Gaoji, also known as medicinal paste, is named after its form and is one of the eight types of medicinal preparations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which include pills, powders, pastes, elixirs, wines, tinctures, soups, and tablets. The medicinal paste can be applied externally or taken internally. Externally applied pastes are commonly used in TCM external treatments, not only for skin ailments and ulcers but also in internal medicine and gynecology. Gaoji typically consists of around 20 different Chinese herbs and has excellent nourishing properties. According to TCM theory, winter is the best season for supplementation throughout the year, and during winter, Gaoji is considered the best choice for nourishment.
☯ External Application of Medicinal Paste ☯
Medicinal paste is a type of external application in TCM, historically known as thin paste, made by boiling medicinal herbs with plant or animal oils into a gel-like substance, which can be applied to cloth, paper, or skin for extended periods. It is primarily used to treat abscesses, reduce swelling, and relieve pain.
The principle of medicinal paste
Medicinal paste works through the skin. The application of medicinal paste is one of the commonly used external treatment methods in TCM. It follows the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment, as well as the efficacy, indications, and meridian pathways of the herbs used. By fully mobilizing the synergistic effects of the herbs, a compound of multiple herbs is formed to achieve optimal therapeutic effects. Since the medicinal paste is directly applied to the body surface, and most of the herbs used have strong aromas, combined with strong penetrating herbs, it penetrates the skin, reaches the meridians and organs, and plays a role in regulating qi and blood, unblocking meridians, dispelling cold and dampness, and reducing swelling and pain. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that black medicinal paste is superior to rubber paste in terms of absorption and efficacy. However, due to the complex production process of black medicinal paste, there is no unified standard for quality control, leading to varying quality. Because the production of black medicinal paste is time-consuming and labor-intensive, many TCM hospitals focus on external applications of Chinese herbal medicine, which involves grinding herbs and mixing them with honey, petroleum jelly, etc., to form a soft paste for external application, fixed with cotton paper or bandages, and changed every 24 hours, which is relatively costly. Black medicinal paste can be used for 3-15 days, and after removal, it can be reapplied without affecting its efficacy, thus reducing costs. TCM surgical medicinal paste utilizes the principle of meridian pathways, employing the synergistic effects of herbs to form a large compound of multiple herbs to achieve optimal therapeutic effects. Since the medicinal paste is applied thinly to the skin surface, it selects herbs with strong aromas and combines them with guiding herbs to penetrate directly to the site of the disease. Therefore, it can penetrate the skin to produce anti-inflammatory, analgesic, invigorating blood circulation, unblocking meridians, and dispelling wind and cold effects. The medicinal paste applied to the body surface stimulates nerve endings, promoting local blood circulation and improving the nutrition of surrounding tissues, achieving the goals of reducing swelling, inflammation, and pain. At the same time, the herbs penetrate the skin to reach the subcutaneous tissue, creating a relative advantage in drug concentration locally, thus exerting a strong pharmacological effect. Additionally, due to the presence of some strongly stimulating herbs in the medicinal paste, strong stimulation through nerve reflexes can regulate body functions, promote antibody formation, and enhance human immunity. After the herbs penetrate the skin and mucous membranes, they enter the systemic circulation through blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, which can also produce systemic drug effects.
Preparation method
Song of Medicinal Paste Preparation
One Dan, Two Oils, the medicinal paste is thick,
Three ups and three downs, boil dry and remove dregs,
Drip water into beads, remove from fire and add Dan,
When Dan matures, cool it down,
It looks black like lacquer, soft when hot,
Cool it down to solidify, stick it on immediately.
When the medicinal effect is used up, it can be removed immediately.
