The Role of Fuzi in Circulating Through the Twelve Meridians
Author/ Wu Rongzu
Fuzi’s ability to “circulate through the twelve meridians” is mentioned in the book “Bencao Qiuzhen” by the Qing dynasty physician Huang Gongxiu, which states: “Fuzi is spicy, very hot, purely Yang, and toxic. Its nature is to move and not to stay, circulating through the twelve meridians, reaching everywhere, making it the primary medicine for supplementing the true fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life).” Huang’s evaluation of the functions of the herb Fuzi is indeed thought-provoking.
1. The Meaning of “Circulating Through the Twelve Meridians”
“Circulating through the twelve meridians” refers to the three Yin and three Yang of the human body, encompassing the skin and muscles externally, and the five organs and six bowels, tendons, and bones internally. There are few herbs with such extensive capabilities, which is precisely why ancient physicians documented the pharmacological characteristics of Fuzi based on long-term clinical practice.
For example, in “Tangye Bencao”: “… floating and sinking, reaching everywhere, being the Yang among Yang, thus it moves and does not stop.” In “Bielu”: “… it is the leader of all medicines.” In “Bencao Zheng”: “Fuzi, due to its nature of moving through the meridians, is said to have the same effect as wine, capable of eliminating both superficial and deep cold… reviving Yang energy.” In “Bencao Jingdu”: “Fuzi, with a spicy taste and warm energy, has a rapid fire nature, reaching everywhere…” “Fuzi can cause the pulse to rise from above to below, circulating and reaching everywhere, thus alleviating syncope.” In “Bencao Zhengyi”: “Fuzi, being spicy and very hot, has a nature that moves and does not stay.”
In “Bencao Beiyao”: “Fuzi is spicy and sweet, toxic, very hot and purely Yang, its nature is floating and not sinking, it moves and does not stay, circulating through the twelve meridians, reaching everywhere. It can draw in Qi tonics to restore lost original Yang, draw in blood tonics to nourish insufficient true Yin, induce dispersing medicines to open the pores and expel superficial wind-cold, and use warming medicines to reach the lower burner to eliminate internal cold and dampness, treating three Yin cold damage, wind stroke, cold stroke, Qi syncope, phlegm syncope, cough, vomiting, choking, spleen leakage, cold dysentery, cold diarrhea, cholera, cramps, wind bi, symptoms of accumulation and stagnation, diseases of the governor vessel, rigidity and syncope, children’s slow fright, variola with gray-white spots, and non-healing carbuncles, all signs of chronic cold and stubborn cold…”
From the above excerpts from specialized medical texts, it is evident that the herb Fuzi is a medicine with significant potential.
2. Analysis of Formulas Containing Fuzi
In clinical treatment, Chinese medicine is often used in the form of formulas. To reflect the clinical pharmacological effects of Fuzi, especially its expertise in “circulating through the twelve meridians,” I have collected some ancient formulas containing Fuzi and categorized them roughly for reference.
The categorization is based on the premise that since Fuzi can circulate through the twelve meridians and reach everywhere, formulas containing Fuzi must be effective in various disease locations within the human body. Therefore, I have divided them into two parts: the first part reflects the effects of Fuzi on local lesions in the human body; the second part reflects the effects of Fuzi on the overall Yin and Yang of the human body. In the first part, I further categorize them into those affecting superficial disease locations and those affecting internal disease locations. From a clinical perspective, the indications for the first part of the formulas are generally not critical, while the indications for the second part are more severe, indicating a dangerous situation of “Yin and Yang separation.”
(1) Effects on Local Disease Locations
1. Effects on the Surface:
Skin and pores
Fuzi acts on the skin and pores of the human body. Ancient formulas include: “Shanghan Lun” Guizhi Fuzi Decoction for treating excessive sweating with aversion to wind, continuous sweating, body pain, and joint pain; “Shanghan Lun” Mahuang Fuzi Gancao Decoction for treating superficial cold with internal deficiency, aversion to cold, body pain, no sweating, and slight fever, with a deep pulse; “Shanghan Lun” Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction for treating dual sensations of cold, wanting to sleep with a weak pulse, aversion to cold and fever, and body pain; “Qianjin Fang” for treating carbuncles and swelling pain using Fuzi as powder mixed with vinegar for topical application; “Shenghui Fang” for treating long-standing scabies with Chuanwu decoction for washing the affected area; “Xueyi Waike Xinfa Fang” for treating long-standing carbuncles with cold pus using large slices of Fuzi for moxibustion on the affected area.
