Taoist Doctor - Chapter 45

Jin Chuo Xian sat in front of a piano, and soft, ethereal music flowed from his fingertips. If music could be described with colors, his would surely be the pale golden hue of sunlight filtering through the bamboo forest in the early morning – both warm and light, yet ethereal.

 

Mystery, hope, and life – these were the feelings evoked by this piece.

 

Zhou Jinyuan sat quietly beside him, listening intently. He recognized familiar elements in the music and smiled knowingly.

 

Today, Zhou Jinyuan had arranged to take Jin Chuo Xian to see Professor Mo for a check-up. Additionally, Professor Mo had heard that Zhou was looking for a like-minded doctor with decent skills who was also willing to work in his clinic. The professor mentioned he could make an introduction.

 

Professor Mo had always been eager to mentor younger talents, with many students thriving under his guidance. Zhou Jinyuan had no doubts about his judgment, so he did not hesitate to accept the offer.

 

At this point, Jin Chuo Xian had been back in Haizhou with Zhou Jinyuan for more than half a month, and it had been nearly a month since he started seeing patients.

 

Recently, the tenderness in Jin Chuo Xian’s abdomen had lessened significantly, and the frequency of using external pain relief medication had decreased. However, a few days ago, ascites (abdominal fluid buildup) reappeared, causing some swelling in his lower limbs, which even made walking a bit difficult.

 

Seeing this, Zhou Jinyuan adjusted the prescription to two doses a day, one in the morning and one at night. It had already been two days since Jin Chuo Xian started the new treatment. Concerned about his health, Zhou Jinyuan came to pick him up for their trip, only to find him playing the piano.

 

Jin Chuo Xian, it seemed, could not go a day without music. He was proficient in multiple instruments; Zhou had heard him play the violin abroad, and now, who knows when a piano had made its way into his room.

 

Listening to Jin Chuo Xian play was a real pleasure. His compositions were highly melodic, blending artistry with popular appeal, and live performances had a charm that differed from recordings.

 

But just as Jin Chuo Xian reached the middle of the piece, he stopped.

 

Zhou Jinyuan, a little disappointed, said, “There’s no rush. Why didn’t you finish playing? Is this the piece you wrote after going back the other day?”

 

Jin Chuo Xian had written a piano piece instead of using traditional Daoist instruments like the tangzi (bells), qing (chime stones), or yuzi (wood blocks), but that didn’t stop him from incorporating elements of Daoist chanting and the mystique of Zhu You Shu (ancient healing spells). This fusion gave his work a refreshing, innovative feel.

 

Jin Chuo Xian, however, seemed regretful. “It’s not that I didn’t want to finish; the piece itself isn’t complete. I feel that certain parts lack strength, but I haven’t figured out how to write them yet.”

 

He even wondered whether he should ask Zhou Jinyuan to chant the scriptures a few more times. He had only listened for a few minutes the other day, and there was simply no substitute for Zhou’s rendition of the Xianshan Tune.

 

“Well, next time, you should come with me to observe more treatments. You might get some inspiration,” Zhou Jinyuan suggested with a thoughtful nod. “How are you feeling, though?”

 

Jin Chuo Xian replied, “Since taking the new medicine for two days, most of the symptoms have greatly improved. It’s really not a big deal.”

 

Indeed, he was doing well now, able to live independently without the need for a caregiver, having rented a place on his own.

 

Zhou Jinyuan checked and found that Jin Chuo Xian’s abdominal bloating had subsided, the ascites had significantly reduced, and the swelling in his legs had mostly gone away.

 

“That’s good. I was worried I’d have to carry you to Haibei Hospital,” Zhou Jinyuan joked as he hailed a cab, taking Jin Chuo Xian to Haibei Hospital.

 

…

 

Zhou Jinyuan arrived at the 13th floor where Professor Mo was, only to see the door wide open. Inside, several students were standing around a seated patient, indicating that Professor Mo was in the middle of a teaching session.

