From Li Zhongzi, A Primer of Medical Objectives (Yizong Bidu), 1637: The Classic states: 'Whenever e treat a !

isease, e m"st a##roach it at the $ase%' &ase here means root or so"rce% 'ver( stream on earth has a so"rce, an! ever( #lant has a root% )* all m"r+( se!iments settle at the so"rce, the !o nstream aters ill nat"rall( $e clear an! *resh, an! i* e ater a root, it ill gro an! $ranches ill s#ro"t, these are the la s o* nat"re% The e-#erience! #h(sician, there*ore, ill al a(s consi!er the so"rce% .o ever, the $o!('s so"rce is !i**erentiate! into a #renatal an! a #ostnatal as#ect% The #renatal so"rce is the +i!ne(, the +i!ne( is associate! ith the !irection north an! the #hase element ater/ ater $eing the *irst o**s#ring, in Taoism, o* heavenl( 0neness% The #ostnatal so"rce o* the $o!( is the s#leen, the s#leen is +no n as the Central 1alace an! associate! ith the #hase element earth/earth $eing the mother o* ever( living thing% From Zh"ang 2"anchen, Shujuzi: Inner Chapters (Shujuzi Neipian), 3ing 4(nast(: The +i!ne( is the ocean o* the h"man $o!(% 5ince oceans are sit"ate! on a lo er level than the earth's streams an! rivers, the( !ra ever( one o* them to *orm one large $o!( o* ater% 0ceans ma( a##ear vast an! ine-ha"sti$le, (et the( still !rain o** some o*

their seemingl( "nlimite! s"##l(% 0ne a( o* !rainage is calle! 'going to r"ins,' meaning the ater !rains !o n into the earth *rom here it ill not ret"rn% The other a( o* !rainage is calle! '! elling ith the stars,' meaning the ater steams to ar! the s+( an! later rains !o n to earth again, here it !issi#ates into rivers an! streams an! event"all( ret"rns to the ocean% This is the ater that circ"lates $et een heaven an! earth, al a(s striving to +ee# an e6"ili$ri"m $et een the e-treme states o* !ro"ght an! *loo!ing% )n the conte-t o* the h"man $o!( onl( the +i!ne( can $e com#are! to the or+ings o* this nat"ral c(cle% 7ll the essences an! *l"i!s o* the $o!('s vario"s #ath a(s #o"r into the +i!ne(% 7*ter the +i!ne( has assem$le! the essential *l"i!s o* the $o!('s vessels, it also e-#eriences t o a(s o* !rainage: one a( is thro"gh the se-"al "rge hich !ra s the essence !o n ar! to the se-"al centers, once it e-its *rom here it cannot come $ac+ into the s(stem, so this is 8"st li+e the ocean 9going to r"ins%9 The other a( is the "# ar! !is#ersal $( a( o* the s"ctioning a**ect o* tr"e 6i, hich !ra s the $o!('s com$ine! essences all the a( "# to the *lo er #on! (mo"th), *rom here it moves !o n thro"gh the throat into the stomach, l"$ricating the *ive organ net or+s, no"rishing all o* the $o!('s #ath a(s, an! *inall( ret"rning to the +i!ne(% This is the microcosmic #rocess o* ascen!ing an! !escen!ing that can $e com#are! to the ocean '! elling ith the stars%' Those ho are +no le!gea$le in the art o* no"rishing li*e ta+e care to sh"t o** the lo er e-it :o* 8ing via e8ac"lation; hile striving to +ee# the "##er #ath a( :o* 8ing, no"rishing the organs an! $rain; o#en an! "no$str"cte!% )n this *ashion, there ill $e a no"rishing c(cle that is *ree o* lea+s% 1h(sical vitalit( (8ing) an! mental clarit( (shen) ill $e a$"n!ant, n"tritive 6i ( ying) an! #rotective 6i (wei) ill $e strong, insi!e ( ater essence) ill $e s"**icient to control *ire, an! o"tsi!e (6i) ill $e s"**icient to ar! o** no-io"s in*l"ences% This is hat the art o* e-#elling !isease an! the art o* longevit( is all a$o"t% From Zhang ."ang, A Compendium of Illustrated Texts Tushu Bian!, 3ing 4(nast(: )n relation to the other organ net or+s, the +i!ne( is sit"ate! in the lo est #osition% )t is associate! ith the #hase element ater, an! it is in charge o* storing essence (8ing)% <"st li+e ater as the *irst s"$stance to emerge *rom heavenl( oneness, the +i!ne( is the so"rce o* the h"man $o!(, the initial s#ro"t o* #h(sical li*e%

'ver(thing $et een heaven an! earth that is ma!e *rom 6i an! $loo! has the "rge to mate% 0nce *ire an! ater se#arate an! !esire *in!s a match, the essence leaves the so"rce, an! hat creates the $o!( ill t"rn into hat +ills the $o!(% )* (o" are a st"!ent o* the "oo# of Chan$e (Yijing) an! align (o"r !esires $( *ooling aro"n! ith the lo*t( he-agram =1 :5acri*ice, 4ecrease;, then this is li+e $eing orrie! a$o"t *loo!s at one moment an! a$o"t ater lea+age the ne-t/(o" 'sacri*ice' again an! again, th"s "sing (o"rsel* "# "ntil there is nothing le*t to s#are% There*ore, i* (o" ant to #rotect (o"r so"rce o* longevit(, there is no $etter a( than to g"ar! (o"rsel* against se-"al !esires% From 5"n 2i+"ei, Contemplations On %nexplored Medical Topics (Yizhi Xuyu), 1>?=: )n the Simple &uestions (Suwen) section o* the Neijing it is state!: 'The +i!ne( stores the 6i o* the $ones an! the marro %' 7t another #lace it sa(s: 'The $lac+ color associate! ith the !irection north corres#on!s !irectl( ith the +i!ne(, its corres#on!ing ori*ices in the $o!( are the t o (in (the genitals an! the an"s), an! its essence is store! in the +i!ne(%' The Nanjing (Classic of 'ifficulties) *"rther e-#lains: 'This is here males store their essence%' This line !oes not mean that all o* the essence is store! right there, the $rain is also calle! the sea o* marro , an! the +i!ne( connects ith the $rain via the s#ine% 3aster 5hengsheng once sai!: 'Cha#ter 36 o* the Nanjing states that there are reall( t o +i!ne(s, namel( the le*t one $eing the act"al +i!ne(, hile the right one is mingmen, the gate o* li*e% )t is this mingmen that is the seat o* all #h(sical (8ing) an! mental (shen) essences, an! it is here that essence is store! in males, an! *rom here the "ter"s $ranches o** in *emales% Th"s, e s#ea+ o* t o +i!ne(s% <"st as is sai! in cha#ter 3@ o* the Nanjing: 'The *act that si- fu organs are #aire! ith *ive zang organs means that the +i!ne( reall( re#resents t o organ s(stems, namel( the le*t one $eing the +i!ne(, an! the right one $eing mingmen% 7n! mingmen, that is the a$o!e o* 8ing an! shen% This is here male essence is store! an! here the *emale "ter"s is attache!, its 6i is on the same avelength ith the +i!ne(%'' 7 !etaile! e-amination o* $oth sections o* the Neijing !oes not (iel! an( re*erences to a !i**erentiation o* the +i!ne( net or+ into t o !istinct #arts% )t as the a"thor o* the Nanjing ho *irst ma!e this !istinction% 4oes this mean that the entit( hich the Nanjing a"thor calls mingmen/the a$o!e o* 8ing an! shen, the seat o* the

