01Since the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), there has been an emphasis on the importance of the body’s zhengqi (正气, vital energy). Only when the zhengqi is abundant and strong can one resist the invasion of pathogens. This embodies the principle of “when zhengqi is present, evil cannot invade.” However, in reality, not everyone can maintain sufficient and strong zhengqi, leading to the saying, “where evil gathers, the energy must be deficient.” This means that if the body’s zhengqi is intact but the pathogens are too strong, the zhengqi can still be harmed. What should be done in such cases? The TCM approach is to support the zhengqi and expel the pathogens!Supporting the zhengqi and expelling pathogens involves two aspects: supporting the zhengqi and expelling the evil.Supporting the zhengqi means to nourish the body’s vital energy to cure diseases or enhance physical strength and improve the body’s ability to resist pathogens, thus achieving the goal of overcoming illness and restoring health. Expelling evil means to eliminate the pathogens that harm health, thereby curing diseases or removing the pathogens, thus achieving the goal of expelling evil and restoring health.Although supporting the zhengqi and expelling evil are often combined, they are actually distinct concepts, intertwined in a complex relationship. Supporting the zhengqi is for the purpose of expelling evil, which is known as “when the zhengqi is strong, evil is expelled by itself”; expelling evil is for the purpose of supporting the zhengqi, known as “when evil is expelled, the zhengqi is at peace.” However, the true strategy lies in effectively combining the two.
02Is there a classic formula that seamlessly integrates the principle of supporting the zhengqi and expelling evil? Indeed, there is, and it is the ancient renowned formula—Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Decoction to Overcome Pathogenic Influences). The earliest source of Ren Shen Bai Du San is debated; some believe it comes from the Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Essentials of Pediatric Medicine), while others attribute it to the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang (Formulas from the Taiping Benevolent Pharmacy). However, it is widely accepted in academia that the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang is the earliest source.What are the components of Ren Shen Bai Du San? According to records, the formula consists of: Chai Hu (Bupleurum, without the sprouts), Gan Cao (Licorice), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Ren Shen (Ginseng, without the roots), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Fu Ling (Poria, without the skin), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange, without the pulp, roasted), Qian Hu (Peucedanum, without the sprouts, washed), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium, without the sprouts), and Du Huo (Angelica pubescens, without the sprouts), each at 30 liang. The specific method of preparation is to process the above herbs according to the preparation methods, grind them into a coarse powder, and when taking the medicine, take 2 qian of the powder, boil it with one cup of water, adding a small amount of fresh ginger and mint during boiling, and cook until 70% done, then remove the dregs and it can be taken at any time. However, there is a characteristic in taking it: “if it is too cold, take it hot; if it is too hot, take it warm.”What effects does Ren Shen Bai Du San have? What conditions is it suitable for? Ren Shen Bai Du San has the effects of supporting the zhengqi and expelling evil, unblocking the meridians, and dispersing external pathogenic factors; it also benefits qi and releases the exterior, dispelling wind and dampness. It is suitable for conditions such as cold damage, headache and neck stiffness, high fever with chills, body aches, cough with phlegm due to cold, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, wind-phlegm headache, and alternating chills and fever.
