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(Also known as Tongshun San, also known as Heshouwu San.)
Polygoni Multiflori Preparati Radix (Heshouwu, 何首乌) [Note: Do not contact iron] Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归) Akebiae Caulis (Mutong, 木通) [Remove skin and nodes] Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao, 赤芍药) [Stir-fried] Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi, 白芷) Foeniculi Fructus (Huixiang, 茴香) [Stir-fried] Linderae Radix (Tuwuyao, 土乌药) [Stir-fried] Aurantii Fructus Pericarpium (Chenzhike, 陈枳壳) [Stir-fried with bran. If nausea occurs, stir-fry with ginger juice] Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草)
The above nine herbs are taken in equal parts. Decoct with water, wine, or soup according to the condition; half water and half wine is also acceptable. For Liuzhu (Flowing Abscess), add Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Duhuo, 独活). Take 4 qian per dose.
For diseases located in the upper body, take after meals; for diseases located in the lower body, take before meals.
This single prescription is effective for Liuzhu (Flowing Abscess), Yongju (Carbuncle and Ulcer), Fabei (Back Carbuncle), and trauma; without this medicine, efficacy is unlikely. It can rescue conditions worsened by improper treatment, revive necrotic tissue, eliminate disasters before they arise, and eradicate the root after recovery. The arrangement of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Courier herbs operates like the succession of the Four Seasons and Five Elements, truly a miraculous divine formula. With modifications according to symptoms, its efficacy is infinite. Why? Because this medicine greatly promotes the smooth flow of Qi and harmonizes Blood. Qi belongs to Yang, Blood belongs to Yin. When Yang moves, Yin follows; when Qi circulates, Blood flows; when Yang stagnates, Yin coagulates; when Qi is weak, Blood dies; when Blood dies, Muscle necroses, and disease becomes fatal. One must regulate Yang and harmonize Yin so that Qi and Blood are balanced; neither should be neglected. Regulating Yang without harmonizing Yin leads to Qi consumption and Blood coagulation, causing Muscle to remain inactive, as seen in formulas like Wuxiang Liaoqiao Tang. Harmonizing Yin without regulating Yang leads to excessive Blood and weak Qi, causing disease recurrence, as seen in Neibu Shixuan San. However, these two types of medicines should be used in conjunction; one should not adhere rigidly to one approach. This medicine supports the Stomach's foundation without damaging Yuan Qi, sweeps away pathogenic turbidity, ensures natural smoothness, and prevents complications. It is truly a divine agent. Usage is detailed below:

1. If Fabei (Back Carbuncle) persists for a long time without healing, it is due to previous doctors using too many cold-cooling medicines. Cold medicines damage the Spleen internally and freeze Blood externally. The Spleen governs Muscle; if Spleen Earth is injured, dietary intake decreases, complexion becomes sallow and emaciated, and Muscle fails to regenerate. Blood travels through vessels; once Blood is frozen, Qi becomes weak, leading to muscle rot and erosion. Therefore, one must regulate the Spleen; when the Spleen is strong, Muscle grows naturally. Remove Mutong from this formula, use less Danggui, and double the amount of Houpo and Chenpi. For severe cases, use the family-prescribed Duijin Yinzi; for even more severe cases, adding Bai Doukou is advisable.

2. In treating Liuzhu (Flowing Abscess), Duhuo can be added. Liuzhu results from Qi and Blood stagnation; thus, when Qi flows but stagnates, Blood pours and coagulates. Adding this herb agitates the entire body's blood vessels; once the vessels move, how can Liuzhu persist?

