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According to the discussion on the Five Movements and Six Qi in *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), Dan Du (a skin disease characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain) is pathogenically attributed to Fire. The classic states: "In years when Shaoyang Ministerial Fire governs the sky, if the guest pathogen prevails, it leads to the external eruption of Dan Zhen (red rashes) and the appearance of Dan Du symptoms."

*Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang* records: All types of Dan Du are conditions where the body suddenly turns red like cinnabar, hence the name Dan Du. It may erupt on the hands and feet, or on the abdomen, with lesions the size of a palm. These are all caused by toxic wind-heat pathogens; severe cases may resemble Ju (deep-seated suppurative infections). If not treated urgently, the pain becomes unbearable, and over time, ulceration occurs with the discharge of pus and blood. If it erupts between joints, it causes toxic swelling in the four limbs; if the pathogen enters the intestines, it can be fatal. Children suffering from this condition face the most acute danger. Dai Fu'an stated: The color and shape of Dan Du eruptions vary, as do the sensations of itching and pain. Generally, they arise from the interaction of blood heat, deficient muscle tissue, and wind pathogens. Red eruptions are more common, and because of their red color, they are called Dan. The appropriate formula is Xiaofeng San (Wind-Dispersing Powder), mixed with burnt Fengshuizi (Fructus Aceris, preserved for its medicinal properties) and taken with wine. Eruptions that appear white are called "Leng Dan" (Cold Dan). The appropriate treatment is Xiaofeng San mixed with Heishen San (Black Divine Powder), taken with wine. This disease often results from loose muscle texture allowing wind pathogens to invade. Wind-heat causes redness, while wind-cold causes whiteness. Nowadays, people only refer to red eruptions as Dan and white ones as Mo (referring to white Dan Du or urticaria-like conditions). Therefore, some recover after taking Tuzhu (Hematitum, red ochre) mixed with wine, which works because the Spleen governs muscles, Earth enters the Spleen, and things follow their own kind. Ancient texts also call this Yinzhen (urticaria), distinguishing not only cold and heat but also the Four Qi (wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness). Recent medical theories refer to white eruptions as "Baipo Mo" (white Dan) and red ones as "Xuefeng" (Blood Wind). Both red and white syndromes can be treated with Wuyao Shunqi San (Aucklandia and Cyperus Powder to Promote Qi Circulation) combined with Xiaofeng San, taken with wine. White cases mostly use Shunqi San, while red cases mostly use Xiaofeng San. Patients with this condition should generally take Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi). Some individuals must never consume chicken, zhang fish, or other wind-aggravating foods; eating them triggers immediate Dan eruptions, indicating this is Spleen Wind. The Spleen governs the body's muscles. Huoxiang Zhengqi San treats Spleen diseases, and Tuzhu also enters the Spleen; this formula has proven effective repeatedly. Zhu Danxi stated: Spots caused by internal injury result from extreme deficiency of Stomach Qi, causing the fire of the whole body to wander externally. It is appropriate to use tonification to descend the fire. I once treated a middle-aged man who, after an abscess ruptured, suffered fever and dry retching, with Dan erupting on his back. Various topical Dan medicines were applied, and knives were used to bleed each Dan head, but the Dan did not recede. Later, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) were added to tonifying agents, but vomiting persisted. Finally, pure Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (5 liang), Danggui Radix (1.5 qian), and Baizhu Rhizoma (1.5 qian) were decocted strongly in one dose; vomiting stopped. After two or three doses, the Dan gradually eased, and fever subsided. After about fifty doses, the fever was completely eliminated, and spirit recovered.

Jinhua San (Golden Flower Powder): Treats all types of Dan Du, characterized by heat, pain, and redness.
Ingredients: Jinyu (Curcumae Aromatae Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 1 liang); Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Glutinosa) (3 he).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. For each use, mix with honey water to form a paste. Apply to the Dan area with a chicken feather; change when dry.

Treats all types of Dan Du with toxic qi attacking and piercing, causing red swelling and unbearable pain. (*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*)
Ingredients: Cheqiancao (Plantaginis Herba), Yimumcao (Leonuri Herba), Dichancao (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix).
Preparation and Administration: Equal parts. Mash and grind until soft, then apply. Reapply when dry. (If fresh herbs are unavailable, use dried herbs ground into powder and mixed with cold water.)