original 6i, the #lace here males store essence an! *emales have their "ter"s/is nothing $"t i!le tal+A ) sa( e have to ta+e this theor( serio"sl(, since it a##ro#riatel( #laces e-tra eight on the +i!ne( net or+ $( em#hasizing that the original 6i hich lo!ges in the +i!ne( is the so"rce o* o"r li*e *orce% The Central (unction Classic (Huangting Jing) states: 'The +i!ne( 6i reg"lates the "##er $"rner, no"rishes the mi!!le $"rner, an! #rotects the lo er $"rner%' The Collection of Central )armon* (Zhonghe Ji) states: '&reathing thro"gh the #rocess o* o#ening an! closing/that is hat ha##ens at the gorge o* m(ster( (mingmen), the root o* heaven an! earth%' 0#ening an! closing here !oes not re*er to the reg"lar action o* inhaling an! e-haling thro"gh the nose or mo"th, $"t to hat is calle! the tr"e $reath% The a"thor o* the Nanjing also sai!: 'The igniting s#ar+ $et een the +i!ne(s (shenjian dongqi) is the origin o* the vario"s #rocesses o* h"man li*e, the $ase o* the $o!('s *ive zang an! sifu organs, the root o* the t elve channel #ath a(s, the !oor o* $reath, an! the so"rce o* the tri#le $"rner%' 1recisel( this is hat the conce#t o* mingmen is all a$o"t% )t is hat the Con*"cians re*er to ith their Tai8i image, an! hat the Taoists call the gorge o* m(sterio"s origination% )* e ta+e a close loo+ at a $ronze ac"#"nct"re stat"e e can easil( *in! o"t that the #oint mingmen is not locate! on to# o* the right +i!ne(, $"t right $et een $oth +i!ne(s% This certainl( #roves m( #oint% From Chen 5hi!"o, A Secret Manual from the Stone Chamber Shishi Milu!, ca% 16@B: 7s has alrea!( lai! o"t in !etail in the Nanjing, mingmen is the master o* the t elve channel net or+s% &"t even tho"gh man( te-ts have since $een ritten a$o"t this s"$8ect, the 6"intessence o* mingmen still remains in the !ar+% There*ore ) chose to $ring "# this to#ic one more time% )t is al a(s sai! that mingmen is the master o* the t elve channel net or+s% Co , hat +in! o* master is it e-actl( an! hat !oes it masterA Let me #"t it this a(: i* there is no *ire insi!e "s, e cannot e-ist% This *ire m"st $e there *irst so that the t elve channel net or+s can $e im$"e! ith the igniting s#ar+ o* trans*ormation% mingmen, there*ore, is a t(#e o* #renatal *ire% This *ire is immaterial an! ! ells in ater% 0n earth, material *ire is $eing 6"enche! $( ater% )mmaterial ater, on the contrar(, has the a$ilit( to generate *ire% There*ore, hen e sa( that 9*ire is $eing 6"enche! $( ater9 e re*er to material ater, hen e sa( that 9*ire is $eing *"ele! $( ater9 e re*er to immaterial ater% 7n! it so ha##ens that immaterial *ire can generate

immaterial ater, meaning that *ire is not containe! $"t ithin ater%

ithin *ire,

Mingmen *ire, is (ang *ire/a (ang that is em$e!!e! ithin t o (in% )n the microcosmic conte-t o* the h"man $o!(, mingmen is generate! *irst, an! onl( then the heart% 4oes this *act not ill"minate the im#ortance o* mingmenA When the heart #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, conscio"sness is in comman!, an! e can relate to the o"tsi!e orl!% When the liver #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can #lan% When the gall$la!!er #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can ma+e !ecisions% When the stomach #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can a$sor$ *oo!% When the s#leen #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can trans#ort% When the l"ng #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can *"l*ill its a!ministrating an! reg"lating *"nctions% When the large intestine #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can #ass on the aste% When the small intestine #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can !isseminate% When the +i!ne( #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can $ring a$o"t #h(sical vigor% When the tri#le $"rner #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can +ee# the $o!('s ater #ath a(s "no$str"cte!% When the $la!!er #roc"res the #o er o* mingmen, it can store% )n other or!s, there is not a single one among the organ net or+s that !oes not rel( on the mingmen *ire *or armth an! no"rishment% This t(#e o* *ire sho"l! $e toni*ie! rather than #"rge!% This is !one $( toni*(ing *ire ithin ater, an! es#eciall( $( toni*(ing ater ithin *ire% )n this *ashion, *ire can $e *"ele! $( ater an! at the same time $e store! ithin ater% )* e 8"st "se col! or cool her$s to attac+ the mingmen *ire, it ill $ecome ea+, an! ho co"l! it then no"rish the t elve channel net or+sA This is hat is reall( meant $( the Neijing statement ' hen the master is !im, the t elve o**icials are all in a state o* crisis%' 4oesn't that strongl( em#hasize the im#ortance o* mingmenA From Tang Zonghai, A +efined Interpretation of the Medical Classics Yijing Jingyi!, Ding 4(nast(: The root o* the tri#le $"rner is in the +i!ne(, more #recisel( right $et een the t o anatomical +i!ne(s% Eight there is a greas( mem$rane that is connecte! ith the s#ine% )t is calle! mingmen, an! constit"tes the so"rce o* the three $"rners% From Zhang 5hanlei, A +evised ,dition of Master -han$.s Treatise on the Or$an /et0or#s Zhang Shi Zangfu Yaoshi Buzheng!, ca% 1@1?:

The tri#le $"rner is reall( a name *or the *"nction o* the $o!('s ministerial *ire% )t is the #rocess o* !isseminating original 6i *rom mingmen, hich is in charge o* ascen!ing an! !escen!ing, an! a$sor$ing an! e-creting% )t roams in $et een the heaven an! earth o* the $o!('s lan!sca#e, an! comman!s all $o!il( 6i/the 6i o* the *ive zang an! the si- fu organs, the #rotective 6i (wei) an! the n"tritive 6i (ying), the 6i in the channels an! collaterals, an! the 6i on the to#, the $ottom, the le*t, an! the right% )ts "no**icial name is there*ore the central store ho"se o* clear 6i% The "##er #art is in charge o* a$sor$ing, the mi!!le #art is in charge o* trans*orming, an! the lo er #art is in charge o* e-creting% From 5"n 2i+"i, M*sterious Pearls of 1isdom Chi Shui Xuan Zhu!, 1>?=: The so calle! tri#le $"rner is em$e!!e! in the greas( mem$rane o* the !ia#hragm, that is the hollo s#ace $et een the *ive zangFsi- fu organs an! the connective #ath a( thro"gh hich *oo! an! grain m"st #ass% The 6i o* the tri#le $"rner is containe! an! active ithin this s#ace, steaming the !ia#hragm, reaching o"t to the s+in, !i**erentiating the *lesh, an! setting ever(thing aro"n! it in motion% The regions that it reaches are la$ele! accor!ing to their location, that is h( e s#ea+ o* the "##er $"rner, the mi!!le $"rner, an! the lo er $"rner% 7ltho"gh the tri#le $"rner !oes not have an( str"ct"ral realit( to it, it has a !istinct location that is !etermine! $( the str"ct"ral entities s"rro"n!ing it% From 5hen <in'ao, Illuminatin$ 2antern on the Ori$ins of Complex 'iseases Za ing Yuanliu Xizhu!, 1?th cent"r(: What e call the tri#le $"rner is act"all( the corri!or a$ove an! $elo the stomach% The tri#le $"rner an! its associate! regions th"s entirel( $elong to the stomach, an! hat it oversees is #rimaril( the *"nctioning o* the stomach% The tri#le $"rner 6i is "tilize! to *erment an! coo+ the *oo!% Together ith the stomach, the tri#le $"rner is locate! in *ront o* the tai(in s#leen net or+/a #lace that the roaming ministerial *ire calls home% The term 9$"rner,9 there*ore, re*ers to the tri#le $"rner's *"nction o* coo+ing ever(thing% From Li 4ong("an, Illuminatin$ the Science of Medicine Yi!ue "a#ing!, 13th cent"r(: The tri#le $"rner is an entit( that has a name $"t no str"ct"ral *orm% )t is in charge o* all $o!il( 6i, an! it is a *"nctional mani*estation o* the three treas"res :8ing, 6i, shen;% 7ll o* the

