This is a therapeutic method to expel and remove pathogenic dampness by using the herbs that can dry up dampness or induce dieresis with bland herbs. In the surgical diseases, pathogenic dampness often causes problems together with pathogenic wind, heat and cold. The commonly used therapeutic principles are to expel wind and eliminate dampness, to clear away heat and dissipate dampness, to strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, and to nourish yin and resolve dampness. 

The representative formulas are respectively "Xiaofeng Powder", "Wu Shen Decoction", or "Bixie Shen Shi Decoction", "Chu Shi Wei Ling Decoction", and "Zi Yin Chu Shi Decoction". The commonly used herbs that dry up dampness are Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), etc. ; The bland herbs to remove dampness are Bixie (Rhizoma Dioscorene Septemiobae), Huashi (Talcum), Yiyiren (Semen Coicis), Fuling (Portia), Cheqiancao (Herba Plantaginis), etc.; the herbs to expel wind and eliminate dampness are Baixianpi (Cortex Dictamni Radicis), Difuzi (Fructus Kochiae), Weilingxian (Radix Ciematidis), Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), etc. 

Besides that the damp-ness-removing method must be used together with other therapeutic methods, it is also necessary to know that it cannot be used for a long time, in order to avoid damaging yin, consuming qi and causing deficient condition.

This is a therapeutic method to restore the functions of qi activity and harmonize qi and blood by using the herbs that can regulate qi, in order to obtain the goal to diminish tumefaction and stop pain. The method to soothe the liver and relieve stagnation is commonly used. The representative formulas are "Xiao Yao Powder" and "Qing Gan Jie Yu Decoction". 

The commonly used herbal drugs are Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri) , Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi) , Zhike (Fructus Aurantii), Sugeng (Caulis Perillae),  Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Qingpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Muxiang (Radix Auklandiae) , Wuyao (Radix Linderae), Chuanlianzi  (Fructus Melliae Toosendan) , Yanhusuo (Rhizama Corydalis), etc. 

The qi-circulating method should be used in combination of other therapeutic methods. Besides, it is necessary to avoid a disadvantage of qi exhaustion and yin damage left over by excessive fragrant, dry, warm and harsh properties.

This is a therapeutic method to dredge the meridians and collaterals, and harmonize blood vessels by using the herbs that can activate blood and dredge the meridians, in order to obtain the goal to activate blood and resolve stagnation, and eliminate accumulation. 

The representative formulas are "Tan Hong Si Wu Decoction", "Xue Fu Zhu Yu Decoction". The commonly used herbal drugs are Taoren (Semen Persicae), Honghua (Flos Carthami), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) , Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae) , Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong), Zelan ( Herba Lycopi ), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), etc. In the application, the blood-activating method is often used together with the qi-circulating method and phlegm-resolving method.

This is a therapeutic method to strengthen the anti pathogenic ability and bind up pathogenic factors by using the herbs that can support the anti-pathogenic ability and can expel pathogenic factors in combination, in order to obtain the goal to elevate the tumefaction and shrink its base for avoiding ulceration on the border and collapse of tumefaction. It is mostly used in the middle stage of boils and sores and for those whose ulceration does not break after pus is formed, and whose pus is not completely discharged after ulceration breaks. 

In accordance with the different situation of the anti-pathogenic ability, it is also divided into the notifying and promoting method and penetrating and promoting method. The tonifying and promoting method is suitable for the condition in which the anti-pathogenic ability is comparatively weak. The penetrating and promoting method is suitable for the condition in which the pathogenic factors are excessive but the deficiency of the anti-pathogenic ability is not obvious. 

The representative formulas are respectively "Tou Nong Powder" and "Tuo Li Xiao Du Powder". The commonly used herbal drugs are Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ),  Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Zaojiaoci (Spina Gleditsiae), Chuanshanjia (Squama Manitis), etc. In the treatment, the interior-promoting method is usually not used alone and often used together with the therapeutic methods for the initial stage of boils and sores.

This is a therapeutic method to tonify the anti-pathogenic ability by using the tonic herbs, for rehabilitation of deficient condition. It is often used in the late stage of the diseases in the surgical diseases, in order to promote the healing of the wound and promote early recovery. The tonifying method is usually divided into four methods to benefit qi, replenish blood, nourish yin and warm yang.The representative formulas are respectively "Si Jun Zi Decoction", "Si Wu Decoction", "Liu Wei Di Haung Bolus", "Fu Gui Ba Wei Bolus", etc. 

The commonly used herbs that can benefit qi are Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae), Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari), Baizhu ( Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ),Fuling (Pot/a), Prepared Gancao ( Rad/x Glycgrrhizae ), etc. The herbs that can replenish blood are Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), prepared Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata ), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae A1ba ), Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ), etc. 

The herbs that can nourish yin are Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii), raw Dihuang ( Radix Rehmanniae), Xuanshen (Radix Scrophulariae), Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis ), Nfizhenzi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi), Hanliancao (Herba Ecliptae), etc.The herbs that can warm yang are Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata ), Rougui ( Cortex Cinnamorni), Xianmao ( Rhizoma Curculiginis ), Yinyanghuo (Herba epimedii), Bajitian (Radix Morindae Officinal is), Lujiaopian (Cornu Cervi), etc. 

In the application of the tonifying method, in addition to careful consideration of the mutual supplement and coordination of the therapeutic methods, it is also necessary to protect the functions of the spleen and stomach attentively. On one hand, the herbs that nourish yin and hinder the stomach cannot be used for too long time, in order to avoid damaging the stomach. On the other hand, for those with original deficiency of the spleen and stomach, it is necessary to regulate the spleen and stomach first. The tonifying method can only be applied after the healthy condition is restored in the spleen and stomach.