Treats all types of Dan Du with toxic qi, presenting with five colors changing unpredictably. If not treated immediately, pain becomes unbearable. If the skin breaks down, pus and blood discharge; if it erupts at joint fissures, it may lead to limb necrosis. This is likely a type of Ju and requires rapid treatment.
Ingredients: Dasuan (Allii Sativi Bulbus) or Xiaoasuan (Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus).
Preparation and Administration: Pound into a paste. Apply thickly. Reapply when dry, until healed.

Another Formula: Chixiaodou (Vigna Semen Rubrum) (1 sheng); Yangjiao (Cornu Bubali) (burnt to ash, 0.5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder, mix with egg white, and apply. If Yangjiao is unavailable, using only Chixiaodou is also effective.

Treats all types of Dan Du wandering in the skin, causing infiltrating pain.
Ingredients: Qicao (Larva Blapsis Mortisaga).
Preparation and Administration: Grind, mix with egg white, and apply. Reapply when dry. (It is best to puncture the skin first before applying.)

Treats all types of Dan Du covering the whole body.
Ingredients: Yuntaizi (Brassicae Napus Semen) (1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Mix with one large cup of wine, grind, filter dregs, and boil for five to seven boils. Take one she warm at any time. Sun Simiao said: A miraculous formula for treating Dan Du: mash Yuntaizi leaves and apply; healing follows immediately. If not cured, continue application within three days. In the 17th year of Zhenguan (March 8), in Neijiang County, due to excessive drinking at night, I felt pain in the bones and flesh of my four limbs while sleeping, experienced dizziness and headache, and had a swelling on the forehead the size of a bullet, too painful to touch. By noon, the pain spread to the right corner; by night, it affected all areas, closing my eyes so I could not open them, nearly leading to death. The county magistrate, Mr. Zhou, tried various medicines without success for seven days. I formulated this prescription myself, and its effect was miraculous. Thus, I recorded it for dissemination. Additionally, the Dai Xing family secret formula states: If green Yuntaizi is unavailable, use dried powder mixed with water. For any Dan Du covering the body or surrounding the waist and abdomen, resistant to hundreds of treatments, this formula alone can cure it, treating twenty-four types of Dan Du.

Xianren Shuijian (Immortal Water Mirror): Treats Huo Dan (Fire Dan).
Ingredients: Qiaomaimian (Fagopyri Tatarici Farina), Huanglian (each a small amount).
Preparation and Administration: Grind both together finely and apply; healing is immediate. Do not add oil or salt.

Sun Simiao said: Dan Du is also called Tianhuo (Heavenly Fire). Suddenly, red patches like cinnabar appear on the flesh. Large lesions are palm-sized; severe cases cover the whole body. There may be itching and swelling, with no fixed color. There may be Bai Dan (White Dan), where flesh swells, itches, then hurts, appearing slightly swollen like blown urticaria. There is also Jiguan Dan (Chicken Comb Dan), which rises red, large as a coin, small as hemp seeds, resembling chicken comb color with rough skin, also known as Zhuyu Dan. There may be Huo Dan (Fire Dan) or Shui Dan (Water Dan), erupting all over the body. When encountering dampness/water, it appears yellowish, as if water is under the skin. It favors the eyes and yin organs. Although a minor illness, it can be fatal.

Tuofang (Hot Compress Formula) for Dan Du:
Ingredients: Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Loulu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Radix), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) (each 2 liang); Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) (20 pieces); Huangqin (3 liang); Shudie (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis) (5 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Soak in three sheng of water for a long time, boil to obtain two sheng. Dip old cloth in the juice and compress the affected area. Afterwards, Loulu Tang must be taken.

Loulu Tang Formula: Do not use if there is no interior excess syndrome.
Ingredients: Loulu, Bailian (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Huangqin, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Baiwei (Cleistestes Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Shengma, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (each 3 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Boil in ten dou of water to obtain three sheng. Divide into three doses to promote rapid purgation. In areas without these drugs, using only Dahuang for purgation is acceptable.

Wuxiang Tang: Mainly treats sudden swelling, pain, and nodules caused by hot toxic qi, resembling carbuncles, causing headache, chills/fever, and shortness of breath. If not resolved in a few days, it can be fatal.
Ingredients: Qingmuxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Huoxiang (Pogostemonis Herba), Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Xunliuxiang (Boswelliae Resina) (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Boil in five sheng of water to obtain two sheng. Divide into three doses. If not cured, take again.

