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The *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases) states: "Mian mei" (facial pigmentation or sores) refers to spots arising on the face due to wind-heat qi, which may be as large as a rice grain or a millet grain, and are white in color.

It further states: The *Yangsheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) mentions that one should not sleep outdoors while intoxicated, as this causes facial sores. ("Mei" is pronounced "nirishiyō" in Japanese.)

The *Yangsheng Yaoji* (Essential Collection for Health Preservation) states: When the heat from alcohol intoxication has not yet subsided, do not wash the face with cold water, lest it induce mild sores.

The *Ruyi Fang* (Prescriptions Fulfilling Wishes) treats facial *mei* as follows:
Qini (Radix Glehniae, 2 fen) Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi, 1 fen)
Grind the ingredients through a sieve. Take one cunbi (approx. 5 grams) with vinegar juice three times daily. In the evening, take Zhizi San alternately.

Zhizi San Formula:
Zhiziren (Semen Gardeniae, 1 jin)
Pound and sieve. Take before meals, one cunbi with vinegar juice, three times daily. First take Qini Guisan, then follow with Zhizisan; they may be taken on the same day.

The *Luyan Fang* (Verified Prescriptions) treats facial sores in men and women with Huanglian Fen (Coptis Powder):
Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis, 2 liang) Muli (Concha Ostreae, 2 liang)
Grind these two substances through a sieve. If pus is present, apply the powder to the affected area.

The *Ge Shi Fang* (Prescriptions by Ge Hong) treats facial sores caused by vigorous qi and blood in young people:
Yingshibai (Excrement of Hawk, 2 fen) Hufen (Basic Lead Carbonate, 1 fen)
Mix with honey and apply topically twice daily.

Another prescription: Soak three eggs in aged vinegar for three nights until soft. Break open and apply the contents. This is effective.

The *Jiyao Fang* (Essential Prescriptions) treats facial *mei*, tinea, and swelling:
Baifuzi (Radix Typhonii, 2 liang) Qingmuxiang (Radix Aucklandoniae, 2 liang) Shexiang (Moschus, 2 liang) Bacao (Herba Siegesbeckiae, 2 fen) [Note: Text says 'Ba', likely referring to a specific herb like Siegesbeckia or similar detoxifying herb]
Grind all into powder. Mix with water and apply to the face three times daily.

The *Duanju Fang* (Short Drama Prescriptions) treats facial *mei*:
Tugua (Radix Trichosanthis Kirilowii), processed. Mix equal parts with mercury, Hufen (Basic Lead Carbonate), and Qingyangzhi (Fat of Black Sheep). Apply to the face twice daily. Effective.

Another prescription: Two parts Hufen (Basic Lead Carbonate), four parts Mercury. Grind with Pig Fat (Zhigao) and apply to the face. Wipe off with cloth at dawn; do not wash with water.

The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) treats severe facial *mei*:
Dongkuizi (Fructus Malvae Verticillatae) Baiziren (Semen Platycladi) Fuling (Poria) Guazi (Semen Cucurbitae)
Take equal parts of these four herbs. Administer one cunbi three times daily. (Modern note: The *Jiyao Fang* states: After twenty days, the complexion becomes lustrous, and the *mei* qi is completely eliminated.)

The *Liu Juanzi Fang* (Prescriptions by Liu Juanzi) treats *mei*:
Lu'esi (Excrement of Cormorant, 1 sheng). Grind through a sieve. Mix with pig fat rendered in the twelfth lunar month and apply. (Identical to the *Qianjin Fang*.)

The *Xinlu Fang* (Newly Recorded Prescriptions) treats facial *mei*:
Pound Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) into a paste. Mix with rice slurry or yogurt/curd and apply.

Another prescription: Collect dew from where rabbits rest in autumn to wash the face. This is best.

Another prescription: Grind Damaizi (Semen Cannabis) and mix with Pig Fat (Zhizhi) for application.

Another prescription: Apply Deer Fat (Luzhi) to wipe the face; it will heal spontaneously.