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Dingxiang Doukou San (Clove and White Cardamom Powder) and Rujü Yin (Zhu Ru and Dried Persimmon Decoction)

26. Postpartum hiccups are often caused by deficiency of the Stomach Qi accompanied by Cold. The treatment should employ Dingxiang (Clove), Baikou (White Cardamom), and Fulonggan (Furnace Earth), ground into fine powder, which is then taken with a decoction of Taoren (Peach Kernel) and Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit). If symptoms do not resolve promptly, Renshen (Ginseng) and Fuzi (Aconite Root) should be added to enhance efficacy. If the patient presents with fever, thirst, facial redness, and dark urine, it indicates a Heat syndrome; in such cases, a decoction of Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings), Ganshi (Dried Persimmon), and Juhong (Tangerine Peel) should be administered. This formula is named "Rujü Yin".

[Annotation] Postpartum hiccups result from injury to both Qi and Blood, leading to deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach, causing the Qi of the Middle Jiao to rebel and flow unsmoothly. It is appropriate to take Dingxiang Doukou San, composed of Dingxiang (Clove), Baikou (White Cardamom), and Fulonggan (Furnace Earth), ground into powder. Use a decoction of Taoren (Peach Kernel) and Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) to wash down the powder. If ineffective, Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) should be used for vigorous tonification. If fever, facial redness, and dark urine occur, indicating an Excess-Heat pattern, Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings), Ganshi (Dried Persimmon), and Juhong (Tangerine Peel) should be decocted and taken, named "Rujü Yin".

Erwei Renshen Su Mu Yin (Two-Ingredient Ginseng and Dalbergia Decoction)

27. Postpartum panting/dyspnea is a critical condition. If caused by excessive blood loss leading to Qi scattering due to Blood depletion, Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) should be decocted and taken. If turbid blood attacks upward, causing purple-black complexion, Erwei Renshen Su Mu Yin or Duoming San (Life-Restoring Powder) can cure it.

[Annotation] Postpartum panting/dyspnea is an extremely critical syndrome. It occurs because excessive bleeding causes sudden exhaustion of Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood), leaving Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) without support, resulting in solitary Yang floating upward and outward. One should rapidly tonify Qi by decocting Renshen (Ginseng) and Fuzi (Aconite Root) and drinking it frequently. If the panting/dyspnea is due to lochia retention, where turbid blood attacks the Lung, necessarily presenting with a purple-black complexion, Duoming San (Life-Restoring Powder) should be used to purge stasis. Once the stasis is removed, the panting/dyspnea will naturally settle. For deficiency patterns, use Renshen Su Mu Yin (Ginseng and Dalbergia Decoction), which consists of one liang of Renshen (Ginseng) ground into powder, taken with a decoction of two liang of Sumu (Dalbergia Wood).

Zhizhu Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Decoction) and Xiao Tiaozhong Tang (Minor Regulating the Middle Decoction)

28. Postpartum edema is divided into Qi edema, Water edema, and Blood edema. Mild swelling with distension and fullness represents Qi edema. Edema accompanied by panting/coughing and scanty/difficult urination, with skin resembling that of a ripe plum, represents Blood edema. Qi edema is best treated with Zhizhu Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Decoction); Water edema responds well to Fuling Daoshui Tang (Poria Draining Water Decoction); Blood edema is treated with Xiao Tiaozhong Tang (Minor Regulating the Middle Decoction). The latter is prepared by decocting Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baishao (White Peony Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Fuling (Poria), and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), and taking it with Xiaotiaojing San (Minor Regulating Menses Powder). Xiaotiaojing San consists of Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Chishao (Red Peony Root), Hupo (Amber), Shexiang (Musk), Xixin (Asarum), Rouguixin (Cinnamon Bark Heart), and Moyao (Myrrh). These herbs regulate Qi, harmonize Ying Blood, and promote the circulation of Blood stasis.

[Annotation] Postpartum edema occurs when turbid blood flows into the meridians due to deficiency, transforming into water fluid, thus causing edema. However, there is a distinction between Qi edema and Water edema, which must not be confused. If there is mild, flaccid edema with chest and epigastric distension/fullness, this is due to pre-existing retained fluid, termed "Qi Fen" (Qi Division/Pattern), and Zhizhu Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Decoction), consisting of Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) decocted, is appropriate. If accompanied by panting/coughing and difficult urination, it is Water edema, and Fuling Daoshui Tang (Poria Draining Water Decoction) should be used to promote diuresis. If the skin resembles that of a ripe plum or the whole body is swollen and bruised, it is Blood edema, and Xiao Tiaozhong Tang (Minor Regulating the Middle Decoction) is indicated. This formula is made by decocting Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baishao (White Peony Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Fuling (Poria), and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), and taking it with Xiaotiaojing San (Minor Regulating Menses Powder), which contains Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Chishao (Red Peony Root), Hupo (Amber), Shexiang (Musk), Xixin (Asarum), Rouguixin (Cinnamon Bark Heart), and Moyao (Myrrh).

Fuling Daoshui Tang (Poria Draining Water Decoction) - See Volume III for the formula.