人有大病之后，无过而遍身出汗，日以为常，人以为内热发汗也，谁知是阳气
之虚，外泄而腠理不能自闭乎。大病之后，气血大亏，气不能入于血之中，血必至
逼其气于肤之外，使肺金清肃之令行，则气虽欲越出于皮毛，而腠理未疏，何能外
泄？惟大病之后，必先损其肺，肺先无自主之权，安能禁其气之不固哉。气不固，
而汗乃气之所化，汗随气泄，遍体出汗淋漓，又无内邪之散，有不散尽其真气者乎。
似乎较亡阳之症相同，然而亡阳之症身丧于顷刻，自汗之病不至遽殒于须臾，其故
何也？盖亡阳之症，乃热邪驱之；自汗之症，乃阴虚促之也。阳病暴而阴病缓，阳
暴难于救援，阴缓易于调剂。治法自当以补气为主，而补气之中，兼以补阴，则阴
能摄阳，汗不止而自止矣。方用摄阳汤∶
人参（一两） 黄 （一两） 白芍（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 北五味（一钱） 山茱萸（三钱）
熟地（一两） 水煎服。二剂汗少止，四剂汗大止，十剂全愈。
此方用参、 以大补其气。气足则肺气有养，皮毛自固。益之麦冬、五味则肺
金不特自足以卫外，兼可以分润于肾水。犹恐汗出太多，必损耗真阴，更加熟地、
山茱以益精，使肺金不必又来下生肾水，则肺气旺而皮毛益固矣。增入白芍一味以
收敛肝气，则肝木自平，使肺金无仇家之相逼，则肺气安然，自能行其清肃之气，
而下输于膀胱，则上下之气舒，而心中生液，不来克肺，则肺金有权得以自主，安
肯听汗之自出哉。此摄阳之妙法也。倘贫穷之人无力买参，岂忍视死不救。前方之
中倍加黄 二两，增入防风五分，同前药煎服，功未尝不同，但必须多服数十剂也。
此症用敛汗汤甚妙。
黄 （一两） 麦冬（五钱） 北五味（二钱） 桑叶（十四片） 水煎服。
人有梦遗之后，身体野狼狈，加之行役太劳，或行房太甚，遂至盗汗淋漓，人以为
肾气之虚也，谁知是心气之热乎。夫心喜寒而不喜热，肾喜热而不喜寒，似乎心肾
之相违，然而于相违之中，未常不相合也。肾因梦遗之后，自然精水不足，加之行
役、行房，以劳其筋骨，则内阴大亏，何能上济于心乎？心无肾水之济，则心添其热，而肾水更耗，久则肾畏心之取资，
坚闭肾宫，而心不得不仍返于心宫，无奈心无
液养，而烦躁之念生。然心虽无宁静之气，未常无专主之权，徒然烦躁，而相火尚
不敢显背夫心，以自越出于躯壳之外，但乘心假寐，乃窃其资重而潜移耳。故盗汗
之出与自汗之出，实有不同。自汗者，心不得而自主也；盗汗者，心尚能操其意。此
等之汗，必出在胸间者尤甚。汗本热也，而越出于躯壳之外，则热变为寒。正因相
火之热，乃虚火而非实火，况乘心之未知而遁出，非明目张胆者可比，热出为寒，正
显其阴之象也。况心原无液何从而得汗乎？亦窃肾之余津私自潜移者也。治法泻心
中之热，仍宜补肾中之水。肾水足而心火自清，心火宁而心汗自止矣。方用防盗止
汗汤∶
麦冬（五钱） 生枣仁（一两） 熟地（一两） 山茱萸（三钱） 黄连（五分） 人参（三钱）
丹参（三钱） 茯神（三钱） 肉桂（五分） 水煎服。一剂汗少止，二剂汗全愈。
此方心肾双补之药也。心肾两足，自有离而复合之势。黄连清心，肉桂温肾，
二味同用，能使心肾交于顷刻。心肾既交，则心火清明，相火畏主，何敢窃财用而偷
出哉。倘不补心肾，惟事止汗，汗不能止，必且轻变重而重变危矣。乌可轻用止涩
之味乎。
此症用四参汤亦效。
玄参（一两） 麦冬 生地（各五钱） 天门冬 人参 沙参（各三钱） 丹参 茯苓（各二钱）
黄连（五分） 北五味（一钱） 水煎服。
人有夜间发热，初时出汗星星，后则渐多，日久每夜竟出大汗，至五更而止，人
以为阳虚盗汗也，谁知是阴虚出汗乎。夫阴虚者，肾虚也。肾藏真阴，阴宜秘藏，
何故发汗？盖肾中之火动也。肾水非火不养，何反致泄水？即水泄宜从下出，何走
皮毛而旁出耶？不知肾火生水，真火也。真火喜静而不喜动，水静则真火生水，水
动则真火泄水矣。生水则火能秘藏，泄水则火乃奔越。故肾中之火动者，仍肾中之
