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One Treatise, Thirty-Nine Formulas

Treatise: Facial creams (Mianzhi), hand ointments (Shougao), clothing incense, and algae beans are all necessities for scholars and nobles. However, contemporary physicians keep these extremely secret and reluctant to share, forbidding their disciples from leaking even a single method, and not even transmitting them between fathers and sons. Yet the Sages established laws hoping that every household would understand and every person would know. How can one allow the world to remain ignorant, preventing the Great Dao from being practiced? This act of concealing the Sages' intent is truly strange.

Facial Cream Formula for Treating Facial Conditions, Cracks, Freckles, and Hyperpigmentation; Applicable to All Facial Diseases:
Dingxiang (Clove) [10 fen], Linglingxiang (Lingling Incense), Taoren (Peach Seed Kernel, peeled), Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Root), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), Baiji (Bletilla Rhizome), Zhizi Hua (Gardenia Flower), Chenxiang (Agarwood), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower), Shexiang (Musk, crushed), Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root) [3 liang each], Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed), Gansongxiang (Nardostachys Root), Huoxiang (Patchouli) [15 fen each], Shuishuihua (Shuihua), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood) [2 liang each], Fuling (Poria) [14 fen], Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark), Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) [2.5 liang each], Dongguaren (Winter Melon Seed) [4 liang], E Zhi (Goose Fat), Yangsui (Sheep Marrow) [1.5 sheng each], Yangshenzhi (Sheep Kidney Fat) [1 sheng], Zhu Yi (Pig Pancreas) [6 units], Qingjiu (Clear Wine) [5 sheng], Sheng Zhufangzhi (Fresh Pig Adipose Tissue) [3 large sheng].

The above thirty-two ingredients are chopped. Using the juice of the pig pancreas mentioned above, soak the herbs in the fat overnight. Decoct over charcoal fire with three cycles of rising and falling. When the Baizhi turns yellow, filter through cotton cloth and store in a vessel. Apply to the face.

Facial Cream Formula:
Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Xiong (Chuanxiong), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Fuling (Poria), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), Xixin (Asarum), Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Root), Gualou Ren (Trichosanthes Seed Kernel), Taoren (Peach Seed Kernel, peeled and cored), Shuishuihua (Shuihua), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower) [0.5 liang each], E Zhi (Goose Fat) [1 sheng], Yangzhishen (Sheep Kidney Fat) [1 sheng], Zhu Zhi (Pig Fat) [2 sheng].

The above nineteen ingredients are finely chopped, wrapped in cotton cloth, soaked in 2 sheng of wine for one day and night, then added to the fat. Decoct over high heat with three cycles of rising and falling, then simmer over low heat for one night. Remove dregs when finished. Add 0.5 liang of Hanshuishi (Calcitum) powder to the fat, stir thoroughly with a willow wood spatula, and use as desired.

Another Formula:
Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel) [2 sheng, peeled and cored], Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Miduoseng (Litharge) [2 liang, ground to powder], Sheng Baiyangsui (Raw White Sheep Marrow) [2.5 sheng], Zhenzhu (Pearl) [14 pieces, ground to powder], Baixianpi (Dictamnus Root Bark), Jizi Bai (Egg White) [7 pieces], Hufen (Cerussa) [2 liang, wrapped in four layers of silk with 1 shi of rice, steamed until cooked, then dried in shade].

The above eight ingredients: Use 2.5 sheng of clear wine. First, grind the Xingren in a basin until paste-like. Then add Jizi Bai and grind two hundred times. Then add Yangsui and grind two hundred times. Crush and sieve the other herbs, add them, and grind five hundred to one thousand times; more grinding is better. When initially grinding the Xingren, gradually add small amounts of wine until the medicine is formed...

Another Formula:
Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Xiong (Chuanxiong), Xixin (Asarum) [0.5 fen each], Shuishuihua (Shuihua), Miduoseng (Litharge), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower), Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark), Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Taohua (Peach Blossom), Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma), Duheng (Peucedanum Decursivum), Yingshi (Eagle Droppings), Linglingxiang (Lingling Incense), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Root) [0.3 liang each], Shexiang (Musk), Dingxiang (Clove) [0.5 liang each], Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) [2 liang], Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica) [0.7 fen], Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Yuxie (Jade Fragments) [1 liang each], E Zhi (Goose Fat, in container), Lusu (Deer Marrow) [1 sheng], Bala (Beeswax) [4 liang], Zhu Gao (Pig Fat) [2 liang], Yangsui (Sheep Marrow) [1 sheng].