3. Liuzhu originates from Shanghan (Cold Damage). If the exterior syndrome of Shanghan is not fully resolved, residual toxins flow into the limbs, causing meridians to become涩 (obstructed) at the site of stagnation, forming Liuzhu. If tidal fever persists, it indicates residual cold pathogens inside have not dispersed. Add Shengma and Ziyeh to this formula. If fever remains after taking this medicine, add Gegen (Puerariae Radix). If headache occurs, add Chuanxiong, decocting with ginger water. If there is no tidal fever, decoct with half water and half wine, as wine greatly promotes Blood circulation and generates Qi. With generated Qi and circulating Blood, recovery is inevitable. Why treat Liuzhu with exterior-releasing methods? To trace the cause and source, remembering the root of the disease. Once cold pathogens are exhausted, excessive exterior release transforms it into Cold Liuzhu, which is difficult to treat; thus, slight exterior release is best. After the second stage of exterior release, take warm and neutral medicines, such as Shixuan Neibu San. If ineffective, in the third stage, add Fuzi or take Sigui San for a few doses until cessation. Warm medicines should not be overused, lest they increase pain and prevent pus and blood from drying. In the fourth stage, return to the original formula for efficacy. However, if exterior pathogens are not fully released, residual toxins attach to bones, forming Guyong (Bone Carbuncle). Liuzhu is the residual toxin of Shanghan; Guyong is the deteriorated stage of Liuzhu. Liuzhu is not Shanghan's fault, but the doctor's failure to release the exterior sufficiently. Guyong is not Liuzhu's fault, but the quack doctor's misuse of cold medicines. Quacks lack insight, are blind and deaf, yet arrogant. Even knowing it is Guyong, they have no method and again administer cold medicines, fierce as toxic blades. Pathogenic qi stagnates; cold medicines touching iron metaphorically imply extreme coldness, making toxins adhere to bones and preventing healing. Otherwise, why would bones develop carbuncles? Bone carbuncles cannot be treated by medicine alone, hence named Fugu Ju (Bone-Attending Abscess), also known as Baihu Feishi. Lingering for cycles, dragging on for years, cold toxins corrode dead bone; self-healing occurs only after expulsion. Those who do not heal may suffer lifelong disability, all due to initial mismanagement. If accessory bones decay, recovery is possible; if main bones decay, lifelong disability ensues. White, clear pus indicates fresh bone fragments shedding deep in flesh, hard to remove; yellow, thick pus indicates bone fragments near the surface, easy to remove with a sharp knife. Details follow in later chapters. This is merely a general overview of treating Guyong.

There are also cases where illness lasts months, caused by blade wounds, with emaciation, contracture, cough, pus-blood, and necrotic flesh rotting internally. These indicate extreme cold. Yang is weak, Yin is abundant; expectoration of red sputum does not indicate heat. Treat with prepared Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) modified.

There are also cases where toxicity arises from hands, feet, head, and face, with pain throughout the body, extending up to neck and shoulder meridians, resembling ulcers piercing pearls. This is Wind-Dampness Flowing Qi Syndrome. Use Jiajian Xiao Maitang and Duhuo Jisheng Tang, intermixed with this formula.

There are also cases of knee pain spreading to all joints, similar to Xuefeng in women and Ruanfeng in men. This is called Fengshi Bi (Wind-Dampness Obstruction), also known as Lijie (Joint) syndrome. Use Fuzi Bawu Tang modified.

There are also carbuncles in the neck, armpits, beside breasts, and soft flesh of groins, named An Yong (Deep Carbuncle). This is a cold syndrome without heat. Use Neibu Shixuan San, combined with this formula. Children should not lightly use Fuzi, lest it induce convulsions. Avoid needles and knives; otherwise, blood will be thin with no pus, and flesh will fail to heal. Apply warm-hot medicines topically to dissipate. If needles/knives are used and polyps grow, this medicine still works. If mild pain or slight convulsions occur after medication, use Quanxie Guanyin San modified. Once calm, resume standard treatment. Some children also suffer from retained phlegm off-course, with carbuncles on neck, arms, chest, back. This is extreme cold, relying entirely on hot topical applications. (Reserved for oral use.) Recurrence of symptoms is favorable; treatment follows later.

There are also Liuzhu, large like inverted bowls on chest and back, resembling Fabei but worse. After medication, if symptoms shift slightly, it is no longer Fabei. Use Neibu Shixuan San, varying with this formula, to resolve internally. Generally, all syndromes originate from cold; thus, pain is bone pain. Bones are the surplus of Kidney; Kidney deficiency causes cold bones, hence pain. So-called Guyong (Bone Abscess) stems from Kidney because the root lies there. To tonify Kidney, large doses of Fuzi are required for effect. When Kidney is solid, bones have vital energy, and abscesses do not attach to bones. Medication must not be rigid; flexibility is key.