*Liu Juanzi Guiyi Fang* treats early-stage Dan and carbuncles where heat spreads and grows, using a hot compress decoction.
Ingredients: Shengma, Huangqin (each 3 liang); Huanglian, Dahuang (each 2 liang); Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Gancao (roasted, each 1 liang); Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (2 liang); Mangxiao (3 liang); Lingyangjiaoxie (Saigae Tataricae Cornu) (1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Cut into pieces. Boil in thirteen sheng of water to obtain five sheng, strain to remove dregs. Add Mangxiao to the pot, boil until bubbling and dregs settle. Apply slightly warm or cool via cloth compress to the swollen area several times; heat dissipates instantly. Wang Lian kept this formula secret from Ganlin.

Zhu Family Inherited Formula for Huo Dan:
Ingredients: Fulonggan (Calaminis Septum), Zhucao Xiatu (Soil under pig trough, aged), Zhusha (Cinnabaris) (small amount).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Mix with egg white and apply with a goose feather.

Another Formula:
Ingredients: Zhizhuhuagen (Rhizoma Drynariae? Note: Text says 踯躅花根 - Rhododendri Mollis Flos root), Qu (Medicated Leaven), Tu (Soil), Bishang Duosichongke (Spider webs on walls), Baicaoshuang (Soot from hundred herbs), Fulonggan, Zhucao Xiatu.
Preparation and Administration: Use as above.

Jinhua San (*Guiyi Fang*): Treats all types of Dan Du.
Ingredients: Jinyu, Huangqin, Gancao, Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Dahuang, Huanglian, Nuomi (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind the seven ingredients raw into powder. Mix with cold water and a little raw honey, apply with a goose feather.

Shengtu San: Transmitted by Zheng Yu, a physician from Changsha, for treating Da Yun Dan and various toxins.
Ingredients: Lingxiaohua (Campsis Grandiflorae Flos), Wanzhouhuang (Radix Scrophulariae? Note: Specific regional term), Zhugen (Bambusae Caulis Internodium) (0.5 liang, cut and dried).
Preparation and Administration: Pound together until soft. Mix with wine and honey, take a small amount orally, and still apply to the Dan area for immediate effect.

Mahuang San (*Qianjin Fang*): Treats evil toxic Dan and wind rash.
Ingredients: Mahuang, Shengma, Gegen (Puerariae Radix) (each 1 liang); Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), Jishexiang (Cardamomi Semen), Gancao (roasted, each 0.5 liang); Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) (0.5 he).
Preparation and Administration: Cut into pieces. Boil in three sheng of water to obtain one sheng. Adults take one dose; a three-year-old child divides into three doses, three times a day.

*[Ben Shi Fang]* Treats Yanhuo Dan starting from the back, or red as fire on both flanks and legs. Jingtiancao (Sedum aizoon), Zhenzhu mo (Pearl powder, 1 liang). Mash into a paste and apply. Another formula for Yinghuo Dan starting from the head: Shenhuocao (i.e., Jingtiancao). Mash, mix with Kujiu (vinegar), and apply.

Dan Du: Apply Landian (Indigofera tinctoria leaf extract). Change when hot. (*Zimu Milu*)

*[Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang]* Dan is an evil toxic sore with unpredictable colors. Use three jin of Zhugen, boil in three dou of water for juice, apply daily.

Treat Chi Dan (Red Dan). Use the water from the pulp of cucumber seeds, remove seeds, store in a vessel. Apply water to the affected area when needed. Another method: Store winter snow in a vessel, let it melt into water over time, and apply to Chi You (wandering red Dan) for excellent results. (Both from *Chu Yushi*)

*[Danxi Xinfa]* For all Dan Du swellings: Mix earthworm excrement with water and apply. (*Shenghui Fang*, *Waitai Mi Yao* agree.)

*[Qianjin Fang]* Formula for Dan Urticaria: Boil milk curd with salt. Massage with hand; it dissipates upon massage.

Treat Chi You Feng Zhong (Red Wandering Wind Swelling): Mix Buckwheat flour with vinegar and apply. (*Bingbu Shouji*)

*[Yangshi Jiacang Fang]* Treat Re Chi You Dan: Mix Gualou end (Trichosanthis Fructus) powder with strong vinegar and apply.

Treat Wu Se Dan Du (Five-Color Dan Du): Boil thorny chestnut peel and wash with it.

Badu San: Treats hot toxic Dan swelling that wanders不定ly.
Ingredients: Shigao, Hanshuishi (Aragoniti Lapis) (both raw, each 4 liang); Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Gancao (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. Mix with new water and sweep/apply, or use paper flower patches which is even better. Moisten with cool water.

