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Wind-Heat, Phlegm-Fire, and Grain Thorns

The pharynx (throat) and epiglottis are the vital gateways of the human body, serving as the passages for expelling air and ingesting food. The pharynx (Yan), responsible for expelling air, connects with Heaven; the larynx (Hou), responsible for ingesting food, connects with Earth. The epiglottis is located superiorly, governing opening and closing, and directing the intake and output. If external Wind pathogen lodges in the throat, stagnation generates Heat, resulting in sore throat (Yan Tong). Alternatively, internal Heat generated from the Spleen and Stomach meridians accumulates, causing swelling and knotting, leading to throat obstruction (Hou Bi). Mild cases can be cured with treatment; severe cases inevitably lead to an inability to ingest fluids or food, resulting in death. There are eighteen symptoms associated with these ailments.

Sore Throat (Yan Tong): Caused by Wind pathogen lodging in the San Jiao (Triple Burner) meridians, with Heat rushing upward, causing stagnation and obstruction. Suitable formulas include Qingyan Lige Tang (Throat-Clearing Diaphragm-Relieving Decoction), Niubangzi Tang (Arctii Seed Decoction), Ganjie Tang (Licorice and Platycodon Decoction), Shegan Tang (Belamcanda Rhizome Decoction), Shangqing Wan (Upper-Clearing Pill), and Liangge San (Cooling the Diaphragm Powder).

Throat Obstruction (Hou Bi): Meaning blockage and lack of patency. Caused by Heat arising from the Lung and Stomach. Symptoms include swelling and pain in the throat and pharynx, hindering diet. Suitable treatments include Xionghuang Jiedu Wan (Realgar Detoxification Pill), Qingshang Lianqiao Yin (Upper-Clearing Forsythia Drink), Xuanshen San (Scrophulariae Powder), Yizi San (One-Character Powder), Xuanshen Shengma Tang (Scrophulariae and Cimicifugae Decoction), Jiangxue (Crimson Snow), and acupuncture methods.

Grain Thorns (Gu Zei): Refers to rice awns, which are hard and astringent, hidden within the rice. Accidental ingestion causes them to lodge in the pharynx, interacting with Qi and causing combat-like sensations, making eating painful, similar to having grain thorns growing in the throat passage. Suitable formula: Shegan San (Belamcanda Rhizome Powder).

Suspension Abscess (Xuan Yong): Occurs at the soft palate near the epiglottis, presenting with redness, swelling, and pain. It is closely related to the critical throat passages. Suitable formulas include Xuanshen San (Scrophulariae Powder), Lianqiao Yin (Forsythia Drink), Shegan San (Belamcanda Rhizome Powder), Pengsha San (Borax Powder), and Shaoyan San (Burnt Salt Powder).

Throat Ulcer (Hou Chuang): Caused by Heat steaming from the stomach cavity, manifesting in the pharynx as ulcers with white heads and red bases, accompanied by swelling and pain. Suitable formulas include Taohong San (Peach Kernel and Safflower Powder), Pengsha San (Borax Powder), and Lianqiao Bapi Tang (Forsythia and Phellodendron Bark Decoction).

Mandibular Tonsils (Ru E): Can be unilateral or bilateral. Unilateral tonsils are round like chopstick heads, located at the upper part of the throat gate, either on the left or right. Bilateral tonsils have the same shape but appear on both sides. If they occur below the gate, they are difficult to treat. Suitable treatments include Pen Needle Method (Bi Zhen Fa), Yizi San (One-Character Powder), and Xianfang Duoming Dan (Immortal Formula Life-Seizing Pill).

Coiling-Throat Wind (Chan Hou Feng): Heat knots in the throat, causing swelling that surrounds the exterior, accompanied by numbness and itching, with excessive phlegm-saliva accumulation and significant enlargement. Suitable formulas include Qibao San (Seven-Treasure Powder), Qinglong San (Green Dragon Powder), and Pengsha San (Borax Powder).

Running-Horse Throat Obstruction (Zouma Hou Bi): Characterized by complete closure of the throat Qi, loss of voice, and severe, urgent phlegm obstruction. Death occurs rapidly, hence the name "Running Horse." Suitable formulas include Po Guan San (Breaking Coffin Powder), Shengyao Tong (Holy Medicine Tube), and Yizi San (One-Character Powder).

Cicada-Tongue Wind (Chan She Feng) and other eighteen conditions are detailed in the treatment formulas of *Qixiao Liangfang* (Excellent Effective Good Prescriptions).