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Mouth sores. Excess heat in the Upper Jiao, deficiency-cold in the Middle Jiao, and Yin fire in the Lower Jiao are caused by transmission and transformation of various meridians. They should be treated separately according to differentiation. For example, fever with thirst and desire for cold drinks indicates excess heat. In mild cases, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction); in severe cases, use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction). Lack of appetite and loose stools indicate deficiency of Middle Qi; use Renshen Lizhong Tang (Ginseng Regulate the Middle Decoction). Cold extremities and abdominal pain indicate deficiency-cold of Middle Qi; use Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction). Fever at dusk (Shen hour), internal heat, or irregular fever indicates blood deficiency; use Bawu Tang (Eight Substances Decoction) added with Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis), Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), and Maidong (Rhizoma Ophiopogonis). Fever with thirst, expectoration of phlegm, and frequent urination indicate deficiency of Kidney Water; use Bawei Wan (Eight Ingredients Pill). Fever at dusk, or heat rising from the lower abdomen, indicates Yin deficiency; use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Renshen (Radix Ginseng), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Wuweizi, and Maidong. If ineffective, use Jiaban Bawei Wan (Modified Eight Ingredients Pill). If heat comes and goes, appearing by day and hiding by night, or appearing by night and hiding by day, moving irregularly, having no fixed location, or rising from the feet, this is Fire without Root. Use the aforementioned pills, as well as Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) added with Maidong and Wuweizi. Additionally, mix Fuzi powder (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata) with saliva and apply it to Yongquan acupoint (KI1). If one indiscriminately uses cold and cooling herbs, it damages the vital energy, causing significant harm.

Someone asks: How can a deficiency-cold condition produce mouth sores, and why is Fuzi Lizhong Tang used? This is because when Stomach Qi is deficient and grain intake is low, the controlling relationship is disrupted; the Qi of Kidney Water rebels and overacts, resulting in cold in the Middle. The deficient fire generated by the decline of Spleen and Stomach is forced to flare upwards, manifesting as mouth sores. The Classics state: "If the annual Metal qi is insufficient, blazing fire will prevail. Upon retaliation, cold rain arrives suddenly; extreme Yin causes Yang to be repelled and move upward, leading to people suffering from mouth sores." Therefore, use Renshen, Baizhu, and Gancao to tonify Earth; use Jiang (Shengjiang or Ganjiang) and Fuzi to disperse cold. Thus, the fire receives guidance and retreats.

According to Shengji Zonglu (General Records of Holy Relief), there are cases where primordial Yuan Qi deficiency-cold attacks the mouth and tongue from above. These are treated with Bajitian (Radix Morindae Officinalis), Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), and Gaoliangjiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum) powders, cooked with pig kidneys. There are also methods using Dingxiang (Flos Caryophylli), Hujiao (Piperis Longi Fructus), Songzhi (Resina Pini), and Xixin (Herba Asari) powders, mixed with Sumu (Santalum Album Lignum) decoction and applied to the tongue. Another method involves Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Fuzi, honey-fried and held in the mouth to swallow. Such methods all treat Dragon Fire pressing upwards, preventing Heart and Lung Yang from descending, thereby using these means to guide fire back to its source (Yin Huo Gui Yuan).