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The lips and mouth belong to the Spleen, and the tongue belongs to the Heart. Ulcers and erosion of the mouth and tongue are caused by deep accumulation of Heat. A bland taste in the mouth indicates harmonious Spleen Qi, while foul breath is a sign of Stomach Heat. The overflow of the five flavors internally results from the excessive influence of Heat from the Five Zang organs.

"Wooden tongue" refers to an enlarged and stiff tongue; "double tongue" (Chong She) refers to swelling under the tongue resembling a second tongue; general tongue swelling refers to the enlargement of the tongue itself; lip swelling refers to redness, swelling, pain, and suppuration of the lips; lip sores refer to ulcers formed from swollen and eroded lips; tight, calloused lips refer to lips that are contracted, small, dry, and cracked. These symptoms often arise from sudden onset of redness and severe pain, indicating Excess Heat; if the color is pale and pain is intermittent or absent, it usually indicates Deficiency Heat.

[Note] Ulcers and erosion of the mouth and tongue are called Kou Mi (Mouth Erosion), resulting from deep accumulation of Heat in the Heart and Spleen meridians. A normal person has a bland taste in the mouth, hence it is said that the Spleen is harmonious. Foul breath indicates Stomach Heat. If sour taste overflows in the mouth without consumption of sour foods, it indicates Liver Heat invading the Spleen; bitter taste indicates Heart Heat invading the Spleen; sweet taste indicates Heat from the Spleen itself overflowing; pungent taste indicates Lung Heat invading the Spleen; salty taste indicates Kidney Heat invading the Spleen. "Wooden tongue" means the tongue is swollen and stiff but not painful. "Double tongue" means swelling under the tongue resembling a tongue. Tongue swelling means the tongue is enlarged. Lip swelling means the lips are red, swollen, painful, and suppurative. Lip sores mean the lips swell, ulcerate, and form sores. Tight, calloused lips mean the lips are contracted, small, dry, and cracked. All the above conditions belong to Heat accumulation in the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. If they occur suddenly with severe redness, swelling, and pain, they are mostly Excess Heat, suitable for Liang Ge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) or Zhizi Jinhua Tang (Gardenia and Golden Flower Decoction) to urgently purge the Heat, leading to quick recovery. If the condition persists for a long time with pale color and white sores, with intermittent pain, it mostly belongs to Deficiency Heat, suitable for Qingxin Lianzi Yin (Clear Heart Lotus Seed Drink) or Zhibai Siwu Tang (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Four Substances Decoction), combining tonification with clearing heat. Alternatively, for those who do not recover after long-term use of cold medicines, Qiwu Dihuang Tang (Seven-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) should be taken cold to guide Fire back to its source; if ineffective or worsening, adding Fuzi (Aconite Root) can lead to immediate recovery.

Wind-Heat in the chest and diaphragm causes throat pain. If the pathogenic factor is strong, single or bilateral Ru E (Tonsillar Hypertrophy) may develop. Extreme Heat causing swelling and obstruction is called Hou Bi (Throat Obstruction), characterized by difficulty speaking and blocked respiration. If phlegm is abundant, winding around the throat with audible sounds, accompanied by internal and external swelling and obstruction, it is called Chan Hou Feng (Strangling Throat Wind). Both Hou Bi and Chan Hou Feng are critical conditions; if they ulcerate without pus discharge and remain obstructed, the prognosis is ominous.

[Note] Wind-Heat above the chest and diaphragm leads to sore throat and swelling. If Wind-Heat pathogens are strong, single or bilateral Ru E develops, appearing as high swelling on both sides of the epiglottis resembling teats, hence the name. Extreme Heat causes swelling and obstruction, preventing swallowing of liquids and solids, making speech difficult and breathing obstructed, known as Hou Bi. If extreme Heat is combined with abundant phlegm, phlegm and saliva wind around the throat, producing sounds, with internal and external swelling and obstruction preventing swallowing, it is called Chan Hou Feng, all of which are critical illnesses. Treatment involves medication, insufflation, or acupuncture; healing occurs upon ulceration and discharge of pus and blood. If there is no pus or blood discharge after ulceration, and swelling/obstruction persists with inability to swallow, death ensues.

Ru Yi Sheng Jin Ding (Ruyi Victory Gold锭) and Xionghuang Jiedu Wan (Realgar Detoxification Pills):
For sore throat, use Xiaodu Liangge San (Detoxify and Cool the Diaphragm Powder); for single or bilateral Ru E, puncture bleeding cures it; for initial Hou Bi and Chan Hou Feng, use Ru Yi Sheng Jin Ding; urgently attack phlegm-Heat with Xionghuang Jiedu Wan. In cases of coma, lockjaw, and inability to swallow decoctions, insufflate into the nose or灌 (irrigate) past the throat gate. After emesis or purgation, treat according to the syndrome. For ulcerated areas, apply Zhenzhu San (Pearl Powder) to stabilize healing.

[Note] For initial sore throat and swelling, Xiaodu Liangge San is suitable, composed of Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit), Bohe (Mint Leaf), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Gancao (Licorice Root), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), and Mangxiao (Mirabilite). For single or bilateral Ru E, prick Shaoshang (LU 11) to bleed: left side for left lesions, right side for right lesions, both sides for bilateral lesions. For initial Hou Bi and Chan Hou Feng, where the disease is not yet severe or resembles Taiyang disease, take Ru Yi Sheng Jin Ding, composed of equal parts Liuhuang (Sulfur), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), La Cha (Tea Leaves), Huoxiao (Saltpeter), Bohe (Mint Leaf), Sheng Chuanwu (Raw Aconite Lateral Root), and Sheng Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), ground into powder, mixed with natural juice of Congbai (Green Onion Stem) to form ingots weighing one qian each. Grind with Bohe Tang (Mint Decoction) and take orally; for severe cases, administer three consecutive doses. If phlegm-saliva is congested, with internal and external throat swelling blocking swallowing, indicating critical danger, use Xionghuang Jiedu Wan, composed of water-washed Xionghuang (Realgar) and fine powder of Yujin (Curcuma Longa Rhizome), each 2.5 qian, plus 14 plump, white Baiduoren (Bean Kernel, specifically Semen Crotonis), slightly de-oiled until becoming a powder-like consistency. Mix evenly, bind with vinegar paste into pills the size of mung beans, take seven pills with clear tea water; recovery follows when bowels move and phlegm is vomited. In cases of dizziness, lockjaw, and inability to swallow, dissolve ten pills in vinegar, follow the method for Stroke, insert into the nose; recovery follows vomiting or purging, followed by syndrome-based regulation. If healed but throat remains ulcerated, applying Zhenzhu San brings improvement.

Chuihou Qibao San (Insufflation Seven-Treasure Powder):
Use Qibao San for various throat conditions, containing Zaocys (Sichuan Horned Frog), Quanxie (Scorpion), Xionghuang (Realgar), Pengsha (Borax), Baifan (Alum), and Danfan (Blue Vitriol). Grind finely like dust, take one zi amount, insufflate into the affected area for miraculous efficacy.

[Note] Various throat conditions refer to sore throat, single/bilateral Ru E, Hou Bi, and Chan Hou Feng. Qibao San consists of Huoxiao (Saltpeter), Ya Zao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit), Quanxie (Scorpion), Xionghuang (Realgar), Pengsha (Borax), Bai Fan (Alum), and Dan Fan (Blue Vitriol).