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The Heart meridian connects to the root of the tongue. The Liver meridian connects to the side of the tongue. Therefore, diseases of the tongue are primarily governed by the Heart and Liver meridians. Spleen stagnation causes blood to overflow upwards; Heart heat causes the tongue to crack and form sores. If attacked by Wind-Cold, the tongue curls and shrinks, rendering speech impossible. Excessive sexual activity may cause the tongue to extend about one cun and fail to retract. Emotional depression (Seven Emotions) can lead to a swollen tongue that does not subside. Swelling at the root of the tongue is called *Chong She* (Double Tongue, where a small tongue-like structure appears); swelling with stiffness is called *Mu She* (Wooden Tongue). Immediate treatment is required upon onset; delay will result in death. A condition characterized by inability to speak, protrusion of the tongue beyond the lips, and frequent protrusion/retraction movements is named *Nong She Hou Feng* (Tongue-Tossing Throat Wind Syndrome). This arises from accumulated Wind-Heat in the five Zang organs or excessive physical labor. In cases of Wooden Tongue, manual manipulation may cause the tongue to fail to retract. One must needle the *Shaoshang* (LU-11) acupoint and the Jing-River points of the Hand and Foot Shaoyin and Shaoyang meridians to assess prognosis. Bleeding indicates an easier cure; discharge of yellow fluid indicates difficulty. Persistent swelling is also difficult to treat. Stirring green fish bile to induce expectoration is appropriate.

Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus), She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), Su Zi (Perillae Fructus), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Dan Xing (Arisaematis Cum Bile), Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), etc. Decoct in water and take orally.

Another type of Wooden Tongue presents with tongue swelling filling the mouth and excessive phlegm-saliva. Apply a mixture of Po Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), Zi Xue (Purple Snow), and Bai Yan (White Salt), each 5 fen, mixed with Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus). Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) may be added. After bowel evacuation, symptoms improve significantly. Treat with herbs that resolve phlegm, moisten the lungs, and regulate Qi until recovery. For protruding tongue that cannot retract, apply a small amount of Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum). Alternatively, decoct Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), and Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) for oral administration.

Hou Bi (Throat Obstruction) involves the Shaoyang, Yangming, Jueyin, and Shaoyin meridians. The Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians belong to Wood and Fire, thus often presenting with Heat syndromes. The Yangming meridian conveys Stomach Qi directly through the throat, where Fire is most intense. Etiologies arising from emotional depression and anger typically involve the Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians. Those caused by rich, sweet, spicy, and hot foods involve the Yangming meridian and should be treated as Excess Fire. The Shaoyin meridian connects to the Henggu, ends at the Huiyan, and attaches to the root of the tongue. Reverse flow of Yin Fire upward often causes Hou Bi. Shaoyin Excess Fire presents with typical Fire signs and pulses. Shaoyin Deficient Fire often includes internal heat and thirst. There is also Ge Yang Hou Bi (Gridlock Yang Throat Obstruction), caused by Fire failing to return to its source, with rootless Fire lodging in the throat, presenting with upper Heat and lower Cold, weak pulses in all six positions, and aversion to cold in the abdomen.

Hou Bi is generally caused by Phlegm-Fire. In acute cases, induce vomiting to expel phlegm, followed by purgation. In severe cases, use acupuncture to bleed, then administer emetics and purgatives. The *Neijing* states: "When Fire is constrained, disperse it." Vomiting and bleeding are forms of dispersion.

Ji Hou Bi (Acute Throat Obstruction) presents with snoring sounds and rattling phlegm in the throat, indicating Lung Qi exhaustion. Administer Ren Shen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) mixed with Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus) and Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens Sucus) immediately. Early administration yields 70-80% success; delay is incurable.

When Fire floats upward and knots in the head, face, and throat, clearing and descending is preferred over ascending and dispersing, as ascending exacerbates Fire.

Chan Hou Feng (Entangling Throat Wind Syndrome) involves Heat knotting in the throat with diffuse redness and swelling extending outward, accompanied by pain, numbness, and itching. Suppuration is rare, and bleeding is unnecessary. Reducing Fire resolves swelling unilaterally. Unilateral onset is mild; bilateral is severe. In men, it spreads to the Jiehou (Adam's apple); in women, to the chest. These are critical conditions.

Hou Zheng (Throat Disease) involving full-throat sores, redness, pain, and chronic non-healing indicates Yin Deficiency with Floating Fire. If sores ulcerate, apply blowing powders (topical insufflation).

Hou Liu (Throat Tumor) results from Lung Meridian constrained Heat combined with Qi damage from excessive talking. It resembles a round eye with red filaments inside, occurring singly or doubly on the sides of the throat. Triggers include strong alcohol, fried foods, anger, and shouting, causing pain. Needles and knives are contraindicated. Administer Yi Qi Qing Jin Tang (Qi-Nourishing and Metal-Clearing Decoction).

Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix, hearts removed), Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus, stir-fried and ground, 1.5 qian), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix, 3 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 2 qian), Bai Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, separately decocted), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian each), Zi Su (Perillae Folium, 0.5 qian), Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium, 30 leaves). Decoct in water and take after meals.

Suo Hou Feng (Lock-Throat Wind Syndrome) presents without swelling or pain but with obstructive phlegm-saliva and closed throat orifice. If accompanied by panting, fixed gaze, and bead-like sweat on the head, it is incurable. For excessive phlegm, crush Wannian Qing Gen (Ardisiae Japonicae Radix, i.e., Qiannianlan) and mix juice with vinegar to clear phlegm. Tu Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) juice is also effective.

Bi Qian San (Spider Web Powder): Collect seven spider webs with eggs and two old spiders in May-June. Tie them with hair. Dissolve 7 fen Ming Fan (Alumen) in water. Dip the tied webs into the alum solution, roast thoroughly over a lamp flame, and grind into fine powder. For hot-pain throat conditions, insufflate this powder for best effect.