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Question: There are three diseases in women shortly after childbirth: one is postpartum spasm (a syndrome characterized by convulsions of the four limbs, stiffness of the neck and back, and even opisthotonos), the second is yu mao (postpartum dizziness, depression, and discomfort, or even syncope), and the third is constipation. What does this mean?

The Master said: Women who have just given birth have deficient blood and qi, sweat easily, and dislike wind; therefore, they suffer from postpartum spasm. After losing blood, sweating again, and being exposed to much cold, they suffer from yu mao. When body fluids are depleted, the stomach becomes dry; therefore, defecation is difficult.

Postpartum blood fainting (a syndrome where a puerpera suddenly experiences dizziness and blurred vision, inability to sit up, chest fullness, nausea, vomiting, jaw clenching, coma, and loss of consciousness) occurs because blood and qi are suddenly extremely deficient, and the body has not yet settled. Blood follows the upward movement of qi, confusing the heart-mind (Shen). Thus, flowers appear before the eyes. In severe cases, it causes suffocation and unconsciousness, with no awareness of surroundings, jaw clenching, mental confusion, and cold breath. It is appropriate to administer Qinghun San (Clear Soul Powder) to restore consciousness.

Jingjie San treats postpartum blood fainting with mental dullness and confusion.
Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba, 1 liang 3 qian) Taoren (Peach Kernel, 5 qian, stir-fried)
Grind into powder. Take 3 qian with boiling water. If wheezing occurs, add Xingren (Apricot Seed) and Gancao (Licorice Root), each 3 qian.

Lou stated: For those who faint due to excessive bleeding after childbirth, there is only dizziness, stuffiness, and restlessness; tonifying blood is indicated. For those who faint with little bleeding, it is due to lochia failing to descend and rushing upward to the heart, causing fullness and urgency below the heart, mental confusion, jaw clenching, and complete loss of consciousness; breaking blood and promoting blood circulation is indicated.

Danxi stated: Postpartum blood fainting in women is caused by deficient fire carrying blood to move recklessly. As confusion gradually sets in, using Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum, ash from deer horn after gelatin extraction) that has been processed to remove fire toxicity, ground into an extremely fine powder, and administered with wine boiled in child's urine will restore consciousness. This herb is excellent for moving blood.

Duxing San treats postpartum blood fainting with coma, unresponsiveness, and blood rushing to the heart causing suffocation and fainting. Use Wulingzhi (Trogopteri Dung, 4 qian), half stir-fried and half raw, ground together into an extremely fine powder. Mix with warm wine and take 2 qian to restore consciousness.

Zhongjing stated: In postpartum yu mao, the pulse is weak, appetite is absent, stool is hard, and only the head sweats. The reason is blood deficiency leading to jue (reversal/cold extremities), and jue inevitably leads to yu mao. For a patient with yu mao to recover, profuse sweating must occur throughout the body. Because blood is deficient at the lower jiao causing jue, isolated yang floats upward and outward, resulting in sweating only on the head. Therefore, when a puerpera sweats, it is due to the loss of yin blood and blood deficiency, leaving yang qi in excess. Sweating is necessary for yin and yang to restore balance. If there is hardness of the stool, vomiting, and inability to eat, Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) should be used to harmonize.