03There is still debate regarding the compatibility secrets of Ren Shen Bai Du San. Many physicians throughout history have believed that the monarch herb of this formula is Qiang Huo rather than Ren Shen, while others argue that Ren Shen is the monarch herb instead of Qiang Huo. Notably, one of the four great masters of the warm disease school, Wu Ju Tong, stated, “Using Ren Shen as the monarch, stationed in the center; as the commander in battle, with two Huo and two Hu combined with Xiong, leading the evil out from the half-exterior and half-interior, as described by Yu, this is like rowing against the current; using Zhi Qiao to promote the qi of the middle burner, Fu Ling to drain the dampness of the middle burner, Jie Geng to open the obstructions of the lungs and large intestine, and Gan Cao to harmonize the various herbs.”The principle of simplicity is the law of development for all things in the universe, the essence of Chinese culture, and the philosophy of Daoism. The principle is so simple that it can be explained in a few words. As the saying goes, “True transmission is a single sentence, false transmission is a thousand volumes of books.” “The beginning of all things is simple, evolving into complexity” comes from Laozi’s Dao De Jing. Simplicity is not only valued by philosophical schools such as Daoism and Confucianism but also represents a state of life.Simplicity is the way of nature, returning to simplicity is a high state of cultivation. In this state of tranquility, selflessness, and unity with nature, one does not seek to achieve great功, and the power naturally increases; one does not seek to cure diseases, and the body and mind naturally adjust; one does not seek functions, and the functions naturally manifest; one does not seek to open the microcosmic orbit, and the hundred meridians naturally flow smoothly. The deepest truths are the simplest and most ordinary truths. Transforming the most complex into the simplest is the highest wisdom. The greatest people appear noble simply because of their simplicity.Simplicity in life is also simplicity. Enlightenment is profound yet simple; simplicity is profound. From seeing a mountain as a mountain to seeing a mountain as a mountain, the realm is different. From simplicity to complexity, and then from complexity back to simplicity is sublimation. The meaning of life lies in simplicity. When a person cultivates to a certain extent, they will become indifferent to many things and live simply. You can understand others, but others may not understand you. In fact, it is not about understanding but about recognition.Being meticulous in heart and simple in form. Questioning the soul is the ultimate human issue. Simplicity is not only a form of beauty but also a capability and a state. Seeing through without revealing, high realm; seeing vaguely, heart transparent; transparency is not transparency, knowing the unknown, intentionally not seeing through is true clarity; knowing that worldly matters cannot be seen through is clarity. The clarity after clarity, understanding after misunderstanding, and being confused is the true realm.“Simplicity is the wisdom of being human.” To do things, one must simplify complex matters, which requires wisdom. Returning complicated matters to simplicity requires wisdom, ability, and determination. Wise people appreciate simplicity, thus功 and profit should not be pursued blindly; fame and wealth should not be burdens. Indifference clarifies ambition, tranquility leads to far-reaching goals. We should live simply and work diligently, using wisdom to simplify the difficult.For the sake of fame and profit, one should cast aside praise and blame, pure as the innocence of childhood, simple as the fertile land cultivated by ancestors. Only those with a calm heart can see the leisure of “the setting sun shining on the village, the cattle and sheep returning home in the narrow alley” and hear the celestial sounds of “the lotus breeze sending autumn air, the bamboo dew dripping clear sounds” and feel the emptiness of “the empty mountain has no one, but the sound of people talking is heard.” Tao Yuanming was such a person, which is why he could compose the famous line, “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely see the southern mountain.” Ouyang Xiu was also such a person, which is why he could write the Drunken Old Man Pavilion with ease even during his exile.Simplicity is the way of life. Simplicity is not material poverty but spiritual freedom; simplicity is not the emptiness of life but the purity of the heart. The highest principles are often the simplest. One must learn to live simply, act simply, and let go of selfish thoughts and desires, transcending the cage of personal desires, truly forgetting one’s thoughts and consciousness, entering a state of selflessness and forgetting the world.Life’s complexity arises from confusion; with ren (benevolence) one resists temptation, and with zhi (wisdom) one resolves confusion. Not being confused is the mark of transitioning from complexity to simplicity in life. Among the three thousand rivers, I only take a ladle to drink; in the myriad forms of life, one must remain true to oneself. Joyfully forgetting worries, simplicity preserves truth, which is the “great way of simplicity” in life.There is a story about the great way of simplicity and a peaceful heart: a traveler asked an old Daoist, “What did you do before you attained the Dao?” The old Daoist replied, “Chopping wood, carrying water, and cooking.” The traveler asked, “And after attaining the Dao?” The old Daoist replied, “Chopping wood, carrying water, and cooking.” The traveler asked again, “What does it mean to attain the Dao?” The old Daoist said, “Before attaining the Dao, when chopping wood, I thought about carrying water; when carrying water, I thought about cooking; after attaining the Dao, chopping wood is just chopping wood, carrying water is just carrying water, cooking