Key techniques for making medicinal paste: 1. The medicinal paste should not be too much or too little; if too little, the effect is hard to achieve, and if too much, it affects the viscosity of the paste. 2. When adding Dan, pay attention to controlling the heat and the size of the dosage; low temperature affects the combination of Dan oil, and its color is not bright. High heat is flammable, and if the Dan amount is small, the paste is tender and easily lost, failing to achieve a fixed effect. If the Dan amount is large, the paste is old, brittle, and not sticky, making it easy to fall off. 3. The ancestors said: the black medicinal paste’s effectiveness lies in the boiling, and the brightness lies in the stirring. After adding Dan, it must be stirred continuously, and a fan or blower should be used to blow away the gas produced during the combination of oil and Dan, so that the paste is bright and sticky.Preparation materials Black medicinal paste is made by frying the medicinal materials in edible oil, removing the dregs, and reacting with yellow Dan at high temperatures to form a lead-hard paste. 1. Selection of base materials and processing of medicinal materials 1. Plant oil: Pure sesame oil is preferred. Its advantages are that it produces less foam during refining, which is conducive to operation. The resulting paste is bright in color, sticky, and of good quality. Cottonseed oil, rapeseed oil, and peanut oil can also be used, but soybean oil is not suitable. 2. Yellow Dan: Also known as red Dan, it is orange-yellow, heavy, and powdery, mainly composed of lead oxide, with a purity requirement of over 95% (can be purchased at large pharmacies or chemical stores). 3. Processing of medicinal materials: Medicinal materials can be divided into general materials (coarse materials) and fine materials. Coarse materials are general Chinese medicinal roots, stems, leaves, etc., while fine materials are precious and aromatic herbs. Coarse materials should be selected according to the prescription and appropriately crushed to prepare for boiling and removing dregs. Fine materials such as musk should be ground into fine powder for later use; soluble or volatile fine materials such as borneol, camphor, myrrh, and frankincense should be ground into fine powder in advance and mixed evenly into the melted paste before application (fine powder should be screened through a 120 mesh sieve).Production
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Boiling
Extraction of medicinal materials (boiling and removing dregs): Place plant oil in a pot, heat it slightly, and add the medicinal materials, heating and stirring continuously until the surface of the medicinal materials turns dark brown and the inside is yellow. At this point, the temperature can reach 220 degrees. After frying, use an iron wire sieve to remove the dregs, and the oil after removing the dregs is medicinal oil (the pot is best made of copper, and a special high-temperature thermometer can be used to control the temperature, which can be purchased at medical equipment stores).
2. Refining oil Take the above medicinal oil and continue to refine it until the oil temperature rises to 320 degrees (this temperature must be reached, which is crucial), then switch to medium heat. The refining of the oil is judged by the thermometer reaching the specified temperature; the oil smoke starts as light blue, gradually becomes black and thick, and then turns into white thick smoke, rising straight up without wind; the oil bubbles: at the beginning of boiling, the oil bubbles are mostly around the edge of the pot, and when the oil bubbles gather towards the center of the pot, it is done; the drop of water into beads: take a small amount of medicinal oil and drop it into water, if it does not spread and forms beads, it is done (this step is the most difficult, and the oil must be refined to the drop of water into beads, and fire safety must be noted; if the temperature is too high).3. Adding Dan After the medicinal oil is refined, remove it from the fire and add Dan, generally adding about 250 grams of Dan for every 500 grams of oil, and the yellow Dan should be dried and screened through a 100 mesh sieve before adding. Add Dan in small amounts while stirring continuously, and it must be stirred in the same direction. Stir until a thick paste is formed, and the paste should not stick to the hands and should stretch continuously; if it is too hard, it is old, and if it is too sticky, it is tender. 4. Cooling After the medicinal paste is made, place it in cold water for soaking, changing the water every day, and after seven days, the paste is formed. 5. Spreading the paste Take the paste and place it in a container, melt it in a water bath or over low heat, mix in the fine materials, stir evenly, and use a bamboo stick to take a certain amount of paste on cowhide paper or medicinal cloth, and sprinkle precious herbs like musk on top. Non-lead and non-Dan pastes mainly rely on penetration-promoting agents such as musk, borneol, and nitrogen to penetrate; non-lead and non-Dan pastes are easy to make, hygienic, and more acceptable to patients. Refining requires medicinal oil to soak → boiling → long simmering → filtering → medicinal oil to drop into beads → adding yellow Dan → adding fragrant or precious herbs or colloidal drugs → removing fire toxins → applying and cooling → drying for use, etc. Inspection Take 5 samples, weigh the total weight separately. Cut a unit area (cm2) of the backing and weigh it, calculating the backing weight. The total weight of the medicinal paste minus the backing weight is the weight of the medicinal paste, which must not exceed the specified limits. Note 1. Medicinal materials should be processed, crushed, and broken according to the regulations for each variety; light and oil-resistant medicinal materials should be added after other materials are fried to a yellowish color. 2. The oil should be refined to “drop into beads” and added to yellow Dan after reaching a certain temperature. 3. Volatile medicinal materials, mineral medicines, and precious herbs should be ground into fine powder and added before spreading, with a temperature not exceeding 70°C. 4. The medicinal paste should be black, shiny, oily, fine, moderately old and tender, evenly spread, without red spots, and without flying edges or gaps. After heating, it should stick to the skin without moving. 5. The medicinal paste should be sealed and stored in a cool place. Quality The quality requirements for medicinal paste are as follows: 1. The old and tender should be appropriate, and it should have suitable stickiness when applied to the skin and not move. 2. The appearance should be oily and fine, with no irritation to the skin. 3. The spreading amount of the same medicinal paste should be consistent, with a weight difference not exceeding ±5% (referring to the pure weight of the medicinal paste excluding the backing material). 4. It should be stored at room temperature and not deteriorate or lose stickiness within two years.
