇到孔窍就钻入，流注到哪条经络，就在哪条经络发病。治疗方法应当疏通土气，使脾胃之气能够升发，那么郁结之气就可以解除。然而脾胃之所以形成郁结，虽然是因为肝木过旺和肺金不足，但也因为脾胃之气本身素来虚弱，所以肝木得以克制它，肺金得以消耗它。如果脾胃之气旺盛，怎么会形成郁结呢！因此，开通郁结必须补益脾胃之气，在补益脾胃之后再用攻夺的方法，这样土郁就容易解除了。方用善夺汤：茯苓（一两）、车前子（三钱）、白术（三钱）、柴胡（一钱）、白芍（五钱）、陈皮（三分）、半夏（一钱），水煎服。连服四剂，各种症状逐渐痊愈。
这个方子利水而不耗散正气，舒解郁结兼以补益正气。这种不通过直接攻夺而达到攻夺效果的方法，比直接的攻夺更神奇，何必一定要开鬼门（发汗）、泄净府（通便利尿）才叫作攻夺呢！
这种病症用疏土汤也很好。
白术、茯苓（各一两）、肉桂（三分）、柴胡（五分）、白芍（三钱）、枳壳（三分）、半夏（五分），水煎服。四剂痊愈。
有人咳嗽气逆，心胁部胀满，疼痛牵引小腹，身体不能翻身侧卧，舌干咽喉燥，面色苍白如尘，气喘不能平卧，吐出的痰稠密，皮毛焦枯，人们以为是肺气干燥，却不知道这是肺气郁结。肺气的郁结，没有不是先被心火逼迫而形成的。然而火旺是由于水衰，肾水不足不能为肺母（肺属金，肾属水，金生水，故肾为肺之母，此处意指肾水亏虚无法制约心火或滋养肺金，导致肺受邪）复仇（指制约心火或恢复平衡），则肺金受损，郁结的病证就产生了。既然这样，治疗肺金的郁结，难道可以不泄除肺金之气吗？虽然如此，但不能直接泻除肺金之气，必须大补肾水，水充足了，心火有了资助的乐趣，必然不再来侵犯肺，这就是补肾水正是为了泄除肺金之气的道理。方用善泄汤：熟地黄（一两）、山茱萸（五钱）、玄参（一两）、荆芥（三钱）、牛膝（三钱）、炒酸枣仁（三钱）、沙参（三钱）、贝母（一钱）、牡丹皮（二钱），水煎服。一剂症状减轻，二剂更轻，十剂完全痊愈。
这个方子滋补肾水以制约心火，实际上是滋补肾水以救助肺金。肺金得到肾水的滋润而安宁，肾水得到肺金的肃降而强壮，子母同心，外来的侵害容易制服，又有什么愤懑不平的呢！这就是“金郁泄之”的含义，其中确实有深奥的旨意。
这种病症用和金汤也有效。
麦冬（五钱）、苏叶（一钱）、桔梗（二钱）、甘草（一钱）、茯苓（三钱）、黄芩（一钱）、半夏（五分）、百合（三钱），水煎服。（原文此处中断，依上下文推断为后续内容，但仅翻译现有部分）
有人遇到寒冷就心痛，腰部沉重，关节不利，难以屈伸，有时四肢厥冷，痞块坚硬腹部胀满，面色黄黑，人们以为是寒邪侵犯，谁知道这是水郁的病症呢？水郁的病症，大多形成于土胜木复的年份，然而脾胃之气过盛，肝胆之血太燥，都能形成水郁的病症。既然这样，治疗方法怎么能舍弃脾、胃、肝、胆四条经络而去治疗其他的水郁呢！虽然水郁形成于水虚，但水虚的情况不同，有水因火虚而导致的虚，这是真火虚；有水因自身亏损而导致的虚，这是真水虚。真水虚则邪水自旺，真火虚则真水更加衰败。大约无论真火还是真水的虚损，关键在于水中补火，火充足了水自然旺盛，水旺盛了郁结就不能形成了。方用补火解郁汤：熟地黄（一两）、山药（五钱）、巴戟天（五钱）、肉桂（五分）、杜仲（五钱）、薏苡仁（五钱），水煎服。连服四剂自愈。
这个方子在补火之中，仍然是补水的药物，自然火能生水，而且水也能生火，水火两相济助，哪里有郁结呢，正不必去滋补肝胆而调理脾胃。
这种病症用浚水汤也有效。
白术（一两）、杜仲（三钱）、山药（一两）、薏苡仁、芡实（各五钱）、防己、桂枝（各五分），水煎服。四剂痊愈。
有人气短，胁腹、胸背、面目、四肢胀满憋闷，时而呕逆，咽喉肿痛，口干舌苦，胃脘上下忽然有时疼痛，或者腹中剧痛，眼睛红赤头晕，心中热烦闷，心中懊恼，甚至突然死亡，汗水湿透皮毛，痰多且稠浊，两颧红赤，身上生痱子疮，人们以为是痰火作祟，谁知道是火郁的病证呢？火的性质是炎上，火郁结则不能炎上，违背了其本性。五脏的火有所不同，有虚火、实火、君火、相火的区别。然而火形成郁结的，大约都是虚火、相火，也就是龙雷之火。雷火如果不郁结，就不会发动；过于郁结又不能发动。不像君火、实火即使郁结仍然能发动。所以治疗火的郁结，只要治疗虚火和相火就可以了。既然是虚火，就不可以用泻法；既然是相火，就不可以用寒凉药，应当顺应其本性而发散它。方用发火汤：柴胡（一钱）、甘草（一钱）、茯神（三钱）、炒酸枣仁（三钱）、当归（三钱）、陈皮（三分）、神曲、炒栀子（各一钱）、白芥子（二钱）、白术（二钱）、广木香末（五分）、远志（一钱），水煎服。一剂火郁解除，再剂各种症状痊愈。
这个方子直接进入心包络，以解开其中的郁闷之气，又不直接泻火，反而补益气血，消除痰滞，使火顺应其炎上的本性。有人怀疑龙雷之火在肝肾而不在心包，现在治疗心包恐怕不能解除龙雷之火的郁结。殊不知心包之火下通于肝肾，心包之火不解，龙雷之火的郁结怎么能解除呢！我解除心包的郁火，正是为了解除龙雷的郁火。不然的话，心包的郁结未解，只解除龙雷之火，龙雷之火想要上腾，却被心包阻抑，劈木焚林的灾祸，必定更大。只有解开心包之火，上面的火既已通达，下面的火可以逐渐上升；而且上面的火既已通达，下面的火也可以相安无事，而不必强行上升了，这是治疗方法中最巧妙的地方。
