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When exposed to severe cold, the skin and flesh are injured, causing Qi and Blood to coagulate. Initially, purple spots and indurated swelling appear; the skin becomes stiff and numb, with loss of sensation to pain and itching. This is called frostbite (Dongchuang). It is appropriate to apply Yanghe Jiening Gao (Yanghe Decoction Paste) as a plaster. If caused by sudden freezing followed by exposure to heat, fire, or hot water immersion, it will inevitably lead to skin necrosis and ulceration. In such cases, this same paste should be applied; three applications can result in cure. For frostbitten heels and ears that recur every winter, soaking and washing with a decoction of eggplant stalks and scallions prevents recurrence.

For chronic frostbite that does not heal over years, applying Dusheng Gao (Dusheng Paste) is effective.

Dusheng Gao (Dusheng Paste)
On the sixth, sixteenth, and twenty-sixth days of the sixth lunar month, crush single-clove garlic until pasty, heat it in the sun, and apply it to the frostbitten area. Then dry it in the sun. Avoid contact with water.

Yanghe Jiening Gao (Yanghe Decoction Paste) (General Formula No. 77.)

Internal excess of dryness-heat combined with external invasion of Wind pathogen, where Wind-Dampness interacts and combats, manifests as papules. These may resemble millet grains, accompanied by intense itching. Scratching breaks the skin, exuding serous fluid, which spreads into patches. Apply Xionghuang Jiedu San (Realgar Detoxification Powder) externally, or Xiuxiu Wan (Embroidered Ball Pill), which is also excellent. Avoid spicy peppers, alcohol, chicken, goose, and other foods that stir up Wind.

Shi'erwei Dihuang Yin (Twelve-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction)
Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) [Note: Text says Da Sheng Di, usually Raw Rehmannia] (6 qian) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) Sheng Huang Qi (Raw Astragalus Root) (3 qian each) He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix, raw) (5 qian) Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex) (3-4 qian) Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica) Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) (1.5 qian each) Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, wine-fried) Bai Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus) Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus) Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) (2 qian each)
Decoct these ingredients in water and take morning and evening.

Another Prescription for Xuefeng Chuang (Blood-Wind Eczema)
Crush the white bark of mulberry roots found in soil together with the residue from tung oil, and apply as a poultice. After three to four applications, miraculous effects are observed.

Prescription for Hand Injury Sores
Boil black soybeans in water and wash the affected area frequently until healed.

Xionghuang Jiedu San (Realgar Detoxification Powder)
Xiong Huang (Realgar) Han Shui Shi (Calcitum) (1 liang each) Bai Fan (Alumen) (2 liang)
Grind all ingredients into fine powder. Mix with boiling water for topical application; for weeping ulcers, sprinkle the dry powder directly.

Xiuxiu Wan (Embroidered Ball Pill) (See Scabies below.)

Initially appearing like a coin, gradually enlarging, either round or irregular, with distinct borders, presenting varying degrees of itching and pain. There are six types: First, Gan Xuan (Dry Tinea), characterized by white scales upon scratching, numbness, and loss of sensation; Fourth, Niu Pi Xuan (Cow-Skin Lichen), resembling thick, hard cow neck skin; Fifth, Song Pi Xuan (Pine-Bark Tinea), showing connected red and white spots like pine bark; Sixth, Dao Xuan (Knife Tinea), lacking clear contours and spreading irregularly. All are caused by Wind-Damp-Heat invading the skin, stagnating over time, and transforming into parasites, leading to incessant itching. Medications that kill parasites, drain dampness, and dispel wind are suitable. For mild cases, apply Xiuxiu Wan; for severe cases, apply Jinpi Jiu (Hibiscus Wine). For chronic, stubborn, malignant tinea unresponsive to other treatments, apply Xianjiao Gao (Fresh Thorn Paste) or Wubei Gao (Galla Paste) as appropriate. Avoid Wind-stirring and triggering foods; recovery is assured.

1. Chuihua Xuan (Blowing Flower Tinea), appearing on the face like a coin, producing white scales when scratched, occurring in spring, hence commonly known as Peach Blossom Tinea, prevalent among women. Use the water collected in green paper bowls (condensation), apply topically; three to five applications yield cure.

Another Method
Slice fresh white ginkgo nuts and rub them frequently on the lesion, or use Yurong San (Jade Beauty Powder) for facial cleansing, which is also excellent.

1. Taixuan (Fetal Tinea), commonly known as Milk Tinea, appears on an infant's head and face, or eyebrows, causing itching and oozing lipid-like fluid in patches. Over time, it spreads over the body. Apply Wen Ge San (Wen Ge Powder) topically, or Xiuxiu Wan, which is also effective. The nursing mother must avoid all foods that stir up Wind, Dampness, and trigger eruptions.

Jinpi Jiu (Hibiscus Wine)
Bai Jin Pi (Hibisci Mutabilis Cortex) Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) Bing Lang (Arecae Semen) (1 liang each) Sheng Mu Bie (Strychni Semen) Zhang Nao (Camphora) (5 qian each) Ban Mao (Mylabris) (30 pieces) Chan Su (Toad Venom) (3 qian)
Grind all ingredients into coarse powder. Soak in one jin (approx. 500g) of distilled grain alcohol. When treating tinea, first scratch the lesion open with pangolin scales, then apply the wine once daily until cured.

Xianjiao Gao (Fresh Thorn Paste)
In early May, take several jin of fresh Gao Ci (Gleditsiae Spina), crush them, and boil in a pot to extract juice. Strain the concentrated juice, add fresh water, and boil two or three more times to remove dregs. Combine all juices, add vinegar, and slowly simmer into a paste. For chronic malignant tinea, scratch the lesion open first, apply the paste, allow toxic fluid to drain completely, and reapply several times until healed.

Wubei Gao (Galla Paste)
Take any amount of Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis), grind into powder, and simmer with aged rice vinegar into a paste. For chronic stubborn tinea, scratch the lesion open first, apply the paste. Reapply when dry, until itching ceases. Then remove the medication; the affected skin will peel off along with the paste, removing the root cause entirely.

Wen Ge San (Wen Ge Powder)
Wen Ge (Concha Arcae) (4 liang) Chuan Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) (3 liang) Qing Fen (Calomelas) (5 qian)
First, break Wen Ge into small pieces, stir-fry in a pan until yellow. Then add Chuan Jiao and stir-fry together until black smoke rises. Seal in a jar to preserve its nature. The next day, mix with Qing Fen and grind into fine powder. Mix with sesame oil for topical application. Another formula includes Bai Fan (Alumen) 5 qian.

Xiuxiu Wan (Embroidered Ball Pill) (See Scabies below.)
Yurong San (Jade Beauty Powder) (See Facial Dust below.)