Head
For effects on the head, there are: “Jinkui” Fang Toufeng San for treating head wind pain; “Danliao Fang” Scorpion Fuzi Pill for treating Qi deficiency headache; “Sanyin Fang” Biyou San for treating wind-cold invasion, unilateral and bilateral headaches, chronic and unhealed; “Chuanji Mibaobao Fang” using Fuzi, gypsum, and musk for treating wandering headache; “Bencao Gangmu” for treating cold wind headache using Fuzi (or Chuanwu) combined with Chuanxiong, ginger, and fine tea; “Waitai Miyao” for treating head wind headache using Wutou combined with wine.
Muscles and bones
“Shanghan Lun” Fuzi Decoction for treating Shaoyin Yang deficiency, wind-dampness attacking, body pain, and joint pain; “Jinkui Yaolue” three formulas, namely Guizhi Fuzi Decoction, Baizhu Fuzi Decoction, and Gancao Fuzi Decoction, all using Fuzi with other herbs to treat dampness invading the tendons, joint pain, and heaviness; there is also Wutou Decoction for treating joint pain that cannot bend or stretch; additionally, “Benshi Fang” for treating numbness in bi syndrome, hands and feet not moving with Chuanwu, bean juice, and rice porridge; “Wangshi Jianyi Fang” using raw Fuzi, wood fragrance, and ginger for treating pain and numbness in the ten fingers.
Facial or oral cavity
“Mouth”: “Jingyan Fang” for treating mouth sores that do not heal using raw Fuzi, vinegar, and flour for application to the foot’s heart, changing daily. It is said that men apply to the left and women to the right. “Teeth”: “Shan Fan Fang” using roasted Fuzi powder for treating toothache from wind and insects. “Eyes”: “Zhang Wenzhong Beiji Fang” using Fuzi and red skin powder as large as silkworm sand for treating red and swollen eyes that cannot open, with continuous tears. “Ears”: “Bencao Shiyi Fang” for treating sudden deafness using Fuzi soaked in vinegar, cut to a point and inserted, with moxibustion for twenty-one times. Also, “Zhouhou Fang” using Fuzi powder and scallion juice for treating ear pus and blood. “Nose”: “Pujifang” for treating nasal discharge using raw Fuzi powder and scallion juice mixed into a mud-like consistency, placed at the Yongquan point. “Throat”: “Jinxia Fang” for treating throat obstruction using Fuzi honey moxibustion to suck its juice. “Yili Zhenzhuan” for treating throat pain and heaviness, with upper heat and lower cold; “Tongue”: “Yili Zhenzhuan” using ginger, Fuzi, and Poria half decoction for treating inability to move the tongue and drooling.
2. Effects on Internal Locations
Heart (Chest)
“Shanghan Lun” Zhenwu Decoction for treating palpitations and trembling, wanting to hit the ground; “Jinkui” Yi Yi Fuzi San for treating chest obstruction; “Jinkui” Wutou Chishizhi Pill for treating heart pain radiating to the back, back pain radiating to the chest; “Xuanming Lun Fang” for treating chest pain using Fuzi, Yujin, Ju Hong, and Zhu Chen.
Stomach
“Jingyan Fang” for treating vomiting and reverse stomach using Fuzi combined with ginger; “Qiyix Fang” using Fuzi, Banxia, ginger, and warm wine for treating cold stomach with phlegm; “Zhu’s Collected Effective Formulas” for treating vomiting blood using Fuzi combined with Dihuang.
