Secret-Transmitted Ointment for Wounds from a Cane，*Zhun Sheng: Yao Yi* (Treatise on Surgical Medicine), Volume 6.，For bruises, lacerations, unexplained swellings and abscesses, and leg sores.
Secret-Transmitted Ointment for Wounds from a Cane
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Formulas Name : Secret-Transmitted Ointment for Wounds from a Cane
Chinese Name : 秘传杖疮膏
Drug Formulation
4 liang of sesame oil (preferably genuine; first, simmer pangolin scales and cypress twigs in the oil until it boils several times; remove the residue from these two ingredients; while still hot, filter the oil through a thin cotton cloth; return it to the pot and bring to a boil; then add the herbs one by one. In winter, use 5 liang of oil), 1 piece of pangolin scale, 1 cypress twig (extract the oil and decoct the juice from these two ingredients; discard the residue; see the method above),1 stem of locust tree branch (must be split into small strips separately; do not use those from large trees; use this to stir the medicinal oil frequently), Fu Dan (i.e., Fei Dan; wash with clean water to remove impurities, grind into a fine powder, and add to the oil in two batches) 1 liang, Shuihua Zhu (wash with clean water to remove impurities, sun-dry, and grind into a fine powder) 2 qian, dragon’s blood 3 qian, myrrh 3 qian, frankincense 3 qian,Tannin 3 qian (crush and mix thoroughly; place all ingredients in a copper pot, stir-fry over a charcoal fire until boiling, then grind into a fine powder), fresh pearl 1 qian, fresh red ivory (wrap each piece in paper, burn until the essence remains, then grind into a fine powder; do not use with old oil) 1 qian, wheat flour (toasted over a charcoal fire until golden) 1 qian, human fingernails (toasted until golden) 3 fen,Panax notoginseng (sun-dried, ground into a fine powder) 3 fen, calcite (roasted in a copper pot, ground into a fine powder) 3 fen, Coptis (fine powder) 3 fen, Scutellaria (fine powder) 3 fen, cuttlefish bone 5 fen (fine powder), Pinellia 10 pieces (large ones, ground into a fine powder.Sift all of the above through an extremely fine sieve, mix thoroughly, and divide into 5 fen; set aside 1 fen to adjust the consistency of the medicated plaster as needed. Use only 4 fen for 4 applications, following the method below: Camphor (finely ground) 4 qian,2 qian of beeswax, 1 fen of borneol, 3 fen of musk, and 5 fen of asafoetida (in lump form) (the above four ingredients should be added only after all other herbs have been fully incorporated, just before removing the mixture from the pot; stir thoroughly and remove the asafoetida residue).
Source
*Zhun Sheng: Yao Yi* (Treatise on Surgical Medicine), Volume 6.
Processing
First, divide the finely ground herbs into 5 portions. Add 4 of these portions to the pot in sequence as described below, and set aside 1 portion to adjust the consistency of the ointment as needed. If, after adding all 4 portions, the ointment is still too thin, gradually add this reserved portion. If the consistency is just right, set this 1 portion aside; it is particularly effective when mixed into the affected area when applying the ointment. For the decoction method, use 4 liang of high-quality sesame oil. Heat it in a copper pot over a charcoal fire until boiling.When it comes to a boil, add 1 stem of cypress and 1 slice of pangolin scale. Simmer for several boils, then remove the residue from both herbs. While still hot, strain the oil through thin cotton paper. Wipe the pot clean, return the oil to the pot, and bring it to a boil again. Add 5 qian of Fu Dan and stir vigorously and continuously with a locust twig until it forms a paste. After 6–7 decoctions, rinse your mouth with clean water and spit a small amount into the pot before removing it from the heat.When removing the pot from the heat, take 1 fen of the previously ground fine powder (out of the total 4 fen) and gradually add it to the pot one pinch at a time, stirring vigorously as before. Once this portion is fully incorporated and evenly mixed, dip the locust twig into the mixture and drip a small amount of water onto it—the droplets should not yet form beads—then return the pot to the fire and stir vigorously. Once it comes to a boil, remove the pot from the heat.For the second batch, gradually add another 1 fen of the previously ground powder to the pot and stir vigorously as before. Once the mixture is roughly blended and water dripped onto it forms beads, return the pot to the charcoal fire and stir vigorously until it comes to a boil, then remove from the heat.For the third batch, gradually add the powder and stir as before until roughly blended. When a drop of the mixture forms a bead but is still sticky to the touch, return the pot to the fire and proceed as before. For the fourth batch, gradually add the powder as before and stir vigorously until roughly blended. When a drop of the mixture forms a bead that is almost no longer sticky to the touch, return the pot to the charcoal fire and remove it from the heat once it comes to a boil. For the fifth batch, immediately add 2 qian of beeswax and 5 qian of cinnabar, stirring vigorously as before.When the mixture forms beads when dropped into water, it must not stick to your hands, nor should it be too dry. If it still sticks to your hands, gradually add 1 fen of the powdered medicine set aside earlier until it no longer sticks. Once it no longer sticks, immediately add 2 qian of water flower beads, followed by 4 qian of camphor ice powder, stirring vigorously. Then add 3 fen of musk, 5 fen of asafoetida,1 fen of borneol, stirring vigorously without stopping. Once the mixture is thoroughly blended, skim off and discard the Asafoetida residue. Transfer the mixture to a porcelain container and immerse it in cold water for a short while until it solidifies. On a clear, sunny day with a clean, open area, dig a pit, invert the porcelain container into the pit, and cover it securely with soil. Wait seven days before removing it. To store, wrap the bottle opening tightly with oil paper and chopsticks to prevent air leakage.When spreading the medicated plaster, use clean oiled paper that has been boiled in hot water to spread the medicine on. Do not dry it over a fire; simply pour hot water into a container, place the oiled paper on top, spread the medicine evenly over it, and do not make it too thick—it is best if the paper remains visible through the layer. If using silk to spread the medicine, melt the medicine in hot water and spread it onto the silk.
Benefits
For bruises, lacerations, unexplained swellings and abscesses, and leg sores.
Instructions for Use
Before applying, first boil radish juice and mulberry leaves to make a decoction; let it sit overnight in the open air, then use it to wash the affected area before applying the ointment. After application, wash the area once daily without changing the ointment. After 2–3 days, when the blood has dissipated and the wind has subsided, replace it with a black wound-healing ointment (i.e., Wan Ying Ointment).
Note
Avoid applying this ointment to injuries from falls or other types of sores.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Zhun Sheng: Yao Yi* (Treatise on Surgical Medicine), Volume 6., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 26, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 26, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 26, 2026
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Secret-Transmitted Ointment for Wounds from a Cane,For bruises, lacerations, unexplained swellings and abscesses, and leg sores.