The constitution-based pathogenesis highlights the close correlation between disease occurrence and individual constitutional differences. As an extension, the theory of constitutional determination by fetal endowment further enriches its connotation by tracing the association between constitutional formation and pathogenic mechanisms back to the early stage of life. From the perspectives of conceptual proposition, scientific connotation, and clinical significance, this paper systematically explores the profound impacts of fetal endowment, excess or deficiency of fetal essence, and disturbance of fetal essence on fetal constitutional development and adult-onset diseases. Based on the theory of fetal origin of constitution, a prenatal ‘three-level prevention’ protocol is proposed, which aims to improve maternal health through constitution-based regulation and provide guidance for eugenics and superior child-rearing. It is emphasized that the theory of fetal origin of constitution serves as a key entry point for the ultra-early intervention of adult chronic diseases. Additionally, a full-life-cycle constitutional health management strategy, ranging from infancy to adulthood, as well as a unique strategy specifically for women, is put forward. Collectively, these findings hold significant clinical value and strategic importance for enhancing the quality of the birth population and realizing ultra-early prevention and control of adult chronic diseases.

Using textual research and conceptual metaphor analysis, this paper explores the core connotation of Bentun qi in Synopsis of Golden Chamber, a unique traditional Chinese medicine disease term whose naming reflects the cognitive mode of classification according to manifestation. By tracing the diachronic evolution of the Bentun concept from early classics onward, the historical relationship between Bentun and Bentun qi is revealed. Through analysis of the character tun, the piglet theory is philologically confirmed, while the porpoise theory of the Ming and Qing period is identified as a later derivative. Based on this, the source domain of Bentun qi is identified not as a piglet’s running posture but as its rapid and disordered breathing, which was mapped onto the pathological phenomenon of qi rushing upward. Through the metaphorical cognition of Bentun qi, a cognitive pathway for traditional Chinese medicine diseases, namely ‘metaphor discovery, retrospective exploration, and ancient-modern mutual verification’ is proposed, offering new perspectives for disease concept research in traditional Chinese medicine.

Systemic syndrome differentiation pulse science is a development and innovation of traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis under the guidance of systems science. It constructs a systematic pulse manifestation analysis system through five dimensions: position, rate, form, movement, and quality. Based on this system, the integration with the eight principles differentiation and qi-blood-body fluids syndrome differentiation is explored. This integration enables more precise characterization of the disease properties of exterior-interior, cold-heat, deficiency-excess, and yin-yang. Moreover, it reveals the etiology, pathogenesis, and transmission patterns of diseases through the dynamic changes of pulse pattern elements. The systemic syndrome differentiation pulse science pulse manifestation analysis system, combined with various traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic methods, provides a more standardized and precise basis for clinical pulse diagnosis and constructs a new approach for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The theory of visceral manifestations refers to internal organs, their physiological and pathological signs, and corresponding phenomena in the external environment. As a complex and extensive functional system, the kidney has multiple functions. These functions and characteristics are interconnected and influence each other, jointly constituting the core framework of the theory of kidney visceral manifestation. The Chong, Ren and Du meridians are closely related to the kidney in origin, circulation, and physiopathology. This paper explores the developmental process and physiopathological correlations between the kidney and the ‘one source with three branches’ from the perspective of kidney visceral theory, proposing that treating diseases of the three meridians of Ren, Du and Chong via the kidney, and treating kidney diseases from ‘one source with three branches’, vice versa can guide disease diagnosis and prevention.

The theory of ‘Zhu Ke Hun Shou’ originated from Huangdi Neijing, and was formally proposed by XUE Shengbai in Shire Bingpian after the development of the theory of ‘Zhu Ke Jiao’ in Wenyi Lun by WU Youke, referring to a disease state in which six climatic exopathogens, epidemics, toxic heat, blood stasis, and other Ke Xie due to chronic disease that invade the yin fen of the human body, leading to the deficient vital qi and lingering of pathogen, which is difficult to be resolved. The author used the theory of ‘Zhu Ke Hun Shou’ to explain the etiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as the deficiency of the Zhu Qi of the origin body, and the depletion of the Ke Xie such as warm-heat and poisonous evils, stasis of blood, phlegm and drinks, etc. The treatment should follow the principles of purging Ke Xie and replenishing Zhu Qi, detoxification of the poisonous evils to eliminate stasis, and nourishment of yin to protect the root cause. In addition, the treatment should be based on the primary and secondary between the Zhu Qi and Ke Xie in the different stages of SLE, and the differences in the affected internal zang-fu organs should be recognized and treated according to the changes of the Zhu Qi and Ke Xie, which will provide inspiration and thoughts for the clinical treatment of SLE.