Usage methods
First, disinfect the red, swollen, and painful area with 75% alcohol or wipe with ginger slices; if there is a wound, clean the pus and blood with a dilute potassium permanganate solution and dry it, then fold the medicinal paste, heat it slightly, and sometimes, depending on the condition, evenly sprinkle some medicinal powder on the heated paste, then fold and spread the paste again to mix the medicinal powder in, so as to exert its effect faster and better. If itching occurs at the affected area, massage the outside of the paste; if it does not work, remove the paste, wipe the itchy area with an alcohol cotton ball, and then reapply the paste after warming it. If there is pus at the affected area, you can add some gauze on the surface of the paste, or cut a small hole in the paste paper to correspond with the wound for drainage. For those who have ulcerated, persistent pain, or blisters, you can apply detoxifying paste for treatment, or remove the paste, disinfect with alcohol, and then apply red medicine and bandage. When applying rubber pastes, first clean the affected area with an alcohol cotton ball, tear off the thin film on the paste for application. However, if the skin has ulceration or external wounds with infection, it is not advisable to apply. The medicinal paste often contains aromatic and penetrating components, so pregnant women should use it cautiously, especially avoiding application on the navel, waist, and abdomen; those with skin allergies should also avoid application. During the application of the medicinal paste, it is advisable to avoid eating raw and cold foods. Unused medicinal paste can be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent melting in summer or being eaten by insects. The method should be correct: use a hot towel or ginger slices to wipe the affected skin, dry it, and then apply the medicinal paste. Generally, a medicinal paste should not be applied for more than 24 hours; if applied for too long, not only will the medicinal effect be lost, but it will also be harmful to the skin. When applying the medicinal paste, avoid areas with excessive hair; otherwise, it will not stick well, and pulling it off will cause pain. In winter, when it is cold, rubber pastes are not easy to stick; you can apply a hot water bag after applying the paste to ensure it sticks firmly for effective treatment. Additionally, when using black medicinal pastes, first place the paste on the outside of a hot water bottle (cup) or gently heat it over an alcohol lamp or candle until it softens, then apply it to the affected area, which can be kept for 1-2 weeks. Some people use this type of paste by directly roasting it over a coal stove, which is not advisable. The harmful substances such as benzopyrene and carbon monoxide produced during coal combustion can be absorbed by the paste matrix and moisture, penetrating the body through the skin, causing harm. Cleaning the medicinal paste After removing the medicinal paste, how to clean the residue on the body? Use the removed paste to repeatedly dab at it, and you can quickly remove the medicinal marks, which is simple and effective. Applicable diseases The medicinal paste is convenient to use and has significant efficacy. Although applying a medicinal paste seems trivial, there is much knowledge involved. Mastering the indications: each type of medicinal paste has its unique pharmacological effects, so it is essential to master the indications and not use them indiscriminately. For example, for chronic low back pain caused by wind-cold, or for injuries, you can use dog skin paste or chasing wind paste to dispel cold and wind, relax muscles, invigorate blood, and relieve pain; for abscesses caused by heat toxin, when the initial hard lump does not dissipate, is red and swollen, painful, and has pus that does not rupture or has not healed for a long time, you can use detoxifying paste to reduce swelling and promote muscle regeneration. Rubber pastes have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and are effective for rheumatic pain, low back pain, muscle pain, sprains, and bruises. Selection method Through continuous summarization of clinical experience, the formula and production process of medicinal pastes have been continuously improved, and their efficacy has significantly increased, with a broader application range. Especially in dosage forms, there have been reforms and innovations, and a new generation of different formula medicinal