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Dai Fu'an stated: Ezu (morning sickness, literally "obstruction of pregnancy") refers to the condition where a pregnant woman experiences nausea and an obstruction to food intake. During pregnancy, Ezu manifests as vomiting upon seeing food, a preference for sour foods, a tendency to lie down more than get up, and is colloquially known as "disease fetus." This occurs because the individual previously had phlegm-fluid retention, and blood stasis obstructed its normal circulation; thus, fluids ascend with Qi and stagnate in the Liver Meridian. The flavor associated with the Liver is sour, hence there is a strong desire for sour foods. According to the Five Elements theory where Metal overcomes Wood, pungent flavors are used to counteract this. Xiao Banxia Fuling Tang (Minor Pinellia and Poria Decoction) or Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) may be employed.

The *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) states: For persistent vomiting during pregnancy, Ganjiang Renshen Banxia Wan (Dry Ginger, Ginseng, and Pinellia Pill) is the primary treatment.

Xu Zhongke commented: Various types of vomiting and acid regurgitation belong to Fire syndromes. This statement refers to unclear Stomach Qi causing temporary vomiting. However, if vomiting persists during pregnancy, it is due to Cold causing the expulsion of contents upward (ou). If it does not cease, it leads to Deficiency. Therefore, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) is used to treat vomiting, Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) to treat Cold, and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) to tonify Deficiency, while using Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) paste mixed with Banxia to direct rebellious Qi downward.

The *Daquan Yishu* (Great Compendium of Medicine) states: When a woman’s menstruation is irregular or absent, and although she feels ill-like without obvious disease, her pulse is slippery and large, with all six positions uniform, this indicates pregnancy. Her spirit remains unchanged, but she dislikes the smell of food, craves only one specific item, vomits severely, or occasionally spits clear fluid. This is named Ezu. It should not be treated as a Cold syndrome. One should administer Baosheng Tang (Preserve Life Decoction), composed of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Wuyao (Linderae Radix), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum).

Note: Regarding vomiting in pregnancy, the *Jingui* advocates treating it as Cold, while the *Daquan* advises against treating it as Cold; both perspectives are valid. However, why are the medications mostly acrid and hot?

Luo Taiwu stated: A pregnant woman at three months experienced vomiting of phlegm and food, occurring specifically during the Yin and Mao hours (5:00–7:00 AM). At onset, she felt Qi rushing upward from the lower abdomen, followed by chest fullness and vomiting. This was caused by the Liver Pulse carrying the fire of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) rushing upward. Using Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum) ground in water to dissolve Baolong Wan (Embracing Dragon Pill), after one dose, the chest became comfortable, the Qi ceased rushing upward, and vomiting stopped.

Zhu Danxi stated: A pregnant woman at two months experienced vomiting accompanied by dizziness. Her pulse was wiry and weak on the left side, indicating Ezu. This resulted from anger stimulating and injuring Liver Qi, which then carried fetal Qi upward in rebellion. In such cases, tonifying with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is highly inappropriate. Instead, Yi Qing Wan (Suppress Blue Pill) should be administered using Fuling Banxia Tang (Poria and Pinellia Decoction) as a vehicle.