is just cooking.” The dialogue between the old Daoist and the traveler enlightens us that many profound truths are contained in extremely simple thoughts.Simplicity in life is also simplicity. A thousand people have a thousand ways of living and paths in life. After traversing time and life, one has many feelings. Let go of everything, be free; let go in the present, be free in the present. Many problems in life do not need to be held in the heart, and many burdens in life do not need to be shouldered. Only by letting go can one feel the joy of simple living and the exhilaration of a soaring spirit. To change certain things, one must first find oneself. We all have latent energy, easily covered by habits, obscured by time, and worn down by inertia. We should remember what needs to be remembered, forget what needs to be forgotten, change what can be changed, and accept what cannot be changed. We should face the past with the least regret, the present with the least waste, and the future with the most dreams.The way of heaven and earth is simply easy. Life is short; do not complicate everything, live simply. Once the grand play of life begins, regardless of how nervous you are, you must perform until the end. The greatest challenge in the process of growth is that some paths can only be walked in silence. Joyful work and simple living are the keys to a happy life. One must understand to be content and happy. All sorrow and pain, all things that cannot be given up, are merely transitions in life; once you jump over them, you can become more splendid.The best life is a simple life: a cup of tea, a table, a quiet place, plain days, and a heart free of distractions. However, a simple life requires tremendous effort to enjoy life without worries. Overall, life is perfect; the imperfection lies in the mindset. Those who do not know how to appreciate will turn everything into flaws with their criticism. Live simply, act naturally, grasp the balance, adapt to circumstances, and accept reality calmly; do things simply, do not provoke trouble, do not create issues, do not fear challenges, do not regret, do not complain, and do not begrudge what you have done.Life is a long struggle; some people smile at the beginning, while others win in the end. Try to smile, try to look back, relax yourself, do not force, do not be dejected, do not be restless. Live simply, follow your heart, follow your nature, and be the best version of yourself. Be content, smile, and remain calm. Even if it is bitter and tiring, as long as you persist in moving forward, your own scenery will eventually appear.Whether life is easy or not depends on how you live. Circumstances depend on mindset; when the mindset changes, the circumstances will change. The more you demand from life, the more tense and complicated you will become, making life harder. Conversely, the less you demand from life, the easier it is to be satisfied and happy. The mountains and bright moon have no permanent owner; when you are free, you are the master. The great way is simple; live in the present, and contentment brings lasting joy.Understanding the tranquility of a heart without desires, a heart like the moon shines alone, revealing the realm of a calm heart; a calm heart naturally exudes grace and ease, holding the heart like water and smiling at life, showcasing the charm of a tranquil heart. In life, simplicity is the truest, silence is the most beautiful. The most enduring in life is not prosperity but simplicity, not noise but quiet joy. Maintain a childlike heart; when unhappy, unreservedly share troubles with friends; when happy, laugh freely. Perhaps all worries will flow away in the sharing, and all tension will be released in laughter. Live simply like a child, live happily, and maintain the original ecology of the heart; everything is beautiful.In life, there is always a story that is hard to express, gradually composing a melody in the heart. People are like this; what they cannot obtain they will always yearn for, and what they have lost will be felt as precious. The so-called gains and losses, relationships, scenery, and way stations all gradually fade in the dust of time. Although some things are hard to let go of, what does not belong to you will eventually drift away.In a person’s life, it is destined to experience much. On the road of the mundane world, there are bright laughs, tears of grievance, naive persistence, confidence in success, and warnings from failure. Every experience is precious. The richness of life comes from the compassion of the heart, and the beauty of life comes from having a peaceful heart. A simple life brings ease and joy, and simple thoughts bring peace and tranquility. Because of simplicity, one deeply understands the lightness of life; because of simplicity, one perceives the stillness of the heart.Overall, Ren Shen Bai Du San truly achieves the perfect combination of supporting the zhengqi and expelling evil, just as the Ming dynasty physician Wu He Gao said, this formula “nourishes the zhengqi and defeats the evil qi, hence it is called Bai Du.” It is precisely because of these unique effects of Ren Shen Bai Du San that ancient physicians remarked, “At the onset of epidemics, use Ren Shen Bai Du San” (as seen in Zhang’s Medical Communication), and it is commonly used today for colds, influenza, bronchitis, rheumatic arthritis, dysentery, allergic dermatitis, eczema, and other diseases, applicable for patterns of external wind-cold-dampness combined with qi deficiency.In summary, Ren Shen Bai Du San can be used not only for colds, coughs, headaches, and fevers but also for many other remarkable applications. It can relieve external wind-cold-dampness and also benefit those with qi deficiency. This ancient renowned formula is hailed as the “First Formula for Supporting the zhengqi and Expelling Pathogens,” truly deserving of its reputation.
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