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Purple Deficiency Sore Throat
The throat appears purple-red, and after a long time, it becomes ulcerated with a color resembling raw lacquer. This is caused by the premature ingestion of cold-natured medicines at the onset. This condition involves latent cold in the Lung and Stomach; the throat is flat without swelling, making it difficult to swallow food, and rotten tissue is vomited up. It requires urgent treatment. If this condition is mistaken for a Fire syndrome and treated with cold medicines such as Sanhuang Tang (Three Yellows Decoction), Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), or Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao), it will lead to death, which is truly regrettable! Whenever I encounter purple-colored conditions, regardless of their specific names, if there is absolutely no redness or swelling visible in the throat, the entire throat is purple, and the pulse is slow with a cool body, I use Liuwei Tang (Six-Ingredient Decoction) added with: Xixin (Asarum Root, 5 fen), Gegen (Kudzu Root), and Ziyè (Perilla Leaf) (each 2 qian), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) (each 1 qian). After taking the medicine, if the purple color turns red, the formula is changed to include: Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) stir-fried with salt water (2 qian), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) fried with wine (2 qian), and Huafen (Trichosanthis Radix) (1 qian), leading to recovery.

Throat Tinea (Hou Xuan)
This condition arises from Kidney Yin deficiency with hyperactive deficient fire manifesting as tinea-like lesions in the throat. The throat is not swollen but slightly red, with spots on the surface that vary in color between greenish-white, sized like mustard seeds or mung beans. Each spot has thorn-like projections, causing severe pain upon contact with water. Accompanying symptoms include dry throat, hoarseness, cough without phlegm, and a fine and rapid pulse in all six positions. Treatment involves Zhibo Dihuang Tang (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron and Rehmannia Pill) combined with Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) added with: Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) stir-fried with salt water, Nüzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus) stir-fried with salt water, Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), Shouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata), and Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) (each 2 qian). After ten doses, switch to Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) added with Nüzhenzi, Gouqizi, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), and Yangshen (American Ginseng Radix) (all stir-fried with salt water), taken early each morning with light salt water, 4–5 qian per dose. If the previous Zhibo Dihuang Tang and Siwu Tang are ineffective, add Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), 3 fen each per prescription, decocted in water and taken cold. This is the method of "guiding fire back to its source." Xuanwu Gao (Black Tortoise Paste) may also be used. If the six pulses are surging and rapid, recovery is unlikely. External powder application can use Zixue (Purple Snow) or Jinbuhuan (Golden Not-Exchange).

Throat Chancre (Hou Gan)
This condition is also caused by Kidney Yin deficiency with deficient fire boiling upward and manifesting in the upper part. There are greenish-white and red spots in the throat that are flat without thorns, hence the name "Throat Chancre." The voice is not hoarse, there is no cough, and the two Chi (Cun) pulses at the wrist are weak. Initially, use Liuwei Tang (Six-Ingredient Decoction) removing Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and adding: Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) stir-fried with salt water (2 qian), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) fried with wine (2 qian), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) (each 2 qian), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) stir-fried with salt water (1 qian), Nüzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus) stir-fried with salt water (1.5 qian), and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) stir-fried with salt water (1.5 qian). For males, add Guiban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) (5 qian); for females, add Biejia (Trionycis Carapax) (5 qian). Take five to ten doses. If not cured, add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) (3 fen) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) (3 fen), decocted separately and mixed into the previous herbal liquid to be taken cold. After recovery, combine Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) with Xuanshen, Zhimu, Nüzhenzi, and Gouqizi, taking one full preparation for complete cure. External powder application can use Jinbuhuan (Golden Not-Exchange).