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The Lung opens into the nose. The Stomach meridian originates beside the sides of the nose, (and its sinews also knot at the sides of the nose.) and intersects at Shangen (the root of the nasal bridge between the eyes). The Large Intestine meridian runs alongside the nostrils. The Small Intestine meridian reaches the nose. The sinews of the Bladder meridian knot below the nose on both sides. Qi emerges from the nose; if the Qi is hot and stagnant, it steams fluids into mucus; if there is heat without stagnation, the nose becomes dry, painful, and acrid. Nasal congestion arises from two causes: one is cold in the brain causing Qi transformation into fluid, which condenses downward into the nose (similar to breath turning into water in cold weather; warmth in the brain restores patency immediately); the other is heat steaming mucus causing obstruction. If vigorous removal of mucus still fails to clear the passage, it is because the area outside the orifice has been infiltrated by mucus, causing swelling of the muscle texture and narrowing the orifice without gaps. When Wind-Cold binds externally, Qi cannot diffuse outward but exits only through the nasal orifice, resulting in abundant nasal Qi and noisy breathing. Initially, the upward congestion is severe, so fluid transforms rapidly and abundantly, remaining clear; later, the momentum slows, so mucus does not discharge immediately, and prolonged steaming turns it turbid. However, turbid mucus may also arise without external contraction. *Su Wen* states: "When Gallbladder heat transfers to the Brain, it causes acridity and Bi Yuan (nasal sinusitis with profuse turbid discharge like a spring)." This may transmit into Nu Mie (epistaxis caused by excessive heat) and Ming (dim vision due to blood deficiency from epistaxis failing to nourish the eyes). This occurs because the Bladder meridian connects to the Brain; receiving Heat from the Brain, it injects into the Stomach meridian, pressing upon the nose, causing burning pain and turbid discharge. This is essentially Brain fluid seeping downward, commonly known as "Brain Leak," treated with Fangfeng Tang. Epistaxis is detailed in the Epistaxis chapter. Occasional nasal congestion due to Wind-Cold is treated as Wind-Cold. Frequent nasal congestion with loss of smell, or congestion triggered by cold months or slight Wind-Cold exposure, indicates pre-existing Fire Stagnation in the Lung Meridian. Patients prefer heat (as heat promotes dispersion) and dislike cold, so even slight cold triggers symptoms. Qi stagnation and discomfort, with Heat stagnating in the Brain, give rise to Qiu, Yuan, and hemorrhoids. The primary treatment is clearing Metal and descending Fire (Sangbaipi is essential), assisted by agents that unblock Qi. Excess Qi constitutes Fire, certainly. There are also cases where Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency prevents ascending and dispersing, leading to stagnation and Fire formation, treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (see Qi Deficiency). External treatment: Gouti, Xixin, and Shexiang ground into powder, wrapped in cotton and inserted into the nose; or castor kernels and dates mashed and inserted, changed daily.

Frequent discharge of turbid mucus is called Bi Yuan. Liuwei Wan (see Deficiency Damage) is used, supplemented with Ganju, Bohe, Xuanshen, and Can'erzi. Since the Brain belongs to the Kidney, Liuwei Wan is employed. Another condition involves Brain pain and discharge of foul yellow water, commonly called Kongnaosha (indicating worms eating the Brain), treated with Si Gua Teng (near the root, 3-5 cun), calcined to retain its nature, taken with wine (2 qian), yielding immediate results. Externally, peach leaves make a pillow. (Bi Yuan is also discussed in the Wind Injury chapter).

Frequent discharge of clear mucus is called Bi Qiu. For Lung Heat (where Lung Heat causes abundant Qi to transform into clear mucus; it remains clear rather than turbid because Fire's nature is rapid, flowing away before it can become turbid), use Jiegeng, Shanzhi, Bohe, Maidong, Xuanshen, Xinyi, and Gancao. If caused by Brain Cold (where Brain Cold causes Qi to transform into fluid that flows down, like breath condensing in cold weather), use Can'erzi, Ganjiang, Shengma, Gaoben, Xinyi, Chuanxiong, and Rougui.

Nasal polyps resembling hemorrhoids or abscesses, with foul odor intolerable to proximity and pain intolerable to touch, arise from severe Damp-Heat stagnation, similar to mushrooms growing from damp-heat in soil. Treat with Qingfei Yin or Qianghuo Shengshi Tang (see Damp Injury). Alternatively, use Baifu, Jiegeng, Shanzhi, Huangqin, Xinyi, Baizhi, Mutong, Chaihu, Fangfeng, Cangzhu, and Bohe. Externally, blow Baifan powder mixed with a little Naosha; or insert cotton wrapped with Gouti, Xixin, and Shexiang powder to dissolve yellow fluid. Tender peach leaf hearts can also be inserted. Additionally, Xionghuang, Baifan, and Kudingxiang ground into powder, combined with frost plum flesh mashed into a paste formed into strips and inserted into the nose, is also effective.

For nasal ulcers, apply Huanglian, Dahuang, and Shexiang powder to the nose. Xinyi Gao is also suitable. Internally, Wu Xi Wan. For Lung Heat causing dry nose without mucus and mental restlessness, use Xijiao San or Sanggen Baipi San.

For nasal pain, use Gegen, Zhuye, Qingdai, Bohe, Fangfeng, Shigao, Shengma, and Shihu. Externally, Xunao San extracts yellow fluid from the nose. If food accidentally enters the nose causing lingering pain, insert beef or sheep fat (size of a finger) into the nose; upon inhalation, the fat melts, bringing the object out with it.

Redness or purplish-black discoloration of the nose indicates Yangming Blood Heat, often resulting from alcohol consumption where heat steams the Lung lobes. If constrained by cold, coagulation fails, leading to stasis and purplish-black color. Treatment requires resolving stasis, generating new blood, and dispelling Wind-Heat using Danshen, Shengdi, Danggui, Honghua, Shanzhi, Sangbai, Fangfeng, and Bohe, decocted and taken. Or, use Jiuzhi Siwu Tang (see Blood Disorders) added with Jiuchao Pianhuang, Chenpi, Sheng Gancao, Jiuhonghua, and Shengjiang, decocted and mixed with Wulingzhi powder. For obese individuals with weak Qi, add Jiuzhi Huangqi, adding a few drops of good wine before taking. If the patient does not drink alcohol, it is Lung Wind-Heat; add Jingjie to the previous formula. It may also be internal worms, treated with vermifuges. Externally, grind 20 Xingren (peeled, oiled), 2 Hutao (with skin), bake on tile until not burnt, mix with 3 Da Fengrou and 3 fen Shuiyin, rub with saliva and hand into black water, and apply; heals in two or three applications.

Foul breath from the nose, if not due to nasal hemorrhoids, indicates severe disease with organ failure and foul Qi, which is untreatable.