水自动，由于人之纵欲而好泄其精也。精泄过多，则劳其精而水动，而火亦动。火
动而水不足以济之，则火且挟水，而腾出于本宫，不从下走，而乃随其火性，游行
于经络腠理之间，遇毛窍而泄也。初则偶尔游行，久则夜夜出汗。阴气愈虚则愈汗，
毛窍之细路竟成转输之大道矣。然汗既易出，宜无分昼夜，何夜汗而昼不汗耶？得
毋阴虚而阳未虚乎？不知阴阳各有道路，行于阳之分，则阴不敢夺阳之权；行于阴
之分，则阳不敢夺阴之柄。夜间出汗，实阴走于阴之途，至于五更，则阴不敢入于
阳之界。故阴汗遇阳气而自转，非阴虚而阳不虚也。治法宜大补其真阴，而加之阳
分之药，提阴出于阳分，庶几阴遇阳而止也。方用补阴止汗汤∶
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 人参（二钱） 白术（三钱） 地骨皮（一两） 沙参（三钱）
北五味子（一钱） 桑叶（十片） 水煎服。二剂汗少止，四剂汗乃止，十剂汗不再出矣。
此方熟地、山茱补精之物也，地骨、沙参补阴而更能清骨髓中之虚热，五味、
桑叶止汗之神剂，人参、白术健脾开胃补气之圣药也。多用补阴之品，则水足以制
火，少用补阳之味，则阳易于提阴。阴阳水火，既无偏胜之虞，自无走泄之患，何必
用涩精之牡蛎、敛汗之瞿麦哉。
此症用湛露饮亦效。
熟地（二两） 地骨皮 沙参 丹皮（各五钱） 北五味（一钱） 水煎服。
人有饮食之时，头项至面与颈HT 之间大汗淋漓，每饭皆如此，然身又无恙，人
以为阳气之旺也，谁知是胃气之盛乎。夫胃气即阳气也，胃旺则阳旺，而分为二者何
故？不知阳旺者，合三阳而言之；胃旺者，单举胃一经而言之也。胃本属土，无水谷
之入，则胃气安静。即处饥饿之时，而其火暗起，亦不过在胸膈间，不能上至于头
项。惟得水谷之气，填于阳明之经，则胃中之火，借水谷之气以助其势，遂化汗而
上腾，越出于头面之上下也。此等之汗，明是胃火之盛，由于心包之火旺也。心包
生土以生火，非助火以害土。胃得火生以出汗，不同于邪火之自焚也。故止出汗于
上焦，而不亡阳于下焦耳。治法泻胃火之有余，不可损胃土之不足，使胃平而汗自
止也。方用收汗丹∶
玄参（三钱） 生地（三钱） 荆芥（一钱） 五味子（三分） 桑叶（十片） 白芍（五钱）
苏子（一钱） 白芥子（一钱） 水煎服。服一月全愈。
此方不去泻胃火，反去滋阴。盖阳之盛者，阴之衰也。补阴则阴旺自足摄阳，不
必止汗而汗自止。况方中有桑叶、荆芥为引经止汗之药，白芥、苏子为消痰定气之
品，原调剂之咸宜，抑阳而归阴，化汗而为精，又何疑乎？然必久服而始奏效者，
以调胃之药，宜和缓而不宜急遽也。
此症用龟豕膏亦奇效。
杀猪心内之血（一两） 龟板膏（二两） 五味子（二钱，为末） 煮成一块，口含化咽，
服作一次。食完，永不再发。
先将龟板融化，后入猪心血，再入五味子末，调化膏，切片，含化。神方也。
人有心头有汗，一身手足无汗者，人以为心热之故也，谁知是思虑过多，心虚
而无血以养心乎。夫心主火也，思虑过多，则心火炎烧，逼干其液，液干宜无汗矣，
何心头多出汗耶？不知此汗非汗也，乃心中之液，内不能存，外走而汗出耳。或疑
心液无多，安得尽化为汗？不知心为君主之官，心热则五脏七腑之液群来相资，
因其内热之甚，不养心而为液，反越心而为汗也。汗既多出，无有尽期，五脏七腑
之液何能相继？势必心愈热而汗不可止，及至汗不可止，而心中干燥，烦躁不眠之
症生矣。治法补血以养心，泻火以生液，不必止汗而汗自止矣。方用滋心汤∶
人参（三钱） 桑叶（十四片） 黄连（五分） 丹参（三钱） 麦冬（五钱） 甘草（五分）
熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 柏子仁（二钱） 生地（五钱） 白术（三钱） 沙参（二钱） 玄参（三钱）
丹皮（三钱） 水煎服。
二剂心汗止，十剂不再发。