The theoretical model of the meridians system reached maturity during the compilation period of Huangdi Neijing. Given the extended historical span of the its compilation and its characteristically ambiguous and often polysemous textual descriptions, subsequent medical practitioners frequently conflated the conceptual boundaries between ‘jingmai’ and ‘jingluo’. This article will clarify the relationship between the two based on genetic study, and then attempt to reconstruct the conceptual framework of the meridian system, according to conceptual framework theory, and the rules of logic conceptual framework division, and based on the basic theory of Huangdi Neijing. The system will be reconstructed into two parts, namely ‘the channel system’ and ‘the collaterals system’, including their subsidiary (or branch) structure. The relationship between the meridian system and qi-blood and the relation between each system and modern theories of anatomy and physiology are pointed out. The characteristics of the bidirectional system model in constructing the meridian system are clarified in Huangdi Neijing. In conclusion, it will provides new ideas for clinical practice and scientific research.

Post-stroke anxiety combined with depression (PSCAD) is a common complication after stroke, and its onset can affect the patient’s quality of life and lead to a decline in the level of recovery. The occurrence of PSCAD is closely related to the failure of Mingmen fire. The pathogenesis of PSCAD is the re-injury of Mingmen fire after stroke, resulting in the disorder of ministerial fire and the imbalance of the sovereign fire and ministerial fire, followed by the failure of the liver and gallbladder cardinal and the malnutrition of the five organs, finally leading to the development of depression. The treatment of PSCAD is based on warming and tonifying Mingmen and seeking fire in water, and the basic prescription is Jingui Shenqi Pills, on which the methods of tonifying the kidney, dredging the liver, nourishing the heart, strengthening the spleen, and promoting the lungs can be used in conjunction with the changes in the pattern of the disease.

This article explores the different yin-yang systems present in Huangdi Neijing and examines their relationship with the evolution of the six-meridian theory in Shanghan Lun. Through the analysis of the yin-yang systems such as the four Xiang, the five elements, and the three yin and three yang in Huangdi Neijing, as well as the comparison with the six meridians in Shanghan Lun, the inheritance and development between them are expounded. The article points out that the yin-yang systems in Huangdi Neijing are established from different perspectives such as the four seasons of heaven, the establishment of the center of the earth, and the qi transformation of the human body, and there is a close relationship between them. Just as the saying goes, ‘those who speak of heaven seek its essence, those who speak of the earth seek its position, and those who speak of human beings seek the intersection of qi’. The six meridians in Shanghan Lun are a further development based on the three yin and three yang in Huangdi Neijing, and are a unified body of the zang-fu organs, meridians, and qi transformation. A deep understanding of these theoretical systems is of great significance for the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine.

The term ‘Di Xian’ is a common vocabulary in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) literature, often with unique metaphors. This article explores the acceptance relationship of ‘Di Xian’ in TCM literature from three perspectives: herbal medicine, prescriptions, and medical case studies and discourses. It is believed that with the development of medicine, the meaning of the term ‘Di Xian’ has gradually been accepted and recreated in the field of TCM. From the relatively single appellation of the immortal family under the Taoist system, to the initial integration of the dispute over the nicknames of Lycium Chinense Miller and Cortex Lycii, to the name of prescription gradually evolving to the immortal thought, and finally to the health preservation and longevity culture derived from the immortal thought and widely accepted and applied, its scope continues to expand. Under the influence of multiple factors, the term ‘Di Xian’ gradually moved from a Taoist term to the field of TCM, and developed its own evolutionary model, ultimately forming a relatively complete ideological system closely related to the concept of life.

