补精之药，固忌温热。然以天道验之，时非温热，则地气不能升而为雨，人身之道，何
莫不由斯。
然则肾气虽寒，补实资乎温助，故昔人苁蓉、巴戟、故纸、茴香之类，发扬肾气，使阴阳
交蒸而生精，知
此理也。自丹溪出，而以黄柏、知母为补肾之药，误人多矣，夫黄柏、知母，(知母、黄柏
，仅可用于火炽
体盛者初期暂服，久则反从火化。)虽北方寒水之气而生，然其性降而不升，杀而不生，暂
用
其寒，可以益水，久服其苦，反能助火。经不云乎，久而增气，物化之常也。气增而久，夭
之由
也，可不慎欤。加减四柱饮，治虚劳短气乏力，语言无力，饮食少思者。人参、黄 、干
山药、白茯苓、熟附子五分，去皮脐，童便换浸三昼夜，纸裹煨三次咀片，川椒红二
十
四粒，去目及闭口者，上生姜三片，枣一枚，煎服。
《琐碎录》云∶男子劳伤而得瘵疾，渐见瘦瘠，用童便二盏，无灰酒一盏，以新瓷瓶贮
之，
入全猪腰一对。(取血肉有情之品，以类相从，故收效速，是损其肾者，益其精，补之于味
也。)泥
封，日晚慢火养熟，至中夜止，五更初更以火温之，饮酒食腰子，病笃者只一月效。平日瘦
怯者，亦宜服此，盖以血养血，胜一切金石草木之药也。秘方∶治虚症有火，服参、 则作
喘嗽，服
归、地则少饮食。服降火滋阴药则反削元气，而火又不降，宜用此方。甘枸杞、石斛(酒蒸
多用)，麦门冬(去必多用)，天门冬、干山药。以上五味，皆补虚药。(而甘凉者又不滞脾
气，以
虚症
有火者绝妙。)山茱萸、酸枣仁，炒研多用，薏苡仁、白茯苓。若咳嗽宜用五味子十余
粒，干姜二三分，薄荷四五分，忌桑皮、杏仁、苏子、降气等药。若发躁，宜倍用收
敛之药，摄火归
源。忌用知母、黄柏苦寒之药，犯之则躁愈甚矣。
补益精血的药物，本来应当忌讳使用温热性质的药材。然而，从天道的规律来验证，如果时节不是温热的，地气就不能上升化为雨水；人身生理之道，没有不遵循这一规律的。
既然这样，虽然肾气本性偏寒，但补肾确实需要依靠温助之力。所以古人常用肉苁蓉、巴戟天、故纸（补骨脂）、茴香这类药物，以发扬肾气，使阴阳二气交蒸互化从而生成精血，这正是懂得了这个道理。自从朱丹溪问世以来，主张用黄柏、知母作为补肾的药物，误导了很多人。夫黄柏、知母（注：知母、黄柏仅可用于火炽体盛者的初期暂服，久服则反从火化），虽然它们生于北方寒水之气的环境中，但其药性沉降而不升发，只有肃杀之性而没有生发之机。暂时使用其寒性，可以有益肾水；长期服用其苦味，反而能助长火势。医经不说过吗？“久而增气，物化之常也”，即某种气味长期摄入会增加相应的气机，这是事物变化的常态。气机增加久了，就是导致早夭的原因，能不谨慎吗？加减四柱饮，用于治疗虚劳导致的短气乏力、说话无力、食欲不振等症状。方用人参、黄芪、干山药、白茯苓、熟附子五分（去皮脐，用童便浸泡三昼夜，用纸包裹煨制三次后切片），川椒红二十四粒（去目及闭口者），生姜三片，大枣一枚，煎汤服用。
《琐碎录》记载：男子因劳伤而患瘵疾（肺结核类消耗性疾病），逐渐出现消瘦，可用童便两盏，无灰酒一盏，装入新瓷瓶中，放入完整的猪腰一对。（取血肉有情之品，以类相从，所以收效迅速，这是针对肾虚者，通过味道来填补精气，属于“补之于味”的方法。）用泥封口，晚上用慢火炖煮至半夜停止，五更初再用火温热，饮用酒并吃腰子，病情重者一个月见效。平时身体瘦弱怯懦的人，也适宜服用此方，因为是以血养血，胜过一切金石草木类的药物。秘方：治疗虚症伴有内火，服用人参、黄芪则引发喘嗽，服用当归、地黄则减少饮食食欲。服用降火滋阴药则反而削弱元气，且火势又不下降，适宜使用此方。甘枸杞、石斛（酒蒸多用）、麦门冬（去心必多用）、天门冬、干山药。以上五味，都是补虚的药物。（其中甘凉性质的药物又不阻滞脾气，对于虚症有火的情况是绝妙的配伍。）山茱萸、酸枣仁，炒研后多用，薏苡仁、白茯苓。如果有咳嗽症状，宜用五味子十余粒，干姜二三分，薄荷四五分，忌用桑白皮、杏仁、苏子、降气类药物。如果出现烦躁不安，宜加倍使用收敛药物，以摄纳浮火归元。忌用知母、黄柏等苦寒药物，触犯则会使得烦躁更加严重。
Medicines for tonifying essence (Jing, vital essence) are inherently contraindicated to be warm and hot. However, verifying this against the laws of Heaven, if the season is not warm, the Qi of the Earth cannot ascend to become rain; likewise, the physiological principles of the human body follow no other path than this.
Therefore, although Kidney Qi (Kidney Energy) is naturally cold, tonifying it truly relies on warm assistance. Thus, ancient practitioners used herbs such as Roushouyu (Cistanche), Bajitian (Morinda officinalis), Guzhi (Psoralea corylifolia), and Huixiang (Fennel) to promote Kidney Qi, allowing Yin and Yang to interact and steam each other to generate essence. This demonstrates an understanding of this principle. Since Zhu Danxi emerged, advocating the use of Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) as medicines for tonifying the Kidney, many have been misled. Huangbai and Zhimu (Note: Zhi Mu and Huang Bai should only be taken temporarily in the early stage by those with blazing fire and robust constitution; long-term use transforms into fire.) Although they grow in the environment of Northern Cold Water Qi, their nature is descending rather than ascending, killing rather than generating. Temporarily using their coldness can benefit Water (Kidney); however, long-term consumption of their bitterness can instead assist Fire. The Classics do not say, "Prolonged intake increases Qi, which is the constant of transformation." When Qi increases for a long time, it becomes the cause of premature death. Can one not be cautious?
Jiajian Sizhu Yin (Modified Four Pillars Decoction) treats deficiency labor (Xu Lao) characterized by shortness of breath, fatigue, weak voice, and poor appetite. The formula consists of Renshen (Ginseng), Huangqi (Astragalus), Gan Shanyao (Dioscorea), Baifuling (Poria), and Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root, 5 fen). The Fuzi is peeled, removed of its navel, soaked in child's urine for three days and nights, wrapped in paper, baked three times, and sliced. Add Sichuan Pepper Red (Chuanjiao Hong, 24 grains, removing eyes and closed-mouth ones), fresh ginger (3 slices), and jujube (1 piece). Decoct and take orally.
The Suo Sui Lu records: For men who contract Zhai disease (consumptive disease, such as tuberculosis) due to labor injury, gradually becoming emaciated, use two cups of child's urine and one cup of unadulterated wine. Store them in a new porcelain bottle, add a whole pig kidney. (Using blood and flesh products with affectionate nature, following similarity, thus achieving rapid effect. This is for those with Kidney damage, replenishing essence through flavor, known as "tonifying via taste.") Seal with mud, simmer slowly at night until midnight, stop, then re-warm at dawn. Drink the wine and eat the kidney. Even severe cases show improvement within one month. Those who are naturally thin and weak should also take this, as it uses blood to nourish blood, surpassing all minerals and herbal medicines.
Secret Formula: Treats deficiency syndromes with internal fire. If Renshen or Huangqi causes wheezing and coughing, and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) or Dihuang (Rehmannia) reduces appetite, while taking fire-clearing and Yin-nourishing medicines weakens Yuan Qi without lowering the fire, this formula is suitable. It includes Gouqizi (Goji Berry), Shihu (Dendrobium, steamed in wine, used in large doses), Maidong (Ophiopogon, heart removed, used in large doses), Tiantian Dong (Asparagus Fern Root), and Gan Shanyao (Chinese Yam). The above five herbs are all tonifying deficiency medicines. (Among them, sweet and cool herbs do not stagnate Spleen Qi, making them exquisite for deficiency syndromes with fire.) Add Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit), Szaoren (Ziziphus Seed, stir-fried and ground, used in large doses), Yiyiren (Coix Seed), and Baifuling (Poria). If cough is present, use Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry, over ten grains), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger, 2-3 fen), Bohe (Mint, 4-5 fen). Avoid Sangpi (Mulberry Bark), Xingren (Apricot Seed), Suzi (Perilla Seed), and Qi-descending medicines. If irritability occurs, increase the dosage of astringent medicines to gather Fire and return it to its source. Avoid bitter-cold medicines like Zhimu and Huangbai; violating this will worsen the irritability.