$o!('s #h(siological movements, its "no$str"cte! ins an! o"ts an! "#s an! !o ns, there*ore, rel( on the tri#le $"rner/the #rocess o* $reathing in an! $reathing o"t, the ascen!ing an! !escen!ing motion o* 6i, an! the a$sor#tion an! e-cretion o* *oo! an! ater% The "##er $"rner is locate! "n!erneath the heart, it is in charge o* storing itho"t !raining% The mi!!le $"rner is in the center o* the e#igastric region, it is in charge o* *ermenting an! coo+ing *oo! an! ater% The lo er $"rner is $eneath the "m$ilic"s, it is in charge o* !i**erentiating the clear *rom the t"r$i!, an! it !rains itho"t storing% The !riving so"rce $ehin! all three o* these *"nctions, ho ever, is the mi!!le $"rner% From Chen Cianz", The Three Character Classic of Medicine Yi!ue Sanzi Jing!, Ding 4(nast(: The term tri#le $"rner re*ers to the 6i that circ"lates in the "##er, mi!!le, an! lo er $"rners% &"rner means heat% 0nl( hen the entire $o!( cavit( is #ermeate! ith hot 6i can the $o!('s ater a(s $e o#en an! reg"late!% The tri#le $"rner is the fu organ that *orms a zangFfu #air ith the #ericar!i"m, an! th"s $elongs to the #hase element *ire% )n other or!s, i* the heating 6"alities o* the "##er $"rner are o"t o* control, ater ill assa"lt the "##er #lains o* the $o!(% )* the mi!!le $"rner is o"t o* control, ater ill stagnate in the e#igastric region% )* the lo er $"rner is o"t o* control, ater ill !ist"r$ $o el movements an! "rination% 0n the other han!, i* the tri#le $"rner 6i is health( an! in control, the $o!('s channels an! collaterals ill $e o#en an! its ater a(s ill $e !isinhi$ite!% )t is *or this reason that the tri#le $"rner is calle! the o**icial in charge o* "ninhi$ite! ater *lo %

<ing is the Chinese !esignation *or the essential *l"i! o* o"r #h(sical $o!(% The archaic Chinese character *or 8ing !enote! the most re*ine! essence o$taine! *rom rice ( hich is the main sta#le o* the 0riental !iet, so this means the re*ine! essence *rom *oo!)% The $asic (in (matter) *rom hich all (ang (#h(sical action) s#rings is 8ing% )n classical Chinese me!ical te-ts, 8ing is sometimes re*erre! to as the $o!('s 9original ater9 ith ater re#resenting the "ltimate (in (9original *ire9 $eing the "ltimate (ang)% Water has a ten!enc( to !rain !o n ar!% The +i!ne(, the lo est o* the organ net or+s, is here the $o!('s ater assem$les an! goes into storage "ntil nee!e! else here% )* the +i!ne( *"nction is ea+, its storage ca#a$ilit( ill $ecome inhi$ite! an! 8ing ill lea+ *rom the $o!(% 4"e to the

4aoist $elie* that the 8ing is lost hen a man e-cretes semen (o* #artic"lar concern, hen an el!erl( man, ho alrea!( ha! !e*icienc( o* 8ing thro"gh aging, e-cretes semen), virt"all( all o* the ancient me!ical te-ts mention s#ermatorrhea (a co!e *or release !"ring the !isallo e! #ractice o* mast"r$ation, et !reams, an! e8ac"lation !"ring interco"rse hen the attem#t is $eing ma!e to #revent it) as a con!ition to $e treate!, since it in!icates a $reach o* the +i!ne('s *"nction o* sa*eg"ar!ing an! storing 8ing% 7ccor!ing to the 4aoist i!eal, e-ce#t !"ring earl( a!"lthoo!, men sho"l! re*rain *rom releasing semen, or, at the ver( least, e-#erience this in*re6"entl(% There*ore, e-cessive se-"al in!"lgence $( males is consi!ere! to $e a ma8or health hazar! in all genres o* tra!itional Chinese riting% 5ince most men cannot control their "rge to e8ac"late, ever( interco"rse means an irrevoca$le giving a a( o* 8ing% 7ltho"gh Chinese me!ical te-ts consent that this ma( $e a**or!a$le *or (o"ng men ( ho have a rich s"##l( o* 8ing an! ho can easil( re#lenish 8ing thro"gh #ost/natal so"rces), the( generall( arn that the health o* el!erl( males ill s"**er serio"s conse6"ences *rom *re6"ent e8ac"lations% 9What gives li*e ill ta+e li*e9 is there*ore a common a!monition that s#ans t o tho"san! (ears o* Chinese me!ical literat"re% While most 4aoist an! me!ical ritings ta+e "# $oth the general to#ic an! the !etaile! techni6"es o* sa*eg"ar!ing 8ing, it is the realm o* literat"re hich $est re*lects the Chinese *ear o* contin"o"s 8ing loss $( a( o* se-"al in!"lgence% The e#ic 3ing 4(nast( novel, 3lo0er In the 4olden 5ase (Jin $ing Mei), narrates the stor( o* the erotomaniac Gimen Ding ho #e!!les his mone( an! #olitical in*l"ence to assem$le a harem o* siomen, then resorts to tonic !r"gs to $olster his *lagging virilit(, an! *inall( comes to a horri! en! a*ter a *inal e8ac"lation o* 9merc"r(/li+e *l"i!, *ollo e! $( $loo! an! a g"st o* col! air%9 7 4aoist #h(sician ho is calle! to the !eath$e! comments: 9The can!le *lic+ers once the oil is "se! "#%9 &oth merc"r( an! lam# oil are o*ten "se! meta#hors *or the +i!ne( 8ing% To avoi! s"ch a gr"esome !eath, the han!some #rotagonist o* the secon! moralist novel o* the 3ing !(nast(, Pra*er Mat of 3lesh (%ou $utuan), !eci!e! to $ecome a &"!!hist hermit, c"t o** his s"rgicall( am#li*ie! #enis, an! "tilize his 8ing *or s#irit"al c"ltivation% 7ltho"gh the or! 8ing is s(non(mo"s ith the Chinese or! semen, the seminal *l"i! re#resents onl( one *orm o* 8ing% 0ther !ense *l"i! essences s"ch as saliva (#artic"larl( the +in! that gets s#ontaneo"sl( e-crete! !"ring me!itation), vaginal *l"i!s, $reast mil+, or $loo! are all regar!e! to $e !i**erent trans*ormations o* one an! the same 8ing, these are re*ine! essences% Female 9lea+age9 #ro$lems, s"ch as metrorrhagia or le"+orrhea occ"rring in ol!er omen, are there*ore ta+en serio"sl( *or the same reasons as loss o* semen in men% 4aoist $o!( science even *eat"res