此方名为滋心，实多滋肾之味。盖心之液必得肾之精上溉，而液乃生。故欲补
心中之液，必须补肾中之精也。补肾而少加清心之品，则心火安宁，而液不外越矣。
此症用助思汤亦效。
人参（五钱） 熟地（一两） 生地（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 北五味（一钱） 黄连（一钱） 肉桂（三分）
茯苓（二钱） 菟丝子（二钱） 丹皮（二钱） 丹砂（一钱，不可经火） 柏子仁（三钱） 炒枣仁（二钱）
莲子心（一钱） 水煎服。
大病初愈后，患者没有受到外邪侵袭却全身出汗，每天如此，人们以为是体内有热导致发汗，殊不知这是阳气虚弱，向外泄漏，致使腠理（皮肤毛孔及其间隙）无法自行闭合。大病之后，气血严重亏损，气不能进入血中，血液必然逼迫气停留在肌肤之外。如果肺金清肃的功能正常，那么气虽然想要从皮毛溢出，但由于腠理没有疏泄，气怎么能向外泄漏呢？只有在患大病之后，首先损伤的是肺脏，肺先失去了自主调控的权力，又怎能禁止气的固摄功能呢？气不固摄，而汗是由气所化生的，汗随着气的泄漏而出，导致遍身大汗淋漓。既然没有内邪需要发散，难道不是真气被散尽了吗？
这症状似乎与亡阳证相同，然而亡阳证会在顷刻间导致身体衰败死亡，自汗病却不会在瞬间致死，这是什么原因呢？大概亡阳证是由于热邪驱迫所致；自汗证则是由于阴虚促使而成。阳病发作急暴而阴病发展缓慢，阳虚暴脱难以救援，阴虚则容易调理。治疗方法自然应当以补气为主，而在补气之中，兼以补阴，这样阴能摄纳阳气，汗液即使不停止也会自然停止。方用摄阳汤：人参（一两）、黄芪（一两）、白芍（五钱）、麦冬（五钱）、北五味子（一钱）、山茱萸（三钱）、熟地黄（一两），水煎服。服用两剂汗少止，四剂汗大减，十剂痊愈。
此方用人参、黄芪来大补元气。气充足则肺气得到滋养，皮毛自然固密。加入麦冬、五味子，则肺金不仅自身足以卫护体表，还可以分润津液以滋补肾水。还担心出汗太多，必定损耗真阴，因此再加入熟地黄、山茱萸以益精，使肺金不必再去下生肾水，这样肺气旺盛而皮毛更加固密了。加入白芍一味以收敛肝气，则肝木自然平和，使肺金没有肝木相克的威胁，肺气安然，自然能行使清肃之气，向下输注于膀胱，这样上下之气舒畅，心中生津，不再克制肺金，则肺金有权力得以自主，怎肯听任汗液自行流出呢？这是摄阳的妙法啊。倘若贫穷之人无力购买人参，怎么忍心看着病人死去而不救呢？前方中加倍使用黄芪二两，增加防风五分，与前药同煎服用，功效未尝不同，但必须多服用几十剂才行。此症用敛汗汤也非常奇妙。黄芪（一两）、麦冬（五钱）、北五味子（二钱）、桑叶（十四片），水煎服。
有人在梦遗之后，身体极度疲惫狼狈，加上长途跋涉过于劳累，或者房事过度，导致盗汗淋漓，人们以为是肾气虚弱，殊不知是心气有热。心喜欢寒凉而不喜欢炎热，肾喜欢温热而不喜欢寒冷，看似心肾相互违背，然而在违背之中，也未尝不相合。肾因梦遗之后，自然精水不足，再加上行役、行房劳损筋骨，导致体内阴液大亏，哪能上济于心呢？心没有肾水的济助，则心火更热，而肾水更加耗损，久而久之，肾畏惧心火的索取，便坚闭肾宫，而心不得不仍返回于心宫。无奈心缺乏津液滋养，烦躁的念头便产生。然而心虽然没有了宁静之气，但未尝没有专主的权力，只是徒然烦躁，而相火尚不敢公然违背心主，从而越出躯壳之外，只是趁着心假寐时，窃取其资源而潜移出来。所以盗汗与自汗的成因，确实不同。自汗是心不能自主；盗汗是心尚能操持意念。这类汗出，在胸部尤为严重。汗本属热，但越出躯壳之外，热便变为寒。正因为相火之热，乃是虚火而非实火，况且趁着心神不知觉而遁出，不像明目张胆者可比，热出为寒，正显现其阴象。况且心原本无液，从哪里得到汗呢？也是窃取肾之余津私自潜移出来的罢了。治疗方法应泻心中之热，仍宜补肾中之水。肾水充足而心火自然清凉，心火安宁而心汗自然停止。方用防盗止汗汤：麦冬（五钱）、生酸枣仁（一两）、熟地黄（一两）、山茱萸（三钱）、黄连（五分）、人参（三钱）、丹参（三钱）、茯神（三钱）、肉桂（五分），水煎服。服用一剂汗少止，二剂痊愈。
此方是心肾双补的药物。心肾两足，自有离卦与坎卦相交复合的趋势。黄连清心，肉桂温肾，两味同用，能使心肾在顷刻间交泰。心肾既已交泰，则心火清明，相火敬畏主君，怎敢窃取财物而偷出呢？倘若不补心肾，只从事止汗，汗不能止，必定轻病变重，重病转危，岂可轻易使用收敛固涩的药物呢？此症用四参汤也有效。玄参（一两）、麦冬、生地黄（各五钱）、天门冬、人参、沙参（各三钱）、丹参、茯苓（各二钱）、黄连（五分）、北五味子（一钱），水煎服。
有人夜间发热，起初出汗零星，后来逐渐增多，日久每晚竟出大汗，直到五更天停止，人们以为是阳虚导致的盗汗，殊不知是阴虚出汗。所谓阴虚，就是肾虚。肾藏真阴，阴宜秘藏，为何会发汗？这是因为肾中之火动摇了。肾水非火不养，为何反而致水泄漏？即使水泄漏应从下出，为何走皮毛旁出呢？不知道肾火生水，是真火。真火喜欢安静而不喜欢躁动，水静则真火生水，水动则真火泄水了。生水则火能秘藏，泄水则火乃奔越。所以肾中之火动，仍是肾中之水自动，这是由于人纵欲而好泄其精所致。精泄过多，则劳损其精而水动，火也随之而动。火动而水不足以济助它，则火挟带水，腾出于本宫，不从下走，而是随其火性，游行于经络腠理之间，遇到毛窍就泄漏出来。起初只是偶尔游行，久了则夜夜出汗。阴气越虚则汗越多，毛窍的细路竟成了转输的大道了。然而汗既然容易出，应该不分昼夜，为何夜汗而昼不汗呢？莫非是阴虚而阳未虚吗？不知道阴阳各有道路，行于阳之分，则阴不敢夺取阳的权柄；行于阴之分，则阳不敢夺取阴的权柄。夜间出汗，实则是阴走于阴的途径，至于五更，则阴不敢进入阳的界限。所以阴汗遇阳气而自然回转，并非阴虚而阳不虚。治疗方法宜大补真阴，并加入阳分之药，提阴出于阳分，或许阴遇阳而停止。方用补阴止汗汤：熟地黄（一两）、山茱萸（五钱）、人参（二钱）、白术（三钱）、地骨皮（一两）、沙参（三钱）、北五味子（一钱）、桑叶（十片），水煎服。服用两剂汗少止，四剂汗乃止，十剂汗不再出。
此方中熟地黄、山茱萸是补精之物，地骨皮、沙参补阴且更能清骨髓中的虚热，五味子、桑叶是止汗的神剂，人参、白术是健脾开胃补气的圣药。多用补阴之品，则水足以制火，少用补阳之味，则阳易于提阴。阴阳水火，既然没有偏胜的忧虑，自然没有走泄的祸患，何必用涩精的牡蛎、敛汗的瞿麦呢？此症用湛露饮也有效。熟地黄（二两）、地骨皮、沙参、牡丹皮（各五钱）、北五味子（一钱），水煎服。
有人在饮食之时，头项至面部与颈部之间大汗淋漓，每顿饭都如此，然而身体又没有其他不适，人们以为是阳气旺盛，殊不知是胃气盛旺。胃气即阳气，胃旺则阳旺，分为二者为何故？不知道阳旺是综合三阳经而言；胃旺是单举胃这一经而言。胃本属土，没有水谷摄入，则胃气安静。即使处于饥饿之时，其火暗起，也不过在胸膈间，不能上至于头项。只有得到水谷之气，填于阳明之经，则胃中之火，借水谷之气以助其势，遂化为汗而上腾，越出于头面之上下。这类汗，明是胃火盛旺，由于心包之火旺所致。心包生土以生火，并非助火以害土。胃得火生以出汗，不同于邪火自焚。所以止出汗于上焦，而不亡阳于下焦。治疗方法应泻胃火之有余，不可损胃土之不足，使胃气平和而汗自止。方用收汗丹：玄参（三钱）、生地黄（三钱）、荆芥（一钱）、五味子（三分）、桑叶（十片）、白芍（五钱）、苏子（一钱）、白芥子（一钱），水煎服。服用一月痊愈。
此方不去泻胃火，反而去滋阴。盖阳气盛者，阴气衰也。补阴则阴旺自足摄阳，不必止汗而汗自止。况且方中有桑叶、荆芥作为引经止汗的药，白芥子、苏子作为消痰定气的物品，原是调剂得宜，抑阳而归阴，化汗而为精，有什么可疑虑的呢？然而必须久服才见效，是因为调胃的药，宜和缓而不宜急遽。此症用龟豕膏也有奇效。杀猪心内的血（一两）、龟板膏（二两）、五味子（二钱，研末），煮成一块，口含化咽，一次服完。吃完后，永不复发。先将龟板融化，后入猪心血，再入五味子末，调化膏，切片，含化。这是神方。
