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To treat pain in the right hypochondrium.
Zhiqiao (Fructus Aurantii, 1 qian) Yujin (Radix Curcumae Longae, 1 qian) Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi) Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, prepared, each 0.5 qian) Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis) Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, each 0.8 fen) Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, 2 slices) Dazao (Fructus Jujubae, 2 pieces)
Decoct with water and take as a powder suspension.

To treat hypochondriac pain caused by dryness and urgency of Liver Qi, or the appearance of blisters on the skin.
Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis, crushed with peel, 1 piece) Fen Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 2 qian) Honghua (Flos Carthami, 0.7 fen)
Decoct with water and take orally.
Note: Stagnant fire for a long time causes dryness and urgency of Liver Qi, which cannot be vented, leading to skin blisters and transforming into distending pain. The Classic states: "When the Liver is damaged, soothe the Middle Jiao." Gualou is sweet, soothing, and moistening; it does not oppose stagnation, much like oil cleaning objects—slippery without stagnation. This is why it achieves its effect.

Pain in the epigastrium is treated similarly to heart pain. However, regarding food retention: if distending pain radiates to the chest, induce vomiting; if it radiates to the abdomen, purge. For mild food accumulation, use Shenzhu San to resolve it. There is also a condition of epigastric abscess where the patient vomits pus and blood; do not treat rashly. The text says: "For those vomiting pus, there is no need to specifically stop the vomiting; once the pus is exhausted, it will heal itself."
Shenzhu San (Formula see section on Food Retention).

Abdominal pain differentiation for cold-heat, food retention, qi-blood, and parasites follows similar principles to heart pain. Only three conditions differ: Liver Wood overacting on Spleen, Jiaochang Sha (Intestinal Twisting Colic), and intra-abdominal abscess. The Classic states: "All pains belong to the Liver." When Liver Wood overacts on the Spleen, abdominal pain occurs; Zhang Zhongjing uses Shaoyao Gancao Tang (Peony and Licorice Decoction) as the primary treatment. Gancao is sweet; Sweet corresponds to Ji (Earth); Shaoyao is sour; Sour corresponds to Jia (Wood). Jia and Ji transform into Earth, thereby calming Liver Wood and stopping abdominal pain. In Cold Damage syndromes, abdominal pain transmitted from Shaoyang to Taiyin is treated with Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) plus Shaoyao. Abdominal pain due to erroneous purging transmitting to Taiyin is treated with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) plus Shaoyao; the principle is the same. For common abdominal pain, the key lies in clearly distinguishing between cold-heat and food retention. If abdominal pain comes and goes, with a surging and forceful pulse, it is Heat; clear it with Shaoyao Gancao Tang plus Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis). If accompanied by belching with a rotten odor, acid regurgitation, fullness, bloating, and a raised band-like structure in the abdomen, it is Food Retention; resolve it with Baohe Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill). If pain persists after resolution, with constipation and tenderness upon pressure, purge it with Sanhuang Zhizhu Wan (Three Yellows and Atractylodes Pill). If pain persists after purging, and pressing the abdomen increases pain, the accumulation is not yet exhausted; continue resolving with mild medicines. If pressing stops the pain, the accumulation is gone but Middle Qi is deficient; tonify with Wumei Yigong San (Five-Ingredient Extraordinary Efficacy Powder). If, after resolving and purging, the condition gradually turns to Cold in the Middle, causing aversion to cold and preference for warmth, switch to warming formulas. This is the method for Fire Pain combined with Food Retention. If abdominal pain is continuous and unrelenting, with a slow and weak pulse, it is Cold; warm it with Xiangsha Lizhong Tang (Amomum and Aucklandia Decoction for Regulating the Middle). If accompanied by fullness and distending pain, indicating food retention, do not tonify hastily; use Xiangsha Erchen Tang (Amomum and Aucklandia Decoction for Regulating Phlegm-Dampness) added with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi), Shanzha (Fructus Crataegi), Maiya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus), and Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) to warm and resolve. If pain persists after resolution with constipation, it is called Yin Constipation; purge with Muxiang Wan (Aucklandia Pill) using hot medicines, then harmonize with mild medicines afterward, similar to treating Cold Pain with Food Retention. If pain is caused by turbid Qi obstruction and wandering pain, disperse it with Muxiang Tiaoqi San (Aucklandia Decoction for Regulating Qi). If pain is fixed and immovable due to Blood Stasis accumulation, move it with Zelan Tang (Lycopus Decoction). If pain feels like insect bites, with spots on the lips and worsening when hungry, eliminate parasites with Huachong Wan (Parasite Elimination Pill). For Summerheat-induced Huoluan (Vomiting and Diarrhea), resolve with Siwei Xiangru Yin (Four-Ingredient Elsholtzia Decoction). There is also Dry Huoluan, characterized by inability to vomit or defecate, changing rapidly, commonly known as Jiaochang Sha. If the whole body turns purple-black, it is named Wusha Zhang (Black Toxin Swelling); urgently induce vomiting with salted water mixed with Yin-Yang water. Alternatively, administer Sichun Tang (Four Olds Decoction), and externally apply Wuhou Ping'an San (Marquis Wu's Peaceful Powder) to prick the outer corners of both eyes, and the patient will recover. As for intra-abdominal abscess, characterized by swelling and pain around the umbilicus, water sounds when turning, and dysuria-like urination, resolve it with Qianjin Mudan Pi San (Millennium Tree Peony Bark Powder). Ancient formulas often considered Cold patterns as Deficiency and Heat patterns as Excess, which is not entirely accurate. Cold patterns can have Excess pain, and Heat patterns can have Deficiency pain. For instance, Cold pain with food retention becomes Excess; prolonged dysentery with Heat becomes Deficiency. In diagnosis, clearly distinguish between Cold, Heat, Excess, and Deficiency to avoid errors.