Library

Qingwei San (Clear the Stomach Powder)
Composed of Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Shushigao (Prepared Gypsum Fibrosum), Nongpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Decoct in water and take orally.
Another prescription: Apply one li of Xiniuhuang (Calculus Bovis from Western Cattle) to the tongue; the symptom will cease immediately.

Feng Luzhan stated: Sheyin (tongue aphasia) refers to a condition where, following wind-stroke, the tongue cannot move freely, resulting in a stiff tongue and inability to speak. The Classics state: The Houlong (throat) is the passage through which Qi ascends and descends. The Huiyan (epiglottis) is the door of sound. The She (tongue) is the mechanism of sound. The Chun (lips) are the fan of sound. The Henggou (transverse bone) is directed by Shenqi (spiritual energy) and primarily governs the movement of the tongue. However, the main meridian of the Heart connects to the root of the tongue; the collateral meridians of the Spleen connect to the sides of the tongue; the Liver meridian circulates around the genitalia and connects to the root of the tongue; the Shaoyin meridian passes through the throat and connects to the root of the tongue. The meridians of the four foot channels all ascend to the tongue. When pathogenic factors strike these meridians, phlegm and saliva block the meridian pathways, causing the tongue to lose its mobility and resulting in aphasia. There is also Houyin (throat aphasia), which refers to loss of voice due to chronic coughing, i.e., hoarseness of the throat. Thus, Houyin involves hoarseness of the voice in the throat while the tongue remains capable of speech; Sheyin involves the inability of the tongue to articulate while the voice in the throat remains normal. In wind-stroke-induced Sheyin, both the tongue and throat are diseased, preventing sound from being emitted from the epiglottis. This arises from either external contraction or internal injury. External contraction involves pathogenic factors such as wind-cold, wind-heat, or fire. The Classics state: All sudden cases of aphasia due to heat belong to Fire. Internal injury involves pathology of the Heart, Lung, and Kidney channels, often caused by phlegm-fire obstructing the upper orifices, combined with deficiency of both Qi and Blood, failing to nourish the upper body, thereby impairing tongue mobility. Some cases arise from Kidney deficiency causing Qi to fail to return to its source, with internal depletion severing the Bao Luo (uterine/microcosmic network), preventing the upward connection of Qingyang Qi (clear Yang Qi). Others result from insufficiency of Yuanqi (original Qi), leaving the Lung without support; still others stem from blood deficiency, causing the Heart to lack nourishment. Generally, the Heart is the master of sound, the Lung is the door of sound, and the Kidney is the root of sound. The Classics state: The Qi of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) communicates with the throat; if Qi is weak, it cannot ascend smoothly. If the practitioner addresses the root cause, the Qingyang Qi of the Dantian (lower abdomen) will naturally be promoted and invigorated. Therefore, ancient physicians often achieved success using Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) and Dihuang Yinzi (Rehmannia Infusion). However, there are six types of aphasia due to wind-stroke: those with loss of voice and inability to speak; those with a stiff tongue and inability to speak; those with unconsciousness and inability to speak; those with locked jaws and inability to speak; those with tongue flaccidity, slurred speech, and inability to speak clearly; and those with tongue numbness and hesitant speech. How can one fail to distinguish them in detail!