Spleen
“Jinkui” Huangtu Decoction for treating spleen meridian injury, distant blood; “Zhu’s Collected Effective Medical Formulas” using Fuzi, red adzuki beans, and Yi Ren for treating spleen deficiency and edema; “Bencao Gangmu” for treating cold diarrhea that does not heal using Fuzi combined with nutmeg and lotus meat; “Jinkui” Qushi Fu Decoction for treating spleen Yang failure, abdominal distension, and loose stools; “Yan’s Pediatric Formulas” for treating children’s cold spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
Liver
“Jinkui” has Dahu Wutou Decoction and Wutou Guizhi Decoction for treating cold hernia abdominal pain; “Jisheng Fang” Xuanfu Pill for treating seven hernias causing pain, body cold, and sweating; “Yichun Shengyi” Zhuyufang for treating cold evil directly entering the liver meridian, causing side abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and cold limbs, with blue-purple nails.
Lung
“Zhu’s Collected Effective Medical Formulas” Chenfu Decoction for treating wheezing, fullness, and limb swelling, with difficulty urinating; “Jinkui” Shenqi Pill for treating phlegm and fluid retention, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Kidney (Bladder)
“Jinkui” Shenqi Pill for treating kidney deficiency and lower discharge; “Benshi Fang” Jiao Fu San for treating kidney Qi rising, with neck and back unable to turn; “Pujifang” Fuzi San for treating urinary obstruction, with weak pulse at both feet, and ineffective treatments for smooth urination.
Intestines
“Jinkui” Yi Yi Fuzi Bai Jiang San for treating intestinal abscess; “Jinkui” Dahu Fuzi Decoction for treating cold and solid internal blockage in the large intestine, with side pain and tight pulse; “Jinkui” Fuzi Jiangmi Decoction for treating abdominal cold, with thunder-like sharp pain; “Shengji Zonglu” Fuzi Pill for treating resting dysentery, red and white dysentery, and this book also uses Fuzi heart and white honey for treating large intestine cold constipation.
Chong and Ren Vessels
“Jianyi Fang Lun” using Fuzi and Danggui to compose a small warming meridian decoction for treating Chong and Ren deficiency cold, with blood cold pain, and irregular menstruation; “Xiaopin Fang” for treating miscarriage using Fuzi powder, with warm wine applied to the right foot’s heart.
(2) Effects on the Overall Body:
Due to the deep invasion of pathogenic factors and the decline of righteous Qi, the disease location often spreads from local to multiple organs, causing functional disturbances that develop into a systemic Yin-Yang imbalance, leading to more severe clinical conditions. At this time, it is urgent to use medication under the guidance of syndrome differentiation to adjust Yin and Yang, to prevent the dangerous situation of their separation, or to use it to rescue from critical situations. Fuzi also demonstrates superior efficacy in this regard.
1. Reviving Yang and Rescuing from Reversal:
“Shanghan Lun” Sini Decoction for treating vomiting and diarrhea, cold limbs, aversion to cold, cold breath from mouth and nose, blue lips, and slippery tongue coating, with a faint pulse; “Shanghan Lun” Ganjiang Fuzi Decoction for treating hand and foot reversal, restlessness during the day, and calmness at night; “Shanghan Lun” Tongmai Sini Decoction for treating diarrhea with clear grains, internal cold and external heat, with a faint pulse about to disappear; “Shanghan Lun” Tongmai Sini with Pig Gallbladder Decoction for treating frequent critical situations after severe vomiting and diarrhea, with hiccups, restlessness, cold limbs, sweating, and cold body with a faint pulse; “Shanghan Lun” Bai Tong Decoction for treating red face, restlessness, cold limbs, body heat, and diarrhea with a faint pulse; “Shanghan Lun” Bai Tong with Pig Gallbladder Decoction for treating continuous diarrhea with reversal and no pulse; “Chuanji Mibaobao Fang” Pile San for rescuing Yin excess and blocking Yang; “Jisheng Fang” Huayang Drink for treating Yin poison cold damage, with blue face and cold limbs; “Jingyan Liangfang” for treating vomiting and diarrhea with Yang collapse using one piece of Fuzi and one qian of salt for urgent rescue.
2. Reviving Yang and Securing Yin:
“Shanghan Lun” Sini Ren Shen Decoction for treating vomiting and diarrhea with excessive sweating, loss of blood and fluids, with a faint pulse about to disappear; “Shanghan Lun” Fuling Sini Decoction for treating excessive sweating and diarrhea, cold body, cold limbs, restlessness, and dizziness, with a deep faint pulse; “Jingyue Quanshu” Huayang Four Flavor Drink for treating original Yang collapse, in a critical moment; “Furen Liangfang” Shen Fu Decoction for treating cold limbs, shortness of breath, sweating, and faint pulse, or sudden bleeding with blood loss, sweating, and cold body.