Danggui Buxue Decoction was regarded by later generations as a classic prescription for the treatment of blood-deficiency fever. The prescription was traced back to the source based on LI Dongyuan’s Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes, Treatise on Spleen and Stomach and other works. From the perspective of LI Dongyuan, this paper systematically analyzed Danggui Buxue Decoction from five levels: theoretical source, meaning of blood deficiency, symptom mechanism, basis of formula, and identification of similar formulas. The article believes that ‘blood deficiency’ in the original work is actually synonymous with qi deficiency. The main treatment of Danggui Buxue Decoction should be a severe case of qi-deficiency fever. Its pathogenesis is ‘qi merging with yin’, that is, qi deficiency and yang qi is trapped in yin, which is manifested as yin fire rushing outward. The original intention of the formula of Danggui Buxue Decoction was to replenish qi and raise the yang energy trapped in yin. At the same time, combined with the identification of relevant prescriptions, it was proposed that Sanhuang Buxue Decoction serves as a formula for blood-deficiency fever.

Professor GAN Zuwang is the founder of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) otorhinolaryngology. Through long-term clinical practice, professor GAN recognized that allergic rhinitis is closely related to three zang-organs of the lung, spleen, and kidney. In terms of syndrome differentiation, deficiency syndromes and cold syndromes are the primary types of this disease which can be categorized into cold pathogen binding the lung, unconsolidated defensive qi, and deficiency of kidney yang. The pathogenesis is described as ‘metal sounds when struck’. The therapeutic concept of tonifying qi, warming yang, and consolidating the exterior is the fundamental treatment principle employed by professor GAN Zuwang for treating allgic rhinitis characterized by deficiency and cold syndromes; it also constitutes a part of the GAN school theory system and has laid the foundation for the development of the specialty of TCM otorhinolaryngology. It serves as the reference for the syndrome differentiation of deficiency and cold syndromes in allergic rhinitis in current major Totorhinolaryngology textbooks and industry standard formulation. This paper discusses the origin, initial formation and foundation, establishment and maturity, development and innovation of the thought of Yiqi-Wengyang-Gubiao, and enumerates and analyses the medical records. This paper expounds the thought of Yiqi-Wengyang-Gubiao, at the same time, instructs and popularizes its clinical application.

TCM master HONG Guangxiang has been studying pulmonary diseases for decades and has rich experience and unique insights in the treatment of pulmonary encephalopathy. He believes that the pathogenesis of pulmonary encephalopathy belongs to deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality, regarding syndrome of orifices confused by phlegm as the central syndrome, and the obstruction of fu qi exacerbating the condition; The key steps in traditional Chinese medicine treatment are early intervention, prevention of excess of pathogenic qi, attaching the importance of inducing resuscitation, and correctly analysing on differentiation of symptoms. Due to the rapid pathologic evolution, therapeutic principle of ‘relieving the secondary in an urgent case’ should be brought to the forefront in clinical diagnosis and treatment, with the basic treatment methods of clearing up phlegm, dissipation blood stasis, clearing heat, and inducing resuscitation. In terms of medication, attention is paid to promoting qi and body fluid circulation, and inducing resuscitation. Starting from the perspective of TCM in treating acute and severe illnesses, this article will summarize and discuss HONG Guangxiang’s experience in treating pulmonary encephalopathy, delivering innovative ideas and solutions in clinical practice. In the end, one case was given as an example.

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) has shown a significant rise in recent years. While western medicine provides effective treatment, challenges such as delayed early intervention, postoperative recurrence, and significant drug side effects persist. Professor WANG Xixing, with over 40 years of clinical experience in TC prevention and treatment, has developed a comprehensive approach based on the traditional Chinese medical theory of ‘liver generating blood and qi’. Professor WANG emphasizes syndrome differentiation according to disease stages and advocates a liver-focused phased treatment strategy. By balancing the roles of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, three tailored formulas are devised: Shugan Lipi Xiaoliu Formula, Jiegan Fachen Kang’ai Formula, and Zishen Yanggan Shenghua Formula, which has achieved remarkable clinical efficacy.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) has the characteristics of high morbidity and high mortality. As one of the common cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it seriously endangers people’s health. Professor GUO Weiqin inherited GUO Shikui’s academic thought, advocated the method of tonifying qi and activating blood circulation in the treatment of heart diseases. She combined with the understanding of modern medicine on atherosclerosis, took phlegm, blood stasis, toxin as the key to block of heart channel, and advocated unblocking the Sanjiao qi and providing an outlet for pathogenic factors to treat this disease. Professor GUO Weiqin’s clinical treatment of CHD is characterized by the pair medicine and trigonal medicine of Chinese medicine. It has the advantages of reliable clinical efficacy, simple and easy to grasp by tonifying qi and activating blood circulation, resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis, and unblocking the Sanjiao qi. It highlights the unique value of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and provides an important idea for traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of CHD.