有人心头出汗，一身手足无汗，人们以为是心热的缘故，殊不知是思虑过多，心虚而无血以养心。心主火，思虑过多，则心火炎烧，逼干其液，液干理应无汗，为何心头多出汗呢？不知道此汗非汗，乃是心中的液，内不能存留，外走而汗出。有人怀疑心液不多，怎得尽化为汗？不知道心为君主之官，心热则五脏七腑之液群来相资，因其内热太甚，不养心而为液，反越心而为汗。汗既多出，无有尽期，五脏七腑之液怎能相继？势必心愈热而汗不可止，及至汗不可止，而心中干燥，烦躁不眠的症状便产生了。治疗方法补血以养心，泻火以生液，不必止汗而汗自止。方用滋心汤：人参（三钱）、桑叶（十四片）、黄连（五分）、丹参（三钱）、麦冬（五钱）、甘草（五分）、熟地黄（一两）、山茱萸（五钱）、柏子仁（二钱）、生地黄（五钱）、白术（三钱）、沙参（二钱）、玄参（三钱）、牡丹皮（三钱），水煎服。服用两剂心汗止，十剂不再发。
此方名为滋心，实则多为滋肾之味。盖心的液必得肾之精上溉，而液乃生。所以欲补心中之液，必须补肾中之精。补肾而少加清心之品，则心火安宁，而液不外越。此症用助思汤也有效。人参（五钱）、熟地黄（一两）、生地黄（五钱）、麦冬（五钱）、北五味子（一钱）、黄连（一钱）、肉桂（三分）、茯苓（二钱）、菟丝子（二钱）、牡丹皮（二钱）、朱砂（一钱，不可经火）、柏子仁（三钱）、炒酸枣仁（二钱）、莲子心（一钱），水煎服。
After a severe illness, the patient sweats all over without any external pathogenic invasion, making it a daily occurrence. People assume this is sweating due to internal heat, but little do they know that it is actually deficiency of Yang Qi (Yang Energy), which leaks outward, causing the Couli (pores and interstices) to fail in self-closure. Following a severe illness, Qi and Blood are severely depleted; Qi cannot enter the Blood, so Blood inevitably forces Qi to remain outside the skin. If the Lung Metal’s function of clearing and descending were normal, although Qi might desire to escape through the hair and skin, since the Couli are not open, how could Qi leak out? Only after a severe illness, where the Lungs are damaged first, losing their autonomous control, can they fail to restrain Qi. When Qi is unsecured, and since Sweat is transformed from Qi, sweat follows the leakage of Qi, resulting in profuse whole-body sweating. Since there is no internal pathogen to disperse, is the True Qi not being exhausted?