pastes has appeared on the market. Nowadays, medicinal pastes can be seen not only in hospitals (especially TCM hospitals) but also in various pharmacies, clinics, and even street stalls. The scientific method of selecting medicinal pastes is based on the indications, not on price or brand. Each type of medicinal paste has its unique efficacy and indications, and there is no universal paste for all diseases. The most reliable method is to select based on indications under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist. For patients with joint pain (rheumatic pain), stiffness, muscle numbness, fractures, and injuries (sprains, bruises), you can choose medicinal pastes with the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting qi and blood circulation, and relieving pain, such as Taiyi Mountain black paste, universal paste, anti-inflammatory analgesic paste, invigorating blood paste, rubber pastes, and bone-setting paste. For patients with abscesses caused by heat toxin, when the initial hard lump does not dissipate, is red and swollen, painful, and has pus that does not rupture or has not healed for a long time, you can choose medicinal pastes with the effects of reducing swelling, relieving pain, and promoting muscle regeneration, such as Taiyi paste, detoxifying paste, unicorn paste, Yanghe Jie Ning paste, water yellow paste, and Huanglian paste. For low back pain and joint pain caused by wind-cold, you can use dog skin paste or chasing wind paste to dispel cold and wind, relax muscles, and promote blood circulation. The heart-saving paste is made from blood-activating, aromatic, and dampness-eliminating herbs such as musk, borneol, safflower, frankincense, and myrrh, combined with nitroglycerin to create a paste. When symptoms of angina pectoris occur, you can immediately take one piece and apply it to the heart area, and the angina pectoris can be relieved in 5-6 minutes. If applied once a day, it can prevent angina pectoris. Identifying good and bad medicinal pastes According to the 1995 edition of the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia,” the quality of TCM medicinal pastes should meet the following requirements: they should be suitable for both old and tender skin, have appropriate stickiness when applied to the skin, and not move; the appearance should be oily and fine, with no irritation to the skin; the thickness and weight of the same medicinal paste should be basically consistent, with a weight difference not exceeding ±5% (referring to the pure weight of the medicinal paste excluding the backing material); it should be stored at room temperature and not deteriorate or lose stickiness within two years.
Precautions
1. When exercising or laboring, if you accidentally cause muscle bruises or joint and ligament strains, do not immediately apply pain-relieving or musk chasing pastes to the injured area. These types of pastes have the effect of invigorating blood and dispersing stasis, and applying them immediately after injury cannot achieve the purpose of reducing swelling and relieving pain. 2. If there are local injuries, do not apply the paste directly to the injured area to avoid purulent infections. 3. Any paste containing blood-activating and stasis-eliminating ingredients such as musk, frankincense, safflower, myrrh, and peach kernel should be avoided by pregnant women. 4. If after applying the paste, the local skin shows papules, blisters, or severe itching, it indicates an allergy to the paste, and you should immediately stop applying it and undergo anti-allergic treatment. 5. If after applying the paste, you feel itching, burning, or stinging at the site of application within about 10 minutes, you should quickly remove it. This indicates that the patient is allergic to the paste. Those with allergic constitutions should generally avoid applying the paste, as their skin is prone to rashes, and applying it not only hinders drug absorption but also brings skin problems. 6. Do not exceed 24 hours. Since the paste is applied to the skin surface, it generally uses herbs with strong aromas, stimulating the nerve endings, expanding blood vessels, promoting local blood circulation, and improving the nutrition of surrounding tissues to achieve the goals of reducing swelling, inflammation, and pain. Generally, a medicinal paste should not be applied for more than 24 hours; if applied for too long, not only will the medicinal effect be lost, but it will also be harmful to the skin.