 

He asked Jin Chuo Xian to sit on a nearby chair and took the opportunity to listen in on the lesson, idly passing the time.

 

“Hey, are you waiting for Professor Mo?” A gentle voice came from behind Zhou Jinyuan after he had stood there for a while.

 

Turning around, he saw a man in his thirties, wearing a shirt, with almond-shaped eyes that gave him a somewhat androgynous appearance. Zhou was used to being called “young man” and responded with a nod, “Yes.”

 

The man, named Ji Huan, felt that Zhou looked familiar but couldn’t place him. Perhaps he was one of the junior apprentices? He asked, “Are you a student, or are you here to see Professor Mo for a consultation? If it’s a consultation, the professor is teaching all morning, and he doesn’t like being interrupted. You might have to wait until he’s done.”

 

Zhou appreciated the man’s kindness. But something about the timing of this interaction made him feel curious.

 

Inside, Professor Mo’s voice could be heard, asking one of the students, “Zhang Chao, how would you diagnose this?”

 

The student, Zhang Chao, replied, “The patient needs to wear warm clothes despite the hot weather and usually feels lethargic and weak. This indicates a disharmony between Yin and Yang, with a deficiency of Qi and Yang. The treatment should focus on supporting Yang.”

 

Hearing this, Ji Huan clicked his tongue in disappointment, whispering, “That’s wrong. A tiny error leads to a great mistake!”

 

Zhou Jinyuan glanced back at him.

 

Embarrassed, Ji Huan smiled and whispered, “Sorry, I’m a doctor too. Couldn’t help myself.”

 

At that moment, Professor Mo asked Zhang Chao how he would prescribe medication for the patient.

 

Zhang Chao proposed a prescription on the spot.

 

Professor Mo took the prescription, shook it a few times, and turned to the students with a smile, “Look at this! I’ve trained a student of the Fire God School!”

 

Zhou Jinyuan couldn’t help but laugh, and the man behind him burst out laughing as well.

 

Being in the field, they both understood what Professor Mo meant. The **Fire God School** was a school of Chinese medicine that emphasized **Yang-supporting therapies** and was famous for using **warming herbs** like **aconite** and **dried ginger** in large quantities. Their prescribing style was very distinctive.

 

Though Zhou didn’t see the prescription, he could guess that Zhang Chao, diagnosing the patient as suffering from Yang deficiency even in hot weather, likely prescribed a high dose of Yang-tonifying herbs, prompting Professor Mo’s joke about him becoming a Fire God School disciple.

 

“You’re really something, prescribing 100 grams of aconite! We should call you Zhang Fire God, or maybe Zhang Aconite from now on!” Professor Mo teased.

 

Aconite was the most potent warming herb, but due to its toxicity, it was difficult to use in clinical practice. Only skilled Fire God School practitioners could use large doses safely.

 

One hundred grams of aconite was already a substantial amount, so Professor Mo’s comment was not an exaggeration. The prescription indeed resembled one from the Fire God School!

 

Ji Huan chuckled again, unable to hold back.

 

Zhou Jinyuan, having already formed a hunch, asked, “How would you prescribe medication for this case?”

 

Ji Huan explained softly, “Young man, in Chinese medicine, even if Yang Qi is deficient, it doesn’t always mean you should use large amounts of warming, Yang-tonifying herbs. The principle of Yin and Yang is about balance and mutual dependence. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, the goal is to restore harmony, not to provoke them into further conflict!”

 

That was why Ji Huan had said that Zhang Chao’s diagnosis, while seemingly small, had led him astray.

 

“Who’s out there?” Professor Mo had overheard the quiet conversation outside and stepped out. Seeing the two of them, along with Jin Chuo Xian sitting a little farther away, he smiled. “Alright, since we have a skilled doctor here, let him prescribe a treatment plan for everyone to learn from.”