Sjögren syndrome with interstitial lung disease belongs to the category of ‘pulmonary bi’ in traditional Chinese medicine. Professor ZHOU Xueping inherits the academic ideas of ZHOU Zhongying and, combining long-term clinical practice, believes that the main pathogenesis of this disease is the injury of qi and yin, and the obstruction of phlegm and blood stasis in the lungs. The deficiency of qi and yin is the root cause, with blood stasis and phlegm turbidity intertwined, and obstruction of the lung meridians as the branch. The treatment is to nourish qi and yin, nourish the lungs and unblock the meridians. In clinical practice, the Runfei Tongluo Formula is used for treatment. The herbs are selected with a balance of static and dynamic properties-tonifying without causing stagnation; the formula harmonizes moistening and drying-nourishing yin without being greasy; it resolves stasis and unblocks collaterals-dispels pathogenic factors without harming the healthy qi. Clinical application of this approach has achieved good clinical outcomes. Now, two representative cases are provided for reference.

Diabetes belongs to the category of Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) disease in traditional Chinese medicine. Professor ZHAO Jinxi believes that heat impairing qi and yin is the core pathogenesis of diabetes. On this basis, there are often blood collateral stasis, qi stagnation, phlegm and dampness blockage, gastrointestinal heat, etc., and it is necessary to activate blood and dredge collaterals, promote qi to dissipate phlegm, and dredge and lower stomach and fu organs. Evil heat damages the body and consumes qi, and due to symptoms such as polyuria, a large amount of fine substances are lost. Therefore, it is equally important to strengthen the essence and produce fluids. Sour and astringent herbs should be used to astringe the lungs, reduce fire, clear the heart, strengthen the spleen and ascend clear yang, astringe the liver and produce fluids, and strengthen the kidneys and astringe essence. Unblocking can relieve stagnation, astringency can consolidate and prevent collapse, and the combination of unblocking and astringency has a significant effect on Xiao Ke caused by the mixture of deficiency and excess. The article provides an example for discussion.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a common and refractory disease in the digestive system, serving as a crucial step in the ‘inflammation-cancer’ transformation. Professor ZHOU Bin has diagnosed and treated digestive system diseases for over 30 years. Based on the theoretical foundation of ‘Where there is mass hardness, there must be latent yang’ from Jingui Yaolue Xindian, he believes that the occurrence and development of CAG are intimately related to the concept of yang qi. The ‘latent yang’ state, characterized by abnormal yang qi function, persists throughout the course of CAG. In this ‘latent yang’ state, the defensive, propulsive, and warming functions of yang qi weaken, allowing pathogenic factors to invade internally, leading to the accumulation of turbidity and blood stasis, which forms the root cause of the disease and further aggravates the latent state of yang qi. As yang qi becomes obstructed and its ascending and descending movements are disrupted, it generates yin fire, which arises from deficiency and intensifies due to stagnation, invading the spleen and stomach, thereby exacerbating their vulnerability to pathogens. The deeper the ‘latent yang’ state, the more intense the toxic heat becomes, further damaging the body's vital qi and accelerating the ‘inflammation-cancer’ transformation in CAG, ultimately leading to the formation of cancerous toxins and a state of deficiency with toxin accumulation. Therefore, we summarize and propose the treatment principles of ‘warming yang to promote qi transformation for strengthening the foundation, relieving stagnation to smooth qi movement for addressing symptoms, balancing yin and yang to dissipate mass hardness, and regulating the pivot to rectify the latent yang’, aiming to provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of CAG.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a major technique for the early treatment of gastric cancer. However, postoperative patients still face risks such as wound healing issues, complications, and recurrence, presenting higher demands for postoperative diagnosis and treatment. Professor ZHAO Wenxia, a nationally renowned Chinese medicine practitioner, proposed the concept of ‘staged syndrome differentiation and treatment’, dividing the postoperative process of early gastric cancer ESD into four stages: the postoperative recovery phase, the stable repair phase, the consolidation and prevention phase, and the disease eradication phase. For each stage, she adopts tailored Chinese medicine regimens based on the respective pathological mechanisms, effectively preventing postoperative recurrence and achieving remarkable clinical outcomes. This paper summarizes professor ZHAO Wenxia’s therapeutic strategies and clinical experience in staged syndrome differentiation and treatment of early gastric cancer after ESD, supplemented by typical case discussions, to explore the efficacy of Chinese medicine in preventing recurrence. It provides a practical and feasible framework for Chinese medicine-based diagnosis and treatment after early gastric cancer surgery rehabilitation.