The history of medicinal paste
Gao, as the name suggests, is a viscous substance. Medicinal paste is a type of solid, semi-solid, or semi-fluid dosage form at room temperature. It consists of two parts: medicinal materials and a base (sometimes without a base). Miao Xiyong’s “Methods of Frying and Boiling” states: “Gao is a thick paste made by boiling;” Gong Yunlin’s “Preserving Life and Protecting the Origin” states: “Gao is glue;” both reflect the form of medicinal paste. It has been said that in China, an elderly person who has never used medicinal paste can apply for a “rare animal” label. Although this is a joke, it reflects the widespread use of medicinal paste in our country. Ancient medical practitioners said: “Medicinal paste can cure diseases, no different from decoctions; if used correctly, its effects are immediate.” Compared to injections and oral medications, medicinal paste is more convenient, painless, and easier for people to accept. Especially for the elderly who often suffer from back pain, they are particularly fond of medicinal paste and keep it at home. Medicinal paste is one of the five major dosage forms of Chinese medicine—pills, powders, pastes, elixirs, and soups. In the medical literature from the Warring States and Qin-Han periods, such as the “Huangdi Neijing,” “Shennong Bencao Jing,” and “Nanjing,” there are records about medicinal paste. At that time, the medicinal paste was a soft paste made from pig fat. The “Neijing” records a type of soft paste similar to pig fat, called “Shigao,” used to treat small ulcers in the armpits. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the practice of alchemy flourished, and black medicinal paste had already appeared. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the preparation of black medicinal paste gradually improved, and medicine flourished, leading to an increasing variety of medicinal pastes, some used for pain relief and dispersing bruises, and others for “drawing out pus and detoxifying” abscesses, becoming widely used. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, it had become one of the commonly used medications. By the Qing dynasty, medicinal paste had developed into a common folk medicine and was one of the commonly used external treatment measures. In modern times, due to the development of decoctions, the use of black medicinal paste has greatly decreased. The emergence of modern rubber pastes has almost eliminated black medicinal paste from hospitals, leaving it to be passed down among the people. Medicinal paste is an ancient dosage form of traditional Chinese medicine with a long history. As early as in the “Shan Hai Jing,” there is a record of goat fat used for applying to the skin to prevent cracking, which can be considered the most primitive medicinal paste; the “Huangdi Neijing” mentions “Shigao,” “boils occurring in the throat… apply Shigao, eat cold food, and it will be fine in three days… apply Shigao, and it will be fine in six days.” The “Neijing Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun” states: “Rub it, bathe it, thin it, press it, open it, and release it, as appropriate for the situation.” The “rub it” and “thin it” refer to the origins of later medicinal pastes. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, medicinal pastes were referred to as “Gao Fang” or “thin.” In the Tang dynasty, there was also the term “Mo Gao.” In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the term “boil” was changed to “Gao Zi” or “Gao,” and it was included in the category of medicinal pastes, thus enriching the variety of medicinal pastes. With the development of history, the use of medicinal pastes gradually expanded, not only for external diseases but also for internal diseases. Qing dynasty scholar Wu Shiji’s “Li Lun Pian Wen” specifically discussed the formulas, applications, and preparation techniques of medicinal pastes, creating types such as white medicinal paste and rosin medicinal paste. With the rapid development of transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), the application range of external medicinal pastes has also become broader. Medicinal pastes have a wide range of effects, whether taken internally or externally, due to their certain viscosity, they have the advantages of high effective ingredient content, slow release speed, long-lasting effects, and practical local efficacy. Xu Lingtai said: “The medicinal pastes used today, the ancients called thin pastes, have two main uses: one for treating external diseases, and the other for treating internal diseases. For external treatment, such as drawing out pus and rotting, stopping pain and generating muscle, and protecting the flesh, the paste should be light and thin and changed daily. For internal treatment, it may dispel wind and cold, harmonize qi and blood, eliminate phlegm and stagnation, or strengthen muscles and bones, with the formula being very effective, and the medicine adjusted according to the disease, with the paste being thick and long-lasting.” External medicinal pastes were historically called thin pastes. The Tang dynasty’s Li Chuo’s “Shang Shu Gu Shi” recorded: “Yu Yuan Gong pacified the South Sea, and a boil appeared on his temple. The Prime Minister Ji took medicinal paste and applied it to the sore, and it healed in a few days.” The specific preparation method: according to different conditions, select corresponding herbs, soak them in plant oil for a certain period, boil them, and when the herbs are blackened, remove the dregs, and then boil until the water