这种病症用通火汤也很妙。
白芍、玄参、麦冬（各一两）、生地（五钱）、甘草（一钱）、陈皮（五分）、荆芥（一钱）、白芥子（二钱）、茯苓（三钱）、半夏（八分），水煎服。一剂郁结解除，二剂完全痊愈。
有人怕冷又怕热，似风非风，头痛脸颊疼，胃脘饱闷，严重时心胁相连胀满，膈咽不通，吞酸吐食，看见食物喜欢，吃完后痛苦，严重时耳鸣如沸，昏眩欲倒，目不识人，人们以为是风邪致病，谁知道是木郁的病症呢？木属于肝胆，肝胆之气一旦郁结，上不能行于心包，下必定会克制脾胃。人身体的后天之本以脾胃为主，木克脾土，则脾不能运化；木克胃土，则胃不能受纳。脾胃空虚，津液枯槁，怎么能分布到五脏七腑呢！而且木尤其喜欢水，脾胃既然成了焦干的土，木就没有水来滋养，克制土就更深，土就更病了。土越病，土就不能生肺，肺金必然虚弱，怎么能制约肝木！肝木过燥，更加不安分而作祟了！治疗方法应当迅速舒展肝胆的本气。然而只舒展肝胆之气，而不滋补肝胆之血，血就不能滋润，木中的郁结不能完全解除。方用开郁至神汤：人参（一钱）、香附（三钱）、茯苓（二钱）、白术（一钱）、当归（二钱）、白芍（五钱）、陈皮（五分）、甘草（五分）、炒栀子（一钱）、柴胡（五分），水煎服。一剂郁结稍解，再剂郁结尽解。
这个方子没有刻削峻猛的药物，又能去除滞结之气，胜过逍遥散很多。有人怀疑郁病，应该用解散的药剂，不应用补益的药物，如人参之类，似乎应该斟酌。殊不知人的境遇不常，拂逆压抑的事情常常很多，愁闷的心情容易结成，木郁的病并不全是从岁运得来的。所以治疗方法也应该改变，不可固执于郁病难用补的说法，放弃人参而单用解散的药，况且人参用在解散药中，既无伤害，而郁结又容易解除。
这种病症用舒木汤也有效。
白芍、当归（各三钱）、川芎、荆芥、郁金、苍术（各二钱）、香附、车前子、猪苓、甘草（各一钱）、青皮（五分）、天花粉（一钱），水煎服。四剂痊愈。
人的郁病，妇女最多，而又痛苦最难以解除，如果有整天困倦卧床，痴痴不说话，人们以为是呆病将要形成，谁知道是思虑结于心、中气郁结而不舒畅呢？这类病症，想要完全依靠药物，本来不是最好的治法，但不依靠药物，听其自然痊愈，也不是治法。大约思虑郁症，得到喜悦可以解除，其次是使其大怒，也可以解除。因为脾主思，思虑太过则脾气闭塞而不开放，必然见到食物就厌恶了；喜悦则心火发越，火生胃土，胃气大开，胃气既开，脾气怎么还会闭塞呢？怒属于肝木，木能克土，怒则气旺，气旺必然能冲开脾气的闭塞。脾气一开，易于消化食物，食物消化了所用饮食必然能化精以养身，又何必畏惧郁结呢！所以见到这类病症，一定用愤怒来触动他，后用喜悦来引导他，然后慢慢用药物接续治疗，实在是治法的良策。方用解郁开结汤：白芍（一两）、当归（五钱）、白芥子（三钱）、白术（五钱）、生酸枣仁（三钱）、甘草（五分）、神曲（二钱）、陈皮（五分）、薄荷（一钱）、牡丹皮（三钱）、玄参（三钱）、茯神（二钱），水煎服。十剂结开，郁结也完全解除。
这个方子是逍遥散的变方，最善于解郁。凡是郁怒不严重的，服用此方无不心旷神怡。正不必用愤怒来触动他，用喜悦来引导他的多事之举。
A person presents with fullness and distension in the heart and abdomen, occasional borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), frequent urge to defecate, and in severe cases, heart pain. The two hypochondriac regions feel filled and solid, accompanied by vomiting or regurgitation, expectoration of phlegm and saliva, or vomiting clear water, or sudden violent diarrhea. This leads to edema on the dorsum of both feet, and gradually the whole body feels heavy. For such diseases, at the initial stage, treatments are often chaotic and disordered; later on, they are invariably treated as Gu Zhang (Gu Distension). Who would know that this is actually a disease of Earth