Lixiao Dan: An External Application for Leg Pain

Lixiao Dan comes from Liang Peng Hui Ji (A Collection for Good Companions). It consists of Aiye (mugwort leaf) 2 liang (60 g), Congtou (scallion whites) 1.5 liang (45 g), and Shengjiang (fresh ginger) 1.5 liang (45 g). Mash the above together, wrap in cloth, dip in hot distilled spirit, and rub the affected area until pain stops. This formula warms the channels and disperses cold, and frees impediment to stop pain. It treats cold-damp pouring downward with pain in both legs. This condition resembles pain caused by modern diseases such as lower-extremity varicose veins and lower-extremity thrombosis.

This is a simple, effective, and easy-to-use folk empirical formula. Mugwort leaves, scallion whites, and ginger are all common in the countryside and are dual-use as food and medicine. In TCM all three are warm-natured; they expel wind and disperse cold, and such medicinals usually have analgesic effects. Combined, their pain-relieving effect is stronger.