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Zhang Zhongjing's Banxia Tang (Pinellia Decoction) is used to treat sore throat or inability to speak caused by the binding of cold pathogens in Shanghan (Cold Damage diseases).
[Ingredients] Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, roasted), in equal parts.
[Preparation and Administration] Coarsely crush the above herbs. Take approximately 7-8 qian or half a liang per dose, decoct with water, allow to cool, and swallow slowly.
[Commentary] According to this treatise, when the throat is injured and sores form leading to inability to speak or loss of voice, it belongs to Shaoyin syndrome (Syndrome of the Lesser Yin). Kuchiu Tang (Bitter Wine Decoction) or Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction) can be selected for use.

The Mi Fuzi (Honey-fried Aconite) from San Yin Fang (Three Causes Formula) treats throat obstruction and difficulty in swallowing or vomiting due to fu-organ cold deficiency.
[Ingredients] One large Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), peeled, navel removed, sliced into large pieces, coated with honey, and roasted until yellow.
[Usage] Hold in the mouth each time, swallow saliva, and when the sweet taste is exhausted, apply another honey-roasted slice of Fuzi.

Wang Yinjun's Mengshi Guntan Wan (Lapis Volcanus Rolling Phlegm Pill) treats swelling, pain, and obstruction of the throat caused by phlegm-heat.
Jiegeng Banxia Tang (Platycodon and Pinellia Decoction) treats throat swelling that may develop into Hou Bi (Suffocating Throat/Epiglottitis) due to descending failure of phlegm and qi.
(Both formulas are found in the "Phlegm-Fluids" section.)

Yufen Wan (Jade Powder Pill) from San Yin Fang treats inability to speak and throat obstruction caused by the accumulation and knotting of cold-phlegm.
[Ingredients] Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, washed, 5 qian), Caowu (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix, one zi, stir-fried), Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus, one zi).
[Preparation and Usage] Grind the above into powder. Soak steamed wheat dough in fresh ginger juice to make pills the size of a chestnut. One pill per adult dose, dissolved in the mouth at night. Effective even for chronic cases lasting many years. The Zhen Jing (Needle Classic) states: When cold qi lodges in the Huiyan (epiglottis), sudden muteness occurs; this medicine treats it.

Mai Jing (Pulse Classic) states: If the Shaoyin pulse is rapid, women will develop sores in the yin region, while men will suffer from Qi Lin (Qi Strangury). Heat knotting in the lower jiao causes Lin syndrome. In Lin disease, urination is frequent, the discharge resembles millet grains, the lower abdomen is tense and urgent with pain radiating to the umbilicus.

Yuan Bing Shi (Treatise on Original Causes of Disease) states: Lin syndrome involves painful and difficult urination. This is because heat pathogens lodge in the bladder, stagnate, and fail to permeate and excrete. Some say: Painful and obstructed urination indicates heat; involuntary urine leakage indicates cold. How could they know that excessive heat lodging in the kidney region invades the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, causing extreme stagnation in the Ting Kong (urethral meatus), blocking the circulation of qi and blood, leading to flaccidity and paralysis where the spirit has no function? Consequently, fluids seep into the bladder, and urine is lost involuntarily without control. The Classics state: The eyes see when nourished by blood; organs generate fluids when nourished by blood; six fu-organs move qi when nourished by blood. Blood follows qi; when qi and blood circulate freely, the spirit within becomes clear and responsive. Furthermore, the Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) states: The Kidney governs the two yin openings. However, when water essence is deficient and vacuous, and lingering heat lodges in its sector, the two yin openings stagnate, leading to flaccidity and paralysis where the spirit has no function, thus causing urinary incontinence. Thus, the heat pattern is evident. Therefore, although worldly formulas claim it is Cold Lin and use cold medicines like Yu Pi (Ulmus Cortex), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Qu Mai (Polygoni Avicularis Herba), Fu Ling (Poria), Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), Ji Su (Perillae Fructus), Yu Li Ren (Pruni Semen), and Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), their theory is absurd, yet their prescriptions work because they fail to understand the mechanism of qi transformation. They mistake truth for falsehood. Or, some say patients cured by Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), Yizhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus), Huashi (Talcum), and warm wine must have had Cold Lin. Do not know that these are all essential drugs for promoting urination. Although Chunjiu (wine) and Yizhi Ren are hot, Huixiang is warm, and Huashi is cold; thus they can open stagnation, promote qi and fluid circulation, dissipate heat, and cure the disease.
[Commentary] This only discusses the heat cause and treatment. However, Bao Jian (Precious Mirror) states there are three treatments for difficult urination, which cannot be generalized. If body fluids leak into the intestines and stomach causing diarrhea and scanty, astringent urination, separation and promotion is suitable. If heat transmits to the lower jiao, scorching fluids so they do not flow, permeation and drainage must be used to cure. If spleen and stomach qi is stagnant, failing to regulate water passages and transport to the bladder for transformation, smoothing qi to facilitate transformation is appropriate. Thus, it is not solely due to heat. Moreover, there are differences between root and branch, discussed later. Generally, San Yin Fang mentions five types, speaking of the general pathogenesis. Those rooted in qi: when qi moves, water transforms; this refers to qi and blood. There are also congenital cases. Danxi stated: Zheng Xianshi's son, aged sixteen, developed Lin disease seven months after birth, recurring every five to seven days. Onset involved severe pain, with urine flowing down like lac mixed with millet grains, about one cup before subsiding. Pulse was choppy on light pressure and wiry on heavy pressure. His physique was thin and tall, complexion greenish like dark grass. It was surmised that his father had taken drugs for the lower body, leaving residual heat in the fetus, which lodged in the son's Mingmen (Gate of Vitality). Thus, Zixue (Purple Snow) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) powder were made into pills the size of wuizi (wutree seeds), dried, and administered with hot water, 100 pills initially. Half a day later, another 200 pills were given. Food intake was poor. Half a day later, pain intensified, radiating to waist and abdomen, allowing the water passage to open. About a bowl of substance like lac mixed with millet grains was discharged, reducing pain by 80%. Later, Zhang Zizhong used Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 liang), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), and Mutong (Akebiae Caulis, each half liang), resulting in the discharge of another he and peace. The father's dry heat affected the son; how much more so if the mother is affected? This record proves Dong Yuan's case of red silk tumor (see Women's Section).