Tumor is a kind of psychosomatic comorbidity disease. The role of mental factors in the occurrence and development of tumor cannot be ignored. However, the traditional thought of ‘emphasizing more on the body than the spirit’ has restricted the improvement of the curative effect of tumor. The theory of ‘regulating the spirit to treat tumor’ is put forward to break through the previous cancer prevention and treatment system and improve the clinical efficacy. According to their different positioning and best indications in tumor treatment, the eight methods of traditional Chinese medicine can treat tumors, tumor complications and adverse reactions from the two dimensions of form and spirit, which reveals the important position and specific application of the treatment concept of ‘the unity of form and spirit’. Emphasizing the implementation of the ‘regulating spirit’ concept throughout the entire process of tumor treatment is an important means of preventing the occurrence of tumors, extending the survival period of patients, and improving the quality of life.

This paper systematically elucidates the academic inheritance and clinical transformation of professor WANG Kungen, a national renowned Chinese medicine practitioner, regarding the spleen and stomach theory of ‘Qinghe’ by ZHU Danxi from the Jin-Yuan dynasties. ZHU Danxi asserted that ‘stomach qi is the qi of purity and harmony, emphasizing that the spleen and stomach take Qinghe as their physiological norm’, maintaining a state of cleanliness, purity, emptiness without fullness, and adhering to the logic of the ascending and descending movement of qi between heaven and earth. Professor WANG refined the theoretical connotations of the spleen and stomach theory of ‘Qinghe’ into five methods: bland flavor, reduced food intake, simple diet, prohibition of aggressive purgation, and Daocang. Addressing the pathological characteristics of contemporary patients who often lose Qinghe and develop phlegm-stagnation due to overeating and excessive medication, he established therapeutic principles of transforming phlegm-dampness to resolve stagnation and strengthening the spleen and earth to transform phlegm-dampness. In clinical application, he strictly adheres to the three prohibitions involving the avoidance of heavy flavors, aggressive purgation, and excessive warm-drying, and has formulated two empirical prescriptions: Dachailing Decoction and Sanhe Wendan Decoction, and heuristic for dietary practice: masticate thoroughly, consume in small bites, prioritize mild flavors, and satiate to seventy percent capacity.

The relationship between tongue coating and microbial flora is close, with oral and gut flora respectively associated with the local and overall environments contributing to tongue coating formation. Different tongue coatings exhibit distinct microbial flora characteristics, and even within the same tongue coating, flora features can vary depending on the underlying pathology. The analysis of tongue coating and microbial flora characteristics can be utilized for early screening, diagnosis of diseases, and assessment of treatment efficacy. Based on the correlation between tongue coating and microbial flora in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this article provides an overview of the current research status on oral and gut flora related to tongue coating, discusses the deficiencies of current research strategies and proposes improvement measures, and outlines future research directions, offering a reference for the microecological study of tongue coating.

