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To treat dystocia (difficult labor), it should not be taken too early; it must only be administered after the fetal membranes have ruptured and the infant's head has reached the birth canal.

Wild Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen, 30g)
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 30g)
Raw Hematitum (Zhesishi, 60g, finely crushed)
Use one qian (approx. 3.75g) of fried seeds from Helianthus annuus (Sunflower seeds, known as Weizu Hua Zi) as a guiding drug (Yin); alternatively, one qian of Helianthus annuus petals can be used as a guiding drug. If neither is available, it may also be used without a guiding drug.

Some may doubt that Hematitum, being a mineral substance, should not be boldly used in heavy doses. However, Hematitum has a very mild nature; although it is heavy and directs qi downward, it does not damage qi and blood. Moreover, with one liang (approx. 30g) of Codonopsis to tonify qi and one liang of Angelicae Sinensis Radix to generate blood, the slight warmth of Codonopsis and Angelica balances the slight coolness of Hematitum, making the combination even more secure. Furthermore, dystocia is either due to deficiency of qi and blood or stagnation of qi and blood, preventing descent. Although Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix can supplement qi and blood, their properties are slightly ascending and floating. With the heavy, descending nature of Hematitum, their force is directed downward, naturally assisting each other to achieve the effect of inducing labor and opening the pubic symphysis (Jiaogu). As for the slippery and moistening property of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, it is originally an excellent medicine for facilitating childbirth; when used with Hematitum, its slippery and moistening power is further enhanced.

The wife of my clan's nephew labored for two days without delivering. After using various labor-inducing medicines, the fetal qi felt reversed upward. I prepared this decoction for her, and she delivered after taking just one dose.

A woman experienced failure of the pubic symphysis to open during labor, suffering for three days in a critical condition. This same decoction was administered, and she delivered after one dose. Since formulating this prescription, I have saved many people. Use it boldly, and it will invariably produce immediate results.

Appendix: Weizu Hua refers to the sunflower, and its seed is Dong Kui Zi (Semen Malvae). Because if this flower is planted early in spring, it bears fruit in the same year. However, when used to induce labor, those planted in mid-summer and harvested after winter into the following year are particularly effective, hence the name Dong Kui Zi (Winter Okra Seed). Currently, pharmacies sell Semen Helianthi (Sunflower seeds) as Dong Kui Zi, which is a significant error. The "Kui" mentioned in ancient texts is not the same as the common sunflower. The ancient "Kui" is Weizu Hua, commonly called Shou Zu Hua (Guarding Foot Flower). This plant first produces clustered leaves, from the center of which the stem emerges; the lower part of the stem is protected by the clustered leaves, hence the name Weizu (Guarding Foot). The stem is nearly one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high, flowers are mostly red and similar to Hibiscus syriacus, and leaves are large like Hibiscus mutabilis. It is a perennial plant; sown in mid-summer, it blooms in early summer of the next year. The fruit is coin-sized and flat, containing seeds like elm samaras. Because it sprouts even after winter, the seed is named Dong Kui Zi. It must be harvested when tender to retain high protein content, thus benefiting humans. *Sheng Hui Fang* states to harvest the seeds and dry them in the shade, meaning harvesting while tender and drying in the shade. If left too long, they dry on the stalk, making shade-drying unnecessary. Another variety is sown in February or March, blooms in June, lacks clustered leaves at the base to guard the stem, but its stem, leaves, and flowers are identical to Kui, and its therapeutic effects are largely the same; this is Shu Kui (Malva verticillata). *Ben Cao Gang Mu* states white flowers treat malaria, indicating both Weizu Kui and Shu Kui can treat malaria.

As for the common sunflower, it is not recorded in various materia medica, only in *Qun Fang Pu*. Its original name is Zhang Ju, also known as Xi Fan Kui or Ying Yang Kui, and it is said to have abortifacient properties. However, using its abortifacient power to induce labor is indeed effective, which is why its petals are used as a guiding drug in Da Shun Tang. Sunflowers have stems about one zhang long, thick as bamboo, leaves large..., flowers plate-sized, single-petaled yellow, with a honeycomb-like center. When the central seeds mature, the surrounding petals do not wither. People often roast and eat the seeds, knowing they are non-toxic and slippery. It was once used alone to treat stranguria (Lin syndrome) with great efficacy. Later, used with Brucea javanica seeds (40 peeled Brucinae Semen, pounded with one liang of sunflower seeds, decocted and taken orally), it effectively treated gonorrheal stranguria. However, its ability to treat malaria was unknown. Recently, reading *Shaoxing Yixue Baoxue*, Lu XX described Kui treating malaria; thus, Zhang Ju can indeed be listed as a medicinal herb. The buds of Zhang Ju have stronger labor-inducing power than the seeds. I have seen cases where using only Zhang Ju buds induced immediate delivery, yet few people know this. Regarding using Weizu Zi for labor induction, it should be divided into old and tender types. Tender Weizi Zi requires several liang, crushed and boiled for juice consumption. If using old seeds, use approximately one liang, stir-fry lightly until the shell cracks, then decoct and drink.