evaporates to a certain extent, then add an appropriate amount of lead Dan according to the oil ratio (depending on the season) and mix evenly, then remove from the fire (or add Dan after removing from the fire). Wait for the medicine to thicken into a paste, cut into large pieces, and place them in cold water to remove fire toxins. When needed, heat and melt, spread on cloth or thick paper or thin oil paper, and apply to the skin surface. In clinical practice, there are useful methods for treating internal diseases, such as joint pain, stiffness, deep muscle soreness, skin numbness, deep abscesses, fractures, and muscle injuries. The effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting qi and blood circulation, and reconnecting bones can be achieved, such as universal paste, bone-setting paste, and others. There are also those used for treating external diseases, such as surface boils, abscesses, and other skin diseases, which have the effects of reducing swelling, stopping pain, promoting muscle regeneration, and protecting the wound, such as Taiyi paste, unicorn paste, Yanghe Jie Ning paste, and others. The application of medicinal paste in China has a long history, and ancient medicine says: “Medicinal paste can cure diseases, no different from decoctions; if used correctly, its effects are immediate.” The quality of medicinal paste is fundamentally based on its efficacy. Medicinal paste belongs to external treatment, thus avoiding the toxic side effects of internal medications, and its efficacy is precise, making it widely welcomed by the public. The famous Qing dynasty scholar Xu Dachun said: “Decoctions are insufficient to cure diseases; use medicinal paste to apply, blocking the qi, allowing the medicinal properties to enter through the pores and channels, unblocking the meridians, or lifting and dispersing, which is more effective than taking medicine.” The drugs in the medicinal paste are directly applied to the acupoints on the body surface, and the medicinal properties penetrate through the skin and pores into the interior, reaching the subcutaneous tissue, creating a relative advantage in drug concentration locally; on the other hand, it can run through the meridians to reach the organs where the qi and blood are disordered, exerting the “meridian” and functional effects of the medicine, thus achieving the maximum systemic pharmacological effect. Traditional injection and oral therapies not only damage nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and other tissues and cause intestinal reactions, making it difficult for patients to accept, but these methods also easily destroy the drugs through the systemic blood circulation and intestines, resulting in very few drugs actually reaching the disease site, thus requiring a large amount of medication and yielding poor efficacy. The external treatment method of medicinal paste completely solves this problem, allowing the drugs to act directly on the affected area, significantly enhancing the efficacy, and it is not easy to develop drug resistance. The origin of dog skin paste is said to be related to the legend of Li Tieguai. In the past, especially in the medical field, Li Tieguai was regarded as the inventor and patron saint of dog skin paste. The industry of selling dog skin paste reveres the medicine immortal as Tieguai Li. Li Tieguai has a significant influence in folklore, but he mainly appears as part of a group with the other seven immortals—the Eight Immortals. Perhaps it is because the gourd he carries contains miraculous medicines for healing. It is said that in Zhangde Prefecture (now Anyang, Henan), there was a shopkeeper named Wang who made medicinal paste and was charitable, treating anyone with sores regardless of wealth, gaining a good reputation. One day, Wang took some medicinal paste to a temple fair and encountered a limping beggar on the way, who was filthy and reeking. The beggar asked Wang to treat a small boil on his leg. Wang applied a piece of medicinal paste to the small sore, saying, “It will be fine tomorrow.” The next day, Wang met the limping beggar again and asked, “Is it better?” The beggar replied, “No, it hurts even more.” Wang looked at the paste and saw that the sore had grown larger, so he said, “I will give you a stronger medicine; if it doesn’t work, come find me at my home.” So he gave the beggar another piece. On the third day, as Wang was about to leave his house, he saw the limping beggar waiting at his door; before Wang could speak, the beggar began to scold him, saying, “You are truly a scammer! The medicinal paste from Zhangde Prefecture is nothing but fake!” Wang looked and was shocked; the leg sore had grown to the size of a bowl. Wang felt guilty and said, “I will prepare a good medicinal paste for you.” As he spoke, a big yellow dog rushed over and bit the beggar’s leg. Wang quickly grabbed the wooden stick from the beggar’s hand and struck the dog dead. The beggar laughed, “Now we have dog meat to eat.” Wang went to the backyard, found some precious medicinal materials, and prepared a good medicinal paste for the beggar. When he came back, he saw the beggar eating roasted dog meat, with several pieces of dog skin beside him. The beggar took the prepared medicine and pressed it onto his leg, and in no time, the large boil disappeared, which was truly miraculous. Wang took the dog skin paste and felt deeply moved; at that moment, the limping beggar suddenly vanished, and he realized that it was the immortal Tieguai Li who had come to impart the miraculous formula.
