Library

Sun Zhao treated Liu San, a shopkeeper at Fanlou. One day, his entire face was black. A physiognomist predicted that he would die within a month, yet after more than a month he remained safe and sound. When Sun Zhao entered the shop to drink with guests, Liu San bowed to him and recounted his condition. Sun Zhao examined him and said: "This is not a disease; it is caused by exposure to foul odors. Filthy qi has accumulated on the face and failed to dissipate, resulting in this discoloration." Sun Zhao asked Liu San, "Did you smell a particularly strong, offensive odor about a month ago that you could not avoid?" Liu San replied, "One day I went to the latrine. The stench was unbearable. I endured it for a long time before entering. The next day, this ailment appeared." Sun Zhao said, "Nothing removes bad smells better than fragrance. I have Southern incense arriving soon. Take one tael each of Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) and Tanxiang (Santalum Album), crush them, and burn them in a censer. Place the censer inside a tent and cover tightly with silk quilts to prevent the fragrance from escaping. Sit upright beside the incense, close your eyes, and meditate quietly. Only when the fragrance dissipates should you exit the tent. Look in the mirror the next day." Liu San followed these instructions. His complexion gradually improved, and within ten days, it returned to normal.

Lou Quanshan commented: "The kidney corresponds to a putrid odor and belongs to Water; the spleen corresponds to a fragrant odor and belongs to Earth. The odor of a latrine is putrid; thus, inhaling it causes pathogenic factors to enter the Kidney, leading to blackening of the face. Chenxiang possesses fragrance; therefore, fumigating with it strengthens Spleen Earth over Kidney Water, restoring the complexion."

Su Zhiyou had sores on his face. Zhao Sheng, a beggar from Gao'an, told Su Zhiyou, "You pursue the Dao but lack the essential method. Yang fails to descend, and Yin fails to ascend. Hence, your body is obese and edematous, your face is red, and you have sores. I will teach you a method involving a bowl of water to irrigate your frame. After ten days, various ailments will be eliminated." Su Zhiyou adopted his advice and found it effective. However, due to his laziness and inability to persist, he did not achieve the ultimate efficacy. (From *Longchuan Zhilue*.)

For treating facial sores, or erythema and acne on the nose and cheeks that resist all other medications, only this prescription works, its efficacy being beyond words. Take a small amount before bed after washing the face thoroughly. Apply it like a facial cream, avoiding the area near the eyes. Within a few days, the sores will heal naturally, and redness will subside. For wind-induced acne, it acts swiftly overnight. Prescription for spot application: 5 fen of Sheng Liuhuang (Sulfur), 5 fen of Xiang Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), 7 Yuanqing (Mylabris, remove wings and feet), 1 Quanxie (Scorpio, wash and stir-fry), 5 fen of Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), 5 fen of Nifen (Calomel), and 5 Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum, wash clean). Grind all into a fine powder. Mix with Sesame Oil and Beeswax in appropriate proportions to form a paste similar to facial cream. Melt gently, remove from fire, add the powdered medicines, and apply sparingly to the face. (From *Yishuo Xu Bian*.)

Zhao Junyou Fugan transmitted the following story: When Zhao Zaike served as Prefect of Huzhou, he was close friends with a monk who suffered from rhinophyma (alcoholic nose). Several red nodules grew on the tip of his nose, some as large as oranges, others as small as plums, hanging down past his mouth, interfering with speech and eating. He was deeply distressed. A junior soldier in the prefecture worked as a barber and manicurist. People knew him for removing moles but did not know he could treat rhinophyma. The monk approached him one day and requested treatment. The soldier applied medicine for over half a month. Each day, foul matter resembling pus and blood was discharged from the skin in large quantities. Eventually, the nodules formed scabs and fell off, leaving the skin smooth and clear. The monk rewarded him with ten thousand cash and instructed Zhao Zaike to prepare paper and ink to copy the prescription, which he passed to Xiu Bang. It proved highly effective for others. Ingredients: 5 wen of Huangdan (Lithargyrum); 50 wen of Bingyao (Bingpian compound base), stored in a large jar; 30 wen of Naosha (Natrii Nitras), ground extremely fine; 10 Badou (Crotonis Semen), shelled and membrane removed, wrapped in paper and pressed to remove oil. Place all ingredients in the Bingyao jar. Simmer slowly over low heat until three boils occur, then remove from heat. Add 3 qian of finely ground Sheng Kuanghui (Mineral Ash). For rhinophyma, use a goose feather to brush the medicine onto the reddened areas once daily. The medicine draws out toxins; stop when symptoms subside. For freckles, use a small bamboo stick to dab the medicine on the affected spots. Wash off immediately upon feeling slight swelling, lest the potency be too strong. (Both from *Jicheng*, same source.)

Chen Sansann treated a neighbor's wife. Whenever her face felt hot, her whole body became restless and hot, accompanied by sweating, occurring six to seven times a day despite numerous treatments. Reflecting on this, I recalled the classic saying: "Facial heat indicates a disease of the Foot-Yangming channel." This case involved insufficient Yin of the Spleen and excess Fire of the Stomach. Using Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) as the sovereign herb, along with Guizhi (not Gui Zhi here, context implies Danggui/Rehmannia group for nourishing Yin, text says Gui/Shao/Dihuang - Danggui, Baishao, Dihuang) as minister herbs to tonify Spleen Yin, using Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Sheng Gancao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix) to drain Stomach Fire, Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) to secure the interstices, plus Zhuye (Phyllostachys Folium) to clear irritability and heat. Two doses resulted in recovery.