The above twenty-nine ingredients are finely chopped, soaked in vinegar, and sealed overnight. At dawn, decoct with Zhu Gao using three cycles of rising and falling. When the color turns yellow like Baizhi, the medicine is ready. Remove dregs, stir tens of thousands of times until white. Apply to the face, avoid wind, once daily for good results.

Facial Paste Formula:
Duheng (Peucedanum Decursivum), Muli (Oyster Shell, roasted, or Duyu), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Xixin (Asarum), Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Duhuo (Angelica Pubescens), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Tianxiong (Aconitum Kusnezoffii), Fuling (Poria), Yuxie (Jade Fragments) [1 liang each], Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed), Fangji (Stephania Tetrandra), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), Zhizi Hua (Gardenia Flower), Ju Pi (Citrus Peel, or Juren), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), Renshen (Ginseng) [3 liang each], Gansongxiang (Nardostachys Root), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Huoxiang (Patchouli), Linglingxiang (Lingling Incense), Dingxiang (Clove) [2 liang each], Shexiang (Musk) [0.5 liang], Bai Quan (White Dog)...

The above thirty-two ingredients: Soak the fats and marrow in water for five days, changing water twice daily. Then for five more days, change water once daily. Then for ten more days, change water every two days. Total twenty days. Soak in 1 sheng of wine. Process Yangpan (Sheep Pancreas) until dissolved and tendons removed, then finely chop the fragrant herbs and soak in a ceramic vessel, sealed overnight. At dawn, combine with various fats and decoct with three cycles of rising and falling until wine and water vapors are gone. Strain through cotton cloth, grind one thousand times, wait for solidification. The result should be white as snow. Apply to face nightly, wash off by day, reapply fresh. After ten days, skin tone resembles peach blossoms. (Wai Tai Mi Yao contains Dongguaren and Miwu Hua, but lacks Bailian and Renshen.)

Facial Paste for Treating [Missing Character] and [Missing Character] and Skin Cracking:
Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Xinyi (Magnolia Flower), Shaoyao (Peony Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), Xixin (Asarum), Miduoseng (Litharge), Xiong (Chuanxiong), Duhuo (Angelica Pubescens), Jishe Xiang (Litsea Oil), Linglingxiang (Lingling Incense), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark), Shexiang (Musk), Dingxiang (Clove), Zhenzhu (Pearl, unperforated) [1 liang each], Ruiren (Prunus Armeniaca Kernel), Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel, peeled and cored) [2 liang each], Niusui (Cow Marrow) [5 sheng], You (Oil) [1 sheng], Layue Zhizhi (December Pig Fat, refined) [3 sheng], Zhang Lu Nao (Muntjac and Deer Brain) [1 unit each, or Sheep Brain if unavailable].

The above twenty-five ingredients: First soak brain and marrow in water until white. Chop Huoxiang and above into wheat-grain sized pieces. Decoct in brain/marrow/fat/oil with three cycles of rising and falling. Strain through cotton cloth, add Shexiang and Zhenzhu powder, grind one thousand times. Apply when solidified; very effective. (Currently only twenty-six ingredients listed, but text says "Huoxiang and above," implying three missing ingredients.)

Another Formula:
Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma, 10 large ones), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica) [1 liang], Linglingxiang (Lingling Incense) [2 liang], Fuling (Poria) [1 da liang, chopped], Manjing You (Vitex Oil) [2 sheng, substitute with Pig Fat if unavailable], Niusui (Cow Marrow), Yangsui (Sheep Marrow) [1 dou each], Bala (Beeswax) [8 liang], Shexiang (Musk) [0.5 liang].

The above nine ingredients: Chop. Decoct the first five items in oil and marrow over low heat until color changes. Remove dregs, add Shexiang, grind one thousand times until solid. Apply after washing face with Zao Dou (Bath Bean).

Facial Medicine Formula:
Zhusha (Cinnabar, ground), Xionghuang (Realgar, ground), Shuiyin Shuang (Calomel) [0.5 liang each], Hufen (Cerussa) [2 balls], Huang Yingshi (Yellow Eagle Droppings) [1 sheng].

The above five ingredients: Mix well. Wash face clean, apply at night. Mix 1 liang of this medicine with Mianzhi (Facial Cream) to a mud-like consistency. Before bed, wash face with Zao Dou, dry hands and face, apply medicine to face with usual thickness. Massage gently with fingers until absorbed, then sleep. Do not wash face for five days and nights. Only apply makeup on top if needed, preferably no washing. On the sixth night, wash and reapply as before. After three cycles of washing, stop applying and wash normally. Skin becomes bright and clean, a hundred times better than before.