 

Ji Huan was taken aback. Oh no, why was the professor praising him like this? He wasn’t ready for this kind of attention, though he did have some thoughts about the case…

 

But just as he was about to step forward, Professor Mo took Zhou Jinyuan by the hand, saying, “Xiao Zhou, come on, show my students what you’ve got. Jin Xian, you can come in and wait too.”

 

Then he turned to Ji Huan, “You two have met? This is the future boss I wanted to introduce you to.”

 

Ji Huan: “…………”

 

Zhou Jinyuan managed to turn and give Ji Huan a friendly smile before stepping inside. He didn’t decline the request. After all, he had been listening to the case outside, and now he took the patient’s pulse and, while writing, explained, “I heard what Doctor Ji said earlier, and I completely agree. This condition requires balancing Yin and Yang. As the saying goes, ‘Solitary Yin cannot grow, and solitary Yang cannot thrive.’ We must seek **Yang within Yin**, and **Yin within Yang**.”

 

Ji Huan was still in a daze. No wonder he felt this person seemed familiar — he had seen videos of Zhou Jinyuan before! They were a bit blurry, and it had been a while, so he hadn’t recognized him right away.

 

Damn, how embarrassing! He hadn’t realized that this was his future boss!

 

But Ji Huan soon forgot his embarrassment. When Professor Mo mentioned introducing him to a workplace, he had briefly described Zhou Jinyuan. However, now that Ji Huan had witnessed Zhou Jinyuan diagnosing and prescribing treatment firsthand, he was truly impressed.

 

For such a complex case, where both cold and heat, deficiency and excess were intermingled, Zhou Jinyuan prescribed medicine as if strategizing a battle, with perfect order. He included warming and tonifying herbs like dangshen and huangqi, combined with heat-clearing herbs like huanglian, and harmonizing herbs like guizhi and chaihu. The prescription was methodical, layered, and well-balanced.

 

Ji Huan had only a rough idea earlier and still needed time to deliberate. But after seeing Zhou Jinyuan’s prescription, he thought it was brilliant. Even if given more time, Ji Huan might not have come up with such a perfect formula.

 

Zhou Jinyuan’s approach to prescribing medicine aligned with Ji Huan’s own thinking, which made Ji Huan admire him even more. No wonder the professor wanted him to go to that small clinic to learn!

 

Professor Mo laughed heartily and said to the patient, “Your condition, in Western medicine, is a pituitary gland dysfunction affecting your body temperature regulation, with a disorder in your central nervous system. Take Dr. Zhou’s prescription for three doses, and after some improvement, go back to the neurology department for a check-up to confirm that the function has returned to normal.”

 

He spoke with such certainty, as if two or three doses would definitely show results. The patient was overjoyed. Even though the prescription wasn’t written by him, with Professor Mo vouching for it, what did he have to worry about? Grateful beyond words, he left with the prescription.

 

For this illness, he had gone to many hospitals, and finally, a specialist had said it could be treated. Despite the inconvenience of taking Chinese medicine, he wished he could brew the herbs and drink them right away.

 

“Alright, Zhang Huoshen, you all go ahead and study this case a bit more!” Professor Mo glanced at his students and shook his head helplessly.

 

“Zhang Huoshen” blushed, called out “Senior Brother” to Ji Huan, and then called Zhou Jinyuan “Teacher Zhou.” He ignored Jin Chuo Xian, whom he didn’t know, and slipped out of the office.

 

“This is a former student of mine, Ji Huan,” Professor Mo introduced to Zhou Jinyuan. “You can rest assured about his skills. He’s especially good in internal medicine and gynecology, and he always follows Zhang Zhongjing’s principles when prescribing medicine, down to the precise grams. However, sometimes he’s too cautious, lacking boldness.”

 

Professor Mo greatly appreciated Zhou Jinyuan’s usual steadiness, but also how he never hesitated to use aggressive treatment when necessary. He thought that if Ji Huan worked with Zhou Jinyuan, it could be a breakthrough for him. As for the clinic’s size, that was secondary.

 

From the earlier exchange, Zhou Jinyuan already got a sense of Ji Huan’s style, which matched well with his own. Plus, Ji Huan seemed to be a good-natured person.