Depression (Tu Yu)? Earth Depression refers to the stagnation of Qi in the Spleen and Stomach. *The Inner Canon* attributes Earth Depression to the Earth phase of the Five Movements (Wu Yun), failing to realize that within the five Zang organs of the human body, there originally exists a disease of Earth Depression. One must not merely blame the annual Qi (sui qi) without carefully examining the Qi of the Zang organs. The Qi of Earth (Spleen/Stomach) prefers ascending and rising, not descending. If Liver Wood insults it, Earth Qi cannot ascend; if Lung Metal steals from it, Earth Qi descends instead. Unable to ascend and descending simultaneously, Earth Qi becomes depressed and unable to extend, inevitably counter-attacking Water (Kidney). Once Water is controlled, it dares not flow directly into long rivers, but naturally floods into streams and paths, overflowing where shallow and drilling into orifices wherever it goes. Wherever it flows, that meridian suffers disease. The treatment method should be to dredge the Earth, allowing the Spleen and Stomach Qi to ascend, so that the stagnant Qi can be resolved. However, the reason Spleen and Stomach form depression is not only due to excess Liver Wood and deficiency of Lung Metal, but also because the Spleen and Stomach Qi has been inherently weak, allowing Liver Wood to insult it and Lung Metal to consume it. If Spleen and Stomach Qi were robust, how could depression form! Therefore, to open depression, one must tonify Spleen and Stomach Qi first; after tonifying Spleen and Stomach, then employ draining methods, so that Earth Depression is easily resolved. Use Shan Duo Tang: Fu Ling (Poria, 1 liang), Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed, 3 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, 3 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root, 1 qian), Bai Shao (White Peony Root, 5 qian), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel, 3 fen), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After four doses, all symptoms gradually improve.