This condition seems similar to Yang Collapse (Wang Yang), yet Yang Collapse leads to death within moments, whereas spontaneous sweating does not cause immediate death. Why? Yang Collapse is driven by Heat Pathogens; spontaneous sweating is urged by Yin Deficiency. Yang diseases are acute and difficult to rescue, while Yin diseases are slow and easier to regulate. The treatment should primarily tonify Qi, while simultaneously tonifying Yin within the Qi-tonification strategy. This allows Yin to grasp Yang, and the sweat will stop spontaneously. Use Sheyang Tang (Catching Yang Decoction): Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix, 1 liang), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 5 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 5 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, 1 qian), Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus, 3 qian), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 1 liang). Decoct in water and take orally. After two doses, sweating decreases; after four doses, it stops significantly; after ten doses, full recovery.
This formula uses Ren Shen and Huang Qi to greatly tonify Qi. When Qi is sufficient, Lung Qi is nourished, and the skin/hair become secure. Adding Mai Dong and Wu Wei Zi ensures Lung Metal not only defends the exterior but also moistens Kidney Water. Fearing excessive sweating damages True Yin, Shu Di Huang and Shan Zhu Yu are added to benefit Essence, so Lung Metal need not generate Kidney Water further, allowing Lung Qi to flourish and the skin to become even more secure. Adding Bai Shao converges Liver Qi, calming Liver Wood, so Lung Metal faces no hostile pressure, allowing Lung Qi to peacefully execute its clearing/descending function, transmitting downward to the Bladder. With smooth Qi flow between upper and lower, Heart Fluid is generated, preventing Heart Fire from insulting Lung Metal. Thus, Lung Metal regains autonomy and refuses to allow spontaneous sweating. This is the subtle method of Catching Yang. For poor patients unable to afford Ren Shen, add double the amount of Huang Qi (2 liang) and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 0.5 qian) to the previous formula. The efficacy is similar, but many more doses are required. Alternatively, Lianhan Tang (Stopping Sweat Decoction) is excellent: Huang Qi (1 liang), Mai Dong (5 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (2 qian), Sang Ye (Mori Folium, 14 leaves). Decoct in water and take orally.
After nocturnal emission, if the body is extremely fatigued, compounded by excessive travel or sexual activity, night sweating occurs profusely. People attribute this to Kidney Qi deficiency, but it is actually Heat in Heart Qi. The Heart prefers cold and dislikes heat; the Kidney prefers heat and dislikes cold. Though seemingly contradictory, they harmonize. After nocturnal emission, Jing Water is insufficient. Combined with physical exertion and sex damaging sinews and bones, Internal Yin is severely depleted, unable to ascend to assist the Heart. Without Kidney Water assistance, Heart Heat increases, further depleting Kidney Water. Eventually, the Kidney fears the Heart’s demand and seals the Kidney Palace tightly, forcing the Heart to remain within itself. Lacking fluid nourishment, irritability arises. Although the Heart lacks tranquility, it retains sovereign authority. While irritable, Ministerial Fire dare not openly rebel against the Heart Sovereign to escape the body, but rather steals resources during the Heart’s light sleep. Thus, night sweating differs from spontaneous sweating. Spontaneous sweating means the Heart loses control; night sweating means the Heart still holds intent. This type of sweating is especially severe in the chest. Sweat is inherently hot, but upon exiting the body, heat transforms into cold. Because Ministerial Fire is deficient heat rather than excess heat, and it escapes stealthily when the Heart is unaware, it resembles Yin characteristics. Moreover, since the Heart originally lacks fluid, where does the sweat come from? It is secretly stolen residual fluid from the Kidney. Treatment should clear Heart Heat and tonify Kidney Water. When Kidney Water is sufficient, Heart Fire clears; when Heart Fire is calm, Heart Sweat stops. Use Fangdao Zhihan Tang (Preventing Theft Stopping Sweat Decoction): Mai Dong (5 qian), Sheng Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosani Semen, 1 liang), Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (3 qian), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 0.5 qian), Ren Shen (3 qian), Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Fu Shen (Poria Cum Radix, 3 qian), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex, 0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. One dose reduces sweating; two doses cure.