This article adheres to the principle of ‘yang changes into qi and yin changes into shape’ and elaborates on the application of the theory of ‘qi yang Rudong’ in the treatment of motor and non motor symptoms of Parkinson disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction-deficiency of qi yang-damage to dopamine neurons may be key pathological processes in Parkinson disease. Targeted treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction and dopamine neuron damage based on the theory of ‘qi yang Rudong’ may develop new ideas and approaches for the treatment of Parkinson disease. The basic treatment method for Parkinson disease is to nourish qi, warm yang, and extinguish wind. The representative formula, Naotai Formula, uses sweet and warm Huangqi to nourish qi, promote yang, and nourish meridians; Ligusticum chuanxiong, with its pungent and warm properties, is used to promote blood circulation and promote qi circulation, as well as to restore qi and yang; At the same time, it is supplemented with silkworms and earthworms to achieve the effects of dispelling wind, stabilizing tremors, promoting meridian circulation, and activating collaterals. The whole formula works together to nourish qi, warm yang, and extinguish wind. On the basis of nourishing qi, warming yang, and dispelling wind, it is necessary to divide the treatment into different stages. The traditional Chinese medicine concept of ‘regulating and smoothing qi and yang in the early stage, tonifying essence and blood in the middle stage, and reinforcing the deficiency and reducing the excess in the late stage’ is proposed, which provides a unique Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment approach for the clinical treatment of Parkinson disease.

Based on the ‘cancer toxins’ theory of professor ZHOU Zhongying, a national master of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), professor CHENG Haibo’s team has established the theory of cancer toxin pathogenesis in TCM. According to the theory of cancer toxin pathogenesis, the main causes of pancreatic cancer metastasis are ‘deficiency, toxin, dampness, heat and blood stasis’, and the core pathogenesis is ‘deficiency of vital energy, cancer toxin flowing, damp heat stasis’. The basic principles of clinical treatment should be ‘anti-cancer detoxification, dispelling evil and restoring balance, and strengthening the body and consolidating the foundation’. Treatment should be based on strengthening the spleen and nourishing qi, with anti-cancer detoxification as the core, clearing heat and dampness as the key, and removing blood stasis, dispersing nodules, and harmonizing the liver and spleen as the key points. Under the guidance of the pathogenesis theory of cancer toxin, this article clarifies the core pathogenesis and prevention and treatment strategies of pancreatic cancer metastasis, with a view to providing new ideas and methods for TCM differentiation and treatment of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

The vulnerable period of heart failure, serving as a transitional stage from acute decompensated heart failure to chronic stable heart failure, is characterized by persistently high mortality and rehospitalization rates, posing a significant clinical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed. This article delves into the preventive and therapeutic strategies for the vulnerable period of heart failure from the thought of consumptive disease in the Lixu Yuanjian. Patients in the vulnerable period of heart failure often exhibit symptoms of ‘Xulao’, which can be attributed to factors such as congenital deficiency, acquired factors, environmental conditions, medical treatments, and post-illness sequelae. WANG Qishi’s ‘three foundations and two systems’ theory, building upon the work of predecessors, provides guidance for managing this vulnerable phase. In clinical practice, the therapeutic principles of nourishing yin and tonifying the lung to open the upper source, strengthening the spleen and establishing the middle to nourish the four visceras, and reinforcing the kidney and consolidating the primal qi to restore vitality should be followed. Medications that are drying, acrid, excessively cold, or qi-depleting should be avoided. During the vulnerable period of heart failure, adherence to the regulatory principles of ‘knowing moderation’, ‘knowing prevention’, ‘dual protection’, ‘three observations’, and ‘two adherences’ is crucial. By fully leveraging the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, we hope to reduce the hospitalization and mortality rates during the vulnerable period of heart failure and improve patient outcomes.

The pathogenesis of refractory chronic cough is complex, and the effectiveness of general drug treatment is poor. Cough persists and is difficult to cure, and patients repeatedly seek medical attention, seriously affecting their quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the basic pathogenesis of refractory chronic cough is the invasion of wind pathogens into the lungs, and the basic form of onset is the attraction of internal and external winds. The lingering and difficult to cure pathogenesis is characterized by wind pathogens invading the lungs and triggering external winds. Dysregulation of organs and the external invasion of wind pathogens are the key pathogenesis for its repeated attacks, and the inclusion of other pathogens is also one of the pathogenesis. The premise of treatment is to dispel wind and promote the lungs. The core is to promote the circulation of pathogenic factors and eliminate the underlying wind. Regulating the internal organs is the key, while also eliminating other pathogenic factors. In order to provide ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of refractory chronic cough with traditional Chinese medicine.

