I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 388 - 162: Qi Distension, Self-Created Suidou Pill Formula (Part 3)

Chapter 388: Chapter 162: Qi Distension, Self-Created Suidou Pill Formula (Part 3)

"Of course, or am I lying to you?" Lu Xuan gave a slight smile to Zhang Qixia.

When it comes to treating qi gǔ, he has some confidence. It’s not solely to boost the patient’s morale; if he truly had no confidence, he wouldn’t dare speak so boldly. Otherwise, if he really couldn’t cure it, it would be troublesome.

"Thank you, Dr. Lu."

With a glimmer of hope, Zhang Qixia looked much better.

Meanwhile, Lu Xuan continued to ask about Zhang Qixia’s condition. After taking a closer look, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Zhang Qixia’s prominent symptoms were an abdomen swollen like a cushion, swelling on both flanks and the back to the point where the skin was stretched and cracked, showing streaks of white lines. Her chest was raised like a hill, breathing was obstructed, and her whole body was swollen and painful, causing immense suffering.

Based on Zhang Qixia’s description and the examination results, the ailment was undoubtedly "qi gǔ."

"Lu, how is it?"

"It’s definitely qi gǔ."

"Qi gǔ is definitely qi gǔ, but, to be honest, I’m not quite sure about the treatment, so I asked Gu Huahua to call you over to take a look. You are well-read in medical texts and have studied all seven schools of Chinese medicine, consulting with you makes my diagnosis more precise, and the prescription will be accurate without the need for multiple adjustments to verify the diagnosis." In this aspect, Zhang Jingcai did not consider himself superior because of his age or rank.

Instead, he was willing to learn from others.

To take others’ strengths to complement one’s weaknesses.

Moreover, he was well aware of Lu Xuan’s abilities. Medications prescribed by others would differ and be appropriate, and he believed Lu Xuan could certainly do it.

Zhang Jingcai continued, "From the mechanism of onset, qi descends from above and, tracing it back to its origin, indeed rises from below, the yang in the center of Kan is the root of qi.

Qi ascends to the liver and spleen; the liver and spleen rotate to the left, warming and transforming the clear yang, it is the qi rising to the water-separating points.

If the liver and spleen do not ascend, the qi of the yin part stagnates and sinks, thereby swelling occurs below the navel.

...

When the spleen earth collapses, the stomach earth reverses.

When the spleen collapses, the wood of the liver stagnates downward, and when the stomach reverses, the fire of the gallbladder stagnates upward.

If the heat is below, it’s due to the liver wood not ascending; if the heat is above, it’s because the fire of the gallbladder doesn’t descend.

The root of the disease is damp-cold, while the symptoms are damp-heat. It is advisable to drain the damp and disperse the stagnant, to tonify spleen yang and unblock the wood qi, and to clear and benefit the bladder’s congested heat.

For this condition, I plan to use the Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup."

"Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup?" Lu Xuan showed a look of doubt.

"Yes."

Zhang Jingcai nodded, seeing Lu Xuan’s expression a bit off, he asked, "Does Lu have any other ideas?"

"The qi doesn’t transform the water, it’s trapped leftward and downward into qi gǔ; the liver and spleen do not ascend, the yin qi stagnates and sinks, so the lower navel swells, the use of Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup is indeed feasible, but..."

Lu Xuan paused and said, "Ms. Zhang’s condition is much more apparent compared to what is documented for the Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup, and it has been delayed for half a year, it’s far beyond what common medicines for smoothing qi and reducing swelling can achieve. Old Zhang, I’m not saying that the Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup probably won’t treat Ms. Zhang’s illness, instead, it might not have any effect due to ineffective medicinal strength."

Zhang Jingcai fell into deep thought and then looked up, saying, "It’s true what you said; her condition is much more severe than what is documented for the Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup. If only Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup is used, it indeed won’t have much effect. However, if we don’t use Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup, then what should we use? Or should we modify the Cinnamon, Ginger, and Sand Soup with additional herbs to smooth qi and reduce swelling?"