Types of medicinal paste
Applying medicinal paste to treat diseases is convenient, simple to operate, inexpensive, safe, and painless, and its wide range of therapeutic effects makes it particularly favored by middle-aged and elderly people who often suffer from chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs. There are many types of characteristic medicinal pastes, and combining ancient and modern pastes, excluding internal decoctions, external medicinal pastes can be roughly divided into three major categories: Soft pastes are commonly referred to as “medicinal pastes” or “oil pastes,” made from plant oils, beeswax, petroleum jelly, or animal fats as the base, combined with Chinese herbs. Soft pastes protect, moisturize, and lubricate the skin. Some herbs in the pastes can be absorbed through the skin to exert systemic effects. This dosage form is distinctive, effective, and patients are willing to use it, and it is generally available in pharmacies. Hard pastes are more complex to produce and are made into solid-like forms through special processes. They need to be heated and softened before being spread on clean thick cloth, cowhide paper, or treated dog skin, and applied to the affected area or acupoints. These types of hard pastes have local or systemic therapeutic effects, and depending on the base and production process, there are lead pastes, rosin pastes, rubber pastes, dog skin pastes, and plaster pastes. Application pastes are made by mixing prepared Chinese herbal powders with various liquids to form a paste or soft paste, which is spread on gauze and applied to the affected area or specific parts. This dosage form is relatively simple to make and can be adjusted under the guidance of a physician.
Secret formulas for medicinal pastes
Red medicinal paste preparation process
Boiling equipment: gas tank, iron pot, fireproof cover, water basin, stirring stick, shovel, etc.
Drug ratio: rosin 300g, salad oil 90g, yellow Dan 30g, medicinal powder 100-150g.
Boiling method
Put rosin into the iron pot, heat it over low heat until it completely melts, remove from heat, stir for a while, then add salad oil and yellow Dan, continue stirring until the oil cools down, and when there is no smoke, add the medicinal powder. Continue stirring until the paste has a sticky feel, pour it into cold water to solidify, remove fire toxins for 1-2 days, change water frequently, and after 2 days, take the paste out and store it after the moisture evaporates.
Usage method
Place the water-free medicinal block in the pot and slowly heat it until it has a sticky feel, then spread it on hard paper or cloth, and when using, warm the medicinal paste to apply to the affected area.
Yellow medicinal paste preparation process
Yellow medicinal paste is also made using rosin as the base, and the preparation method is similar to that of red medicinal paste, but to make the paste yellow, the step of adding yellow Dan is omitted during the preparation process, as most pastes are yellow-brown, and rosin itself is also yellow, so the handmade medicinal paste is naturally golden yellow.
White medicinal paste preparation process
This paste also uses rosin as the base, and the operation method is similar to the previous types of medicinal pastes. The two key points to note are: 1. Do not add camphor when refining rosin; 2. It is best to use high-quality white rosin as the base.
Various medicinal paste formulas and preparations
Bone Immortal Paste preparation process
Prescription:
A: Fresh Strychnos 60g, Fresh Aconitum 50g each, Fresh Nanjing 50g, Fresh Pinellia 50g, Gansui 30g, Earthworm 50g, Scarab 30g, Seven-leaf Flower 50g, Yarrow 50g, Fresh White Mustard 30g, Sanqi Powder 30g, Myrrh 45g, Blood-Stop 30g, Insect 30g, Fresh Yanhusuo 60g, Turmeric 60g, Pueraria 100g, and 100 tablets of Chlorpheniramine, 150 tablets of Yantong Xikang. The above medicines should be ground into fine powder (about 100 mesh), weighed, and mixed evenly.
B: Black Snake 60g, Lingxian 90g, Ephedra 60g, Cinnamon 90g, Chicken Blood Vine 90g, Peach Kernel 45g, Safflower 45g, Angelica 45g, Chuanxiong 50g, Turmeric 50g, Fresh Earth 50g, Qianghuo 40g, Dahu 40g, Qin Jiao 45g, Fangfeng 30g, Earth Dragon 45g, Bone-penetrating Grass 50g, Cangzhu 30g, Sanling 60g, Euryale 60g, Danshen 50g, Zhiqiang 40g, Niuxi 50g, Wood Papaya 45g, Shenzhincao 50g, Deer-horn Grass 90g, Sea Wind Vine 60g, Seeking Bone Wind 60g, Shenzhincao 60g, and Dry Ginger 120g.