3. Fuzi and the Mingmen, Sanjiao:
The reason Fuzi can achieve such a wide range of pharmacological effects is closely related to its ability to supplement the Mingmen and enter the Sanjiao, as well as the importance of the Mingmen and Sanjiao in human life activities.
(1) Fuzi and the Mingmen:
The concept of Mingmen first appeared in the “Nanjing”. Although there is controversy regarding its anatomical location in the medical field, there is a consensus on its importance in the process of human life activities. Zhao Xianke states: “Mingmen is the master of the twelve meridians.” Zhang Jingyue states: “The greatest treasure of a person is this one breath of true Yang.” “The Yin of the five organs cannot be nourished without it, and the Yang of the five organs cannot be activated without it.” Huang Gongxiu states: “It is the source of human life.” Chen Shiduo states: “All organs and bowels rely on the fire of the Mingmen for nourishment.” Zheng Qinan states: “It is the root of human life, the true seed.” The above quotes from several scholars illustrate the significant role of the Mingmen in human life activities.
The Mingmen (fire) is the root of Yang Qi in the human body, also known as Yuan Yang, True Yang, the source of Yang Qi. Clearly, the decline of Mingmen fire will inevitably affect the function of Yang Qi in the human body, leading to a decline, which in turn causes an imbalance in Yin and Yang, ultimately resulting in clinical pathological changes. The occurrence of diseases is often due to the interference of internal and external pathogenic factors, disrupting the stable state of Yin and Yang balance, resulting in abnormalities such as “Yin excess leads to Yang disease” or “Yang excess leads to Yin disease,” which can be generally classified into “Yang deficiency and Yin excess” or “Yin deficiency and Yang excess” (there are also cases of both Yin and Yang deficiency). When such imbalances occur, the human body often reflects various clinical symptoms in different positions, whether superficial or deep, cold or hot, deficient or excess, organ or bowel, Qi or blood, etc. Practice has proven that as long as one is adept at identifying the prevailing imbalance of Yin and Yang in the human body and promptly adjusting it, it can often quickly and effectively improve local symptoms and enhance therapeutic efficacy. The “Neijing” emphasizes: “A good diagnostician observes color and pulses, first distinguishing Yin and Yang” and “treatment must seek the root” and “the root is in Yin and Yang,” which is what this means.
As mentioned earlier, given the relationship between the Mingmen fire and Yang Qi and the balance of Yin and Yang in the human body, if clinical manifestations of Yang deficiency and Yin excess occur, the main treatment principle is to support Yang and suppress Yin, and the focus of supporting Yang and suppressing Yin clearly lies in supplementing and restoring the Mingmen fire. This can be said to be the embodiment of “treatment must seek the root” in therapeutic practice.
Fuzi is adept at supplementing the true fire of the Mingmen, which has been verified in clinical practice and praised by physicians throughout history. For example, in the Jin dynasty, Zhang Yuansu’s “Pearl Bag on the Properties of Medicinal Substances” states: Fuzi “supplements the Yang deficiency of the lower burner (Mingmen).” In the Qing dynasty, Huang Gongxiu’s “Bencao Qiuzhen” states: “It is the primary medicine for supplementing the true fire of the Mingmen.” In the Qing dynasty, Zhang Yinan’s “Bencao Chongyuan” states: “It assists the fire heat of Shaoyin.” In the Qing dynasty, Huang Yuanyu’s “Changsha Yaojie” states: “It supplements the fire seed of the dying.” In the Qing dynasty, Chen Xiuyuan’s “Shennong Bencao Jingdu” states: “It is the first product for reviving Yang and rescuing from reversal.” In the Qing dynasty, Zheng Qinan states: “It can supplement the fire seed of the dying.” Fuzi can directly reach the Mingmen, warming and assisting true Yang to replenish losses, thus fundamentally adjusting Yin and Yang. Therefore, in the treatment of Yang deficiency and Yin excess, it is undoubtedly a very desirable option.
