External Applications

The class of herbs for external applications is used for treating boils, carbuncles, fractures, and bleeding caused by external injuries. These herbs are known to counteract toxic effects, heal swelling, remove pus, and relieve pain. While some of these herbs can be consumed internally, most of them are toxic and should be used with caution.

This class of herbs is further divided into six subclasses. The first subclass consists of herbs for destroying worms and counteracting toxic effects. The second subclass consists of herbs for healing swelling, dispersing coagulations, and softening up hardness. The third subclass consists of herbs for expelling pus and transforming decay. The fourth subclass consists of herbs for activating the blood and removing wind (for more information on the ill effects of wind, refer to page 14). The fifth subclass consists of herbs for stopping bleeding through constrictive effects. Finally, the sixth subclass is made up of other miscellaneous herbs for external application.