Library

Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) (1 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (each 2 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (each 8 fen), Zi Su (Perillae Folium), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 4 fen). If there is Qi stagnation, add Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) (3 fen), decoct with ginger water.

Zi Xuan syndrome (pregnancy complicated by upward reversal of fetal Qi causing chest and abdominal distension), although primarily treated with Zi Su Yin (Perilla Decoction). If appetite is poor, combine with Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction). If there is internal heat or afternoon fever, combine with Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). If caused by Stomach Fire, use Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), and Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus). If caused by Spleen Depression, use Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) added with Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) and Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus).

The symptom of mental restlessness and irritability in the heart is attributed to Heart deficiency with fire. The simple prescription uses Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) as the main treatment. If the Cun position of the left hand pulse is weak, then take Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan (Biota Seed Heart-Nourishing Pill) or Tiao Bu Xin Dan (Heart-Tonifying and Regulating Elixir), taken before retiring for sleep.

Bai Fu Ling (Poria), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) (each 1 qian), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) (9 slices). For symptoms of startled heart, timidity, irritability, and unease: Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Zao Ren (Ziziphus Jujubae Semen) (each 1 qian), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) (each 2 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix) (each 8 fen), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (7 fen), Huai Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) (1.5 qian), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) (10 slices), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (3 fen), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) (1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (4 fen), using ginger and jujube as guides. If there is irritability and thirst, add one pill of Zhu Ru (Bambusa Textilis Caulis); if there is phlegm, add Zhu Li (Bambusa Textilis Succus) and Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice). If deficiency is predominant, increase the dosage of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix); if the Spleen is prone to diarrhea, remove Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Zao Ren (Ziziphus Jujubae Semen).

When the Lung organ is cold and heat invades the Heart, it causes mental distress. Retained phlegm and accumulated fluids gathering between the Heart and Chest, or rushing up to the Heart, also cause mental distress. If mental distress is caused by heat, there are only heat manifestations. If mental distress is caused by phlegm-fluids, there will be vomiting of saliva and foam, aversion to food odors, and restless irritability. For treating internal heat, use Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction); for treating phlegm stagnation, use Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) added with Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), and Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus); for treating Qi stagnation, use Zi Su Yin (Perilla Decoction); for treating Qi depression, use Fen Qi Yin (Qi-Dispersing Decoction) added with [missing herb name]. The tongue connects to the Heart. If a pregnant woman has deficiency of Qi in the Zang-Fu organs, disordered Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), and isolated Yin and Yang, with heat invading the Heart and Spleen and scanty body fluids, she will suffer from mental distress and dry mouth. If it is excess fire of the Stomach Meridian, use Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction); if it is deficient fire of the Stomach Meridian, use Ren Shen Huang Qi San (Ginseng and Astragalus Powder); if it is Stomach deficiency, use Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction); if it is Spleen Qi depression, use Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction); if it is deficient heat of the Lung Meridian, use Zi Su Yin (Perilla Decoction); if it is Liver fire stirring, use Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder); if it is Kidney fire stirring, use Jia Wei Di Huang Wan (Modified Rehmannia Pill).

(Wu's Commentary: Mental distress is mild while agitation is severe. Agitation belongs to Yin deficiency, where Yang has no attachment, leading to the floating outward of deficient Yang and the loss of solitary Yin. Over time, this leads to sudden collapse. The classics state that there is no method for rapid tonification in Yin deficiency; the key lies in subduing Yang. This is an extremely subtle and profound principle.)