Dressing medicine is a medicine preparation directly dressing the local; the cure is effected through the skin. The commonly used are of those kinds of herbal paste, herbal plaster, and herbal powder.
     
Herbal paste:
Grind herbs into fine powder, then choose malt extract, honey, sesame oil, wine, vinegar, water, fresh herbal juice or vaseline to mix well with the powder into thick paste, spread the paste on the cotton mat or mulberry paper whose site is decided according to the area of trauma. In order to reduce irritation of the paste to the skin or to take the paste easily in dressing change, a piece of very thin cotton paper may be added in the surface of the paste.

The additive is chosen mainly according to the need of treatment. For example, for relieving spasm and pain, malt extract and honey are chosen; for dissipating stasis and dissolving swelling, white spirit is chosen; for clearing away heat and poisons or cooling the blood to stop bleeding, fresh herbal juice is chosen; for softening hardness to dissipate stagnation, rice vinegar is chosen. Clinically, two or more than two additives are often taken. For example, in the early stage of trauma, malt extract, white spirit and water are generally used as additives, for they can both help the paste to play the action of promoting blood circulation to remove stasis and removing the swelling to stop pain, and reduce the irritability of the paste.
 
The interval of dressing change for herbal paste is dependent upon the condition of trauma, extent of swelling and seasonal climates. Generally, the interval is two to four days, and it is longer in the late stage. In addition, the paste mixed up with wine, water and fresh herbal juice should be changed frequently because of the high volatility of additives. The paste for promoting granulation and draining pus applied on the surface of wound should be changed every one or two days according to the condition of wound surface. For a few patients who get contact dermatitis due to the paste, there are cutaneous pruritus and papules and vesicles, then the paste should be promptly stopped for use, and external application of Qingdai Powder or oral administration of some antiallergenic agents should be taken.

Herbal plaster:
It is a unique form in TCM agents externally applied. It is made from fine powder ground from herbs combined with sesame oil. It is generally used in tendon injury and in the late stage of fracture. The plaster will melt and become adhesive when getting warm. It can adhere to the diseased part. So, it is convenient for use and its efficacy lasts longer. In using it, set the plaster on the fire for melting and stick it on the diseased part while it is hot, but make sure that the temperature is not too high for fear of scalding the skin. Generally the plaster should be changed every 3 to 5 days. Herbal plaster is made from many herbs; it is suitable for treatment of many diseases. It can strengthen bone and tendon, and relax tendon and activate collaterals in treating trauma, expel wind, dissipate cold and remove dampness in treating cold and dampness diseases; and eliminate putrid tissue and drain pus in treating ulcer and wound.
     
Herbal powder:
Grind the prescribed herbs into very fine powder, spread the powder on the wound directly or add it on the paste or plaster for use. According to clinical need, the powders commonly prepared are for stopping bleeding and healing wound, eliminating putrid and draining pus, as well as promoting granulation.