1. All early-stage Yongju (Carbuncles/Ulcers) form from Qi and Blood stagnation. Over time, Blood accumulates at the stagnation site, leading to vigorous outbreak. For patients with robust Qi and Blood, reduce Danggui in this formula; excess Danggui generates Blood, potentially causing new carbuncles elsewhere, creating endless cycles. This is a secret transmission rarely known by physicians.

2. Phlegm formation in Yongju has two patterns: First, Stomach Cold generating Phlegm; add Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) to strengthen Spleen and transform Phlegm. Second, Heat stagnation transforming into Wind-Phlegm; add Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) to transform Phlegm in throat and diaphragm, decocting with Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and water/wine.

3. For Nao Fabei (Brain Carbuncle) and Back Carbuncle located superiorly, remove Mutong to avoid draining deficient Lower Yuan, preventing Upper Excess/Lower Deficiency patterns, which are hard to treat. Especially suitable for frail elderly patients.

4. Patients with diarrhea should not immediately take this formula. First use anti-diarrheal medicine: Raw Baifan (Alumen) powder dissolved in melted Huangla (Beeswax) to make pills, taken with Rice Decoction, 30 pills. Wait until diarrhea stops before using this medicine. The body relies on Qi and Blood; in carbuncle patients, Qi and Blood gather to form pus. If Zang-Fu are unstable, Yuan Qi leaks, Blood becomes colder, and healing is difficult. This medicine promotes Qi smoothness. Generally, smooth Qi leads to flowing Blood; consumed Qi leads to cold Blood; cold Blood leads to dead Blood; dead Blood means no Muscle growth. Hot medicines would leave Muscle lacking Yuan Qi, increasing suffering. Cold medicines are inappropriate. Although this is a divine prescription, proper application is crucial; otherwise, one falls into the error of "marking the boat to find the sword." Liuzhu cannot be generalized. If cold medicines depleted Yuan Qi causing collapse, Sanjian Tang might work, as the disease often stems from cold. Pulse and symptoms must confirm cold origin before use. Do not overdose. If Yang pulse returns, swelling becomes red and vibrant, bones show vitality, and cold pathogens detach, credit the original formula. This is a perfect method.

5. This medicine can be taken as pills, powders, or granules with water, wine, or soup, adjusted as needed. Nobles may add Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) as coating. For patients with hot Phlegm/cough, rich patients may use Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), poor patients Su Ye (Perillae Folium) decoction. Pills are honey-bound.

6. This formula treats not only Yongju, Fabei, and trauma, but also Hernia (Shanqi) and Blood Qi disorders in men and women, with frequent success. A woman suffered Qi disorder for five years, presenting with mass pain, vomiting, inability to swallow fluids, and near-death upon attacks. Made into pills, taken with Muxiang decoction, vomiting stopped after one dose, Phlegm-Qi smoothed and cured after two doses.

7. Trauma always uses this formula, with variations. See Trauma section. For common cuts/bruises or Heart Pericardium injury, it applies. On the head, remove Mutong and Zhike, add Chuanxiong and Chenpi. Often add Dingpi (Syzygii Aromatisati Flos) and Ziyeh for Blood activation; add Gubuzhi (Psoraleae Fructus) and Wulingzhi (Trogopteri Dung) for resolving old Blood. Decoct in water, soak in strong wine, boil again, add Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) powder, take on empty stomach. If unobstructed, take four doses; first two with Dahuang, last two without, just to promote bowel movement. If obstructed, use Zhike decoction to promote movement; if still obstructed, untreatable. Do not watch people die; use Buchong Shixuan San.

