TCM Book Club Issue 1352
Daily updates to accompany the growth of TCM practitioners
IIntroduction: Mr. Dongyuan proposed the concept of Qi deficiency leading to descent, and established the formula Buzhong Yiqi Tang (补中益气汤, Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting Qi Decoction), which has been praised by generations of physicians. Mr. Chen Shiduo believed that there is also a Yin deficiency leading to descent, and proudly stated: “With these two formulas, one can achieve immortality with the universe.” (Editor/Huang Shan)
Ascending Treatment Method (Discussing Yang Deficiency and Yin Deficiency)
Author/Chen Shiduo Translator/Huang Shan
The Tianshi said: The ascending treatment refers to Qi deficiency leading to descent, which cannot ascend, and thus requires medication to elevate it. Generally, due to hunger, satiety, and labor, one may injure the Zheng Qi (正气, Vital Qi), causing Qi to descend, and the spleen and stomach cannot digest food, leading to the potential development of tuberculosis. If a physician suspects that food intake is hindered due to fire in the spleen and stomach, or suspects injury from meat and grains, claiming it is due to the accumulation of food and fluids, light medications such as Sha Ren (砂仁, Amomum fruit), Zhi Ke (枳壳, Bitter Orange), Shan Zha (山楂, Hawthorn), and Mai Ya (麦芽, Barley sprout) may be used, while heavier medications like Da Huang (大黄, Rhubarb), Mang Xiao (芒硝, Glauber’s salt), Qian Niu Zi (牵牛子, Cowherb seed), and Ba Dou (巴豆, Croton seed) should be avoided, as their indiscriminate use will inevitably lead to distension and discomfort. If one first uses ascending medications for treatment, how could such symptoms arise?
The formula is as follows:
Ren Shen (人参, Ginseng) 1 qian, Huang Qi (黄芪, Astragalus) 3 qian, Chai Hu (柴胡, Bupleurum) 1 qian, Sheng Ma (升麻, Cimicifuga) 3 fen, Dang Gui (当归, Angelica) 3 qian, Chen Pi (陈皮, Aged Tangerine Peel) 1 qian, Gan Cao (甘草, Licorice) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (白术, Atractylodes) 3 qian for treatment.
Mr. Dongyuan’s lifelong knowledge is encapsulated in this formula! Whenever a person’s right wrist pulse is larger than the left wrist pulse, regardless of the size and depth of the left and right Guan pulses and the left and right kidney pulses, this formula can be applied with guaranteed effectiveness. This is because the right wrist pulse being larger than the left wrist pulse indicates an internal injury, and this formula is specifically designed for internal injuries. Its brilliance lies in the use of Chai Hu and Sheng Ma, combined with Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Dang Gui, and Bai Zhu, to elevate the supreme Yang Qi of the herbs, preventing the medicinal power from descending into the Yin aspect. Particularly remarkable is the addition of Gan Cao and Chen Pi to the tonifying herbs, ensuring that the tonification is not excessive and that the elevation does not lead to descent, thus allowing for smooth digestion and immediate effectiveness.
Some may doubt that the dosage of Ren Shen and Huang Qi is too high; it is acceptable to slightly reduce it. However, if one believes that tonifying herbs cannot be added immediately and removes Ren Shen and Huang Qi, how can Chai Hu and Sheng Ma have any strength? It is like a thin rope trying to lift a thousand-pound weight to a hundred-foot height; it is indeed difficult! Some may use Ren Shen without Huang Qi, or Huang Qi without Ren Shen, and the efficacy will certainly be halved. If one believes that Sheng Ma and Chai Hu can elevate Qi, and suspects that the clear Qi does not ascend, but rather that the turbid Yin rises, this must be indicated by the left wrist pulse being larger than the right wrist pulse. If one does not diagnose according to the principle that the right wrist pulse is larger than the left wrist pulse, the condition will surely be delayed.
Mr. Zhang said: Discussing Buzhong Yiqi Tang, there has never been such a swift remedy; Mr. Dongyuan has received such praise, which can only be considered his fortune! What more can I say? However, for Yang deficiency leading to descent, it should be elevated in this manner; for Yin deficiency leading to descent, what method should be used to elevate it? The Tianshi did not mention this, and I should add it. For example, if a person has Yin deficiency with spleen leakage, which has persisted for many years, or if they eat but cannot digest, or if they digest but have persistent diarrhea, the formula is as follows:
Shu Di Huang (熟地, Rehmannia) 5 qian, Shan Zhu Yu (山茱萸, Cornelian Cherry) 5 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi (北五味, Schisandra) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (白术, Atractylodes) 1 liang, Shan Yao (山药, Chinese Yam) 3 qian, Che Qian Zi (车前子, Plantago Seed) 1 qian, Rou Gui (肉桂, Cinnamon) 1 qian, Fu Ling (茯苓, Poria) 3 qian, Sheng Ma (升麻, Cimicifuga) 3 fen, decoct in water for oral administration. (Note: This is the Sheng Yin Tang (升阴汤, Elevating Yin Decoction).)