 

Zhou Jinyuan shook his hand. “Thank you, Professor Mo. Dr. Ji, I haven’t introduced myself earlier—I’m Zhou Jinyuan. If you’re willing to join our clinic, that would be fantastic.”

 

Ji Huan hadn’t expected that his future boss would already be so impressed with him. Meanwhile, he was still wondering if it was inappropriate to have addressed Zhou Jinyuan as a “kid”!

 

“Uh, well… haha, thank you, Teacher, for the introduction.”

 

“There’s one thing I think I should mention,” Professor Mo coughed. “Xiao Zhou, Ji Huan’s professional skills are excellent, but his luck has been a bit unfortunate. He’s worked at several private medical institutions, and they’ve all gone out of business. I know you pay attention to divination and feng shui. Would you mind that? Or, could you possibly help him resolve it?”

 

This was also why Ji Huan hadn’t sought employment at other hospitals, unlike Zhou Jinyuan, who spent more time at the Third Hospital.

 

But Professor Mo figured that since Zhou Jinyuan also practiced Daoist rituals, he might be the one to save Ji Huan!

 

Ji Huan also looked nervously at Zhou Jinyuan.

 

“…”

 

How familiar this setting felt!

 

Zhou Jinyuan didn’t expect to find someone here who was on par with Rong Shouyun. He froze for a moment, then thought about how the clinic’s opening was imminent. If he didn’t hire Ji Huan, he might not find someone else suitable. So, he waved it off. “No worries. One more isn’t going to make a difference!”

 

There was already a “bad luck star” seated in the clinic.

 

“Thank you, thank you.” Ji Huan was thrilled to have landed the job, but was puzzled by the phrase, “one more isn’t going to make a difference.”

 

Professor Mo, having successfully made the connection, smiled contentedly and, after casting an appreciative glance at the two younger men, turned to Jin Chuo Xian. “Mr. Jin, I see your complexion is glowing. Your health seems to be in good shape. Would you mind if I check your pulse again?”

 

Jin Chuo Xian stepped forward and extended his wrist. “I’ll trouble you, Professor Mo.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan also brought out the medical records he had compiled over this time, including the prescriptions he had given Jin Chuo Xian and the results of the Western medical tests Jin had undergone.

 

Professor Mo glanced at the records before placing his fingers on Jin Chuo Xian’s wrist, concentrating deeply.

 

Several months had passed since other doctors had hinted that Jin Chuo Xian’s life expectancy was less than six months.

 

By all accounts, he should have been a dying man. But now, as Professor Mo examined him, not only was his complexion healthy and his movements unimpeded (it was said he could manage daily tasks independently), but the pulse pattern made Professor Mo’s face light up with a smile!

 

He asked Jin Chuo Xian to open his mouth and inspected his tongue.

 

“Last time I took Mr. Jin’s pulse, his vital energy was barely present, with signs of near exhaustion. But today, things are quite different. His tongue has changed, the tumor has not expanded, and there are signs that his vital energy is rallying!”

 

He closely examined the prescription. “The spleen belongs to Earth, the liver to Wood. Nourishing the liver and fortifying the spleen—when the Earth is nurtured, the Wood thrives! Ji Huan, come and take a look. Xiao Zhou is indeed a Daoist doctor; his prescription embodies the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. Moreover, many of the herbs used are highly toxic, yet despite the large doses, the patient shows no signs of poisoning. You must have an excellent pharmacist working with you, right?”

 

Zhou Jinyuan smiled and nodded.

 

Ji Huan only then realized that the patient had cancer. From appearances alone, he wouldn’t have guessed!

 

As he took a closer look at the case file, Ji Huan exclaimed, “You even used acupuncture?”

 

Acupuncture is widely used for pain relief, but it is not often used in clinical treatments for liver cancer. There is relatively little research on this, and doctors who do use it tend to follow their own ideas for point selection, leading to significant variation in approach.

