朱丹溪曰∶或问初产之妇,好血已亏,污血或留,彼黑神散非要药乎?答曰∶至哉坤元,万物资生,理之常
也。初产之妇,好血未必亏,污血未必积,脏腑未必寒,何以药为。饮食起居,勤加调护,何病之有。诚有
污血体怯而寒,服之或可。若有他病,当求病起何因,病在何经。气病治气,血病治血,寒者温之,热者清之,
凝者行之,虚者补之,血多者止之,何用海制此方,例令服饵,不恤无病生病。彼黑神散用干姜、当归之温热,
黑豆之甘,熟地之浓,以补血之虚。佐以炒蒲黄,防出血之多。芍药之酸寒,有收有散,为四药之助。肉桂大
辛热,以行滞血。和以甘草之缓。其取用似乎精密,然驱逐与补益,似难同方施治。设有性急者,形瘦者,本有
怒火者,夏月坐蓐者,时在火令,姜、桂皆
为禁药,虽是补剂,并有偏胜,脏腑无寒,何处消受。必教却去黑神散。彼富贵之家,骄恣之妇,卒有白带、头
风、气痛、膈满、痰逆、口干,经事不调,发秃体倦,皆是阳盛阴虚之候。天生气血,本自和平,曰盛曰虚,又乌
知非此等迷谬,有以兆之耶。
张 璜按∶产妇有禀质瘦热,素有郁火积热,多产冲任血枯脉涩,一经产后,儿枕作痛,粗工胶执古方,妄
投肉桂,祸不旋踵。故必严寒冻产,风冷乘虚,血瘀不行,方投肉桂,以通行血脉也。
Zhu Danxi said: One may ask, regarding women who have just given birth, whose good blood (normal blood) is already deficient and whose foul blood (lochia or stasis) may be retained, is Black Spirit Powder not an essential medicine? The answer is: The Kun Yuan (the primal power of the Earth that nurtures all things) is profound; all things rely on it for life, which is the constant principle. For women who have just delivered, good blood is not necessarily deficient, foul blood is not necessarily accumulated, and the Zang-Fu organs are not necessarily cold; why use medicine? If one diligently cares for diet and daily life, what illness would there be? Indeed, if there is retained foul blood, a weak constitution, and cold signs, taking it might be acceptable. However, if other diseases exist, one must seek the cause of the illness and determine which meridian is affected. Treat Qi disorders by regulating Qi, treat Blood disorders by regulating Blood, warm the cold, clear the heat, move stagnation, tonify deficiency, and stop excessive bleeding. Why adhere rigidly to this formula and order everyone to take it, disregarding the harm of causing disease in those without illness? Black Spirit Powder uses the warming properties of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), the sweetness of Hei Dou (Black Soybean), and the richness of Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) to tonify Blood deficiency. It is assisted by Chao Pu Huang (Fried Sparganii Pollen) to prevent excessive bleeding. Shao Yao (Peony Root), with its sour and cold nature, possesses both astringent and dispersing properties, aiding the previous four herbs. Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), being greatly acrid and hot, moves stagnant blood. This is harmonized by the moderating effect of Gan Cao (Licorice Root). Its formulation seems precise; however, expelling stasis and tonifying deficiency seem difficult to treat simultaneously in the same prescription. Suppose there are individuals with irritable temperaments, thin bodies, pre-existing fire-anger, or those lying in during summer when the Fire phase is dominant; in such cases, Gan Jiang and Rou Gui are contraindicated. Although this is a tonic formula, it has biased effects. If the Zang-Fu organs lack cold, how can they tolerate it? One must discard Black Spirit Powder. In wealthy families, indulgent women may suddenly suffer from leukorrhea, wind-headache, Qi-pain, chest fullness, rebellious phlegm, dry mouth, irregular menstruation, hair loss, and fatigue. These are all manifestations of Excess Yang and Deficient Yin. Innate Qi and Blood are originally balanced. To speak of "Excess" or "Deficiency," how do we know these were not precipitated by such misguided practices?
Zhang Huang commented: Parturients with a constitutional tendency towards thinness and heat, or those with chronic郁火 (depressed fire) and accumulated heat, or those whose Chong and Ren meridians are depleted and pulses are choppy due to multiple births, may experience Er Zhen Tong (postpartum abdominal pain caused by uterine contraction/stasis) after delivery. Crude practitioners, sticking rigidly to ancient formulas, recklessly administer Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), bringing disaster swiftly. Therefore, Rou Gui should only be administered when childbirth occurs in severe cold, wind-cold invades due to deficiency, and blood stasis prevents flow, in order to promote the circulation of blood vessels.