Library

The head is the convergence point of all Yang meridians (Yang meridians: meridians that run along the exterior of the body and are associated with Yang energy). After childbirth, the five Zang organs (Five Zang organs: Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney) are all deficient. The Stomach Qi (Stomach Qi: the functional activity of the Stomach) is weakened, and the Grain Qi (Grain Qi: energy derived from food digestion) is still insufficient, leading to deficiency heat (Deficiency heat: heat syndrome caused by Yin deficiency). Yang Qi fails to remain in its proper place and rushes upward to the head. Excess Yang and deficiency Yin result in headache.

There are also cases where pain is caused by postpartum retained blood (Retained blood: blood stasis remaining after childbirth). Xue Lizhai stated: If the above symptoms are due to Middle Qi deficiency (Middle Qi deficiency: weakness of Spleen and Stomach function), use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with Jingjie (Eupatorium Leaf) added; if it is Blood deficiency (Blood deficiency: lack of nourishing blood), use Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) with Renshen (Ginseng) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) added; if both Qi and Blood are deficient, use Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction); if caused by Wind-Cold invasion (Wind-Cold invasion: pathogenic factors of wind and cold), use Buzhong Yiqi Tang with Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome) added.

Chanbao Heilong Dan (Black Dragon Pill for Obstetrics)
Treats unbearable postpartum headache, all types of blood-stasis pain, critical conditions approaching death, and retained placenta. As long as the medicine can be administered and swallowed, peace is restored immediately. It is truly a precious remedy for obstetrics.
Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Gaoliangjiang (Galangal Rhizome) (each 5 qian).
Crush the above herbs, dry them thoroughly in the sun, store them in a small jar sealed with Guji method (a traditional sealing technique), cover tightly with a lamp saucer, and decoct using alternating mild and strong fire for the duration of one incense stick. Let it cool in a shaded place to dissipate "fire toxicity" (Fire toxicity: toxic effects resulting from excessive heating or processing). Remove the medicine, which should resemble black dregs, and grind into fine powder.
Add Huarui Shi (Pyrite, calcined and ground separately, 2 qian), Hupo (Amber, ground separately, 1 qian), Ruxiang (Frankincense, ground separately, 1.5 qian), Baicaoshuang (Soot from burning straw, 5 qian).
Grind uniformly with the previously processed powder. Form pills using vinegar paste, sized like bullet seeds. Take one pill per dose. Use Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi), good wine, and Child's Urine (Tongbian) half a cup each. Roast one pill on charcoal until red-hot, quench it in the wine and urine mixture, dissolve, and take in one go. Effect is immediate.

Preface to Heilong Dan
The sister-in-law of Zhong, Lady Jinhua, was in Qin. Seven days after childbirth, she refused food and began complaining of severe headache, wishing to have a large stone pressed upon her head. After a short while, she stabilized slightly. When experiencing heart pain, she would scratch the walls with her ten fingers, suffering agonizingly. When her eyes hurt, she wished to gouge them out with her hands. Such conditions persisted for ten days. Three or four imperial physicians and several local officials skilled in medicine looked at each other helplessly, unable to determine the root cause. The doctors' skills were exhausted, and the patient became increasingly distressed. I assessed the critical nature of the illness, believing that only a miraculous elixir could cure it, necessitating the administration of Heilong Dan. Zhong hesitated, fearing that since she had not eaten for several days, her body might not withstand it. At dusk, half a pill was administered, and the disease subsided slightly. At midnight, another dose was given. After taking the medicine, she slept as usual. At dawn, she passed stool approximately three sheng, resembling locust eggs. The disease reduced by half. At the Si hour (9-11 AM), she passed stool again as before, and then recovered instantly. Maid servants were sent to attend to her; she was nearly lifeless and breathless. Her body cooled and her breath resumed only in the afternoon. She whispered requesting drink, and from then on, she gradually recovered. Generally, postpartum treatment prioritizes the expulsion of foul blood. If blood stagnation is not resolved swiftly, disasters such as these occur. Old women and unskilled TCM practitioners who do not understand the root of diseases inevitably lead to premature deaths. Without encountering a good physician, one ends up with lifelong regrets. Now, I publish Heilong Dan to widely benefit people. May those in the world afflicted by this disease be able to live out their natural lifespan. This is not done for reward, but solely to alleviate suffering and preserve life. Prefaced by Guo on the fifth day of the fifth month, first year of Chongning.

Chuanxiong San (Ligusticum Powder)
Treats postpartum headache.
Zhen Tiantai Wuyao (True Tiantai Litsea Root), Da Chuanxiong (Large Ligusticum Rhizome) (equal parts).
Grind into fine powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Quench a red-hot weighing hammer in wine, mix with the powder, and take orally.

Jiajian Siwu Tang (Modified Four Substance Decoction)
Treats postpartum headache, Blood deficiency, Phlegm-Lump (Phlegm-lump: accumulation of phlegm causing masses or discomfort), and Cold-Jue (Cold-Jue: cold extremities due to Yang deficiency or obstruction).
Cangzhu (Atractodis Rhizoma, 1.5 qian), Qianghuo (Notopterygium Rhizome), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizome, stir-fried), Baizhu (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) (each 1 qian), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 2.5 qian), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 1.2 qian), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 0.8 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 0.5 qian).
Decoct with two zhan of water and three slices of ginger. For Blood deficiency, double the Danggui and add Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix); for sweating, add Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus); for Phlegm-lump, add Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Fuling (Poria); for Heat-Phlegm, double the Shigao and add Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma); for Cold-Jue, add Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).