Library

Constitutional endowment varies between deficiency and excess, and post-illness conditions also differ in deficiency and excess; how can they be discussed uniformly? Moreover, after the eruption of chuangzhen (exanthematous infectious diseases such as smallpox and measles), it is necessary to resolve and benefit (clear residual toxins). Resolution and benefit must be administered according to the patterns of deficiency or excess. Since children with robust constitutions have sufficient and strong Ying and Wei (defensive mechanisms) during normal times, after chuangzhen, one must observe the depth of heat. If there are signs of heat, there will inevitably be difficult defecation, dry throat with thirst, red face with irritability, and possibly dark urine accompanied by heat signs; only in such cases can resolution and benefit be applied. For severe heat, Dahuang San (Rhubarb Powder) is used. For stomach excess toxins manifesting as vomiting, red lips with sores, or yellow-red diarrhea, Huanglian San (Coptis Powder) is the primary treatment. For irritability, panting, and free urination, Dengxin Tang (Juncus Decoction) is indicated. For residual heat causing low-grade fever, swollen gums, toothache preventing chewing, and a red-yellow face or irritability, Ganlu Yinzi Huaihua San (Sweet Dew Decoction with Sophora Flower Powder) is used. For unresolved liver residual toxins manifesting as shouting, anger, and inability to sleep, Tiao Gan San (Liver-Calming Powder) is prescribed. To prevent pathogens from entering the eyes when eruptions appear, Jing Xin San (Heart-Purifying Powder) is used. For residual toxins not yet cleared after eruption, accompanied by thirst despite drinking water, hematochezia, and pain, Niubangzi San (Arctium Powder) and Huang Qin San (Scutellaria Powder) are used; for newly developed carbuncles, Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) are excellent. Currently, when chuangzhen is first seen and requires resolution, many practitioners indiscriminately apply resolution without distinguishing deficiency or excess, often mistakenly administering cooling agents. This is because resolution treats excess toxins; applying it to those without post-chuangzhen heat toxins is inappropriate, and they should instead be nourished and cared for appropriately. Those with weak constitutions, affected by abnormal weather and winter-warmth pathogenic heat, may develop chuangdou (smallpox/measles). Once erupted, the Ying and Wei are damaged, manifesting as macules, blood stasis, pus and blood, and scabs. At this stage, Ying and Wei are severely deficient, with trembling while sitting or standing, non-constipated stools, non-dark urine, and absence of various heat signs. In such cases, Weiai San, Qibao San, or Shuanghe San should be used for nourishment. Only when appetite returns, aversion to wind and cold disappears, and skin/flesh becomes slightly substantial, should small amounts of resolution herbs be safely administered. It is common to see chuangzhen treated with resolution regardless of deficiency or excess, leading to cold injury to the middle jiao or diarrhea, causing various illnesses; thus, this is mentioned.

1. Fresh Rehmannia Juice at Birth: Zhang Zhongjing stated that when a child is born, Fresh Rehmannia Juice should be introduced into the mouth. This causes the passage of black stool, and the individual will not suffer from chuangzhen in adulthood.
2. Raw Oil Preparation for Winter-Warmth: Bian Que stated that if children have latent heat toxins in their zang-fu organs before the onset of chuangzhen symptoms, with slight heat in the four limbs, reduced food intake, dry upright hair, or slight forehead heat, the Raw Oil Preparation should be taken. Take one small cup of raw oil and one small cup of warm water (body temperature). Slowly pour the warm water into the oil cup while continuously stirring with a stick until all water is incorporated and the mixture resembles honey. Before sleep, infants up to 100 days old or within one year take two clam-shell grains; ages five to seven take three clam-shell grains; up to fifteen years take three to half a he of clam-shell grains; adults take one to two he, adjusted by size. After ingestion, rest for a while. After three to five doses, bowel movements become smooth, limb heat subsides, and chuangzhen does not develop. The Wan Quan Fang states that Bian Que advocated taking the oil preparation first to resolve extreme limb heat. However, if chuangzhen has already erupted, the oil preparation should not be used; instead, mild herbs should be taken to treat the liver and resolve major heat, fearing excessive heat toxins.
