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13. As the proverb goes, women's diseases are difficult to treat, largely because they live in seclusion, suffer from emotional depression and suspicion, are stubborn and dislike the four diagnostic methods of observation (Wang), auscultation and olfaction (Wen), inquiry (Wen), and palpation (Qie), conceal their illness, avoid medical treatment, and thus prevent medical skills from being applied.
[Annotation] Kou Zongshi said: "It is better to treat ten men than one woman." This implies that women's diseases are generally difficult to treat. This is because women live in seclusion, suffer from emotional depression, have many worries, resentments, loves, hates, and suspicions; when their desires are not fulfilled, their personalities become stubborn and biased. During diagnosis, they do not allow physicians to observe their physical form, look at their complexion, listen to their voice, or ask about their illness. Those from wealthy families reside in deep rooms, behind curtains, and cover their wrists with handkerchiefs, making it impossible to utilize the subtlety of observing complexion or fully apply the skill of pulse palpation. They inevitably require detailed inquiry, but find such inquiries tedious, and consequently doubt the physician's expertise, often refusing to trust the prescribed medicine. One must realize that inquiry is not an easy task; only a physician proficient in medicine can conduct it effectively. Among the four diagnostic methods—observation, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation—if three are removed, even a divine physician would have no way to apply their skills. This is a common problem throughout history; hence it is said that "women's diseases are difficult to treat," which is indeed true!

14. Before diagnosing diseases in women, one must first inquire about the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Failure to do so and administering incorrect medication is no trivial matter; ambiguity makes it hard to clarify the etiology.
[Annotation] Before diagnosing diseases in women, one must first inquire about the menstrual status and whether pregnancy exists. If this is not carefully questioned, and medication inadvertently violates contraindications, the consequences are significant, potentially leading to other syndromes. When symptoms are ambiguous and difficult to distinguish, how can one fail to understand the cause of the disease?

1. Sanhe Tang (Three-Harmony Decoction)
Danggui Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Chuanxiong Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, Dahuang Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Puxiao Natrii Sulfas, Baishao Radix Paeoniae Alba, Dihuang Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Zhizi Fructus Gardeniae, Lianqiao Fructus Forsythiae, Bohe Herba Menthae Haplocalycis, Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, each in equal parts.
Crush the herbs. For each dose, take eight qian, decoct in water, and take orally.

2. Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill Decoction)
Shudi Radix Rehmanniae Preparata 8 qian, Shanyurou Fructus Corni Officinalis and Shanyao Rhizoma Dioscoreae 4 qian each, Danpi Cortex Moutan, Zexie Rhizoma Alismatis, Fuling Sclerotium Poriae 3 qian each.
Decoct in clear water and take orally.

3. Jie Lao San (Extortion-Labor Powder)
Baishao Radix Paeoniae Alba 6 liang, Huangqi Radix Astragali Membranacei (prepared by stir-frying with honey) 4 liang, Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (prepared by stir-frying with honey), Ren Shen Radix Ginseng (remove rhizome), Danggui Radix Angelicae Sinensis (remove rhizome, wash with wine), Shudi Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (wash clean and bake dry), Wuweizi Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Ejiao Colla Corii Asini (stir-fry until bead-like), each 1 liang.
Cut into small pieces. For each dose, take 3 qian. Use one zhan of water, seven slices of fresh ginger, and three dates. Decoct until nine-tenths remains, take warm, at any time, three times daily.

4. Qin Xin Wan (Gut-Center Pill)
Use Sanghuangxin branches weighing 3 liang (soak in rice-washing water for seven days, dry by stir-frying, soak again, dry again, repeat this process seven times).
Grind into fine powder, make pills with vinegar the size of paulownia seeds. Take 70 pills per dose, warm water delivery on an empty stomach, twice daily.

5. Yiyin Jian (Benefit-Yin Decoction)
Shengdi Radix Rehmanniae Recens 3 qian, Zhimu Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Huangbai Cortex Phellodendri 2 qian each, Guiban Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis (prepared by stir-frying with vinegar) 4 qian, Suosharen Fructus Amomi Rotundus, Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (prepared by stir-frying with honey) 1 qian each.
Crush the herbs, decoct in water, and take orally.

6. Dahuang Zhechong Wan (Rhubarb and Ground Beetle Pill)
Dahuang Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Chishao Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Shengdi Radix Rehmanniae Recens, Taoren Semen Persicae, Xingren Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Ganxi Resina Lepidii, Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata, Zhechong Aspis Eupolyphagae Seu Steleophagi, Mengchong Hirudo, Shichong Hirudo, Qicao Larva Silphidae, Huangqiao Radix Scutellariae, each in equal parts.
Grind into powder, make pills with refined honey. The number of pills per dose should be adjusted according to deficiency or excess.

7. Zelan Ye Tang (Zelan Leaf Decoction)
Zelan Ye Herba Leonuri Japonici 3 liang, Danggui Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Baishao Radix Paeoniae Alba 1 liang each, Gancao Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata 5 qian.
Make into coarse powder. For each dose, take 5 qian. Use two zhan of water, decoct until one zhan remains, take warm.

8. Baizi Ren Wan (Biota Seed Pill)
Baizi Ren Semen Biotae (stir-fried, ground separately), Niuxku Radix et Rhizoma Achyranthis Bidentatae (wash with wine), Juanbai Herba Serpylli 5 qian each, Zelan Ye Herba Leonuri Japonici, Xu Duan Radix et Rhizoma Dipsaci 2 liang each, Shudi Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (soaked in wine for half a day, pounded into paste in a stone mortar) 3 liang 5 qian.
Grind into fine powder, make pills with refined honey the size of paulownia seeds. Take 30 pills on an empty stomach with rice drink.