8. For trauma, often use this formula removing Mutong, named Heshouwu San. Because Heshouwu supports Blood. For blade wounds with tidal fever, facial swelling, panting (Po Shang Feng / Broken Injury Wind), take Suoxue San or Gegen Tang several doses, decocted with Jiangcong (Ginger and Scallion) to release exterior; or Baidu San 3-4 doses, plus external paste. Follow standard treatment, all heal.

9. Chronic lower back pain: add Bibai (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma) and Yuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizoma), decoct in wine.

10. Hongzhujiao (Foot Qi / Beriberi): add Binglang (Arecae Semen), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Chuanshanjia (Manis Squama), decoct in water.

11. Retained Phlegm Off-Course: Unknown to most, known only to my lineage since divine transmission. Phlegm lubricates the body like fish mucus. Phlegm in Stomach causes no disease if static; if moving, hundred diseases arise: asthma, cough, vomiting, dizziness, headache, eye pain, body stiffness, joint bi-pain. These are newly acquired Phlegm, formed from turbid Qi and Blood condensation. Why? Organ Qi reversal/stagnation generates Phlegm; failure to sweat when indicated causes accumulation; dietary excess stops Jin-Ye flow, gathering into Phlegm. Normal path: Stomach to Lung exit. Abnormal path: Flows from Stomach to cold Muscle/Skin. Spleen governs Muscle, Lung governs Skin/Hair. Thus, lumps/hardness in chest, back, head, neck, armpits, groin, waist, legs, hands, feet, painful or not, non-flushing on pressure; slight redness is pale and cool; hard as stone, no pus when broken, or thin blood, clear water, or milky fluid; necrotic flesh like torn cotton; or scrofula-like lumps between skin/muscle, movable, soft, no pus/blood when broken, polyp protruding from needle wound, feeling of throat blockage, chills/fever—all are signs. Urgently add Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum) and Banxia to this formula internally; externally apply Yulong Re Yao (Jade Dragon Hot Medicine) to draw out toxin, forming pus for rupture is good. Mild cases without pus resolve internally. For extreme heat/phlegm obstruction, use Kongxian Dan: Daye (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Gansui (Kansui Radix), Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen) equal parts powder, rice paste pills. Whole-body hardness, cup-sized lumps in throat/neck are hardest to treat. Harmonious Qi/Blood prevents other diseases; stagnant Qi turns Blood to Phlegm; lost Phlegm path leads to Qi/Blood decline, unable to form pus, only hardness. This syndrome has little Yang, much Yin. Treat according to symptoms, restore Yang/Qi, tonify Blood, control Phlegm. Externally use following method to raise Qi/Blood and scatter cold masses. If swelling doesn't subside, isn't painful/hot, patient constitution is fine, lump resembles normal flesh—another syndrome. Do not lightly use needles/knives to harm yourself. If folk doctors used acupuncture causing internal rot, or caustics causing chills/high fever, method is to smooth Qi/Blood, add Shengma to this formula to remove cold. Use astringent/scab-forming medicine to settle it, becoming a wart. If foul rotting occurs requiring surgery, there is a miracle agent replacing the knife, not to be leaked casually: dry Baifan and Xiaomiao (Natrii Sulfas) powder applied.

12. Internal abdominal/intestinal carbuncles: Take Shixuan San, alternating with this formula, adding Jinyinheng (Lonicerae Japonicae Caulis). This medicine best treats internal carbuncles, but assess deficiency/excess, use purging or tonifying. Tonify with Fuzi, purge with Dahuang. If unsure, this formula naturally smooths. Shixuan internally tonifies, preventing changes. For Lung Carbuncle, initial difficulty eating, slight chest pain indicates this. Check pulse, assess deficiency/excess. Deficiency: use this formula with Fuzi. If recurring, use Shixuan San to tonify internally, resolving spontaneously. Excess: use this formula with Dahuang to slightly purge, allowing toxin to descend. Lung and Large Intestine are interior-exterior partners. If internal carbuncle formed, use Haishang Fang modified with this formula. Coughing pus-blood is Lung Carbuncle; pus from umbilicus in stool is Abdominal Carbuncle. Jinyinheng and Gancao Jie (Licorice Joint) boiled in wine is excellent.