 

Looking again at Zhou Jinyuan’s case file, Ji saw that acupuncture had been administered every few days, especially moxibustion, indicating a combined treatment approach of acupuncture and medication.

 

“Yes, I used acupuncture and moxibustion together to regulate the patient’s vital energy. Along with large doses of toxic herbs, the three methods work simultaneously to support the body and dispel disease. Professor Mo, please offer your guidance—have I overlooked anything?” Zhou Jinyuan asked.

 

“I told you before, I only invited you for an exchange, not to give advice. Your use of these three methods together is excellent, and you’re indeed more suited to treating Mr. Jin than I am. But there’s one thing to watch out for—be careful with Mr. Jin’s kidneys!”

 

Jin Chuo Xian’s white, ethereal eyelashes fluttered rapidly in alarm. “…?”

 

He was a little panicked but maintained an elegant smile. “Dr. Zhou, what does this have to do with my kidneys?”

 

Could the cost of staying alive be kidney deficiency?

 

“Ah, haha, nothing to worry about! Thanks, Professor Mo, for the reminder. You don’t need to be concerned, Mr. Jin. Since the liver and kidneys are interconnected, and I’ve been using liver-regulating herbs, there’s a chance it could affect the kidneys.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan spoke lightly. “But don’t worry! In the next phase, we’ll focus on tonifying the kidneys. With me here, your kidneys won’t be deficient!”

 

“…,” Jin Chuo Xian nodded firmly. “Okay.”

 

—

 

The colleagues were all hired, and the Xiaoqinglong Clinic was nearly ready to open. Before opening day, Zhou Jinyuan and Rong Shouyun went to the storefront for a final inspection and to hang up the newly made sign.

 

Zhou Jinyuan had work during the day, so he went in the evening. Most of the work had been handled by Rong Shouyun, and this was only Zhou’s second time visiting, his first time at night.

 

“I think this place is great. Lots of residents, plenty of foot traffic. Business should be good,” Zhou Jinyuan said casually.

 

“Yeah, the rent is reasonable too. But the community director told me to be careful at night when we’re open. Some local punks like to wander around after getting drunk, looking for trouble. He told me to keep the police station’s number handy,” Rong Shouyun replied.

 

“Hahahahaha.” Zhou Jinyuan laughed.

 

Rong Shouyun looked at him, confused. “What are you laughing at?”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “With that bald head of yours, you look more like a punk than they do.”

 

Rong Shouyun: “…… Shut up!”

 

“Hey!”

 

“Bro! Boss!”

 

“Baldy!”

 

A few shouts came from behind them. At first, the two didn’t react, but when they heard the word “baldy,” they turned around.

 

A few young men, reeking of alcohol, stood across the street with their arms around each other, one of them so drunk he had to be carried.

 

Rong Shouyun’s face darkened. What the heck? Speak of the devil. As if it wasn’t enough, they were mocking a monk to his face!

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “Hey, Baldy, are these the local punks you mentioned?”

 

Rong Shouyun: “…”

 

Damn it, Zhou Jinyuan was just as annoying.

 

“Bro, can I touch your head? Hahahahaha! Does your clinic treat baldness?”

 

“Tsk, you don’t know this? There are a lot of bald guys in Haizhou, can look but can’t touch.”

 

“Say that again?” Zhou Jinyuan could call Rong Shouyun bald, but he didn’t like it when others insulted Rong Shouyun.

 

“Why? It’s not like I’m asking you, can’t I touch it?”

 

At this moment, the young man being carried woke up from the noise and, squinting his eyes, saw a familiar face approaching. His friends were still provoking the other party, which scared him to death. He grabbed his neck and shouted, “Run! Quickly!”

 

His friends were startled, “Jing Ge?”

 

The young man started grabbing at people’s hair: “Run ah ah ah! It’s him! It’s him!”

 

Him? Who??