Brightening Face Formula:
Xionghuang (Realgar, ground), Zhusha (Cinnabar, ground), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) [1 liang each], Zhenzhu (Pearl, 10 pieces, ground to powder).

The above four ingredients: Grind all to powder. Mix with Mianzhi and Hufen, add medicine, stir, apply to face as makeup. Wash face with vinegar water in the morning, then apply. After thirty days, skin becomes like congealed fat. For fifty-year-olds, face becomes youthful. Apply nightly without interruption.

Formula to Make Face Radiant:
Grind Miduoseng (Litharge), decoct with milk, apply to face to generate radiance.

Formula to Make Face Fair and Beautiful:
Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Du Ruo (Tetracentron Sinense), Chishizhi (Red Halloysite), Baishizhi (White Halloysite), Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel, peeled and cored), Taohua (Peach Blossom), Guazi (Melon Seed), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Jishi Bai (Chicken Vomit), Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum), Yuanzhi (Polygala Root, heart removed).

The above twelve ingredients: Each 3 fen. Crush and sieve to powder. Mix with 1 sheng human breast milk and 1 sheng white honey. Take seven pills on an empty stomach, three times daily.

Deer Horn Face Application Formula:
Lu Jiao (Deer Horn) [one handful], Xiong (Chuanxiong), Xixin (Asarum), Bailian (Ampelopsis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Tianmendong (Asparagus Root, heart removed), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica) [2 liang each], Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel, 21 pieces, peeled and cored), Niu Ru (Cow Milk) [3 sheng].

The above ten ingredients: Soak Lu Jiao in water for one hundred days until soft. Place entirely in milk, decoct over low heat until liquid is exhausted. Remove horn, store in white linen bag. Do not save other herbs. At night, rub Lu Jiao with Cow Milk on a stone and apply to face. Wash with clear sour water in the morning. Makes old look young. (Another formula uses Su [Butter] 3 liang.)

Formula to Tighten Facial Skin:
One large pig trotter, prepared for eating. Decoct with 2 sheng water and 1 sheng clear sour water in a non-stick pot until it forms glue. Use to wash face. Also mix with Zao Dou, apply at night, wash with sour water in morning. Makes facial skin tight.

Formula to Improve Women's Complexion:
Nu Wan (Radix Dorsteniae) [2.5 liang], Qiandan (Lead Tetroxide) [0.5 fen].

The above two ingredients: Crush and sieve to powder. Take one Dao Gui with wine, twice daily. Men take for ten days, women for twenty days. Stop when effective. Blackness exits via stool, turning white as snow.

Another Formula:
Baiguazi (White Melon Seed) [0.5 fen], Baiyang Pi (White Poplar Bark) [0.3 fen], Taohua (Peach Blossom) [1 liang].

The above three ingredients: Crush and sieve to powder. Take one Cun Bi with drink, three times daily. Face whitens in thirty days, hands and feet in fifty days. To whiten, add Guazi; to redden, add Taohua.

Formula for White and Clean Bath Bean:
Baixianpi (Dictamnus Root Bark), Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Ying Shi Bai (Eagle Droppings White), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Xiong (Chuanxiong), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood, or Bencao in another version), Gansongxiang (Nardostachys Root), Baitanxiang (Sandalwood), Shexiang (Musk), Dingxiang (Clove) [3 liang each], Guixin (Cinnamon Twig) [6 liang], Guazi (Melon Seed) [1 liang, or Tugua Gen in another version], Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel, 30 pieces, peeled), Bai Mei (White Plum, 21 pieces), Dongguaren (Winter Melon Seed) [5 he], Jizi Bai (Egg White) [7 pieces], Mian (Flour) [3 sheng].

The above twenty ingredients: First mix Zhu Yi (Pig Pancreas) with flour and sun-dry. Then crush and sieve all herbs to powder. Mix with 2 sheng Doumo (Bean Powder). Use to wash hands and face. Skin becomes white as snow in ten days, like congealed fat in twenty days. (Qian Jin Fang has 30 dates, no Guixin.)

Another Formula:
Shexiang (Musk) [2 fen], Zhu Yi (Pig Pancreas) [2 units], Dadou Huangjuan (Sojae Semen Preparatum) [1.5 sheng], Taohua (Peach Blossom) [1 liang], Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed) [3 liang], Dongkuizi (Abelmoschus Seed) [5 he, or Dongguazi], Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded) [2 liang], Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark) [3 liang], Weirui (Polygonatum Odoratum) [2 he], Zhizi Hua (Gardenia Flower) [2 liang], Muxu (Clover) [1 liang].