a s#ecial categor( calle! *emale alchem( (n" !an), herein a!e#ts are instr"cte! in the conservation o* (menstr"al) $loo! an! its trans*ormation into #h(sical an! s#irit"al energ(% The 8ing store! in the +i!ne( can $e !i**erentiate! into #renatal 8ing an! #ostnatal 8ing% 1renatal 8ing contains the in*ormation that is given to "s $e*ore $irth ( e o"l! to!a( !escri$e it as genetic in*ormation) that is intimatel( lin+e! to the gro th an! mat"ration o* an in!ivi!"al, hich !i**ers *or men an! omen% The !e*ining #assage in the Neijing *or omen rea!s: 97t the age o* seven, the +i!ne( 6i :the #h(sical action generate! $( the material $asis o* +i!ne( 8ing; in *emales is strong, an! the teeth come in% 7t the age o* t o times seven, the tiangui (stage o* hormonal an! re#ro!"ctive mat"rit() arrives, the conce#tion vessel o#ens, the #enetrating vessel *lo"rishes, menstr"ation is reg"lar, an! #regnanc( $ecomes #ossi$le%9 With regar! to male #h(siolog(: 97t the age o* eight, the +i!ne( 6i soli!i*ies in males an! teeth !evelo#% 7t the age o* t o times eight, the +i!ne( 6i *lo"rishes, the tiangui arrives, e8ac"lation occ"rs, an! it $ecomes #ossi$le to have interco"rse ith *emales an! $eget chil!ren%%%, at the age o* seven times eight, the liver 6i is e-ha"ste!, the ten!ons are "na$le to *acilitate smooth movement, the tiangui is !rie! "#, 8ing is s#arse, the +i!ne( s(stem is e-ha"ste!, an! s(m#toms o* #h(sical aging are #lenti*"l%9 1ostnatal 8ing is the n"tritive essence !istille! *rom *oo! $( the s#leenFstomach, an! "se! to #rovi!e a constant *lo o* no"rishing !e to the other organ net or+s% )* all the net or+s are #lenti*"ll( s"##lie!, the s"r#l"s o* the $o!('s vital *l"i! trans*ormation is store! in the +i!ne(% The Neijing states: 9The +i!ne( is in charge o* ater, an! it receives the essences o* the other zang an! fu organ net or+s an! stores it%9 &e*ore $irth, #renatal 8ing *orms the material $asis *or the !evelo#ment o* #ostnatal 8ing% 0nce $orn, #ostnatal 8ing contin"o"sl( $oosts the $o!('s limite! s"##l( o* #renatal 8ing% &oth *orms o* essence com#ose an in!ivisi$le entit(% Hi!ne( 8ing encom#asses $oth +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang, o*ten re*erre! to as the $o!('s original (in an! original (ang% Hi!ne( 6i is #ro!"ce! $( the !(namic interaction $et een the t o, s#eci*icall( the action o* *"nctionalF arming +i!ne( (ang steaming the material +i!ne( (in% Hi!ne( (in is the so"rce o* all material $o!( *l"i!s, in charge o* no"rishing an! moistening all organ net or+s% Hi!ne( (ang, sometimes also calle! tr"e (ang, is the so"rce o* all t(#es o* (ang 6i% )t is the !riving *orce $ehin! all #rocesses o* arming, generation, an! trans*ormation% The (in an! (ang as#ects o* the +i!ne( $oth rel( on each other an! control each other% The #ro#er $alance $et een +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang is an im#ortant #recon!ition *or health%

Will, !etermination, an! #o er o* memor( are attri$"te! to the +i!ne(% The a$ilit( to +ee# a secret is attri$"te! to the +i!ne('s #o er o* retention an! sa*eg"ar!ing against lea+age% The Neijing !e*ine! that 9the +i!ne( stores 8ing, an! 8ing ho"ses ill #o er%9 )n t"rn, i* +i!ne( 8ing $ecomes e-ha"ste!, a ea+ ill an! #oor memor( ill res"lt% Fl"i!s reach the +i!ne( a*ter the( have $een a$sor$e! $( the stomach, raise! "# ar!s $( the s#leen, an! s#rin+le! !o n ar!s $( the l"ng% 7t this #oint the( $ecome !i**erentiate! into clear an! t"r$i! as#ects $( virt"e o* the trans*ormative #o ers o* +i!ne( (ang% The clear #art o* *l"i! essence ret"rns to the l"ng, *rom here it moistens each one o* the zang organs% From the l"ng, it t"rns into nasal !ischarge, or s eat, or saliva, or tears, an! it !i**erentiates into 8ing, $loo!, jin (li6"i!s, that is the thinner *l"i!s moistening the m"scles), an! (e (the !enser *l"i!s l"$ricating the 8oints an! $one marro )% The t"r$i! #art *ee!s into the $la!!er, here it is $eing trans*orme! into "rine, an! e-crete!%

&one marro is consi!ere! to $e a trans*ormation o* +i!ne( 8ing that has the s#eci*ic tas+ o* no"rishing the $ones% )t is !i**erentiate! into $one marro , s#inal marro , an! $rain marro % 5#inal marro *ee!s into the $rain, here the !ensest concentration o* 9marro 9 can $e o$serve!% The $rain is there*ore also calle! the sea o* marro % )* +i!ne( 8ing is #lenti*"l, $oth the $one (s"##orting the $o!() an! the $rain (s"##orting the min!) ill $e at a level o* i!eal strength% 0n the other han!, a !e*icienc( o* +i!ne( 8ing ill $ring a$o"t $rittle $ones an! a listless s#irit% 7s the Neijing #"ts it: 9The +i!ne( is the master o* #h(sical strength, it #ro!"ces e-6"isite movementsFactions%9 5ince the teeth are consi!ere! to $e the 9s"r#l"s o* the $ones,9 the( also rel( on the no"rishment o* the +i!ne(% )* the 8ing is #lenti*"l, the teeth are *irm, i* not, the( come loose or *all o"t% The hair's gro th #rocess is governe! $( the a-ing an! aning o* +i!ne( 6i% 7gain the cr"cial Neijing 6"ote: 97t the age o* seven, a *emale's +i!ne( 6i is in high gear, the secon! teeth come in an! the hair gro s%9 7ncient te-ts o*ten consi!er the hea!'s hair to $e a !irect o"tgro th o* the $rain, hich o"l! relate it to the +i!ne(% The gro th #attern an! general l"ster o* the hair is an im#ortant in!ication *or the con!ition o* #renatal 8ing%

7ltho"gh the #rocess o* $reathing is governe! $( the l"ng, the containment o* incoming 6i ithin the lo er $"rner is governe! $( +i!ne( 6i% 0nl( i* +i!ne( 6i is #lenti*"l an! its gras#ing #o er s"**icient can the 6i #assages o* the l"ng $e "no$str"cte! an! the $reathing $e harmonio"s% )* the +i!ne( is ea+ an! the $reath cannot 9root9 in the +i!ne(, !isease ill event"all( arise% 5hallo $reathing, #artic"larl( in #atients s"**ering *rom chronic asthma, is there*ore o*ten associate! ith a +i!ne( 6i !e*icienc(% )n this sit"ation, the $reath gets st"c+ a$ove the !ia#hragm an! cannot !escen! into its right*"l a$o!e, the lo er !antian% This as#ect o* the +i!ne( is one reason h( there is s"ch an intent *oc"s on a$!ominal $reathing in 0riental c"lt"res% The +i!ne( an! $la!!er *orm a zang-fu #air: 9The +i!ne( is connecte! ith the $la!!er,9 states the Neijing, 9the $la!!er is the store ho"se o* the li6"i!s an! h"mors%9 This statement remin!s "s that the $la!!er, similar to the gall$la!!er an! the small intestine, not onl( e-cretes "n ante! aste materials, $"t com#rises a tem#orar( station along the $o!('s com#lehigh a( o* vital *l"i! trans*ormation% &la!!er *"nction, #artic"lar its *"nction o* 9o#ening an! closing,9 is largel( !e#en!ent on the #o er o* +i!ne( 6i% )* +i!ne( 6i is strong, normal ater meta$olism ill ta+e #lace% The storage an! e-cretion #rocess o* ater thro"gh the $la!!er is th"s intimatel( relate! to the general *"nctioning o* the +i!ne(%

The ears, hich *aintl( resem$le the +i!ne(s in sha#e, are tho"ght to re*lect the con!ition o* +i!ne( 8ing% Large ears an! shar# hearing in!icate an e-cellent con!ition o* +i!ne( 8ing% 7s #eo#le gro ol!er, the( not onl( $ecome more *orget*"l, $"t their #o er o* hearing !ecreases (an! sometimes their ears shrivel "#) as their 8ing !e#letes% 7s the original statement o* the Neijing goes: 9The +i!ne( 6i comm"nicates ith the ears, i* the +i!ne( *"nctions #ro#erl(, the ears can !isting"ish the *ive essential so"n!s%9 Hi!ne( 6i, !"e to its mother organ's close #ro-imit( to the o#enings in the lo er $"rner, governs the o#ening an! closing *"nction o* the 9t o #rivate #arts,9 incl"!ing se-"al *"nctions li+e erection, e8ac"lation, an! l"$rication o* the vaginal tract, an! maintenance o* *ecal continence (as ell as "rinar( continence via the control o* the $la!!er)% The conce#t o* mingmen, the vital gate o* li*e, is an integral #art o* the +i!ne( s(stem% The Nanjing (Classic of 'ifficulties) ela$orate! on $asic

