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35. After childbirth, yin deficiency leads to an excess of yang; slight spontaneous sweating is harmless. Head sweating indicates that yin deficiency causes yang to float upward and outward; profuse sweating over the entire body signifies Yang collapse (critical depletion of Yang qi).

[Note] Excessive blood loss after childbirth results in Yin deficiency, which in turn leads to relative Yang excess. If there is only slight spontaneous sweating, it indicates harmonious Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), so although sweating occurs, it is not harmful. If the body has no sweat but only the head sweats, this is a sign of Yin deficiency with floating and outward surging of Yang. If both the head and body sweat profusely without stopping, there is a danger of Yang collapse.

Danggui Liu Huang Tang (Angelica Six-Huang Decoction) | Huangqi Tang (Astragalus Decoction)

36. When deficient heat steams upward causing head sweating, treat with Danggui Liu Huang Tang; Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) should be used charred; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) are used in both raw and prepared forms, along with Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix). For spontaneous sweating, use Huangqi Tang with Oyster Shell (Concha Ostreae); the formula contains Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). If profuse sweating continues due to Yang escaping outward, large doses of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) can restore Yang.

[Note] Postpartum blood loss causes Yin deficiency, allowing Yang-heat to steam upward; if sweating occurs on the head up to the neck and then stops, Danggui Liu Huang Tang is appropriate. This consists of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix). The three herbs Huangqin, Huanglian, and Huangbai must be used charred. If spontaneous sweating is excessive, Huangqi Tang is suitable, consisting of Concha Ostreae (Oyster Shell), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). If massive loss of Yin-blood leads to lone Yang escaping outward and profuse sweating without cessation, only large doses of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) can restore Yang.

37. For postpartum wind-stroke, only major tonification is indicated; do not treat fire, wind-phlegm as primary concerns. Use Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Tonifying Decoction) as the main formula, and carefully consider adding assistant and guiding herbs based on clinical presentation.

[Note] Postpartum Qi and Blood are severely deficient; even if wind-stroke occurs, major tonification is the only appropriate approach. Even if symptoms of fire, wind-phlegm, or Qi stagnation are present, they should be treated as secondary. Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Tonifying Decoction) should be used as the principal formula, with assistant and guiding herbs added according to a detailed assessment of the specific manifestations of fire, wind, and phlegm.

Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Tonifying Decoction) Formula appears in the first volume.