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The Grand Commandant, Lord Zhongwu of the Shi family, was sixty-eight years old. In the first month of the tenth lunar month of the Wuchen year of Zhiyuan (1268), he attended upon the State Preceptor in the abbot's room of Sheng'an Temple. A stove of coal fire was placed on his left side. He then felt heat in his face, with slight sweating on the left cheek. The State Preceptor and all attendants left. Because the muscles of the left cheek were loose and relaxed, they were invaded by Wind-Cold pathogenic factors. The muscles of the right cheek were tense and contracted, causing the corner of the mouth to deviate to the right. The pulse was floating and tight, but deep pressure revealed a surging and slow quality. I recommended Hu Jifu, the Director of Medical Studies, to specialize in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. First, moxa was applied to the Dicang (ST4) acupoint on the left cheek for one seven (7) moxa cones. Next, moxa was applied to the Jiache (ST6) acupoint for two sevens (14) moxa cones. Then, the right cheek was warmed and pressed with hot hands. It was decided to use Shengma Tang (Cimicifugae Decoction) added with Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) to disperse Wind-Cold. After taking several doses, he recovered. Someone asked: "Most physicians in the world treat this condition with medicines such as Xuming Tang (Continuation of Life Decoction). Now you use Shengma Tang with four additional herbs. What is the rationale?" I replied: "The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the side of the nose, crosses at the root of the nose, runs along the lateral aspect of the nose, and enters the upper teeth. The Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian also passes through the lower teeth. Moreover, both cheeks belong to the Yangming meridians. Shengma Tang consists of herbs targeting the Yangming meridian. Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) circulates through the Hand-Yangming meridian; Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao) treats trismus (lockjaw); Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) disperses wind pathogens; Cinnamoni Ramulus (Guizhi) strengthens the exterior and secures Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), preventing pathogens from further injuring the body. This is the rationale. Diseases have distinctions between Biao (Exterior/Manifestation) and Ben (Root/Internal), and between different meridians. Medicines differ in their aromatic/heavy or light/thin properties. By examining the source of the disease and selecting appropriate medications, the therapeutic effect is as immediate as a drumstick striking a drum. If one does not understand the course of the meridians and the location of medicinal properties, merely adhering to a single prescription will not only be ineffective but often harmful. Students of medicine should reflect deeply on this."

[Qinjiao Shengma Tang] Treats facial paralysis (deviation of the mouth and eye) due to Wind-Stroke affecting the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, aversion to wind and cold, and stiffness and tension of the four limbs.
Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma - processed with honey), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (each 0.5 liang); Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (each 3 qian).
Crush the herbs. Take 1 liang per dose, add 2 zhan of water, and three stalks of scallion white (with roots), each 2 cun long. Decoct until 1 zhan remains, strain, and drink while slightly warm. After taking the medicine, lie down in a place sheltered from wind and cold. Stop taking the medicine once a slight sweat appears.

[Xijiao Shengma Tang] Treats numbness and loss of sensation due to Wind-Stroke, pain between the nose and cheeks, pain in the lips, mouth corners, Jiache area, and hairline, inability to open the mouth, and interference with speech and eating. The left forehead and cheek feel tight as if pasted, and are painful to touch. This is caused by the Foot-Yangming Meridian being invaded by Wind-Toxicity, leading to blood stasis and stagnation.
Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu) (1 liang 2 qian 5 fen); Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) (1 liang); Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) (each 7 qian); Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baifuzi (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 0.5 liang); Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (2 qian 5 fen).
Grind into powder. Take 5 qian per dose, add 2 zhan of water, decoct until 1 zhan remains, strain, and take warm. Take after meals, three times a day. Commentary: The Foot-Yangming meridian belongs to the Stomach. The medical classics state: "The intestines and stomach are like a market, possessing everything as a marketplace does." Among the Six Meridians, the Stomach has abundant Qi and Blood, responsible for rotting and ripening food and water; thus, toxicity from diet accumulates in the intestines and stomach. This formula uses Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao) as the principal herb to resolve dietary toxicity. The Yangming meridian loops around the lips, flanks the mouth, originates at the nose, crosses at the forehead, runs along Jiache, ascends to the front of the ear, passes through the Guest Host point (Tinggong/SJ21 or similar depending on interpretation, here likely referring to ST4 area contextually or SJ21), follows the hairline, and reaches the frontal skull. Therefore, the illness suffered by Lord Wang involves this specific meridian. Shengma assists it, while the other herbs cleanse and remove Wind-Heat. Shengma and Huangqin specifically enter the Stomach meridian to act as guiding herbs.