Neijing theor( $( *ig"rativel( !i**erentiating these t o as#ects o* the +i!ne( in str"ct"ral terms, there$( initiating a me!ical theor( that as later re*erre! to as the mingmen school: 9There are t o +i!ne( #arts% 7ct"all(, not $oth o* them are +i!ne(s% The le*t one is the +i!ne(, the right one is mingmen%9 The classic then goes on to ela$orate that mingmen is the #lace 9 here the entiret( o* $o!il( 8ing an! shen is at home, an! here the original 6i is generate!%9 9)t is the root o* all zang/*" net or+s, the *o"n!ation o* the t elve channels, the gate o* $reath, an! the so"rce o* all three $"rning s#aces%9 Later me!ical scholars arg"e! that mingmen is an immaterial *orce that co"l! not $e #h(sicall( locate! in the right +i!ne(% Eather, its location is the central #oint on the s#ine $et een the t o anatomical +i!ne(s an! o##osite the "m$ilic"s, th"s *orming a 9#osterior !antian%9 The Chinese name *or the ac"#"nct"re #oint locate! there is mingmen (IJ/=)% The *ire lo!ge! ithin +i!ne( ater is o*ten re*erre! to as the $o!('s ministerial *ire (xiang huo), as o##ose! to the im#erial *ire ( jun huo) o* the heart% )n its role o* the 9minister9 serving the higher centers, it arms the s#leen, ri#ens *oo!, gras#s l"ng 6i, an! gives vol"me to a #erson's voice%

The tri#le $"rner, a *" organ that is sai! to #ass thro"gh an! connect all o* the $o!('s three $"rning s#aces, stim"lates 6i trans*ormation ith a s#eci*ic *oc"s on ater meta$olism% )t +ee#s the $o!('s ater a(s "no$str"cte! an! smoothl( o#erating% These *"nctions o* the tri#le $"rner are intimatel( tie! to the +i!ne( an! $la!!er% The Neijing sa(s: 9The "##er $"rner is li+e a mist, the mi!!le $"rner is li+e a s am#, an! the lo er $"rner is li+e a !itch,9 re*erring to the essence misting activit( o* the l"ng on to#, the *ermenting action o* the s#leenFstomach at the center, an! the canalization o* ater in the lo est #art o* the torso% Injur* to 6idne* 7in! and Ming#en 7an$! 3ire: i* the +i!ne('s a$ilit( to store 8ing $ecomes !ist"r$e!, a #erson's gro th #atterns an! re#ro!"ctive a$ilit( ill $e a**ecte!, in*ertilit(, hair an! tooth loss, slo #h(sical !evelo#ment, or so*tness an! mal*ormation o* the $ones ma( res"lt% )* ithin the +i!ne( 8ing the cr"cial controllingFgenerating $alance $et een +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang $ecomes !ist"r$e!, !i**erent s(m#tom #atterns ma( arise% T(#ical mani*estations o* h(#eractivit( o* (ang !"e to +i!ne( (in !e*icienc( are $"rning sensation in the #alms an! soles, ti!al heat sensations, night s eats, s#ermatorrhea, or se-"al !reams% When the +i!ne( (ang is e-ha"ste! an! th"s "na$le to e-ec"te its ministerial arming *"nction, s(m#toms o* listless s#irit ma( res"lt: sore lo er $ac+ an! +nees, col! sensations in the $o!( an! its e-tremities, inhi$ite!

"rination or *re6"ent an! #ro*"se "rination, earl( morning !iarrhea, asthmatic #anting "#on slight #h(sical e-ertion, !i**ic"lt $reathing, im#otence an! #remat"re e8ac"lation, or in*ertilit( !"e to a 9col! "ter"s%9 )* there is evi!ence o* +i!ne( !e*icienc( itho"t o$vio"s col! or heat s(m#toms, this s(m#tom com#le- is "s"all( re*erre! to as +i!ne( 6i (or +i!ne( 8ing) !e*icienc(% )t is im#ortant to "n!erstan! the intimate relationshi# o* +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang, an! that #rolonge! +i!ne( (in !e*icienc( ill event"all( in*l"ence +i!ne( (ang an! vice versa% This #henomenon is "s"all( calle! a !e*icienc( o* +i!ne( (in im#licating +i!ne( (ang, or a !e*icienc( o* +i!ne( (ang im#licating +i!ne( (in% Chan$es in 1ater Metabolism: since the +i!ne( is sai! to $e in charge o* ater, all #athological changes involving ater are in some a( associate! ith the +i!ne(% )* there is a lac+ o* +i!ne( (ang, the $o!('s general #rocess o* 6i trans*ormation ill s"**er, an! conse6"entl( ater meta$olism ill $e inhi$ite!% 7s the Treatise on "lood 'iseases (Xuezheng &un) e-#lains: 9)* there is not eno"gh (ang 6i, #athological ater acc"m"lations ill t"rn into #hlegm an! !istress the heart or attac+ the l"ng, or ca"se s(m#toms o* e!ema, a$!ominal #ain accom#anie! $( a sensation o* 6i r"shing "# ar!s, or !iarrhea an! intense col!%9 3ost cases o* #hlegm or e!ema occ"r hen the (ang *ire is "na$le to trans*orm (in ater% Fig"rativel( s#ea+ing, the +i!ne( is the general comman!ing the t o ater fu organs hich are mainl( involve! in the trans#ortation an! trans*ormation o* ater, namel( the tri#le $"rner an! the $la!!er% 7s the Neijing sa(s: 9The shaoyang :tri#le $"rner; $elongs to the +i!ne(, a$ove, the +i!ne( connects ith the l"ng, an! th"s has t o fu organs "n!er its comman! :tri#le $"rner an! $la!!er;%9 There*ore, i* there is not eno"gh +i!ne( (ang, the "##er $"rner cannot #ro#erl( !istri$"te *l"i!s, the mi!!le $"rner cannot #ro#erl( steam an! ri#en *oo! an! se#arate the clear *rom the t"r$i!, an! the lo er $"rner cannot #ro#erl( trans*orm 6i, th"s in*l"encing the o#ening an! closing a$ilit( o* the $la!!er (ca"sing e-cessive or inhi$ite! "rination, as in $e! etting, *re6"ent "rination, noct"ria, etc%)% 3oreover, since "rine is man"*act"re! *rom $o!( *l"i!s hich are in #art #ro!"ce! $( the +i!ne(, a !e*icienc( o* +i!ne( ater ill al a(s involve a !e*icienc( o* *l"i!s, ca"sing inhi$ite! "rination% 7long the same lines, too m"ch "rination ill event"all( harm the $o!('s *l"i! s"##l(% ,motional Influences on Proper 6idne* 3unction: the +i!ne( is sai! to ho"se the *orce o* ill #o er an! !etermination% Will #o er, there*ore,

relies on no"rishment $( +i!ne( 8ing% )* 8ing is ea+, then s"staine! e-#ression (memor() ill also $e ea+%

ill #o er an! its

)ntense or #rolonge! *ear, the emotion associate! ith the +i!ne(, ill ca"se in8"r( to the +i!ne( 6i, res"lting in im#otence, s#ermatorrhea, or the gra!"al !evelo#ment o* co ar!l( $ehavior% The other a( aro"n!, a #h(sical !e*icienc( o* +i!ne( 8ing can ca"se a !is#osition *or #anic+( an! *ear*"l $ehavior% 6idne* 'isorders Causin$ Patholo$ical Chan$es in the "ones8 the Marro08 the )air8 and the ,ars: i* +i!ne( 8ing is s"**icient, the contin"o"s #ro!"ction o* high 6"alit( marro is ass"re!, res"lting in #ro#erl( no"rishe! an!, th"s, *irm an! strong $ones% 0ther ise the s+eletal str"ct"re ill $e ea+, or str"ct"ral changes s"ch as osteo#orosis might occ"r% )* the +i!ne( is harme! $( #ernicio"s 6i a**ecting the +i!ne( 8ing an! conse6"entl( the marro an! $ones, there ill $e s(m#toms o* ea+ an! sore aist an! legs, or even atro#h( o* the legs ca"sing severel( limite! mo$ilit(% 7s the Neijing states: 9)* +i!ne( 6i is #athologicall( hot, the l"m$ar s#ine ill $e inhi$ite!, the $ones ill $ecome $rittle an! the marro scorche!, an! atro#h( o* the $ones ill res"lt%9 For the same reasons, s(m#toms o* loosening an! !eteriorating teeth, or the !r(ing, gre(ing, an! gra!"al *alling o"t o* hair are relate! to the state o* the +i!ne('s 8ing 6i% 5ince the ears an! the associate! sense o* hearing also !e#en! on no"rishment $( the +i!ne('s 8ing 6i, ringing in the ears, loss o* hearing, or !ea*ness are t(#ical s(m#toms *or vario"s as#ects o* +i!ne( !e*icienc(%