This formula tonifies both Heart and Kidney. When Heart and Kidney are sufficient, Li (Fire) and Kan (Water) naturally reunite. Huang Lian clears Heart; Rou Gui warms Kidney. Together, they facilitate Heart-Kidney intersection instantly. Once intersected, Heart Fire becomes clear, Ministerial Fire respects the Master, and dares not steal fluids. If one does not tonify Heart/Kidney but merely tries to stop sweat, the sweat will not stop, potentially worsening the condition. How can astringents be used lightly? Si Shen Tang (Four Ginsengs Decoction) is also effective: Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix, 1 liang), Mai Dong, Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix, 5 qian each), Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix), Ren Shen, Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix, 3 qian each), Dan Shen, Fu Ling (Poria, 2 qian each), Huang Lian (0.5 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
Some experience fever at night, starting with sparse sweating, gradually increasing until profuse sweating every night, stopping at Wugeng (3-5 AM). People think this is Yang-deficient night sweating, but it is actually Yin-deficient sweating. Yin deficiency refers to Kidney deficiency. The Kidney stores True Yin, which should be sealed. Why sweat? Because Fire in the Kidney moves. Kidney Water needs Fire to nourish it, yet why does it leak? Even if water leaks, it should exit downwards, not through the skin. The Fire in the Kidney generates Water; this is True Fire. True Fire prefers stillness. Still water generates True Fire; moving water causes True Fire to leak water. Generating water allows Fire to be sealed; leaking water causes Fire to run wild. Thus, moving Fire in the Kidney is caused by moving Water, due to excessive sexual indulgence. Excessive essence loss damages Essence, moving Water and Fire. When Fire moves and Water cannot assist, Fire carries Water upward from its palace, traveling through meridians and Couli, exiting via pores. Initially occasional, it becomes nightly. As Yin becomes more deficient, sweating increases, turning fine pores into major channels. Why night sweat and not day sweat? Is Yang not deficient? Yin and Yang have separate pathways. In Yang sectors, Yin does not usurp Yang’s power; in Yin sectors, Yang does not usurp Yin’s power. Night sweating is Yin traveling its own path. At Wugeng, Yin dares not enter Yang’s boundary. Thus, Yin sweat turns back upon encountering Yang Qi. Treatment should greatly tonify True Yin and add Yang-sector herbs to lift Yin out of the Yin sector, so Yin meets Yang and stops. Use Buyin Zhihan Tang (Tonifying Yin Stopping Sweat Decoction): Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (5 qian), Ren Shen (2 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 3 qian), Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex, 1 liang), Sha Shen (3 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (1 qian), Sang Ye (10 leaves). Decoct in water and take orally. Two doses reduce sweating; four doses stop it; ten doses prevent recurrence.
Shu Di Huang and Shan Zhu Yu tonify Essence; Di Gu Pi and Sha Shen tonify Yin and clear bone marrow deficiency heat; Wu Wei Zi and Sang Ye are divine for stopping sweat; Ren Shen and Bai Zhu are sacred for strengthening Spleen/Stomach and tonifying Qi. Using more Yin-tonics allows Water to control Fire; using less Yang-tonics allows Yang to lift Yin. With balanced Yin/Yang and Water/Fire, there is no risk of imbalance or leakage. Why use Oyster Shell (Muli) for astringing essence or Plantago Seed (Qumai) for stopping sweat? Zhanlu Yin (Dew Drink) is also effective: Shu Di Huang (2 liang), Di Gu Pi, Sha Shen, Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex, 5 qian each), Bei Wu Wei Zi (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
During meals, some sweat profusely from head/neck to face, every time they eat, yet feel otherwise well. People think this is abundant Yang Qi, but it is actually exuberant Stomach Qi. Stomach Qi is Yang Qi; strong Stomach means strong Yang. Why distinguish them? “Strong Yang” refers to the three Yang meridians collectively; “Strong Stomach” refers specifically to the Stomach meridian. Stomach belongs to Earth; without food intake, Stomach Qi is quiet. Even when hungry, its fire smolders in the chest/diaphragm, not reaching the head. Only when food/qi fills the Yangming meridian does Stomach Fire borrow this energy to rise, transforming into sweat that surges to the head and face. This sweat indicates strong Stomach Fire, caused by pericardium fire. Pericardium generates Earth to produce Fire, not harming Earth. Stomach sweating due to Fire generation differs from pathological fire burning itself. Thus, sweat stops in the Upper Jiao without collapsing Yang in the Lower Jiao. Treatment should drain excess Stomach Fire without damaging deficient Stomach Earth, balancing the Stomach to stop sweat. Use Shouhan Dan (Stopping Sweat Pill): Xuan Shen (3 qian), Sheng Di Huang (3 qian), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Spica, 1 qian), Wu Wei Zi (0.3 qian), Sang Ye (10 leaves), Bai Shao (5 qian), Su Zi (Perillae Fructus, 1 qian), Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Full recovery after one month.