"Let’s use the Suidou Pill." Lu Xuan named a formula.

Zhang Jingcai slightly furrowed his eyebrows, apparently not having heard of it.

Lu Xuan smiled and explained, "4.5 grams of ginseng, 20 seeds of croton, 2.4 grams of sparganium, 2.4 grams of zedoary, and 1.5 grams of cassia.

Except for the croton, which should be processed into a frosted bean, all the other herbs are finely powdered, made into pills the size of green beans with cooked rice as a binder, which is the Suidou Pill."

"Is this a formula you invented?" Zhang Jingcai asked in a low voice.

"Sort of."

Technically, it wasn’t an invention, but as no one had used it, it was essentially the same as creating it. Claiming the diligent work of his mentors as his own, Lu Xuan felt a bit bashful.

"I’ll get Old Wu to help you apply for a patent later."

"Sure."

Lu Xuan understood the meaning behind Zhang Jingcai’s words and didn’t refuse. After all, it wouldn’t require him to handle it personally, and since qi gǔ patients aren’t many, to be honest, even with a patent, it wouldn’t generate much revenue.

Applying was mainly to prevent unscrupulous businessmen from patenting it for profit.

"Tell me more about your Suidou Pill." Seeing an opportunity, Zhang Jingcai wasn’t going to let Lu Xuan off easily. Knowing more was beneficial, although qi gǔ patients were rare, who could guarantee not to encounter them in the future?

It’s not always feasible to consult Lu Xuan every time encountering such a patient, right?

I’m Zhang Jingcai, a man in my seventies, don’t I have face to consider?

Lu Xuan didn’t know what Zhang Jingcai was thinking. Since Zhang wanted to know, he didn’t intend to hide it and directly said, "In the formula, ginseng and croton, both potent drugs, serve as the monarch. For eliminating phlegm and water accumulation as well as eliminating obstructive congestion, there’s nothing better.

Regarding these two herbs, many ancient medical scholars have introduced them.

Kou Zongshi said, "Ginseng is adept at moving water, used for attacking firmness."

Zhang Yuxuan said, "Ginseng directly reaches where water qi is trapped, a sacred medicine for expelling water."

Li Shizhen said, "The kidney governs water, condensing into phlegm fluid when stagnant, and ginseng can expel dampness from the kidney channel, treating the root of phlegm."

Combining ginseng with croton, known for "breaking through barriers," makes water drainage as powerful as a tiger. However, when using ginseng and croton in this formula, it involves a balance between severity and leniency, employing urgency to assist, to harness the effects of potent medicine tempered through mild administration.

Ginseng must be thoroughly roasted to remove poison before use; croton must have its shell, core, and white membrane removed; otherwise, the core causes nausea, and not removing the white membrane harms the stomach. After being thoroughly cooked and the oil completely pressed out, it becomes frosted croton for use.

This coincides with Li Shizhen’s principle that "excessive use of ginseng should be avoided, stop at appropriate effect," and the theories regarding croton—"violent raw, but slow cooked," "even subtle use has an effect of modulation and central harmonization."

While sparganium and zedoary serve as the minister to circulate qi, disperse nodules, break blood and eliminate accumulations.

Cassia, with its pungent and sweet, intensely hot nature, can clear all channels, tonify the true fire of the life gate, and enhance the transformation power of the bladder’s qi.

In conclusion, the true fire of the life gate is the most fundamental driving force of life; when this true fire is diminished, the bladder’s ability to transform qi is impaired, losing the vigor to evaporate body fluid, causing water retention to spread; moreover, water and qi are of the same origin but with different names; within the body, they are mutually engendering and transforming, unable to be entirely separated.

By warming and tonifying the life fire through cassia, it consequently transforms qi and regulates water, among the two pairs of potent drugs; it enhances drainage and qi-regulating effects while simultaneously protecting the body, thereby achieving the purpose of eliminating evil without harming the positive energy."