Syndrome differentiation and treatment
The therapeutic principles of aphtha mainly lie in clearing away heat, removing toxin, and eliminating the accumulated heat of the heart and spleen in case of sthenia; in case of asthenia syndrome, the main principles include nourishing yin to remove fire, leading the flared-up asthenic fire back to the kidney.

1. Wind and heat subjugating the spleen 
Main symptoms and signs: Herpes and ulcer on cheeks, throat, lips and tongue, or erosion of the whole mouth cavity with painful swelling of red colour, foul breath, salivation, anorexia, constipation, scanty and dark urine, or accompanied by fever, chills, sore throat, red tongue with thin and yellowish fur, floating and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Expelling wind, clearing away heat, dredging fu organs and removing toxin.

2. Flaring-up of heart fire  
Main symptoms and signs: Erosion or ulcer on the tongue and lingual edges with redness and pain, dietary difficulty, dysphoria with restlessness, dry mouth with desire for drink, scanty and yellowish urine, red tongue tip, thin and yellowish fur, rapid pulse.
Therapeutic method: Clearing away heat from the heart.

3. Flaring-up of asthenic fire 
Main symptoms and signs: Repeated occurrence of oral and lingual ulcer without red around or with slight red, mild pain, listlessness, malar flush, dry mouth without thirst, red tongue with a little or no fur, thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Nourishing yin to remove fire, leading the ascending asthenic fire back down to the kidney.