3. Three-Bean Drink for Winter-Warmth: For epidemic pestilence toxins or heavenly-run chuangzhen, preventive administration is recommended. Red Adzuki Beans, Black Soybeans, Green Mung Beans (each half sheng), Licorice Root (one liang). Boil nine sheng of water until beans are cooked. Drink freely on an empty stomach daily. After seven days, eruptions will likely emerge smoothly. Pang Shi stated that in warm winters, children are prone to chuangzhen; preventive use of the Three-Bean Drink resolves this.
4. Chinese Indigo Root Juice to Prevent Chuangzhen: To treat epidemic pestilence toxins during active chuangzhen outbreaks and prevent gan disorders (malnutrition/dysentery syndromes), decoct the juice and mix with wine for consumption. This has proven effective repeatedly. Ben Cao states that Qian (Chinese Indigo Root) is bitter and cold, treating all insect/toxin poisons and all blood diseases, including menorrhagia, intestinal wind hemorrhoids, pus drainage, skin boils, hematuria, and traumatic blood stasis.
5. Pueraria Powder for Warmth and Fever: For epidemic heat qi about to erupt as smallpox/measles with heat and pain, Ji Jie Chu Han (Release Muscle and Induce Sweating) is appropriate. Pueraria Root, Ephedra Herb (each two liang), Gypsum (two liang), Scutellaria Root, White Peony Root, Cinnamon Twig, Licorice Root (each half liang). Grind into coarse powder. Take four qian per dose with one cup of water, decoct to half a cup, and take warm to induce slight sweating. If spontaneous sweating is already present, remove Ephedra Herb.
6. Birch Bark Soup: Treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) and seasonal qi, specifically pea-like sore toxicity. Decoct birch bark wood and take warm. An Birch Bark is bitter, neutral, non-toxic, treating muscle heat and jaundice, seasonal burning heat, heat-toxin sores (such as smallpox/measles), and mastitis (initial swelling/hardening before suppuration). One dose cures; powdered burnt birch bark mixed with wine settles the condition. Its efficacy in treating carbuncles indicates its utility for chuangzhen.
7. Invincible Powder: Treats uneven chuangzhen eruption. This herb penetrates the muscle and resolves toxins. For unbeneficial toxin eruption or early-stage emergence,解毒 (resolve toxins) is indicated. Use Arctium Seeds, stir-fry until ripe, grind to fine powder. Take one qian per dose with two sprigs of Schizonepeta and one cup of water, decoct to one-fourth cup, cool, and take. If eruptions have appeared, continued use is even better. Ben Cao states that one seed of Arctium taken before abscess rupture promotes the emergence of the abscess head; thus, it is suitable for incomplete eruptions. It also unblocks the twelve meridians, ensuring toxins exit without obstruction.
8. Cool-Awakening Pills: Treats chuangzhen affecting all five zang organs. Wood overacting on Earth, Wood returning to Heart, thus preventing epilepsy/seizures. Gentian Root, Saposhnikovia Root (each ground), Indigo Naturalis (ground, three fen bi), Calculus Bovis (one zi bi), Moschus (one zi bi), Coptis Rhizome (ground, five fen bi), Borneolum Syntheticum (one qian bi, ground). Mix fine powder, bind with wheat paste into pills the size of millet seeds. Take three to five pills, up to ten-twenty, with decocted Gold and Silver soup, taken warm.
9. Trichosanthes Root Powder: Treats macules arising from the Heart. Heart generates heat; heat generates Wind; Wind belongs to the Liver. The two organs contend, wind and fire clash, causing convulsions. Treatment should drain Heart and Liver and tonify their mothers. Trichosanthes Root (ground), Kansui Root (ground, each two qian). Stir-fry slowly over low heat until scorched yellow, grind evenly. Take one zi per dose, mixed with decocted Moschus and Mentha soup, taken at any time.