This formula is remarkable in that it primarily consists of Yin tonifying herbs, with the addition of Sheng Ma to elevate the Qi within the Yin. When the Yin Qi rises, the diarrhea naturally stops; moreover, it contains warming herbs to warm the Mingmen (命门, Gate of Life) and strengthen the spleen, preventing further diarrhea. The Tianshi discussed the elevation of Yang Qi, while I supplement with a formula to elevate Yin Qi. These two formulas can indeed be immortalized together.
Secret Record of the Stone Chamber – Ascending Treatment Method
Original Text
The Tianshi said: Ascending treatment refers to Qi deficiency leading to descent, which cannot ascend and thus requires elevation. Generally, due to hunger, satiety, and labor, one may injure the Zheng Qi, causing Qi to descend, and the spleen and stomach cannot transform and move food, often leading to tuberculosis. If one suspects that food intake is hindered due to fire in the spleen and stomach, or suspects injury from meat and grains, claiming it is due to the accumulation of food and fluids, light medications such as Sha Ren, Zhi Ke, Shan Zha, and Mai Ya may be used, while heavier medications like Da Huang, Mang Xiao, Qian Niu Zi, and Ba Dou should be avoided, as their indiscriminate use will inevitably lead to distension and discomfort. If one first uses ascending medications for treatment, how could such symptoms arise? The formula is as follows: Ren Shen 1 qian, Huang Qi 3 qian, Chai Hu 1 qian, Sheng Ma 3 fen, Dang Gui 3 qian, Chen Pi 1 qian, Gan Cao 1 qian, Bai Zhu 3 qian for treatment. This formula is Buzhong Yiqi Tang, and I have adjusted its proportions to establish an unalterable standard for all time. Mr. Dongyuan’s lifelong knowledge is encapsulated in this formula. Whenever a person’s right wrist pulse is larger than the left wrist pulse, regardless of the size and depth of the left and right Guan pulses and the left and right kidney pulses, this formula can be applied with guaranteed effectiveness. This is because the right wrist pulse being larger than the left wrist pulse indicates an internal injury, and this formula is specifically designed for internal injuries. Its brilliance lies in the use of Chai Hu and Sheng Ma, combined with Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Dang Gui, and Bai Zhu, to elevate the supreme Yang Qi of the herbs, preventing the medicinal power from descending into the Yin aspect. Particularly remarkable is the addition of Gan Cao and Chen Pi to the tonifying herbs, ensuring that the tonification is not excessive and that the elevation does not lead to descent, thus allowing for smooth digestion and immediate effectiveness. Some may doubt that the dosage of Ren Shen and Huang Qi is too high; it is acceptable to slightly reduce it. However, if one believes that tonifying herbs cannot be added immediately and removes Ren Shen and Huang Qi, how can Chai Hu and Sheng Ma have any strength? It is like a thin rope trying to lift a thousand-pound weight to a hundred-foot height; it is indeed difficult! Some may use Ren Shen without Huang Qi, or Huang Qi without Ren Shen, and the efficacy will certainly be halved. If one believes that Sheng Ma and Chai Hu can elevate Qi, and suspects that the clear Qi does not ascend, but rather that the turbid Yin rises, this must be indicated by the left wrist pulse being larger than the right wrist pulse. If one does not diagnose according to the principle that the right wrist pulse is larger than the left wrist pulse, the condition will surely be delayed.
Mr. Zhang said: Discussing Buzhong Yiqi Tang, there has never been such a swift remedy; Mr. Dongyuan has received such praise, which can only be considered his fortune! What more can I say? However, for Yang deficiency leading to descent, it should be elevated in this manner; for Yin deficiency leading to descent, what method should be used to elevate it? The Tianshi did not mention this, and I should add it. For example, if a person has Yin deficiency with spleen leakage, which has persisted for many years, or if they eat but cannot digest, or if they digest but have persistent diarrhea, the formula is as follows: Shu Di Huang 5 qian, Shan Zhu Yu 5 qian, Bei Wu Wei Zi 1 qian, Bai Zhu 1 liang, Shan Yao 3 qian, Che Qian Zi 1 qian, Rou Gui 1 qian, Fu Ling 3 qian, Sheng Ma 3 fen, decoct in water for oral administration. (Note: This is the Sheng Yin Tang.) This formula is remarkable in that it primarily consists of Yin tonifying herbs, with the addition of Sheng Ma to elevate the Qi within the Yin. When the Yin Qi rises, the diarrhea naturally stops; moreover, it contains warming herbs to warm the Mingmen and strengthen the spleen, preventing further diarrhea. The Tianshi discussed the elevation of Yang Qi, while I supplement with a formula to elevate Yin Qi. These two formulas can indeed be immortalized together.
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