Library

Children possess a "pure yang" constitution, and their pulse typically beats six to seven times per breath cycle, sometimes even eight to nine times. Young women with abundant blood often exhibit a pulse reaching the Yuji (Rabbit's Ridge, LI10) area, which also frequently presents as rapid (Shu, fast pulse). The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) mentions only that the pulse reaches the Yuji, without specifying the rate. I have observed that whenever a pulse reaches the Yuji, it is invariably rapid. This is because the pulse reflects blood; when blood is abundant, the pulse is long and surging (Hong); when blood is deficient, the pulse is short and choppy (Se). A young woman’s primordial essence remains intact, her Sea of Blood is full, so a rapid pulse is indeed natural for her. As long as she possesses a delicate and beautiful appearance and a light physique, she is considered healthy and requires no medication. However, in the loneliness of the inner chambers, under quiet moonlight through gauze windows, and in the clear wind behind embroidered screens, she may occasionally feel physical discomfort and seek medical treatment. If a physician diagnoses illness solely based on a rapid pulse, this would be an error. The *Mai Jing* states: "A rapid pulse in children should be regarded as auspicious." I add: "A rapid pulse in young women should also be regarded as auspicious."

Kun represents the virtue of compliance; paired with Qian, it allows all things to mature thoroughly. Woman represents the yin image; following yang, it allows all things to generate. In numerology, seven is the number of Shaoyang (Lesser Yang); encountering yang triggers transformation. Thus, infants grow teeth at seven months, lose them at seven years, and experience Tian Gui (menarche/sexual maturity) at fourteen (two sevens). This refers to the primordial true yang water within, as described in the *I Ching* (Book of Changes) regarding the interaction of male and female essences, and in the *Li Ji* (Book of Rites) regarding the return of one yang qi and the movement of spring waters. After accumulating 4,800 periods (months), equivalent to a great canon, it fills the interior and overflows externally. Its form corresponds to the moon: waxing at fifteen days, waning at fifteen days, completing a cycle every thirty days like a ring, hence termed "Jing" (Menses/Meridian). "Jing" means correct/upright, free from selfishness; "Jing" means constant, unchanging. Rooted in the virtue of Kun and responding to the essence of the moon, the generation of sons and daughters arises from endless continuity. Yet, some are injured by medicines, others by worry and thought. Who experiences early menstruation (Bu Ji Qi)? Who experiences delayed menstruation (Guo Qi)? Both extremes occur. Early menstruation is typically due to heat; delayed menstruation is typically due to cold—this is the norm. However, early menstruation can also stem from cold, and delayed menstruation from heat; ultimately, these depend on the pulse characteristics of slow/fast and deficiency/excess. If injured by medicine: excessive consumption of cold-cooling herbs leads to blood stasis and obstruction; excessive consumption of warm-tonifying herbs leads to boiling fire. Blood is yin; it prefers stillness and dislikes agitation. Stillness nurtures it; agitation destroys it. I have rarely seen wealthy families recklessly consuming cold-cooling herbs. Fire stagnation must reach its peak before such measures are cautiously considered. Physicians often specialize in warm-tonifying prescriptions. Why is qi stagnation in the inner chambers, which is not a deficiency, diagnosed as Spleen deficiency, leading to the administration of Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma)? Why is chills from sitting idly, which is not actual cold, diagnosed as Mingmen (Gate of Life) insufficiency, leading to the administration of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma)? Until the煎熬 (simmering/agitation) becomes extreme: either blood moves due to fire, causing menstruation several times a month; or blood is scorched by fire, causing menstruation once every few months. How could one know that both early and delayed cycles are related to medication? If injured by worry and thought: a peaceful mind results in timely menstruation; a depressed mind results in delayed menstruation. Blood, which is Ying (Nutritive Qi), prefers gathering and dislikes scattering. Gathering makes it circulate fully; scattering causes it to rush wildly. Observing the common people, none are not joyful and at ease. Frequent anger adds up, unconsciously attacking with worry and depression. Women are naturally sentimental and prone to hidden depression. Even constrained by parents-in-law, leading to blood rushing upward, this is not excess, yet it is mistaken for blood fullness. Ignoring marital discord causing blood to flow recklessly, this is not deficiency, yet it is mistaken for blood depletion. Ignoring sorrow stemming from humble origins, leading to long-term accumulation: if wishes are slightly fulfilled, menstruation may be delayed; if wishes are thwarted, menstruation may be early. How could one know that both early and late cycles are tied to worry? From this, we see that infertility caused by worry and thought can still be reversed by aligning with their heart and nourishing their spirit. Infertility caused by medication is difficult to restore, no matter how much scripture is recited or Buddha is prayed to. The great virtue of Heaven and Earth is life. What stimulates this vital energy is gentle wind to disperse it, warm sun to brighten it, rain and dew to nourish it, and moist soil to润泽 (moisten) it, resulting in natural flourishing vitality. Once fanned by hot winds and burned by scorching suns, the soil cracks and dries, and how can floral essence emerge? Even Heaven and Earth are thus, and their vitality grows weary. Humans derive life from Heaven and Earth. To smooth this vital energy, one needs quiet cultivation to regulate Qi and harmony to nourish Blood. When Yin and Yang interweave and the uterus is warm, reproduction flows continuously. Once invaded by dry-heat and consumed by acrid-warm substances, the Yuan (Primordial) blood becomes shy/stagnant, and how can embryos form? Humans are similarly affected, and their vital energy is severed. The Daoist monk, carrying a gourd and a bamboo hat, traveling widely, sees doors filled with those struggling with infertility seeking treatment. Reviewing their previous medications, they were all warm-tonifying drugs; questioning their previous physicians, they were all warm-tonifying doctors. This is ubiquitous, utterly baffling. Examining the initial stages of taking these medicines, one might feel they suit the warm-tonifying approach: the body feels robust and plump, the demeanor charming and bright, and appetite increases rapidly. Physician’s use of such drugs is merely the stepping stone to this state. However, a pile of tiles cannot support millet planting; a rigid, block-like body cannot hope for the dream of bears (a symbol of bearing sons). I wish ladies of the inner chambers and beauties of the embroidered pavilions to embody the Way of Kun, follow the constancy of the moon, avoid greed for medicines, and preserve tranquility and leisure, thereby honoring the life-loving virtue of Heaven and Earth. Perhaps then, the monk’s compassionate heart to save the world (will not be dismissed as mere chatter).