In Article 148 of the "Treatise on Cold-Damage Diseases," an analysis is made of the differentiation between "slight constipation involving yang channels" and "pure yin constipation." It can be observed that the syndrome of "slight constipation involving yang channels" due to qi depression and stagnation can resemble the syndrome of "pure yin constipation" in shaoyin disease. Clinical observation shows that this condition can present with symptoms such as reversal cold of hands and feet, impotence, and lack of sexual desire. However, the mechanism of the disease is qi depression rather than yang deficiency. Therefore, in treatment, one should not use kidney-tonifying and yang-warming substances. Instead, the treatment method of Cold-Limbs Powder from the shaoyin disease section should be referenced, as it is more appropriate.
For example, a patient surnamed Li, male, 32 years old, although in the prime of life, suffered from impotence. He believed it to be kidney deficiency and took various warming and tonifying yang medicines for a long time without effect. Upon examination, his eyes were bright and spirited, his physique robust and not indicative of weakness. His pulse was wiry and strong, and his tongue coating was white, slippery, and slightly thick. Upon questioning, it was discovered that he experienced fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, and the illness arose from worries and anxieties. This was due to liver and gallbladder qi depression, where yang qi was obstructed, leading to what is known as "slight constipation involving yang channels." The qi depression should be dispersed and relieved, but instead, he took tonifying yang medicines, which further aggravated the stagnation and depression, hence the illness did not improve. It was decided to use Minor Bupleurum Decoction with the addition of Immature Orange Fruit and Peony Root to open the depression and unblock the stagnation of yang qi. After taking only three doses, he recovered.