Twelve Single-Item Formulas: Treat Dan Du; obtaining one item can cure it.
Ingredients: Shuitai (Aquatic moss), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shengsongye (Pinus Massoniana Leaf), Shudieye (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis Leaf), Shenhuocao, Fuping (Lemna Minoris Herba), Douchi (Fermented Soybean) (mixed with water), Dahuang (mixed with water), Zhizi (mixed with water), Huangqin (mixed with water), Xiaoshi (Natrii Nitras), Douye (Soybean Leaf).
Preparation and Administration: Of the twelve items, if you get just one, pound and apply; it will heal. Chixiaodou powder mixed with egg white can also be applied. If no egg white, use water.

Treat Zaodan (Stove Dan), red as fire burning from both feet.
Use Wujia Ye (Acanthopanacis Cortex Leaf), burn to ash (5 liang), mix with water from an iron trough, and apply.

Treat Dan Du Liu (Dan Du Nodule):
Ingredients: Wugong (Dry Centipede, one), Baifan (Alumen) (size of soap bean), Leiwan (Polyporus Umbellatus), Baibu (Stemonae Radix) (2 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder, mix with vinegar and apply.

Guoshi Jinhuang San: Treats hot toxic Dan flowing and wandering不定ly, with unceasing pain.
Ingredients: Hanshuishi (2 liang), Jinyu (one pair), Lanshi (Indigo Naturalis Fruit), Dahuang, Huangbai, Huanglian, Jingtiancao (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into fine powder. Mix with egg white for application; water is also acceptable.

*[Feng Dan]*
Painful ones are Dan Du; itchy ones are Feng Dan (Wind Dan).

Lady Jia's young daughter had wind itch. Given 40 pills of Huangjing Wan (Polygonatum Pill), along with Baizhu (0.7 fen), Zhishi (fried), Huangqin (4 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Divide into eight doses, take before meals.

Whole-body wind itch and urticaria: Fine powder of Lingxiaohua, take one qian with wine; stops immediately.

Bao Yunzhong, age 50, suffered severe wind Dan itch, slight abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, slight facial and body swelling, lasting 5-6 days without receding. Pulse at both Cun positions was slippery, large, and full; Right was floating and large, Left was floating, wiry, and small. Prescribed fried Huangqin, fried Huanglian, Danggui, Xiong, Shaoyao, Dihuang, Jiegeng, Gancao, Niuzi (Arctii Fructus), Ziwei (Campsis Grandiflora) (each 1 qian), Fangfeng, Huangqin (0.5 qian each). After 5-6 doses, he recovered.

*[Shiyi Dexiao Fang]* Hejian Shenyuan Wan. (Treats Wind Dan that recurs after healing, or recurs after a month or half a year. This pill induces purgation with 100% success. See Syndrome Differentiation for Edema.)

*[Danxi Xinfa]* One person suffered Wind Dan, whole-body itch, caused by alcohol.
Ingredients: Fuping (0.5 liang), Fangfeng, Huangqin, Qianghuo (3 qian), Danggui (2 qian), Gange (Ge Gen), Mahuang (1 qian), Sheng Gancao (0.5 qian).

*[Shiyi Dexiao Fang]* Treat Leng Dan Feng (Cold Dan Wind).
Ingredients: Fangfeng, Gancao, Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum), Chuanxiong, Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Fuling (Poria), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Cang'erzi (Xanthii Fructus), Renshen (Ginseng Radix).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder. Take 2 qian mixed with Doulun Jiu (wine poured through soybeans).

For Dan itch: Mix leek leaves with some salt, rub with sesame oil until warm, and wipe over the Dan area; heals immediately. To treat Wind Dan: Wash Chanshanjia (Manis Squama) to remove fishy smell, stir-fry on tile until charred but retaining nature. For every 1 liang, add 3 qian Gancao, grind into powder, take with rice drink. For Xuefeng Ge Da Chuang (Blood Wind Nodule Sores) and Ban Chuang (Smallpox/Rash): Mash Fuping to extract natural juice, take with Doulun Jiu; or take Siwu Tang soaked in wine.

*[Danxi Xinfa]* Use Yangti Caigen (Root of Rumex japonicus). Grind on raw iron with good vinegar, scrape off gradually, and apply to the affected area. If not healed, add a little sulfur, grind, and apply again.