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Dental pain is the mildest ailment in the human body; however, without grasping the principles of Yin and Yang differentiation, it is the most difficult to cure and causes the greatest suffering. Different parts of the teeth belong to different Zang-Fu organs. However, merely listing the names of these organs leads to confusion, whereas directly discussing Yin and Yang is easier to understand. Although the ultimate differentiation lies in Yin and Yang, it ultimately boils down to differentiating the Zang-Fu organs.

Generally, pain from Yang syndromes (Yang Zheng) belongs to the fire of the Yangming Stomach Meridian (Yangming Wei Jing). This fire is mostly Excess Fire (Shi Huo). During an attack, the gums must swell, saliva flows from the corners of the mouth, the throat hurts, eating is very difficult, and not eating causes pain. It is accompanied by sweating, thirst, dry tongue, and constipation. If treated with herbs that tonify Yang or Qi, or prescriptions for dispelling wind and killing parasites, there are often no effects. Even if there is slight efficacy, the pain returns immediately, and radiating pain is common. The method should be to use Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction); one dose lightens the pain, two doses result in complete recovery, and three doses are unnecessary.

As for pain from Deficiency syndromes (Xu Zheng), it is mostly a disease of the Kidney Meridian. When Kidney Water (Shen Shui) is exhausted and Kidney Fire (Shen Huo) flares upward, since teeth are the surplus of bones and marrow, the lack of nourishment from Kidney Water causes pain within the teeth. If one also uses emergency treatments for dispelling wind, scattering fire, and killing parasites, not only will it be useless, but the pain will worsen. Previously, pain might have been in one tooth, but later all upper and lower teeth would hurt. The method should be Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Maidong (Ophiopogon Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), and Gusui Bu (Drynaria Rhizome). One dose eliminates the pain; this is a miraculous method. These two formulas treat dental pain of both Excess and Deficiency excellently.

However, if molar decay (worm teeth) is the culprit, one cannot stick rigidly to the distinction between Excess and Deficiency. Grind Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung) into fine powder. First rinse the mouth with clean water, then mix the powder with vinegar and hold it in the mouth for a long time. The worms will die instantly, and the pain will cease. This point must not be ignored.

Heart pain requires differentiation between Excess and Deficiency. The ancients said "pain has no tonification," meaning pain cannot be simply categorized by Excess or Deficiency. However, Deficiency can be tonified, and Excess can be purged. Discussing Excess and Deficiency in heart pain implies the need for tonifying or purging methods. People may doubt this because they do not know that heart pain has ways to be treated by tonification; this knowledge is unknown to many. For instance, when heart pain occurs, the patient cries out day and night and finds it hard to eat or drink. This is Excess Fire. Tonification must absolutely be avoided; otherwise, the pain will worsen, potentially leading to death. However, tonifying the Righteous Qi while simultaneously clearing Fire is not impossible for curing the disease. As long as the herbs tonifying Righteous Qi are few and those clearing Fire are many, why worry about the harm of tonification? The prescription used is Xiangong San (First Attack Powder). One dose stops the pain; it is a miraculous formula.

Regarding this formula, the sour astringency of Shaoyao (White Peony Root) seems unsuitable for treating Heart pain caused by Fire. Who would know that Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), Zhike (Aurantium Fructus), and Guanzhong (Cyrtomium Rhizome) are all herbs that clear Fire and scatter pathogens? Without Shaoyao to harmonize them, the action would be too harsh and destructive, possibly forcing the pathogen to fight desperately. The brilliance lies in using Shaoyao to resolve conflict, combining suppression with pacification, possessing unpredictable strategic wisdom.

As for heart pain that can be tonified, it is due to its Deficient nature, so tonification is applied. The pain is characterized by fluctuating severity (sometimes heavy, sometimes light), preference for pressure, and ability to swallow food. This pain is called "Qu Lai Tong" (Wandering Pain). Qu Lai Tong is originally a Deficiency syndrome. How can one adhere to the saying "pain has no tonification" and refuse pure tonifying drugs? I now establish a formula named Xiaotong Buxu Yin (Pain-Relieving and Deficiency-Tonifying Drink). One dose makes the pain disappear; two doses result in full recovery and no recurrence. It is also a miraculous formula.

This wandering pain is entirely due to Heart Qi Deficiency, with slight Cold lingering below the Danzhong (Chest Center). When the Cold is distant, there is no pain; when close, there is mild pain. Such diseases often persist for years without healing because people dare not use tonification, allowing Pathogenic Factors to remain fearless and lurk in the vital regions of the body, causing trouble. Now, I use large doses of tonifying herbs to tonify the Danzhong. This is like a minister receiving authority, acting with wisdom and clarity, inevitably capturing thieves. How dare petty thieves hide near the imperial residence? This is why the formula is miraculous.

Xiangong San:
Shaoyao (5 qian), Zhizi (5 qian), Zhike (5 qian), Guanzhong (5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Xiaotong Buxu Yin:
Renshen (5 qian), Baizhu (5 qian), Fushen (5 qian), Zhike (1 qian), Guangmuxiang (1 qian), Shaoyao (1 liang), Danggui (5 qian), Gancao (1 qian), Fuzi (1 slice, weighing 2 fen), Baijiezi (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.