Moisten the #idne* tonif* #idne* *in! zi yin' u shen yin!: rehmannia (dihuang), tortoise shell (guiban), as#arag"s root (tianmendong), l(ci"m *r"it (gouqizi), mor"s *r"it (sangshenzi), lig"str"m (nuzhenzi)% 1arm the #idne* stren$then *an$9 tonif* the vital flame of life! wen shen' zhuang yang' u #ing huo!: aconite (fuzi), cinnamon $ar+ (rougui), s"l#h"r (liuhuang), morin!a (bajitian), !eer antler (lurong), cni!i"m *r"it (shechuangzi), cistanche (roucongrong)% Complement jin$ and tonif* the marro0 tian jing u sui!: animal $one marro (dongwu jisui), animal $rain (naosui), #lacenta (ziheche), !eer antler (lurong), antler gelatin (lujiaojiao), tortoise #laster gelatin ( guijiao), cor!(ce#s (dongchong xiacao)%

+estore the storin$ action of the #idne* astrin$e jin$9 stop va$inal dischar$e9 curb fre:uent and profuse urination! gu shen' se jing' zhi dai' shou se !iao ian!: schizan!ra (wuweizi), corn"s (shanzhuyu), al#inia (yizhiren), r"$ia (fupenzi), mantis egg case (sangpiaoxiao), rose hi#s (jinyingzi)% +estore the #idne*.s function of $raspin$ and retainin$ :i na (i gui shen!: schizan!ra (wuweizi), #soralea (buguzhi), gec+o (gejie), corn"s (shanzhuyu), a6"ilaria (chenxiang)% Aid the transformation of bladder :i hua pangguang (i!: cinnamon t ig (guizhi) an! hoelen (fuling), cinnamon $ar+ (rougui), lin!era (wuyao), *ennel (xiao huixiang), sa"ss"rea (muxiang), citr"s see! (juhe), litchi see! (lizhihe)% Open and disinhibit the 0ater passa$es of the bladder and the triple burner tongli pangguang) sanjiao!: alisma (zexie), hoelen (fuling), #ol(#or"s (zhuling), talc (huashi), a+e$ia (mutong), tetra#ana- (tongcao), to+oro (pixie), #ol(gon"m (bianxu), l(go!i"m (haijinsha)% Clear #idne* heat moisten *in and descend deficienc* fire! (ing shen *e9 zi yin jiang huo!: anemarrhena (zhimu), #hello!en!ron (huangbai), mor"s $ar+ (digupi), ecli#ta (hanliancao)% 'ischar$e #idne* fire pur$e fire 0ith salt* and cold materials! !ie shen huo' !ian han !ie huo!: salt (qingyan), halite (qingyan), "rine (tongbian), calcit"m (hanshuishi)%

5ince the +i!ne( is the re#resentative lo er $"rner organ, it generall( nee!s to $e a!!resse! ith high amo"nts o* heav( an! stic+( s"$stances% The 1?th cent"r( *ever school a"thorit( W" <"tong once !escri$e! this characteristic in gra#hic terms: 9Lo er $"rner thera#( is li+e a eight/i* it is not heav( eno"gh, it !oes not reach the $ottom%9 Hi!ne( !isor!ers are generall( o* a col! an! !e*icient nat"re% Hi!ne( thera#(, there*ore, nee!s to *oc"s #rimaril( on the toni*ication o* !e*icienc(, #"rging o* e-cess is a !e*inite ta$oo% )* +i!ne( ater is !e*icient, the +i!ne( nee!s to $e toni*ie! $( moistening (in% )* +i!ne( 8ing is !e*icient, it nee!s to $e re#lenishe! $( s"##lementing 8ing an! toni*(ing the $one marro % )* +i!ne( (ang is !e*icient, the +i!ne( nee!s to $e toni*ie! $( "sing mo!alities that strengthen (ang% )n the more a!vance! scenario o* mingmen *ire e-ha"stion, materials that arm an! toni*( the vital *lame o* li*e nee! to $e em#lo(e!% 5ince the +i!ne( has $oth (in an! (ang as#ects, #athological sit"ations ma( arise *rom an im$alance in the ratio o* +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang%

The most t(#ical e-am#le is the "#*laring o* !e*icienc( *ire !"e to a !e*icienc( in +i!ne( ater, hich calls *or a !escen!ing action that re/ anchors the *loating *ire in the (in aters o* the +i!ne(% This is #rimaril( achieve! $( the "se o* (in tonics hich ill $ring the !iminishe! (in level $ac+ to *"ll ca#acit( an! th"s nat"rall( e-ting"ish the !e*icienc( t(#e o* #athological heat% )* (ang !e*icienc( has $eg"n to im#licate (in, $oth 8ing an! marro sho"l! $e s"##lemente! an! the vital *lame o* li*e $e arme! an! toni*ie!% )* $oth +i!ne( (in an! (ang are !e*icient, $oth the vario"s as#ects o* the +i!ne( an! the vital *lame o* li*e sho"l! $e toni*ie!% )n the common scenario o* s#leen an! +i!ne( !e*icienc(, $oth s#leen an! +i!ne( (ang nee! to $e toni*ie!% )n case o* l"ng an! +i!ne( !e*icienc(, $oth l"ng an! +i!ne( (in nee! to $e moistene!% )n chronic asthma #atients here +i!ne( !e*icienc( res"lts in an ina$ilit( o* the +i!ne( to gras# the !escen!ing 6i *rom the l"ng, the +i!ne( nee!s to $e arme! ith s"$stances that s#eci*icall( assist ith the action o* gras#ing an! retaining 6i, s"ch as gec+o (gejie) an! schizan!ra (wuweizi)% )* l"ng metal *ails to #ro#erl( generate +i!ne( ater, +i!ne( (in nee!s to $e moistene! in!irectl( $( no"rishing the (in o* its mother s(stem, the l"ng% )* +i!ne( ater *ails to no"rish its son, liver oo!, the liver nee!s to $e s"##orte! $( moistening +i!ne( (in an!For +i!ne( 8ing% )n the case that +i!ne( !e*icienc( has ca"se! an e-ha"stion o* the earth net or+, the lo er $"rner's vital *lame o* li*e nee!s to $e re+in!le! ith arming s"$stances in or!er to #rovi!e the trans*ormative *orces o* the mi!!le $"rner a$ove ith the activating heat the( re6"ire% )* the e-ten!e! ater net or+ (incl"!ing the +i!ne(, the $la!!er, an! the tri#le $"rner) is com#romise! $( a !am# heat con!ition, the !am#ness sho"l! $e !isinhi$ite! ith materials o* a cooling nat"re that have a s#eci*ic a**init( to the lo er $"rner, s"ch as alisma ( zexie), #ol(#or"s (zhuling), an! talc (huashi)% )* the trans*ormative #o ers o* the $la!!er an! the tri#le $"rner *ail !"e to an e-ha"stion o* the +i!ne('s vital *lame o* li*e, then this t(#e o* #athological ater acc"m"lation nee!s to $e trans*orme! $( #rimaril( arming +i!ne( 6i, an! secon!aril( $( a!!ing several her$s that !irectl( move o"t the #athological ater% )* #hlegm, !am#ness, or ater rhe"m stagnate internall(, #hlegm !am# nee!s to $e !isinhi$ite!, an! ater rhe"m !riven o"t% )* the +i!ne( has $een !amage! !"e to chronic illness, e-aggerate! emotions, or e-cessive se-"al activit(, a change o* the sit"ation or li*e st(le that has originall( ca"se! the con!ition is im#erative% 5im"ltaneo"sl(, the recover( o* the +i!ne( s(stem can $e s"##orte! $( #rescri$ing a selection o* tonic agents that moisten (in, strengthen (ang, or no"rish 8ing an! marro %