This formula promotes urination without dispersing Qi, soothes depression while tonifying healthy Qi. This "draining without draining" is more miraculous than direct draining. Why must one open the ghost gate (diaphoresis) and drain the pure residence (diuresis/defecation) to be called draining?
For this syndrome, Shu Tu Tang is also excellent.
Bai Zhu, Fu Ling (each 1 liang), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark, 3 fen), Chai Hu (1 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Fruit, 3 fen), Ban Xia (5 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. Cured in four doses.
A person suffers from cough and rebellious Qi, fullness and distension in the heart and hypochondrium, pain radiating to the lower abdomen, inability to turn or lie on the side, dry tongue and throat, pale and dusty complexion, asthma preventing lying flat, thick and dense sputum, and scorched, dry skin and hair. People assume it is Dryness of Lung Qi, unaware that it is actually Depression of Lung Qi. Depression of Lung Qi invariably forms first under the pressure of Heart Fire. However, excessive Fire results from deficient Water. Insufficient Kidney Water cannot avenge the Lung Mother (note: In Five Elements, Kidney Water generates Lung Metal; thus Kidney is the Mother of Lung. Here it implies Kidney fails to support Lung against Fire), causing Lung Metal to be impaired and depression to arise. Thus, when treating Lung Metal depression, can one avoid venting Lung Metal Qi? Although so, one cannot directly vent Lung Metal Qi. One must greatly tonify Kidney Water. When Water is sufficient, Heart Fire finds satisfaction in its resources and will no longer invade the Lung. Tonifying Kidney Water is precisely venting Lung Metal. Use Shan Xie Tang: Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root, 1 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit, 5 qian), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root, 1 liang), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta Spike, 3 qian), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root, 3 qian), Chao Zao Ren (Fried Sour Jujube Seed, 3 qian), Sha Shen (Glehnia or Adenophora Root, 3 qian), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb, 1 qian), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex, 2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Lighter after one dose, lighter still after two, completely cured after ten doses.
This formula nourishes Kidney Water to control Heart Fire, effectively nourishing Kidney Water to rescue Lung Metal. Lung Metal is calmed by the venting/nourishment of Kidney Water; Kidney Water is strengthened by the venting/descending of Lung Metal. Mother and child share one heart, making external invasions easy to control. What resentment remains! This is the profound meaning behind "venting Lung Metal depression."
For this syndrome, He Jin Tang is also effective.
Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber, 5 qian), Su Ye (Perilla Leaf, 1 qian), Jie Geng (Platycodon Root, 2 qian), Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 1 qian), Fu Ling (3 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root, 1 qian), Ban Xia (5 fen), Bai He (Lily Bulb, 3 qian). [Text incomplete]
A person experiences heart pain upon exposure to cold, heaviness in the waist, joint stiffness, difficulty in flexion and extension, occasional reversal cold (Jue Ni), hard epigastric masses, abdominal fullness, and yellow-black complexion. People attribute this to Cold Evil invasion, unaware that it is Water Depression (Shui Yu). Water depression mostly occurs in years where Earth overcomes and Wood retaliates. However, excessive Spleen and Stomach Qi and overly dry Liver and Gallbladder Blood can also cause Water Depression. Thus, how can the treatment abandon the Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians to treat Water Depression elsewhere? Although Water Depression stems from Water Deficiency, the nature of deficiency varies. There is deficiency caused by Fire (True Fire deficiency); there is deficiency caused by Water itself (True Water deficiency). When True Water is deficient, Evil Water flourishes; when True Fire is deficient, True Water declines further. Regardless of whether True Fire or True Water is deficient, the key lies in tonifying Fire within Water. When Fire is sufficient, Water naturally flourishes; when Water flourishes, depression cannot form. Use Bu Huo Jie Yu Tang: Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam, 5 qian), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Officinalis Root, 5 qian), Rou Gui (5 fen), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark, 5 qian), Yi Ren (Coix Seed, 5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Spontaneously cured after four consecutive doses.
