1 Pastes

1) Pastes

Pastes can be taken internally or externally. Internal pastes involve repeatedly decocting herbal ingredients, filtering out the residue, then concentrating the liquid over low heat and adding sugar or honey to form a paste, which can be consumed over a long period. Since nourishing internal formulas are often prepared in this form, they are also referred to as “paste-based remedies,” such as Sang Xuan Paste and Er Dong Paste. External pastes are commonly called “plasters,” historically known as “thin patches.” These pastes are made by decocting herbs in oils, filtering out the residue, then adding yellow lead and beeswax to form a paste, which is then heated and applied to paper, leather, or cloth—often used for surgical wounds, ulcers, or conditions like wind-cold pain, such as Bu Du Paste and Zhui Feng Paste. Additionally, there are soft pastes, where herbs are finely ground and sifted, then melted in lard to form a paste for external use, such as San Huang Paste and Frozen Wound Paste.