Remarkable advancements have been achieved in the research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of sepsis. As a global health challenge, conventional therapies for sepsis are confronted with issues of drug resistance and adverse effects. TCM has demonstrated its unique merits by modulating crucial processes such as inflammatory responses and immune responses. In the early stages of sepsis, the combined use of TCM and antibiotics can enhance therapeutic efficacy and prevent the development of drug resistance. During the intermediate and later stages, TCM fortifies spleen and stomach functions, accelerates recovery, and safeguards patients from multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. This article comprehensively reviews the contemporary pathological mechanisms of sepsis and delves into the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of TCM monomer, Chinese compound medicine, and Chinese patent medicine in sepsis treatment. These research findings offer valuable insights into the application of TCM in sepsis management, with the aspiration of providing sepsis patients with more effective therapeutic options.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder caused by multiple factors, often accompanied by difficulties in falling asleep and sleep maintenance, etc.. Modern medicine uses chemical drugs to treat insomnia, which has certain limitations. Traditional Chinese medicine has a relatively complete understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of insomnia, and the treatment methods are rich and effective. Under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the overall pathogenesis of insomnia is ‘yang failing to enter yin’, which is manifested as sleep disorders caused by qi and blood, disharmony between ying and wei. Pungent herbs have the functions of promoting movement, dispersing stagnation, and unblocking qi flow, has obvious advantages in the treatment of insomnia. The material basis of pungent herbs to play ‘Xingsan’ and treat insomnia is mainly volatile oil, which can eliminate pathogenic factors such as qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm coagulation and dampness accumulation, etc.. By regulating qi and blood circulation and viscera function, and eliminating external pathogenic factors, the purpose of sedation and hypnosis can be achieved. In recent years, the application of pungent herbs in insomnia and related experimental studies have been reviewed. It has been found that the modern mechanisms of pungent herbs and related compounds to promote sleep mainly include: regulating neurotransmitter levels, protecting neurons, affecting the expression of circadian rhythm factors, reducing inflammatory factors and regulating intestinal flora, etc..

The verification of dosage is an important component of contemporary classic formula research, and to accurately convert the dosage of ancient formulas, a clear understanding of ancient measurement scales is required. This article reviews the evolution process of the unofficial unit of measurement commonly used in ancient Chinese medicine, ‘fen’. It is believed that during the Han and Tang dynasties, ‘fen’ was a unit under the ‘Liang-Fen-Zhu’ system, which was used according to the standard of 4 Fen equal to 1 Liang. During the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, there was a process of transition from the ‘Liang-Fen-Zhu’ system, where the 4 Fen combined with 1 Liang, to the ‘Liang-Qian-Fen’ system, where the 10 Fen equal to 1 Qian. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the ‘Liang-Qian-Fen’ system was adopted, which could be converted according to the standard of 1 Qian for every 10 Fen; However, some medical books directly copied the dosage of previous prescriptions without making any changes, so it is necessary to pay special attention to the source of these prescriptions and analyze them separately for specific doctors and medical books. If it is clear that they come from the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, they should still be converted and used according to the old system of 4 Fen in 1 Liang, and cannot be generalized simplistically.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, which can be manifested as numbness of the limbs, vision loss, bladder or bowel dysfunction, etc., of which bowel dysfunction will have a serious impact on the patient’s physical and mental health, and at the same time, it is more likely to be ignored than other symptoms in clinical treatment. The kidney governs defecation and urination, and the kidney is responsible for the bone marrow and brain, so it can be seen that the kidney serves as a bridge to communicate between the brain and intestines. This paper takes the ‘brain-kidney-intestinal axis’ as an entry point, and summarizes that the core mechanism of multiple sclerosis intestinal dysfunction is the dysfunction of ‘brain-kidney-intestinal axis’ due to the deficiency of renal essence and uses this as a basis for the treatment of multiple sclerosis intestinal dysfunction, which can provide certain theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

Needle retention time is one of the key parameters of the acupuncture treatment protocol, which directly affects the efficacy of acupuncture. At present, the selection of needle retention time in clinical practice is arbitrary and blind, which not only lacks an objective basis, but also affects the improvement of clinical efficacy and the development of acupuncture quantitative research. Under the background of precision medicine, the standardization and quantification of needle retention time in acupuncture is urgently needed. The authors summarize the relevant studies in recent years and finds that reasonable needle retention time is one of the key factors to ensure the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, different diseases are suitable for different needle retention time, the optimal needle retention time should be based on the optimal induction period of the effect of acupuncture. However, there is currently a lack of observation on the optimal induction period of acupuncture, which needs further in-depth exploration.