Preparation process:
B is boiled twice, each time for more than one hour. After mixing the two medicinal liquids, filter them, weigh the medicinal paste base 3200g, and melt it over low heat.
After cooling to 70 degrees, slowly add the flowing immersion paste while stirring evenly, and continue heating over low heat until the water vapor is completely removed, then remove from the fire and cool to 70 degrees before adding A and mixing evenly to proceed with spreading the paste. The above medicines can be made into 120 pieces of Bone Immortal Paste weighing 45g each. The prepared medicinal paste should be stored in a cool place.
Main indications: Same as Lingxian Paste.
Lingxian Paste preparation method
Prescription:
A: Fresh Strychnos 60g, Fresh Aconitum 50g each, Centipede 30g, Whole Insect 30g, Cinnamon 30g, Fresh Nanjing 50g, Fresh Half Summer 50g, Powdered Gansui 30g, Yarrow 50g, Scarab 30g, Fresh White Mustard 30g, Earthworm 50g, Blood-Stop 30g, Fresh Milk Myrrh 45g, Sanqi Powder 30g, Fried Mountain Armor 45g, Liao Xixin 45g, Seven-leaf Flower 50g, Camphor 45g, Borneol 20g, Musk 1g, Chlorpheniramine 100 tablets, Yantong Xikang 150 tablets, Nitrogen 32ml (Chlorpheniramine, Yantong Xikang, Nitrogen are not counted). The above medicines should be ground into fine powder (about 100 mesh) and mixed evenly.
B: Black Snake 60g, Lingxian 90g, Ephedra 60g, Cinnamon 90g, Chicken Blood Vine 90g, Peach Kernel 45g, Safflower 45g, Angelica 45g, Chuanxiong 50g, Turmeric 50g, Fresh Earth 50g, Qianghuo 40g, Dahu 40g, Qin Jiao 45g, Fangfeng 30g, Earth Dragon 45g, Bone-penetrating Grass 60g, Sanling 60g, Euryale 60g, Danshen 50g, Rice Shell 40g, Wood Papaya 45g, Shenzhincao 50g, Deer-horn Grass 90g, Sea Wind Vine 60g, Seeking Bone Wind 60g, Shenzhincao 60g, and Dry Ginger 120g.
Preparation process:
B is boiled twice, each time for more than one hour. After mixing the two medicinal liquids, filter them, weigh the medicinal paste base 3200g, and melt it over low heat.
After cooling to 70 degrees, slowly add the flowing immersion paste while stirring evenly, and continue heating over low heat until the water vapor is completely removed, then remove from the fire and cool to 70 degrees before adding A and mixing evenly to proceed with spreading the paste. The above medicines can be made into 100 pieces of Lingxian Paste weighing 45g each. The prepared medicinal paste should be stored in a cool place.
Main indications: Neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, bone hyperplasia, rheumatism, femoral head necrosis, acute sprains.
Usage methods and precautions:
Gaoji is a medicinal paste made from rosin and Xianshi powder as the base. Before applying, first cut off the four corners of the paste, remove the plastic film on the medicine surface, and apply it directly to the affected area. After applying, press it down with your hand for a moment.
Precautions:
1. If itching or small red rashes appear on the skin after application, it is due to the medicinal power penetrating the disease site and irritating the skin. If the itching is severe, temporarily remove the paste and gently wipe it with a hot towel; do not scratch with your hands. Wait until the itching stops and the rash disappears before reapplying.
2. If there are open wounds or various skin diseases, do not apply the paste.
3. Pregnant women should avoid applying the paste to the waist and abdomen.
4. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent melting or insect infestation.
5. The medicinal paste should be sealed and stored in a cool place.
6. The quality of the medicinal paste should meet the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.
7. The medicinal paste should be applied according to the specific indications and under the guidance of a physician.
8. The medicinal paste should be used with caution in patients with allergies or skin sensitivities.
9. The medicinal paste should not be applied for more than 24 hours.
10. The medicinal paste should be stored properly to maintain its quality and efficacy.