7s the ater net or+, the +i!ne( has an aversion to !r( in*l"ences% )t o"l! $e #artic"larl( !etrimental to e-cl"sivel( em#lo( $itter an! !r(ing s"$stances in a sit"ation here the +i!ne( (in is !e*icient% 1erha#s "ne-#ecte!l(, the Neijing recommen!s #"ngent *lavors to co"nteract !r(ness in the +i!ne(, these #"ngent *lavors ai! the l"ng in !istri$"ting moist"re to the +i!ne(% )n clinical realit(, her$s li+e c"sc"ta ( tusizi) an! cni!i"m *r"it (shechuangzi) *it this categor(% The +i!ne( strives *or a state o* g"ar!e! *irmness an! tight soli!it(% )* the storage *ortress o* the +i!ne( is #ro#erl( $"ttresse!, #recio"s essence ill not lea+ o"t% 3an( $itter materials, altho"gh the( sho"l! $e "se! ca"tio"sl( *or the reasons 8"st mentione!, have a sta$ilizing a**ect on +i!ne( (in% 7nemarrhena ( zhimu), an her$ that is $oth $itter an! moistening, an! #hello!en!ron ( huangbai) are the #rime s"$stances "se! in sit"ations o* contin"o"s 8ing lea+age, #artic"larl( lo er $"rner !e*icienc( *ire *"eling o$sessive se-"al "rges, e-cessive mast"r$ation, rec"rrent se-"al !reams, s#ermatorrhea, or certain t(#es o* le"+orrhea% 5alt( *lavors have a !irect a**init( to the +i!ne( net or+, an! are generall( $ene*icial hen "se! in mo!eration% 95alt( *lavors generate the +i!ne(,9 comments the Neijing% )ncrease! !ietar( inta+e o* salt, "s"all( o$taine! *rom store! *oo!s ith salt as the #reserving element, ta+en !"ring the ater season ( inter) contri$"tes to #reserving the +i!ne( against the col!% 0n the other han!, salt has a #ercolating an! lea+age/ #romoting a**ect that is overall "ns"ita$le *or an organ s(stem that is in charge o* storing an! meta$olizing #h(siological 8ing, h"mors, an! *l"i!s% There*ore, e-cessive cons"m#tion o* salt( *oo!s is !isco"rage!, as it ill harm the +i!ne( an! its a**iliate! $o!( la(er% 9)* the !isease is in the $one la(er,9 the Neijing #oints o"t else here, 9!o not eat salt( *oo!s%9 )* the +i!ne( root is !amage!, man( o* the $o!('s stem an! $ranch organs have alrea!( entere! a #athological state *irst% )* +i!ne( (in/that is the $ase s"$stance *rom hich liver (in, stomach (in, heart (in, l"ng (in, an! the $o!('s h"mors an! *l"i!s are *orme!/is !e*icient, it "s"all( means that the con!ition is #rece!e! $( a (in !e*icienc( in other organs% 5imilarl(, the essential *lame o* the lo er $"rner onl( *lic+ers a*ter the light in the "##er levels has gro n !im% This sit"ation has given rise to a school o* me!icine that *avors +i!ne( toni*ication in most !e*icienc( sit"ations% Toni*(ing +i!ne( (in an! +i!ne( (ang, #ro#onents have arg"e! since the 13th cent"r(, means to moisten an! strengthen the $o!('s so"rce (inF(ang an! there$( the (inF(ang o* all organ net or+s% .o ever, the root stat"s o* the +i!ne( also im#lies that +i!ne( !e*icienc( is o*ten accom#anie! $( ina!e6"ate s#leenFstomach *"nction% This #oses a #ro$lem in light o* the *act that her$al +i!ne( thera#( re6"ires heav( amo"nts o* stic+( s"$stances that are generall( har! to !igest% 0ne attem#t to reme!( this sit"ation as the a!!ition o* her$al 9!igestive ai!s9 to +i!ne( *orm"las s"ch

as Eehmannia 5i- Form"la (Liuwei Dihuang Wan)% 1harmacists at the reno ne! &ei8ing her$ em#ori"m Tongren Tang, *or instance, "se! to a"tomaticall( a!! small amo"nts o* the aromatic car!amon ( sharen) i* the #atient's #rescri#tion calle! *or large amo"nts o* the greas( +i!ne( tonic rehmannia (dihuang)% 1ro#onents o* the s#leenFstomach school, on the other han!, have arg"e! that +i!ne( !e*icienc( is o*ten the res"lt o* a !e*icienc( o* its controlling net or+, namel( s#leen earth% 5#leen toni*ication a!vocates have sai! *or more than hal* a millenni"m that this sho"l! $e the #rimar( mo!alit( to regenerate the +i!ne( s(stem% )n an( case, ca"tion nee!s to $e e-ercise! regar!ing the #rescri#tion o* heav( 9 ater9 s"$stances to #atients ho sho signs o* !igestive ea+ness, s"ch as #oor a##etite, $loating, an! ten!enc( to e-#erience !iarrhea or loose stool% 7 sa*e metho! *or the !irect toni*ication o* lo er $"rner so"rce 6i has $een !evelo#e! $( the ancestors o* Chinese me!icine, namel( 4aoist #ractitioners o* 9inner alchem(%9 The term inner alchem( re*ers to Digong e-ercises o* the 6"iet, me!itative +in! that *oc"s on generating armth an! *"llness in the lo er !antian% 6I'/,7 7I/ ',3ICI,/C7 shen yin !u!: #rimar( s(m#toms are !izziness, $l"rr( vision, ringing in the ears, sore an! ea+ lo er $ac+ or +nees, $"rning in #alms an! soles, ti!al heat sensations, night s eats% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e !r( mo"th an! throat, *l"she! *ace, emaciate! *eat"res, #remat"re gra(ing o* hair, lo s#erm co"nt in males, !ecrease! menstr"al *lo an! in*ertilit( in *emales, *orget*"lness, insomnia, s#ermatorrhea, #remat"re e8ac"lation, heel #ain, (ello "rination, !r( stool% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a re! $o!( an! little or no coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ra#i!% +epresentative )erbs: rehmannia (dihuang), corn"s (shanzhuyu), as#arag"s root (tianmendong), ho/sho"/ " (heshouwu), l(ci"m *r"it (gouqizi), lig"str"m (nuzhenzi), tortoise shell (guiban), t"rtle shell (biejia), scro#h"laria (xuanshen), ecli#ta (hanliancao), anemarrhena (zhimu)% +epresentative 3ormulas: Eet"rn the Le*t 4ecoction, 7ch(ranthes an! Eehmannia Form"la (Zuogui in), Eehmannia 5i- Form"la (Liuwei Dihuang Wan)% 6I'/,7 7A/4 ',3ICI,/C7 shen yang !u!: #rimar( s(m#toms are #ale or !ar+ com#le-ion, listless s#irit, o$vio"s aversion to col!, col! e-tremities, lo se- !rive, ea+ or col! an! #ain*"l lo er $ac+ an! +nees, earl( morning !iarrhea, *re6"ent "rination or clear an! #ro*"se "rination% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e im#otence, #remat"re e8ac"lation, in*ertilit(, clear vaginal !ischarge, inhi$ite! "rination an! e!ema, !izziness, ringing in the ears% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a #ale, ten!er, an! o*ten