 

His terrified expression frightened everyone even more, much more than Zhou Jinyuan did. Of course, this was also because they hadn’t faced Zhou Jinyuan directly together, and under the young man’s urging, they took off running.

 

Zhou Jinyuan pondered from behind, hey, isn’t that the little ruffian from the emergency room?

 

……

 

The group ran a long way before finally stopping, panting heavily.

 

“Jing Ge?”

 

Looking at the young man on his back, he had fallen asleep again. Rubbing his eyes, he mumbled, “Ahh…”

 

“Wait, Jing Ge, you need to explain, who exactly is he? Do you know him?”

 

They were puzzled. This guy treated the emergency room like his own territory; how could he be scared of someone? The clinic seemed really small.

 

“He’s really strong… and it seems like he has hundreds of little brothers in Taoism… the emergency doctor told me…” the young man slurred, before lying back down.

 

Even though he only saw a few young Taoists with the other guy, they all called him “Shishu” (master uncle), and the emergency doctor also said how amazing he was, with a high status, etc.

 

—But with him being drunk and mumbling, he couldn’t even pronounce “Taoism” clearly.

 

The others shivered: “What? In the underworld? Hundreds of little brothers!”

 

They were just small-time ruffians in the community; how could they compare to someone with hundreds of followers!

 

Even the emergency doctor knew this guy must have been involved in big events.

 

Opening a small clinic, not showing off or revealing much, was probably just to conveniently treat his brothers’ injuries!

 

“It must be true… Do you remember that clinic called Xiao Qinglong? Xiao Qinglong, that’s a branch of the Azure Dragon, right? Just hearing it gives off a sinister vibe!”

 

“Didn’t we notice that their main focus is orthopedics? They must often treat broken arms and legs.”

 

“Hey, do we have a gang called Qinglong in our city?”

 

“Shut up. Just look at that bald guy; he doesn’t seem easy to mess with! All of you are fools for provoking him; thankfully, Jing Ge is knowledgeable!”

 

“Oh my God, a guy from the underworld, (Little) Qinglong, a bald guy… Luckily, we ran fast!”

 

Author’s note: Zhou Jinyuan: What underworld? Zhengyi Dao, okay???

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terms:

 

1. **辨证 (Biàn zhèng) – Syndrome Differentiation**: This is a key concept in TCM, referring to the process of diagnosing an illness based on the holistic analysis of the patient’s symptoms, body constitution, and other factors. It helps TCM practitioners determine the cause and nature of a condition to develop a tailored treatment plan.

 

2. **阴阳不调 (Yīn yáng bù tiáo) – Imbalance of Yin and Yang**: Yin and Yang represent opposite but complementary forces in the body (e.g., cold/hot, passive/active). An imbalance can lead to various health problems, and TCM treatments focus on restoring harmony between these forces.

 

3. **扶阳 (Fú yáng) – Supporting Yang**: This refers to treatments aimed at strengthening or supporting the body’s Yang energy, which represents heat, activity, and vitality. In cases where Yang is deficient, patients may feel cold, fatigued, and lethargic.

 

4. **火神派 (Huǒ shén pài) – Fire God School**: A specific school of thought in TCM known for its bold use of Yang-tonifying herbs, particularly **附子 (Fù zǐ)**, which is used to treat severe Yang deficiency. Practitioners of this school use large doses of warming herbs to boost the body’s Yang energy.

 

5. **附子 (Fù zǐ) – Aconite Root**: A highly potent herb used in TCM to warm the body and restore Yang energy. It is toxic in its raw form and must be processed carefully. It is often used in conditions of extreme cold or Yang deficiency.

 

6. **中气内耗 (Zhōng qì nèi hào) – Internal Consumption of Middle Qi**: Qi refers to the body’s vital energy. Middle Qi relates to the energy responsible for digestion and overall bodily function. Internal consumption indicates that this Qi is being depleted, leading to fatigue, digestive issues, and weakened bodily functions.

