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*Chanbao Xinshu* (New Book of Obstetrics) states: For carbuncles and sores occurring postpartum, it is appropriate to take Shenghua Tang (Decoction for Generating the New) with added Qiaoyao (Forsythiae Fructus), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Ruxiang (Olibanum), and Ludou Fen (Vigna radiata Powder), taken together. One should not use drugs such as Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), nor formulas like Baidu San (Poison-Resolving Powder).

Shen Zhai's commentary: In the early postpartum period, whether ten or fifteen days after delivery, sudden carbuncles and swellings may appear on the limbs, chest, or abdomen. This may be due to incomplete expulsion of lochia (postpartum residual blood) or to deficiency of qi and blood, causing Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) to fail in its normal circulation and reverse into the muscle tissue, resulting in toxic sores. If the condition is caused by lochia stasis blocking the meridians, treatment should focus on nourishing blood, promoting blood circulation, guiding out stasis, and unblocking qi. If the condition arises from deficiency of qi and blood and sluggish movement of Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi leading to congestion and swelling, treatment should prioritize tonifying qi and invigorating blood. One must absolutely avoid treating it as a "toxic" heat condition using cold, cooling, fire-clearing, and detoxifying herbs. Instead, one should employ strong tonification, such as with Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Significant Decoction for Great Tonification) or Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction), to consolidate the root and yuan qi (Original Qi). By supporting stomach qi, strengthening the qi to ensure smooth blood flow, the toxicity will resolve spontaneously. Attempting to attack the toxin directly will inevitably lead to ulceration and failure to heal.

*Funü Daquan Liangfang* (Comprehensive Essential Prescriptions for Women) states: Irregular menstruation postpartum results from damage to blood and qi during childbirth, leaving the body in a state of deficiency that has not yet recovered. Pathogenic wind, cold, or heat qi lodges in the meridians, causing alternating sensations of cold and heat. Cold causes blood to coagulate, while heat causes blood to dissipate; thus, menstrual volume becomes excessive or scanty, and timing may occur earlier or later than expected. This is termed irregular menstruation.

*Funü Daquan Liangfang* further states: Childbirth damages blood and qi, and the resulting deficiency makes the body susceptible to injury by wind-cold. Blood coagulates upon exposure to cold. Therefore, when wind-cold invades the meridians, blood congeals between the uterine collaterals, leading to amenorrhea. Whenever blood coagulation causes amenorrhea, it may develop into Xuejia (Blood Masses/Abdominal Masses). When water-dampness and blood bind together, compounded by spleen-stomach weakness and muscular flabbiness, edema may ensue.

Chen Liangfu states: The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) are the seas of the meridians and originate within the uterus. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian transform upwards into breast milk and downwards into menstruation. If menstruation does not resume postpartum, it is because recent childbirth has injured qi and blood through exertion, or due to excessive blood loss, which naturally impedes lactation. If menstruation does not return while nursing an infant aged six months to one year, this is a normal physiological state, not a disease. If menstruation returns at six months, or even four to five months postpartum, it indicates a young, robust constitution with abundant blood. If menstruation remains absent for one to two years postpartum but without other discomforts, medication is unnecessary. However, if qi and blood are injured by exertion, leading to deficiency of the Chong and Ren vessels and scarcity of qi and blood, one should simply administer herbs that strengthen the spleen and stomach and nourish qi and blood; menstruation will resume naturally. Using purgative or blood-invigorating drugs to forcibly induce menstruation causes significant harm.

Shen Zhai's commentary: The above three passages describe syndromes of irregular menstruation and amenorrhea postpartum. While amenorrhea is a major concern for women, its occurrence postpartum should not necessarily be classified as a pathological disease. The two passages from *Daquan* attribute the cause solely to wind-cold pathogenic invasion, focusing exclusively on external factors, which represents a biased viewpoint. Postpartual irregularity or absence of menstruation may result from: 1) labor and injury to the zang-fu organs causing blood and qi deficiency; 2) pregnancy and lactation diverting blood upwards to form milk; or 3) spleen-stomach qi deficiency leading to poor dietary intake. It is not limited to external wind-cold or heat pathogens. Chen Liangfu’s analysis thoroughly elucidates the pathogenesis. His assertion that one need only strengthen the spleen and stomach and nourish qi and blood, without forcibly unblocking the menses, demonstrates a profound understanding of addressing the root cause.