toothmar+e! $o!(, an! a hite an! sli##er( coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e !ee#, slo , an! *orceless% +epresentative )erbs: aconite (fuzi), cinnamon $ar+ (rougui), e#ime!i"m (yinyanghuo), morin!a (bajitian), #soralea (buguzhi), !eer antler (lurong), c"rc"ligo (xianmao), *en"gree+ (huluba), cistanche (roucongrong), c(nomori"m (suoyang)% +epresentative 3ormulas: Eet"rn the Eight 1ill ( ougui Wan)% 6I'/,7 &I ',3ICI,/C7 shen (i !u!: #rimar( s(m#toms are !izziness, ringing in the ears, ea+ or sore lo er $ac+ an! +nees, #h(sical an! mental *atig"e, shortness o* $reath% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e #ale com#le-ion, s#ontaneo"s s eating, !ecrease! mental an! #h(sical gro th rate in chil!ren, *re6"ent "rination, noct"ria, s#ermatorrhea, #remat"re e8ac"lation, asthmatic #anting "#on e-ertion% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a #ale $o!( an! a hite coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ea+% +epresentative )erbs: aln"t (hutaorou), !ioscorea (shanyao), e"commia (duzhong), c"sc"ta (tusizi), schizan!ra (wuweizi), corn"s (shanzhuyu), morin!a (bajitian)% +epresentative 3ormula: Eehmannia 'ight Form"la (!henqi Wan)% 6I'/,7 (I/4 ',P2,TIO/ shen jing u zu!: #rimar( s(m#toms are !izziness, ringing in the ears, ea+ or sore lo er $ac+ an! +nees, lo s#erm co"nt in males, amenorrhea an! in*ertilit( in *emales, !ela(e! mental an! #h(sical !evelo#ment in chil!ren% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e !ecrease! memor(, slo an! cl"ms( $o!( movements, !"ll *acial e-#ressions, emaciate! $o!( str"ct"re, hair loss, loose teeth, late closing o* *ontanella in $a$ies, m"sc"lar atro#h(% +epresentative )erbs: #lacenta (ziheche), !eer antler (lurong), tortoise shell gelatin (guijiaojiao), cor!(ce#s (dongchong xiacao), coo+e! rehmannia (shu dihuang), l(ci"m *r"it (gouqizi), corn"s (shanzhuyu), e"commia (duzhong), cistanche (roucongrong)% +epresentative 3ormula: 1lacenta Eestorative 1ills ("eche Dazao Wan)% "I2AT,+A2 ',3ICI,/C7 O3 6I'/,7 7I/ A/' 7A/4 shen yin yang liang !u!: #rimar( s(m#toms are !izziness, ringing in the ears, ea+, sore, or #ain*"l lo er $ac+ an! +nees, col! *ingers an! toes an!For $"rning sensations in #alms an! soles, night s eats or s#ontaneo"s s eating% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e #ale com#le-ion an!For *l"she! *ace, #oor memor(, insomnia, vivi! !reaming, listless s#irit, loose teeth, !r( an! s#lit hair, "nstea!( al+, s ollen *eet, asthmatic #anting "#on #h(sical e-ertion% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a re! $o!( an! little or no coating, or ith a #ale $o!( an! hite coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ra#i!, or !ee#, slo , an! ea+%

+epresentative )erbs: coo+e! rehmannia (shu dihuang), ho/sho"/ " (heshouwu), l(ci"m *r"it (gouqizi), lig"str"m (nuzhenzi), corn"s (shanzhuyu), c"sc"ta (tusizi), schizan!ra (wuweizi)% +epresentative 3ormulas: Eehmannia 'ight Form"la (!henqi Wan), Five 5ee! Fertilize the 7ncestral Force 1ill (Wuzi anzong Wan)% T), 6I'/,7 &I 3AI2S TO ,;,C%T, ITS STO+I/4 ACTIO/ shen (i u gu!: #rimar( s(m#toms incl"!e clear, *re6"ent, an! !ri$$ling "rination, en"resis, $e! etting, s#ermatorrhea, #remat"re e8ac"lation, ten!enc( to miscarr(, clear vaginal !ischarge% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e #ale com#le-ion, mental an! #h(sical *atig"e, ea+ or sore $ac+, loss o* hearing, s#ontaneo"s s eating% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a #ale $o!( an! a hite coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ea+% +epresentative )erbs: schizan!ra (wuweizi), e"r(ale (qianshi), rose hi#s (jinyingzi), mantis egg cases (sangpiaoxiao), !ioscorea (shanyao), al#inia (yizhiren), !ragon $one (longgu), o(ster shell (muli), c"sc"ta (tusizi)% +epresentative 3ormulas: Iol!en Loc+ 5hore K# the <ing 1ill ( #insuo $ujing Wan), 3antis Form"la (!angpiaoxiao !an), Eetract the 5o"rce 1ill (!uoquan Wan)% T), 6I'/,7 3AI2S TO 4+ASP A/' +,TAI/ &I shen u na (i!: #rimar( s(m#toms are shortness o* $reath or asthmatic #anting ($rie* inhale, longer e-hale), es#eciall( *ollo ing #h(sical e-ertion% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e #ale com#le-ion, #"**( *ace, $l"e li#s, emission o* small amo"nts o* "rine hen co"ghing, s#ontaneo"s s eating, general aversion to col!, col! e-tremities, ea+ or sore lo er $ac+ an! +nees, mental an! #h(sical *atig"e% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a #ale $o!( an! a hite coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ea+, or *loating an! "#roote!% +epresentative )erbs: aln"t (hutaorou), gec+o (gejie), #soralea (buguzhi), schizan!ra (wuweizi), coo+e! rehmannia (shu dihuang), ginseng (renshen), co!ono#sis (dangshen), a6"ilaria (chenxiang), ameth(st"m (zishiying)% +epresentative 3ormulas: Iinseng an! Waln"t 4ecoction (%enshen "utao &ang), Iinseng an! Iec+o 1o !er ( !hen #ie !an), 7ll 'ncom#assing Di 1ill (Du 'i Wan)% 7I/ ',3ICI,/C7 CA%SI/4 3I+, ,33%24,/C, yin !u huo wang!: #rimar( s(m#toms are *l"she! *ace an! re! li#s, restlessness, !i**ic"lt( *alling aslee#, !r( mo"th an! throat, $"rning sensation in #alms an! soles, ti!al heat sensations, night s eats% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e o$sessive se-"al *antasies, e-cessive "rge to mast"r$ate, *re6"ent se-"al !reams, !ar+ "rination, consti#ation% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a re! $o!( an! little or no coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e *ine an! ra#i!%

+epresentative )erbs: anemarrhena (zhimu), #hello!en!ron (huangbai), co#tis (huanglian), ra rehmannia ( sheng dihuang), #eon( (baishao), c(nanch"m (baiwei), ecli#ta (hanliancao), l(ci"m $ar+ (digupi)% +epresentative 3ormulas: 7nemarrhena, 1hello!en!ron, an! Eehmannia Form"la (Zhi (ai Dihuang Wan), Loc+ in the 3arro 1ellet ()engsui Dan)% 6I'/,7 7A/4 ',3ICI,/C7 CA%SI/4 1AT,+ ,33%SIO/ shen yang !u shui fan!: #rimar( s(m#toms are #"**iness an! e!ema (es#eciall( #rominent in lo er e-tremities)% 5econ!ar( s(m#toms incl"!e ashen or a-en *ace color, inhi$ite! "rination, o$vio"s aversion to col!, col! e-tremities, #al#itations, st"**( sensation in chest, shortness o* $reath, co"gh or asthmatic #anting accom#anie! $( e-#ectoration o* r"nn( an! clear #hlegm, heav( an! #ain*"l aist, a$!ominal *"llness, scrotal e!ema% The tong"e t(#icall( #resents ith a *at, #ale, an! toothmar+e! $o!(, an! a hite an! sli##er( coating, the #"lse ten!s to $e !ee# an! ir(, or !ee# an! *ine% +epresentative )erbs: aconite (fuzi), cinnamon t ig (guizhi), hoelen (fuling), c"rc"ligo (xianmao), alisma (zexie), #lantago see! (cheqianzi), #ol(#or"s (zhuling)% +epresentative 3ormula: Jitalit( Com$ination (Zhenwu &ang)%