As a pioneering example of translational medicine in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture anesthesia remains significance for research and clinical application at present. Starting with the existing predicament of acupuncture anesthesia, this paper discusses the successful road of its historical translational development of acupuncture anesthesia from three aspects: preoperative evaluation, intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative prevention and treatment. This paper discusses how to effectively realize the medical transformation from clinical to basic to clinical with acupuncture anesthesia as an example. In particular, this paper discusses the ideal clinical prescription of ‘prescription selection, and stimulation frequency, time, intensity’ of intraoperative anesthesia, thereby providing new insights for acupuncture combined with transforming medicine and promoting the standardization of acupuncture prescription.

The compatibility of Banxia and Maidong was first documented in three classical formulas: Zhuye Shigao Decoction, Wenjing Decoction, and Maimendong Decoction from ZHANG Zhongjing’s Shanghan Zabing Lun. Modern pharmacology often interprets the value of this combination solely from the perspectives of ‘dampness-nourishing mutual reinforcement’ between their medicinal properties and their individual efficacies. However, this approach lacks a systematic understanding of ZHANG Zhongjing’s original formulation strategies and the deeper connotations of their compatibility. Consequently, the clinical application of this herb pair remains underdeveloped. This study analyzes the compatibility connotation of Banxia-Maidong through the lens of qi transformation theory, proposing that its core mechanisms involve: regulating the middle jiao to descend stomach qi, consolidating yin to descend lung qi, and clearing heat to alleviate restlessness. Furthermore, we explore ZHANG Zhongjing’s application of this compatibility in the three aforementioned formulas to provide novel insights for clinical practice and future pharmacological research.

SHI Yiren, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner in China, advocated the integration of Chinese and Western medicine, the combined use of cold and warm therapies, the principle of formula following method, and placed particular emphasis on tongue diagnosis, demonstrating distinctive academic characteristics. He held unique insights into the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, underscoring the guidance of ZHANG Zhongjing’s academic thoughts in differentiating and treating acute and chronic nephritis. Based on SHI Yiren’s academic framework, this paper systematically explores his application of ZHANG Zhongjing’s theory of water qi disorders to guide the principles and methods of nephropathy treatment from three perspectives: differentiating Taiyang and Shaoyin to distinguish acute from chronic conditions; following the principles of ‘opening the sweat pores, clearing the bladder, and removing blood stasis’; and strengthening the root, consolidating vital qi, while integrating cold and warm therapies. The study reveals that SHI Yiren frequently employed Mahuang (Ephedra)-containing formulas to ventilate the lung and promote diuresis during the edematous stage of acute nephritis, whereas in chronic nephritis, he focused on warming yang and strengthening the kidney, resolving stasis and promoting diuresis. He emphasized the simultaneous treatment of the lung, spleen, and kidney, paid close attention to the differentiation and treatment of proteinuria and hematuria, and integrated the theories of cold-induced and warm-febrile diseases, flexibly adapting classical and later formulas. This paper aims to summarize SHI Yiren’s experience in treating kidney diseases using ZHANG Zhongjing’s academic thoughts, thereby providing theoretical basis and therapeutic strategies for modern TCM clinical practice in kidney disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a progressive disease, potentially leading to hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Therefore, it is crucial to move the therapeutic window forward to control the disease at the early stage of hepatic steatosis and inflammation. From traditional Chinese medicine constitutional theory, the phlegm-damp constitution is key for MAFLD, and improving it aids prevention and treatment. The core intervention strategy is restoring the spleen’s transportation and transformation functions. Modern research shows the spleen’s role in nourishing the body involves converting essences to qi, blood and fluids, which resembles the function of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in promoting energy metabolism. Thus, the AMPK pathway can be used to explore the micro-mechanism of the spleen-invigorating and transportation-promoting theory in improving MAFLD susceptibility of phlegm-dampness constitution, thereby enriching the scientific connotation of ‘the spleen governing transportation and transformation’.