Ear Diseases

Ear Diseases

Chen Xiuyuan said that the kidney opens its orifices to the ears, but the kidney meridian does not extend to the head. The kidney communicates with the heart through the meridians of the heart腑 and small intestine, entering the ear via a channel called Tinggong, which is the abode of the god of hearing. It is shaped like a pearl, with a membrane enclosing true water. If the true water breaks, the ear becomes deaf; if the ear is deafened by loud noise, it is because the membrane has ruptured, or if the ear is not deafened, it is because the heart and kidney are not communicating properly, and Magnetic Cinnabar Pills are recommended to restore communication between the heart and kidney. If there is tinnitus followed by deafness, it indicates that the kidney is weak and cannot contain yin qi, resulting in blockage of the yin orifice; in such cases, Liuwei Pills without Danpi, combined with Magnetite, Wuwei, and Turtle Shell, are recommended to allow yin qi to flourish within the original palace and prevent it from affecting the yang orifice, thus achieving recovery. If sudden deafness occurs due to external factors, it is usually related to the Shaoyang meridian; the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian wraps around the auricle, while the Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian enters the ear. When pathogenic factors obstruct the passage, Tinggong is blocked, and Xiaoyao Powder combined with Bai Zhu, Huangqin, Banxia, Ginger, Bamboo Charcoal, Antelope Horn, and Polygonatum is recommended for treatment. When wind-fire intensifies, Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is recommended; when liver fire is extremely intense, Danggui Luhui Pill is recommended; for those with weak Shaoyang pulses, Gui Fu Dihuang Pill is recommended; for those with rapid Shaoyang pulses, Da Bu Yin Pill is recommended. All of these formulas include Magnetite, Changpu, and Cistanche. Whether one truly understands this depends on individual experience, and cannot be fully expressed through pen and paper.

According to Chen Xiuyuan’s explanation, this is the clearest view, but there are also long-term patients and postpartum women whose central energy is severely depleted, making it difficult to seal off the qi of the liver and kidney, leading to upward surging of deficient fire and subsequent tinnitus. Although this tinnitus is caused by fire in the gallbladder and kidney, it is necessary to replenish the spleen and stomach to seal off the fire. Guipi Tang combined with Bupleurum, Shan Zhizi, Fish Bladder, Lotus Seeds, and Wuwei is recommended for treatment, and Sijunzi Tang combined with Lotus Seeds, Euryale Seeds, Coix Seed, Polygonatum, Bai Shao, and Huai Mountain Yam is also effective.

[Commentary] This section uses Chen Xiuyuan’s arguments to discuss the treatment principles for various ear diseases. Whether it is deafness caused by rupture of the true water or by rupture of the membrane, the underlying mechanism is always the lack of communication between the heart and kidney, and Magnetic Pills are used to restore this connection. Tinnitus followed by deafness indicates kidney deficiency and inability to contain yin qi, leading to blockage of the yin orifice; in such cases, Liuwei Dihuang Pill without Danpi, combined with Magnetite, Wuwei, and Turtle Shell, is recommended. Sudden deafness caused by external factors is due to wind pathogens; the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian surrounds the ear and is closely related to the liver, so the liver needs to be soothed, and Xiaoyao Powder is recommended. When wind-fire intensifies, Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder is recommended; when liver fire is extremely intense, Danggui Luhui Pill is recommended; for those with weak Shaoyang pulses, Gui Fu Dihuang Pill is recommended; for those with rapid Shaoyang pulses, Da Bu Yin Pill is recommended. In addition, for postpartum women whose central energy is severely depleted and who experience tinnitus caused by upward surging of deficient fire, Guipi Tang combined with Bupleurum and other ingredients is effective.