Library

[Bencao] Zisu Yin (Perilla Decoction): Treats disharmony of fetal Qi during pregnancy, where the fetus is positioned high, causing abdominal distension and pain, known as "Zixuan" (Fetal Suspension). It also treats Qi stagnation due to fright during labor, resulting in failure to deliver for several days.
Radix et Folium Perillae (1 liang), Fructus Citri Grandis (Dafupi), Radix Ginseng (Renshen), Radix Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong), Cortex Citri Reticulatae (Chenpi), Radix Paeoniae Alba (Baishao) (each half liang), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) (3 fen), Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis (Gancao) (1 fen).
Finely chop the above herbs, divide into three doses. For each dose, use 1.5 cups of water, 4 slices of fresh ginger, and 7 cun of scallion white. Decoct until 0.7 cup remains, remove dregs, and take on an empty stomach.
There was once a woman who had been unable to deliver for several days; various parturition-inducing medicines proved ineffective. I said: "This must be because she prepared for delivery too early, harboring a slight fear in her heart, causing Qi stagnation and immobility, but this is not due to obstructed birth."
The *Suwen* states: "Fear causes Qi to sink." Generally, fear leads to spiritual timidity; timidity causes closure of the Upper Jiao; closure of the Upper Jiao causes Qi to return; when Qi returns, the Lower Jiao becomes distended, and Qi ceases to move. After taking this medicine once, delivery occurred. For women at six or seven months of pregnancy suffering from Zixuan, I have frequently used this formula with success; within ten doses, the fetus descends. Chen Liangfu stated: He treated a woman pregnant for seven months who, upon returning from a long journey, suddenly felt the fetus rushing up to her heart causing pain, making her restless in sitting and lying down. Two physicians failed to treat her and claimed the fetus was dead. They applied a paste of crushed castor beans mixed with musk below the umbilicus to induce expulsion, and the patient's life was in peril. Chen examined her, finding the Chi pulse (Kidney pulse) absent while other pulses were peaceful. Chen asked the two physicians what syndrome they diagnosed. They replied: "Dead fetus." Chen asked: "How do you know?" They answered: "The Chi pulse is deep and absent, thus we know." Chen asked: "From which classic or meridian theory does this statement originate?" The two physicians had no answer. Chen said: "This is Zixuan. If it were a dead fetus, there would be distinguishing signs: red face and blue tongue indicate death of the fetus and survival of the mother; blue face, red tongue, and foaming indicate death of the mother and survival of the fetus; blue lips and mouth indicate death of both. Currently, her face is not red, and her mouth is not blue, indicating the fetus is alive. This is 'Fetus Rushing to the Heart,' suitable for treatment with Zisu Yin. After ten doses, the fetus was delivered."
[Daguang Bencao] Formula for treating Fetal Rushing to the Heart causing mental restlessness and oppression, and also for critical fetal movement distress. Use fourteen stalks of scallion white, decoct strongly to obtain juice and drink. If the fetus is alive, it will calm; if dead, it will be expelled. If ineffective, take again. (This formula is miraculous, suitable for those with floating and slippery pulses. Materia Medica states: Scallion white unblocks Yang Qi and calms the fetus.)
[Milu] For fetal movement pressing upward causing heart pain. Take mugwort leaves the size of a chicken egg, decoct in four sheng of first-run vinegar to obtain two sheng, divide and take warm. For fetal rushing to the heart, heat-pain with bleeding. Half a jin of Shenqu (Medicated Leaven), crush, mix with cooked water, squeeze out three zhong of juice, take warm at any time until symptoms stop.
[Daguang Bencao] For pregnancy involving whole-body pain, or Qi rushing to the heart nearly causing death, inability to eat.
Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) (5 liang), Cortex Scutellariae (Huangqin) (2 liang), Radix Paeoniae (Shaoyao) (4 liang).
Use six sheng of water, decoct to obtain 2.5 sheng, divide into three doses. This addresses pain caused by fluid retention in the fetus and facilitates easy delivery.