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Li Dongyuan said: The wife of Liu Jingli, in her thirties, suffered from unbearable toothache. She had to ride a horse outside and inhale cool air through her mouth to relieve the pain; upon returning home, the pain would recur.

People believed it was caused by malevolent spirits (Gui Shen, 鬼祟), and praying to shamans could not cure the disease. This is actually an illness caused by damp-heat pathogenic factors (Shi Re Wei Xie, 湿热为邪). The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zu Yangming Wei Jing, 足阳明胃经) is rich in blood and qi, and the consumption of rich and sweet foods exacerbates the damp-heat, thus causing this condition.

Therefore, a prescription was established: there is no need to ride a horse; one should constantly allow cool wind and cold air to generate between the teeth. Using the bitter-cold properties of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 黄连) and Hutonglei (Tamarisci Cacumen, 胡桐泪), and the acrid-cool properties of Xin Boheye (Menthae Haplocalycis Folium, 新薄荷叶) and Jingjiesui (Schizonepetae Spica, 荆芥穗), these four herbs are combined to create a "cool wind and cold air" effect, treating damp-heat as the primary focus. Xin Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 新升麻) with its bitter-ping (neutral) nature guides the action along the Yangming Meridian as the envoy herb. Since teeth are the surplus of bones, Yangjing Guhui (Ash of Sheep Tibia Bone, 羊胫骨灰) is used as an assistant herb to tonify. A small amount of Muxiang (Moschus, 麝香) enters the flesh as a guiding herb. The medicines are ground into fine powder and applied to the affected area, reducing the pain by half. Additionally, Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Order the Qi Decoction, 调胃承气汤) with Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, 芒硝) removed and Huanglian added was used to treat the root cause. After taking it, three or two bowel movements occurred, and the pain was greatly relieved, so she no longer needed to ride out.

Commentary: This discussion pertains to excess-heat patterns, combined with acrid-cool wind-dispelling agents. Generally, wind can overcome dampness, and bitter flavors can drain heat. Nowadays, laypeople sometimes use Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, 大戟), Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos, 芫花), Xiaomai (Tritici Fructus, 小麦), Jiaojiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, 花椒), Xixin (Asari Radix, 细辛), and Can'erzi (Xanthii Fructus, 苍耳子) boiled in water to instantly stop hot coughs and toothaches, which follows the same principle. Broadly speaking, there are many causes for dental diseases in humans. Internally, there are factors such as qi stagnation, blood heat, and bone-steaming fever. Externally, there is chewing roasted/hot foods, exposure to ice/cold, and consuming salty, sour, spicy, or pungent tastes. Would these not cause infiltration and binding? Moreover, just as vinegar poured on stone makes the stone crumble, how much more so for the surplus of human bones? However, although meridians have different preferences for cold and heat, and the diseases contracted vary, is it entirely due to superficial manifestations (Biao, 标)?

Ju Fang (Prescriptions of the Bureau) Xixin San (Asari Powder, 细辛散): Treats wind-carved toothache and swelling of the cheeks and jaw.
Jingjiesui (Schizonepetae Spica, 荆芥穗) and Xixin (Asari Radix, 细辛) (1 liang each), Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus, 砂仁) (0.5 liang), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 白芷), Hongjiao (Capsici Fructus Ruber, 红椒), Caowu (Aconiti Radix Preparata, 草乌) (2 liang each), Heshi (Chrysanthemi Indici Fructus, 鹤虱), Yazaorou (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina, 牙皂角), Bibo (Piperis Kadsurae Fructus, 荜茇) (0.5 liang each).
Grind all into powder. Take a small amount frequently to rub the affected area. If saliva is produced, spit it out. Rinse the mouth with water.
Commentary: These are herbs for the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian.

San Yin Fang (Formulas of Three Causes) Yuchi San (Jade Pool Powder, 玉池散): Treats wind-carved toothache, swelling, itching, loosening, gingival ulceration, recession, bleeding, and foul breath.
Digupi (Phellodendri Cortex, 地骨皮), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 白芷), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 升麻), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 防风), Xixin (Asari Radix, 细辛), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 川芎), Huaihua (Sophorae Flos, 槐花), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 当归), Gaoben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix, 藁本), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 甘草) (equal parts).
Grind into powder. Use a "yi zi" (approx. 0.3-0.6g) amount to rub the affected area. For severe pain, take 2 qian, add 1.5 cups of water, 0.5 he of black beans, and 3 slices of ginger. Decoct and rinse the mouth.
Commentary: These are herbs for the Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, and Jueyin meridians.

Bai Yi Xuan Fang (Selected Formulas for Hundred Diseases): Treats wind toothache.
Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 白芷) (1 liang), Zhusha (Cinnabaris, 朱砂) (1 fen).
Grind into powder. Make pills with refined honey the size of a cherry. Rub one pill on the teeth.
Commentary: These are specific herbs for the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.

Yu Yao Yuan Fang (Imperial Medical Institute Formulas) Du Huo San (Angelicae Pubescentis Powder, 独活散): Treats wind-toxin toothache and swelling/pain of the tooth roots.
Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 川芎), Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, 独活), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 羌活), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 防风) (0.5 liang each), Xixin (Asari Radix, 细辛), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba, 荆芥), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, 薄荷), Sheng Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Nova, 生地黄) (2 qian each).
Cut into pieces. Take 3 qian, decoct in water, swish and swallow.
Commentary: These are herbs for the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

Yuan Rong Li Xiao San (Effectiveness Powder by Yuan Rong): Treats toothache.
Xiao Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, 小椒), Lu Fengfang (Vespa Nidus, 露蜂房), Qingyan (Halitum, 青盐) (equal parts).
Grind into fine powder. Decoct for a few boils, rinse the mouth while hot to stop pain.
Commentary: These are herbs for the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

Dongyuan Qiang Huo San (Qiang Huo Decoction by Dongyuan): Treats invasion of brain and neck by wind-cold and cold-dampness, leading to tendon stiffness, loose teeth, receding gums, and painful suffering.
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 麻黄) (de-stemmed, 3 liang), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 羌活) (1.5 qian), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 柴胡) (0.5 liang), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 升麻), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 苍术) (0.5 liang each), Caodoukou (Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen, 草豆蔻) (1 qian), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 防风) (0.35 qian), Gaoben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix, 藁本) (0.3 qian), Xixin (Asari Radix, 细辛) (a little), Dangguishen (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, 当归身) (0.6 fen), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, 白芷), Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 桂) (0.3 fen each), Yangjing Guhui (Ash of Sheep Tibia Bone, 羊胫骨灰) (2.5 qian).
Grind into powder. First rinse with warm water, then apply.
Commentary: These are herbs for the Foot-San Yang (Three Yang) and Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridians.