There are 355 externally used Chinese herbal decoctions collected in Comprehensive Recording of Divine Assistance（《圣济总录》）

which include both the empirical formulas mainly of a single herb as well as the established formulas of multiple herbs in relation to pattern differentiation. To facilitate the clinical practice

different medicinal processing methods should be adopted in accordance with the treatment time

the treatment objective

and the target diseases and pattens. According to the location of the disease

rinse method is suggested for treating superficial skin acute itching or pain

such as the athlete′s foot

while soaking method is suggested for deep-seated diseases

deficiency syndromes or chronic diseases

which is suitable for spleen-stomach weakness

the elderly

and the children. According to the characteristics

staining method is used to treat erysipelas

while drip irrigation method is applied for orifices-related diseases. External use of Chinese herbal decoctions can strengthen the therapeutic effects of internal administration

and is more appropriate to be used alone when the location of disease is specific or when the disease is acute and severe.