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Guo Jizhong said: Regarding the question of why postpartum women experience dry mouth and chest/epigastric stuffiness, the answer is: After childbirth, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi are extremely deficient, and blood and Qi have not yet stabilized. If noodles are consumed too early, the Stomach cannot digest them. The "noodle toxin" accumulates in the Stomach, steaming upward into the chest, thereby causing dry mouth and thirst, as well as epigastric fullness and stuffiness. Physicians who do not recognize this condition may mistakenly diagnose it as obstruction in the chest and diaphragm and administer purgative medicines. In extreme cases, simply taking Jiansou Wan (See-Urine Pill) will lead to recovery.

Chen Wuyue stated: Postpartum dry mouth and stuffiness are not necessarily caused solely by eating noodles. It may be due to the mother harboring internal worry and vexation, external invasion by dry-heat pathogens, or consumption of sweet, greasy, and rich foods, leading to dry mouth and stuffiness. Treatment should be adjusted according to the specific etiology.

Xue Lizhai stated: If the aforementioned symptoms are due to retained food stagnation, Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) should be used. If caused by meat consumption, add Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit). If caused by fish consumption, add Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel). If the food has digested but the stuffiness persists, or if pain and vomiting occur instead, this indicates injury to the Spleen and Stomach; use Liu Jun Zi Tang. If acid regurgitation and belching of rotten smells occur, add Pao Jiang (Charred Ginger). If diarrhea occurs, add Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma); if ineffective, combine with Si Shen Wan (Four Spirits Pill), or alternatively use Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction).

Shen Zhai's commentary: The above two passages describe postpartum conditions resulting from food injury. Postpartum blood and Qi are already deficient, and the primordial Qi in the Stomach is very weak. Any slight dietary indiscretion makes transformation and transportation difficult, leading to stuffiness. This is indeed not limited to "noodle toxin." However, in the North, noodles serve as a staple food; in the South, custom dictates a banquet on the third day after birth, which often includes noodles. Relying on their robust health, many postpartum women injure themselves through overeating. Thus, Guo Jizhong cites this example. Therefore, Zhu Danxi taught new mothers to eat white rice porridge and abstain from eggs, precisely because deficient individuals are prone to food stagnation.

Guo Jizhong said: Regarding the question of why postpartum women experience abdominal distension, fullness, and irregular vomiting, the answer is: Loathsome blood (stagnant blood) scatters into the Spleen and Stomach. When the Spleen is affected, it fails to transform and transport essence and micro-nutrients, resulting in abdominal distension. When the Stomach is affected, it fails to receive and decompose water and grain, resulting in vomiting and regurgitation. Physicians who do not recognize this condition may use ordinary medications for treating distension and stopping vomiting. Since the disease and medicine are mismatched, this will further damage the righteous Qi, making the illness harder to treat. Simply taking Di Sheng Tang (Rescue Sage Decoction) will lead to recovery.

Xue Lizhai stated: If the aforementioned symptoms are due to loathsome blood injuring the Spleen and Stomach, the previous formula (Di Sheng Tang) is appropriate. If food stagnates in the Spleen, Liu Jun Zi Tang with Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) is suitable. If food injures the Stomach, Liu Jun Zi Tang is suitable. Generally, for those whose Spleen is damaged, regulating diet is the best approach.

Shen Zhai's commentary: The above two passages describe postpartum conditions characterized by abdominal distension and vomiting. Postpartum abdominal distension and vomiting are invariably caused by Spleen and Stomach deficiency. Guo’s theory emphasizes loathsome blood, while Xue’s theory emphasizes food injury. Both food retention and blood stasis belong to excess syndromes. Whether to employ attacking or tonifying methods depends on the judgment of the clinician.