 

7. **辛热药物 (Xīn rè yàowù) – Pungent and Hot Medicines**: This term refers to herbs with warming, invigorating properties used to dispel cold and strengthen Yang. Examples include ginger (姜) and aconite (附子). These herbs are used to treat conditions involving coldness, fatigue, or sluggishness.

 

8. **孤阴不生，孤阳不长 (Gū yīn bù shēng, gū yáng bù zhǎng) – Yin Cannot Grow Alone, Yang Cannot Thrive Alone**: This phrase expresses the interdependence of Yin and Yang in the body. Health requires a balance between these two forces. If one is deficient, it needs the other to function properly.

 

9. **阴中求阳，阳中求阴 (Yīn zhōng qiú yáng, yáng zhōng qiú yīn) – Seeking Yang within Yin, Seeking Yin within Yang**: This describes a nuanced treatment approach in TCM, where even if treating a Yin deficiency, some support for Yang might be necessary, and vice versa. It emphasizes balance in treatment strategies.

 

10. **清瀉 (Qīng xiè) – Clearing and Purging**: This refers to the process of clearing excess heat, toxins, or dampness from the body, often using herbs with cooling or purgative properties to restore balance.

 

11. **调和营卫 (Tiáo hé yíng wèi) – Harmonizing Ying and Wei**: Ying refers to nutritive Qi, responsible for nourishing the body, while Wei refers to defensive Qi, responsible for protecting the body from external pathogens. Harmonizing the two means creating a balance between nourishment and defense, strengthening the immune system while supporting overall vitality.

 

12. **桂枝 (Guì zhī) – Cinnamon Twig**: A warming herb used in TCM to expel cold, harmonize Ying and Wei, and promote circulation. It is often used in formulas for colds and flu-like symptoms.

 

13. **柴胡 (Chái hú) – Bupleurum Root**: A TCM herb known for harmonizing the body’s Qi, particularly in cases of stagnation, and is often used to treat conditions like fevers or digestive issues. It’s used to regulate the flow of Qi and relieve tension.

 

14. **党参 (Dǎng shēn) – Codonopsis Root**: A gentle Qi tonic herb, often used to strengthen the body’s energy (Qi), particularly the Spleen and Lung Qi. It is commonly used as a milder substitute for ginseng.

 

15. **黄芪 (Huáng qí) – Astragalus Root**: Another important tonic herb in TCM, used to boost the immune system, tonify Qi, and improve overall vitality. It is often used to strengthen Wei Qi (defensive Qi) and support the body’s resistance to illness.

 

16. **黄连 (Huáng lián) – Coptis Root**: A bitter, cold herb used in TCM to clear heat and toxins, often employed to treat conditions like inflammation, fever, or digestive issues caused by excessive heat.
17. **中药 (zhōng yào)** – Traditional Chinese medicine, often referring to herbal medicine.
18. **药方 (yào fāng)** – Prescription or herbal formula.
19. **脉象 (mài xiàng)** – Pulse condition or pulse diagnosis.
20. **正气 (zhèng qì)** – Vital energy or righteous qi, which represents the body’s healthy and protective energy.
21. **肝 (gān)** – Liver, one of the major organs in TCM, often associated with emotional health and the flow of qi.
22. **脾 (pí)** – Spleen, an organ associated with digestion and nutrient absorption in TCM.
23. **疏肝健脾 (shū gān jiàn pí)** – A common TCM principle meaning to soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen.
24. **肾 (shèn)** – Kidney, which in TCM is associated with reproduction, aging, and overall vitality.
25. **针灸 (zhēn jiǔ)** – Acupuncture, a practice of inserting needles into specific points to promote healing.
26. **大剂 (dà jì)** – Large doses, referring to the amount of medicine prescribed.
27. **化解 (huà jiě)** – To resolve or remedy a situation, often referring to alleviating illness or imbalance.
28. **道医 (dào yī)** – Daoist medicine, referring to practices based on Daoist philosophy and healing techniques.
29. **阴阳五行 (yīn yáng wǔ xíng)** – The theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, fundamental concepts in TCM.