The above eleven ingredients: Soak Zhu Yi in water three to four times, changing water until blood color and floating fat are gone. Crush all ingredients to powder, mix well, sun-dry, crush and sieve. Use to wash hands and face; face becomes clean, smooth, and fragrant. Another version: If previous ingredients unavailable, directly take Muxu Xiang (Clover Fragrance) 1 sheng, Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Root), Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood) 1 liang each. Crush to powder. Excellent for washing hands and face.

Bath Bean Formula:
Xixin (Asarum) [0.5 liang], Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) [3 fen], Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit) [2 pieces], Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Root) [3 fen], Zao Jia (Gleditsia Sinensis Pod) [5 stalks, roasted, peeled and seeded], Shanglu (Phytolacca Root) [1.5 liang], Dongguaren (Winter Melon Seed) [0.5 sheng], Que Shi (Sparrow Droppings) [0.5 he], Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed) [2 he], Zhu Yi (Pig Pancreas, de-fatted) [1 unit], Bencao (Ligusticum Wallichii), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Baimang (White Mangosteen?), Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Fuling (Poria), Xingren (Apricot Seed Kernel, peeled and cored), Taoren (Peach Seed Kernel, peeled and cored) [1 liang each], Doumo (Bean Powder) [4 sheng], Mian (Flour) [1 sheng].

The above nineteen ingredients: Crush fine and sieve. Boil one Zhu Yi in flour slurry until soft, take juice, mix with powder to make cakes, sun-dry, crush fine and sieve again. Very good for washing hands and face.

Another Formula:
Dingxiang (Clove), Chenxiang (Agarwood), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Taohua (Peach Blossom), Zhongru (Stalactite), Fen Zhenzhu (Powdered Pearl), Yuxie (Jade Fragments), Shuishuihua (Shuihua), Mugui Hua (Papaya Flower) [3 liang each], Nai Hua (Apple Flower), Li Hua (Pear Flower), Hong Lian Hua (Red Lotus Flower), Li Hua (Plum Flower), Yingtao Hua (Cherry Blossom), Bai Shukui Hua (White Hibiscus Flower), Xuanfu Hua (Inula Flower) [4 liang each], Shexiang (Musk) [1 zhu].

The above seventeen ingredients: Crush flowers separately, crush fragrant herbs separately, grind Zhenzhu and Yuxie into powder. Mix with 7 he of Da Doumo (Soybean Powder), grind one thousand times, seal tightly and do not leak. Commonly used to wash hands and face for makeup. After one hundred days, face becomes like jade, bright, clean, and moist. Odors and dregs are removed. Can also be used to wash throat and arms. Everything goes as wished.

Formula to Eliminate Facial Scars and Cold Sores Older Than Thirty Years, and Insect-Related Scars:
Banmao (Mylabris, wings and feet removed, roasted), Badou (Croton Seed, heart and skin removed, roasted) [3 each], Hufen (Cerussa), E Zhi (Goose Fat), Jintaosha (Gold Washing Sand), Miduoseng (Litharge), Gaoliang Jiang (Galangal), Haige (Clam Shell) [3 liang each].

The above eight ingredients: Make into powder, mix with E Zhi. Apply at midnight, wash with Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) in the morning.

Formula for Facial [Missing Character]:
Fanshi (Alumen, burned), Liu Huang (Sulfur), Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded) [1 liang each].

The above three ingredients: Finely grind, soak in one cup of strong vinegar overnight. Wash face clean, apply, avoid wind.

Formula for Facial [Missing Character]:
Baifuzi (Aconitum Carmichaelii Dechilded), Qingmuxiang (Aquilaria Wood), Shexiang (Musk), Youba (Paris Polyphylla), Xixin (Asarum) [2 liang each].

The above five ingredients: Fine powder, mix with water, apply to face three times daily. (Wai Tai Mi Yao lacks Xixin.)

Another Formula:
Mulanpi (Magnolia Bark) [5 liang, thick pieces], Zhizi Ren (Gardenia Seed) [6 liang].

The above two ingredients: Make into powder, take one Cun Bi with honey water, three times daily.

Formula for Facial [Missing Character] Resembling Hemp Seeds, Painful and Itchy, Oozing Yellow Fluid When Scratched, and Persistent Dark Spots:
Dongguazi (Winter Melon Seed), Baizi Ren (Biota Seed), Fuling (Poria), Dongkuizi (Abelmoschus Seed).

The above four ingredients: Equal parts, crush and sieve, take one Cun Bi with drink, three times daily. (Wai Tai Mi Yao lacks Dongguazi.)