This formula does not drain Stomach Fire directly but nourishes Yin. Where Yang is excessive, Yin is deficient. Tonifying Yin makes Yin strong enough to grasp Yang, stopping sweat spontaneously. Sang Ye and Jing Jie guide herbs to stop sweat; Bai Jie Zi and Su Zi resolve phlegm and calm Qi. This harmonizes, suppresses Yang returning to Yin, and transforms sweat into Essence. Long-term use is necessary because regulating Stomach requires gentle, not rapid, action. Guichi Gao (Turtle-Pig Paste) is also miraculous: Pig Heart Blood (1 liang), Turtle Shell Paste (Gui Ban Gao, 2 liang), Wu Wei Zi powder (2 qian). Boil into a solid block, hold in mouth to dissolve and swallow, taken once. After finishing, it never recurs. Melt turtle shell paste first, add pig heart blood, then Wu Wei Zi powder, mix into paste, slice, and dissolve in mouth. A divine prescription.
Some sweat only on the chest/head while limbs are dry. People think this is Heart Heat, but it is actually excessive worry leading to Heart deficiency and lack of Blood to nourish the Heart. The Heart governs Fire. Excessive worry causes Heart Fire to flare, drying fluids. Dry fluids should mean no sweat, yet chest sweating occurs. This is not true sweat, but Heart Fluid leaking outward due to inability to retain it internally. One might question: Heart fluid is scarce, how can it all become sweat? The Heart is the Sovereign Officer. When Heart is hot, fluids from the Five Zang and Seven Fu organs converge to support it. Due to intense internal heat, instead of nourishing the Heart as fluid, they overflow as sweat. Profuse sweating has no end; fluids cannot keep up. Eventually, Heart heat increases, sweat becomes uncontrollable, leading to dryness, irritability, and insomnia. Treatment should tonify Blood to nourish the Heart and drain Fire to generate fluid. Sweat will stop without direct astringents. Use Zixin Tang (Nourishing Heart Decoction): Ren Shen (3 qian), Sang Ye (14 leaves), Huang Lian (0.5 qian), Dan Shen (3 qian), Mai Dong (5 qian), Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 0.5 qian), Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (5 qian), Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed, 2 qian), Sheng Di Huang (5 qian), Bai Zhu (3 qian), Sha Shen (2 qian), Xuan Shen (3 qian), Mu Dan Pi (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Chest sweat stops after two doses; no recurrence after ten doses.
Though named Nourishing Heart, this formula mostly tonifies the Kidney. Heart fluid requires Kidney Essence to irrigate it upwards to be generated. To tonify Heart fluid, one must tonify Kidney Essence. Tonifying the Kidney with slight Heart-clearing herbs calms Heart Fire, preventing fluid leakage. Zhusi Tang (Assisting Thought Decoction) is also effective: Ren Shen (5 qian), Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Sheng Di Huang (5 qian), Mai Dong (5 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (1 qian), Huang Lian (1 qian), Rou Gui (0.3 qian), Fu Ling (2 qian), Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen, 2 qian), Mu Dan Pi (2 qian), Zhu Sha (Cinnabar, 1 qian, do not roast), Bai Zi Ren (3 qian), Chao Suan Zao Ren (Fried Ziziphi Spinosani Semen, 2 qian), Lian Zi Xin (Nelumbinis Plumula, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.