Chapter 528: Chapter 225: This Young Man Seems Born for Traditional Chinese Medicine (2)

Lu Xuan smiled and continued, "Besides, as doctors, our goal is not only to cure, but also to alleviate patients’ pain and psychological burdens as much as possible, which remains a difference in overall perspective.

This is not just something we say ourselves; even some research institutes abroad think this way. Germany, for example, has a famous research expert who states that Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the richest, most coherent, and most effective medical sciences.

I think this judgment is quite accurate."

Zhang Guangli fell into contemplation.

Having communicated with Lu Xuan for only an hour, the information received was as vast as mountains and seas.

Perhaps these contents do not concern medical theory or techniques, but they are the essence of the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It teaches one how to be a qualified practitioner and tells him the significance and role of the cultural treasure, TCM, which has been passed down for thousands of years.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan no longer continued discussing these matters with Zhang Guangli, but returned to the main topic—TCM’s understanding of kidneys: "Dean Zhang, let’s not talk about this now. We have plenty of time to chat later; let’s continue with the previous topic."

He said, not waiting for Zhang Guangli to come to his senses, the words already spilling out of his mouth: "Speaking of kidneys, we must talk about kidney Qi, which is transformed from kidney essence and is the distribution of Qi throughout the body focused on the kidney.

Kidney Qi contains kidney Yin and kidney Yang.

Kidney Yin has the functions of cooling, calming, and inhibiting, whereas kidney Yang has the functions of warming, promoting, and mobilizing. Kidney Yin and Yang are opposites yet unified, complementing and balancing each other, thus ensuring the harmony of kidney Qi.

Kidney Yang is the root of all Yang Qi in the body. ’The Yang Qi of the five organs cannot manifest without it,’ and it can stimulate and activate the functions of organs and channels, warming and nourishing the entire body’s organs, channels, and orifices. When kidney Yang is abundant, organs and orifices are warmed, functions are active, and the spirit is invigorated.

If kidney Yang is deficient, the effects of stimulation, warmth, etc., diminish, leading to decreased organ functions, lack of energy, and symptoms of deficiency cold syndrome.

Speaking of this, Dean Zhang, have you heard of a certain person?"

"Who?" Zhang Guangli suddenly looked up.

"Old Mr. Li."

Zhang Guangli was momentarily stunned, seemingly not realizing who it was.

Lu Xuan uttered casually, "The one from the Fire God School."

Zhang Guangli suddenly understood, "Ah, it’s him. It’s a pity he’s already passed away, otherwise the Fire God School, under his leadership, would not have struggled to develop and expand. His understanding of TCM emergency care is unparalleled."

Speaking of Old Mr. Li, Zhang Guangli first thought of TCM emergency care.

He brought TCM emergency care to its peak, changing the perception of many that TCM is not good at emergency care, playing a pivotal role in the development and expansion of TCM.

Lu Xuan smiled slightly, "Old Mr. Li once said, ’All diseases can be treated by addressing the kidneys.’ His numerous prescriptions often include adding ingredients to invigorate kidney Qi, which is key to being effective in treatment."

"Speaking of which, I remember Old Mr. Li mentioning the four flavors for the kidneys."

Zhang Guangli continued, "Four medicines enter the liver and kidneys, with mild drug properties, warm without being dry, moist without being greasy. They enhance kidney essence, invigorate kidney Qi, warm Yang without the drawbacks of cinnamon and aconite, and nourish Yin without the drawbacks of rehmannia."

"There is Yin within Yang and Yang within Yin, echoing Jingyue’s principle: ’For those skilled at boosting Yang, one must seek Yang from within Yin, thus Yang is supported by Yin and the source will not run dry; for those skilled at boosting Yin, one must seek Yin from within Yang, thus Yin is elevated by Yang and its production is boundless.’" Lu Xuan eloquently explained.

"Corresponding to kidney Yang is kidney Yin, the root of all Yin Qi in the body. ’The Yin Qi of the five organs cannot provide nourishment without it,’ able to calm and inhibit organ functions, cooling and moisturizing the entire body’s organs, channels, and orifices.

When kidney Yin is ample, organs and orifices are cooled and moisturized, their functions robust without being overactive, the spirit kept within. If kidney Yin is insufficient, the effects of inhibition, calming, cooling, etc., diminish, leading to hyperactivity of organ functions, mental agitation, and symptoms of deficiency heat syndrome."

At this point, Lu Xuan paused, then continued, "Speaking of kidney Yin and Yang, one must mention kidney essence, also known as original essence or true essence.

The kidney is revered for storing innate essence, hence kidney essence, kidney Qi, and the transformation into kidney Yin and Yang are considered fundamental to the body’s life activities. Kidney Yin and Yang are also known as ’the base of Yin and Yang in the five organs.’

Physiologically, there is a dynamic relationship of mutual assistance and utility between the essence, Qi, Yin, and Yang of the kidneys and those of other organs. Pathologically, they influence each other too. Deficiency in the essence, Qi, Yin, and Yang of any organ will ultimately affect the kidneys, hence the saying ’chronic illness affects the kidneys.’

