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Auricular diseases are caused by the reckless movement of wind in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and Liver meridians. In adults, there is a distinction between deficiency fire and excess fire; in children, there is a difference between fetal heat and fetal wind.

Deficiency fire manifests as tinnitus (ringing in the ears like cicadas), possibly accompanied by hearing loss (heavy hearing), otorrhea with itching, and no external swelling; this belongs to the syndrome of reckless movement of deficiency fire. It is primarily treated with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan Radicis) and Shichangpu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii), along with Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill).

Excess fire manifests as swelling of both the root of the ear and the auditory canal; in severe cases, alternating chills and fever occur, with ceaseless pain. It should be treated with Chaihu Qinggan Tang (Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Decoction).

There is also a condition where an "Erting" (auricular polyp/protrusion) forms inside the auditory canal, blocking the qi and blood vessels, causing unceasing pain. This is treated with Zhizi Qinggan Tang (Gardenia Liver-Clearing Decoction). Externally, Huangxian Yao (Yellow Thread Medicine) is inserted into the crevice beside the polyp flesh until it is completely dissolved and healed.

In children, fetal heat or water entering the auditory canal during bathing can also cause auricular pain and suppuration. If treated within the first month of onset, topical medication is not necessary; premature application may cause swelling in the neck region. One should wait for the toxin to exhaust itself, after which it will heal spontaneously. If it does not resolve after a month, treating it with Hongmian San (Red Cotton Powder) will bring relief.

Hongmian San (Red Cotton Powder)
Hongmian San contains Kufan (Alumen), Shexiang (Moschus), and Yanzhi (Rose Carmine).
For the disease of purulent otorrhea in children, applying this powder once will turn their frown into a smile.

This formula is used to treat purulent otorrhea where swelling and pain have subsided but pus continues to flow. The powder is applied to the affected area.
Ingredients: Kufan (superior white grade, 3 qian), Gan Yanzhi (Dry Rose Carmine, 2 qian), Shexiang (Moschus, 1.5 fen).
Grind all ingredients into an extremely fine powder and store in a porcelain jar. First, use cotton wool to squeeze out the pus and dampness from the ear. Then, roll the medicated cotton wool and insert it to the bottom of the ear for spontaneous healing.

Cong'er Lvhui Wan (Aloe Ear-Enhancing Pill)
Cong'er Lvhui Wan contains Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Longdancao (Gentianae Radix), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), as well as Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum), along with Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Shexiang (Moschus), and Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), which together provide excellent efficacy.

This formula treats conditions where there is fire in the Liver and Gallbladder, manifesting as tinnitus that gradually progresses to hearing impairment or deafness.
Ingredients: Lvhui (Aloe, 5 qian), Dahuang (steamed, 5 qian), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis, 5 qian), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 5 qian), Longdan (Gentianae Radix, 1 liang), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1 liang), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus, 1 liang), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, 1 liang), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 1 liang), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 2 qian), Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum, 3 qian), Shexiang (Moschus, 5 fen).
Grind the above ingredients into powder, mix with paste made from Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), and form pills the size of mung beans. Take 21 pills per dose, washed down with ginger decoction after meals, three times daily. Efficacy will gradually appear.

Chaihu Qinggan Tang (Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Decoction) and Zhizi Qinggan Tang (Gardenia Liver-Clearing Decoction) (both see section on Temporal Furuncle/Bin Ju).
Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) (see section on Ulcerative Sores/Kui Yang).
Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) (see section on Lung Abscess/Fei Yong).