This formula contains Water-nourishing ingredients amidst Fire-tonifying ones. Naturally, Fire generates Water, and Water generates Fire. With mutual assistance between Water and Fire, what depression could exist? It is unnecessary to nourish Liver/Gallbladder and regulate Spleen/Stomach.
For this syndrome, Jun Shui Tang is also effective.
Bai Zhu (1 liang), Du Zhong (3 qian), Shan Yao (1 liang), Yi Ren, Qian Shi (Euryale Seed, each 5 qian), Fang Ji (Stephania Root), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, each 5 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. Cured in four doses.
A person suffers from shortness of breath, distension and oppression in the hypochondrium, abdomen, chest, back, face, eyes, and limbs, occasional retching, sore and swollen throat, dry mouth and bitter taste, sudden pain above and below the epigastrium, or violent abdominal pain, red eyes and dizziness, heat in the heart with irritability, mental restlessness, potential sudden death, sweat soaking the skin, profuse thick turbid phlegm, red malar flush, and miliaria (heat rash). People attribute this to Phlegm-Fire disturbance, unaware that it is Fire Depression (Huo Yu). The nature of Fire is to flare upwards. When depressed, Fire cannot flare upwards, violating its nature. The Fire of the five Zang organs differs: there are Deficient Fire, Excess Fire, Ministerial Fire, and Sovereign Fire. However, Fire that forms depression is generally Deficient Fire and Ministerial Fire, i.e., Dragon-Thunder Fire. Thunder Fire does not activate unless depressed; if too depressed, it cannot activate. Unlike Sovereign Fire or Excess Fire, which can activate even when depressed. Therefore, treating Fire depression involves treating Deficient and Ministerial Fire alone. Since it is Deficient Fire, purgatives cannot be used; since it is Ministerial Fire, cold herbs cannot be used. One must follow its nature and disperse it. Use Fa Huo Tang: Chai Hu (1 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood, 3 qian), Chao Zao Ren (3 qian), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 3 qian), Chen Pi (3 fen), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Chao Zhi Zi (Fried Gardenia Fruit, each 1 qian), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed, 2 qian), Bai Zhu (2 qian), Guang Mu Xiang Powder (Costus Root Powder, 5 fen), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Fire depression resolves after one dose; all symptoms cure after the second dose.
This formula enters the Pericardium Collateral directly to resolve stagnant Qi, without directly purging Fire, but instead tonifying Qi and Blood, eliminating phlegm and stagnation, allowing Fire to follow its upward-flaring nature. Some doubt that Dragon-Thunder Fire resides in Liver/Kidney, not Pericardium, questioning if treating Pericardium can resolve Dragon-Thunder Fire depression. They fail to realize that Pericardium Fire connects downward to Liver and Kidney. If Pericardium Fire is not resolved, how can Dragon-Thunder Fire depression be resolved? Resolving Pericardium郁 Fire is precisely resolving Dragon-Thunder郁 Fire. Otherwise, if Pericardium depression remains, merely resolving Dragon-Thunder Fire causes it to want to rise but be blocked by Pericardium, leading to greater disaster (burning forests). Only by resolving Pericardium Fire can Upper Fire reach down, allowing Lower Fire to rise gradually or remain peaceful without forcing ascent. This is the most ingenious treatment method.
For this syndrome, Tong Huo Tang is also wonderful.
Bai Shao, Xuan Shen, Mai Dong (each 1 liang), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root, 5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Chen Pi (5 fen), Jing Jie (1 qian), Bai Jie Zi (2 qian), Fu Ling (3 qian), Ban Xia (8 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. Depression resolves after one dose, completely cured after two.