"If there are issues with kidney Qi or kidney essence, could the body exhibit corresponding symptoms?" Zhang Guangli asked.

Lu Xuan nodded and replied, "When kidney Qi preserves and stores essence, the body’s vitality is abundant. If kidney Qi fails in its storage role, symptoms such as spermatorrhea, dyspnea, enuresis, and even urinary incontinence, excessive sweating, fecal incontinence, and women’s discharge, bleeding, and miscarriages may occur.

The text ’Xiaoer Yaozheng Zhijue: Pulse Diagnosis and Treatment Method’ states: ’Kidney governs deficiency, not excess.’

This fully reveals the clinical significance of the kidney’s role in physiological storage. The concept of guarding refers to the latent nature of kidney Yang (the fiery or Yang component of the kidneys), enabling its warming, promoting, and activating effects.

The term ’ministerial fire’ contrasts with ’sovereign fire.’ Sovereign fire refers to heart Yang, the physiological fire of the heart, also known as heart fire; apart from heart fire, all other organ fires are referred to as ministerial fire.

In physiological states, the Yang Qi of each organ is termed ’lesser fire’; under pathological conditions, excessive fire is termed ’bright fire.’

Ministerial fire, located differently depending on the organ, is known by different names; the liver’s ministerial fire is called ’thunder fire,’ while the kidney’s ministerial fire is called ’dragon fire.’

The relationship between sovereign fire and ministerial fire is: ’Sovereign fire shines, ministerial fire resides.’

The ’Suwen: Tianyuan Ji Da Lun’ describes, ’Sovereign fire resides in the heart, governing clarity of spirit and emphasizing brightness; ministerial fire resides in liver and kidneys, following orders to hide and guard position.’ Essentially, ’the dragon dives beneath the sea, thunder rests in the marsh.’

With clarity of mind, the body’s life activities are orderly and stable, ministerial fire naturally remains hidden to exert warming and stimulating effects; sufficient kidney Yin nourishes ministerial fire, ensuring it remains hidden within the kidneys and does not rise excessively.

The kidney, located in the lower part of the human body, is meant to rise.

Kidney Qi contains two parts: kidney Yin and kidney Yang.

Kidney Yang revives kidney Yin, transforming into kidney Qi that rises to interact with the heart Qi in the upper body, maintaining the balance between the upper and lower body.

If kidney Yin is insufficient and cannot ascend to assist heart Yin to restrain heart fire, heart fire may become excessive; if kidney Yang is weak and cannot stimulate kidney Yin to rise and assist heart Yin to restrain heart fire, heart fire can also become excessive, commonly resulting in clinical symptoms like heart agitation and insomnia.

In the former case, kidney Yin should be supplemented; in the latter, kidney Yang should be supplemented.

Kidney essence, kidney Qi, kidney Yin, and kidney Yang are relatively independent concepts, each having unique characteristics in deficiency syndromes.

Kidney essence deficiency differs from kidney Yin deficiency: the former lacks essence without signs of heat; the latter has deficiency in the Yin part of kidney Qi, inevitably showing heat signs.

Kidney Qi deficiency differs from kidney Yang deficiency: the former lacks both Yin and Yang equally, with no cold or heat signs; the latter lacks the Yang part of kidney Qi, displaying cold signs.

TCM records on the kidneys are numerous and medical texts are abundant with content, albeit identical, yet each person has different understandings, much like reading the same story leads to varied insights. Nonetheless, while different interpretations persist, they ultimately converge on rooted principles. Those with profound expertise have unique distinctions: some understand at a basic level while others grasp more deeply.

The former does not match the latter, and when diagnosing, naturally does not perform as effectively.

However, what I’ve said is superficial; if one wants to thoroughly disclose the content related to kidneys, it would be hard to clarify even in ten days to a fortnight."

After finishing his statements, Lu Xuan smiled slightly and said, "The day after tomorrow, I will be at Huian Pharmacy for a consultation. I’m planning to conduct a free clinic there. If Dean Zhang has time, he can come by for a visit, and we can discuss medical principles together."

Huian free clinic?

"Huian Pharmacy?" Zhang Guangli pondered the one possible location.

Lu Xuan nodded, "Yes, before coming here, I received an invitation from Huian Pharmacy. Initially, I didn’t intend to go, but their manager mentioned half-price Chinese medicine, which aligns with patients’ welfare, so I naturally won’t refuse, although not reimbursed by insurance, it’s still somewhat expensive."

"Dr. Lu can come to our County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for consultations!" Zhang Guangli’s first response was to invite Lu Xuan to the County Hospital for consultations. Though he had limited interaction with Lu Xuan, even in just these few hours, he began to appreciate Lu Xuan’s expertise.

Huang Beishan said Lu Xuan’s medical skills surpassed his own. Initially, Zhang Guangli didn’t believe it, but now, he genuinely considers Huang Beishan’s words to be likely true.

This young man seems born for Traditional Chinese Medicine.