Zhu Danxi treated a woman with hot, swollen cheeks. This was a disorder of obstruction in the diaphragm. Prescribed Qian Ge (Puerariae Radix) and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) each 1.5 qian, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Ziye (Perillae Folium) 1.5 qian, Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) 1 qian, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix) 0.7 qian, and one slice of Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Decoct in water and take after meals.

Wang Mang offered Kong Xiuyu a beautiful jade stone, but Kong refused. Wang Mang said, "Your face has blemishes; beautiful jade can conceal scars." Kong still refused. Wang Mang asked, "Do you dislike its high price?" Then he smashed the jade and presented the pieces to Kong, who finally accepted them.

Xue Lizhai treated Huangmen Wu for swollen, red, and painful cheeks. This was caused by Wind-Heat attacking upward from the Stomach channel. Two doses of Xijiao Shengma Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Cimicifuga Decoction) resolved it. Another patient, Dali Jiang, suffered from the same condition. The physician prescribed the above formula, but the patient was misled by others who claimed Baifuzi (Typhonii Rhizoma) was too warm and refused it, opting instead for Jingfang Baidu San (Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Decoction to Expel Wind), which worsened the condition. Later, even when using the original decoction without Baifuzi, there was no effect. Finally, using the full original formula for three doses cured him. Materia Medica states: Baifuzi is sweet and pungent, warm in nature, non-toxic. It treats various diseases of the face and all wind-sores; it is a principal herb for Wind-Heat. The *Neijing* states: "For every disease, there is a corresponding medicine." If the principal herb for the disease is not used, how can the illness be cured?

Jinshi Wu suffered from facial sores that ulcerated and caused thirst. Self-medication with formulas to support the interior and clear fire failed. His pulse was floating and weak. Danxi stated: "Thirst accompanying ulcers indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood, especially given the floating and weak pulse." Administered Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) each 3 qian, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) each 2 qian. Thirst ceased after several doses. Subsequently, Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) with added Huangqi was taken for several doses, leading to pulse normalization and recovery.

The son of Han Shi, aged fourteen, had lost his innate vitality early. His face swelled and reddened like wind-induced eruptions, recurring intermittently. Mistaken use of leprosy medications led to internal deficiency, fever, dry mouth, and irritability. This was an internal injury with insufficiency, characterized by deficient Yin Fire flaring upward, resembling Chi You Feng (Red Roaming Wind). Treatment should nourish Yin to extinguish Fire. Used Dihuang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction) with added Renshen and Huangqi for forty doses. Made into pills, taking approximately one jin, he recovered in less than two months. (From *Chi Yu Ji Yao*.)

Xu Xueshi treated Wang Jianzheng, who suffered from pain between the nose and forehead, sometimes with numbness, for several years. Suddenly, the pain spread to the lips, mouth, jaw angle (Jiache), and hairline. He could not open his mouth, speak easily, or eat properly. The skin on his forehead and cheeks felt sticky, and touch exacerbated the pain. This was due to Wind-Toxin invading the Foot-Yangming meridians, causing blood stagnation. Treatments with Paifeng Tang, Xiao Xuming Tang, or Tongsui Dan were ineffective. Xu prepared Xijiao Shengma Tang and gifted it to him, resulting in recovery within days. Ingredients: Xijiao (Rhinoceros Cornu), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baifu (Typhonii Rhizoma), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix). Coarsely powdered. Take 4 qian per dose, decoct in water, 3-4 times daily. (The Foot-Yangming meridian encircles the lips,夹持s the tongue, originates at the nose, meets at Renzhong, runs along Jiache to the front of the ear, passes through Koushuren, and follows the hairline to the forehead. The pathology described involves this single meridian.)

The mother of Wang Heng, over seventy years old, frequently suffered from Jiache pain. Excessive talking injured Qi, and lack of sleep injured Shen, triggering severe attacks. Pain radiated from the head down to the throat and gums, feeling like needle pricks or fire burning, intolerable to touch. Mouth opening was restricted, and speech and eating were impossible. She felt flashes of light like lightning. Saliva was thick and stringy. Symptoms worsened with fatigue and hunger, improving slightly with rest and food. Recognizing deficiency, initial treatments with Qingwei San, Xijiao Dihuang Tang, Renshen Baihu Tang, and Qianghuo Shengshi Tang with Huangqin, Gancao, and Jiegeng failed. Later, a formula containing Renshen, Huangqi, Baizhu, Gancao, Gegen, Danggui, Shengma, Chaihu, and Jiegeng was used, mildly supplemented with Huangqin, Zhizi, Niubangzi, and Lianqiao, taken on an empty stomach. Later in the day, Jiajian Ganlu Yin was taken, leading to gradual stability. However, the elderly patient was irritable and impatient with quietude. Fatigue and excessive talking persisted, preventing a complete cure, though attacks became less frequent and severe than in previous years. From her nephew, she learned that grief over losing a son caused Qi stagnation, compounded by frequent consumption of Lujiaojiao (Colla Cornus Asini) and other fertility-promoting drugs, often taken after meals or before bed. This led to accumulation in the Stomach, causing facial pain similar to her own earlier condition. Overuse of Qingwei San and Ganlu Yin with heavy Shigao induced deficiency signs. Subsequent use of tonics like Renshen and Huangqi triggered fire signs. Her disciple, Shi Sheng, prescribed Yueju Wan with Zhizi, Lianqiao, Beimu, and Juhong to resolve stagnation, restoring her health.