A person fears cold and heat, feels like wind but isn't, has headache and cheek pain, gastric fullness and stuffiness, severe connection between heart and hypochondrium with distension, blockage in diaphragm and throat, acid regurgitation and vomiting food, liking the sight of food but feeling pain after eating, severe boiling tinnitus, vertigo and fainting, blindness/unrecognizing people. People attribute this to Wind Evil, unaware it is Wood Depression (Mu Yu). Wood belongs to Liver and Gallbladder. Once Liver/Gallbladder Qi depresses, it cannot reach the Pericardium upwards and must attack Spleen/Stomach downwards. The post-heaven basis of the body relies on Spleen/Stomach. Wood controlling Spleen Earth prevents Spleen transformation; Wood controlling Stomach Earth prevents Stomach reception. Empty Spleen/Stomach leads to withered fluids, unable to distribute to the five Zang and seven Fu organs. Moreover, Wood loves Water. If Spleen/Stomach become scorched dry earth, Wood lacks water nourishment, attacking Earth deeper, making Earth sicker. As Earth sickens, it fails to generate Lung Metal, weakening Lung Metal's ability to control Liver Wood. Over-dry Liver Wood becomes restless and disruptive. Treatment should urgently soothe the original Qi of Liver/Gallbladder. However, merely soothing Liver/Gallbladder Qi without nourishing Liver/Gallbladder Blood means Blood cannot moisten, and Wood's depression is not fully resolved. Use Kai Yu Zhi Shen Tang: Ren Shen (Ginseng Root, 1 qian), Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome, 3 qian), Fu Ling (2 qian), Bai Zhu (1 qian), Dang Gui (2 qian), Bai Shao (5 qian), Chen Pi (5 fen), Gan Cao (5 fen), Chao Zhi Zi (1 qian), Chai Hu (5 fen). Decoct in water and take orally. Depression slightly resolves after one dose, completely resolves after the second.
This formula contains no harsh/scraping herbs yet removes stagnant knots, surpassing Xiao Yao San significantly. Some doubt that depression diseases require dispersing agents, not tonics like Ren Shen. They fail to realize that life circumstances vary, with many frustrations causing sorrowful hearts to knot. Wood depression does not solely stem from annual movements. Thus, treatment methods must change. One cannot stick to the dogma that depression is hard to treat with tonics, abandoning Ren Shen for pure dispersing drugs. Using Ren Shen within dispersing formulas causes no harm and facilitates depression resolution.
For this syndrome, Shu Mu Tang is also effective.
Bai Shao, Dang Gui (each 3 qian), Chuan Xiong, Jing Jie, Yu Jin, Cang Zhu (each 2 qian), Xiang Fu, Che Qian Zi, Zhu Ling, Gan Cao (each 1 qian), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel, 5 fen), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Cured in four doses.
Depression diseases are most common in women and hardest to relieve. If someone lies listless all day, speechless and foolish, people think it is impending Dumb Disease (Dai Bing), unaware it is thoughts knotting in the heart and Middle Qi depressing without smoothing. Relying solely on medicine is not the ideal treatment, nor is ignoring it expecting spontaneous cure. Generally, thought-induced depression resolves with joy;其次 (secondarily) with anger can also resolve it. Spleen governs thought; excessive thought closes Spleen Qi, causing food aversion. Joy causes Heart Fire to flare, generating Stomach Earth, opening Stomach Qi. Once Stomach Qi opens, Spleen Qi cannot stay closed. Anger belongs to Liver Wood; Wood controls Earth. Anger makes Qi vigorous, bursting open Spleen closure. Once Spleen Qi opens, digestion improves, nutrients nourish the body, overcoming depression. Thus, for such cases, provoke anger first, then guide with joy, followed slowly by medicine. This is an excellent method. Use Jie Yu Kai Jie Tang: Bai Shao (1 liang), Dang Gui (5 qian), Bai Jie Zi (3 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Sheng Zao Ren (Raw Sour Jujube Seed, 3 qian), Gan Cao (5 fen), Shen Qu (2 qian), Chen Pi (5 fen), Bo He (Mint, 1 qian), Dan Pi (3 qian), Xuan Shen (3 qian), Fu Shen (2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Knots open and depression resolves after ten doses.
This formula is a variation of Xiao Yao San, best for resolving depression. For mild depression/anger, it brings peace and joy. No need for the extra steps of provoking anger or guiding with joy.
For this syndrome, Shu Mu Tang plus Zhi Zi (1 qian) and Shen Qu (5 fen) is also very effective (formula seen previously).