(2) Fuzi and Sanjiao:
Sanjiao, “one of the six bowels, is the largest of the bowels surrounding the organs, also known as the outer bowel, solitary bowel” (“Chinese Medicine Dictionary”). The historical debates regarding its essence are set aside, but there is a relatively unified understanding of the Sanjiao’s role in connecting the internal and external, as well as the five organs and six bowels. For example, in “Suwen: Wuliu Jinye Bie Lun” it states: “Sanjiao emits Qi to warm the muscles and fill the skin.” In “Ling Shu: Ying Wei Sheng Hui Pian” it states: “The upper Jiao is at the stomach opening, and connects to the throat above, passing through the diaphragm and spreading in the chest… the middle Jiao is also in the stomach, emerging from the upper Jiao… the lower Jiao is the separate return intestine, draining into the bladder and seeping in.” In “Jingyue Quanshu” it states: “The Sanjiao is the total commander of the five organs and six bowels.” It can be seen that the Sanjiao has a significant role, connecting the internal and external, and linking the five organs and six bowels, with a tendency to reach everywhere. The relationship between the Sanjiao and the Mingmen is very close, historically referred to as “the Sanjiao is the envoy of the Mingmen,” “rooted in the Mingmen.” The Mingmen is the source of Yang Qi in the human body, and the Mingmen fire distributes Yang Qi throughout the body via the Sanjiao, warming the muscles and filling the skin externally, nourishing the five organs and warming the six bowels internally, thus maintaining the overall balance of Yin and Yang and ensuring the normal functioning of human life activities.
Fuzi, being spicy and very warm, “enters the Sanjiao and Mingmen” (“Tangye Bencao”) is good at supplementing the true fire of the Mingmen. Its nature is to move and not to stay. Due to the characteristics of Fuzi, its pharmacological properties support Yang and seek the root, assisting the Mingmen and distributing through the Sanjiao, reaching the internal and external, meridians, and organs, adjusting the overall Yin and Yang balance of the body, thus improving various local pathological changes. Generally, whenever there is internal or external injury, organ disease, Qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm accumulation, or Qi stagnation, as long as it belongs to the category of Yang deficiency and Yin excess, Fuzi can be used as the main ingredient in the formula for treatment, which will inevitably yield good results. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that Fuzi “circulates through the twelve meridians.”
4. Conclusion
1. Fuzi enters the Mingmen and Sanjiao, supplementing the original Yang of the lower burner, its nature is to move and not to stay. Given the importance of the true Yang of the Mingmen in the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang in the human body, and the Sanjiao’s ability to connect the internal and external, maintaining the upper and lower, it is like the envoy of the Mingmen. The connection between Fuzi, the Mingmen, and the Sanjiao determines the wide-ranging pharmacological effects and indications of Fuzi in clinical practice, hence the ancient saying that Fuzi “circulates through the twelve meridians.”
2. Although Fuzi has such extensive clinical effects, it is merely a medicine for supplementing fire and assisting Yang. Its treatment of diseases and adjustment of Yin and Yang primarily excels in supporting Yang and suppressing Yin, thus its indications are for Yang deficiency and Yin excess. In clinical practice, if one does not follow syndrome differentiation and treatment principles, and uses Fuzi indiscriminately without distinguishing Yin and Yang, it is clearly not a scientific and practical approach.
3. Modern research on Fuzi’s effects on cardiac strengthening, coronary dilation, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulating the pituitary-adrenal cortex, lowering blood pressure, and promoting the metabolism of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol has revealed encouraging pharmacological effects, but this still cannot fully explain its extensive clinical efficacy. It can be believed that with the rapid development of modern science and the in-depth exploration of life sciences, the pharmacological effects of Fuzi will be comprehensively understood, benefiting humanity even more.
4. This article discusses the special relationship between Fuzi and the Mingmen and Sanjiao based on ancient medical literature, and provides a preliminary theoretical exploration of Fuzi’s circulation through the twelve meridians, indicating that Fuzi is a Chinese medicine with great potential. Any errors are welcome for correction by readers.
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1. Source: “Yunnan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine”, 1984 Issue 1, Author/ Wu Rongzu. Chinese Medicine Book Friends Association Editor/ Bai Xiaolin
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