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Chuzheng (Attendant of the Palace) stated: The five flavors of food and drink nourish the marrow, bones, skin, muscles, hair, and nails. Men belong to Yang; within Yang there must be Yin, and the number associated with Yin is eight. Therefore, at age eight, the Yang essence begins to rise, and at age sixteen, the Yang essence overflows. Women belong to Yin; within Yin there must be Yang, and the number associated with Yang is seven. Therefore, at age seven, the Yin blood begins to rise, and at age fourteen, the Yin blood overflows. These are all the refined fruits produced by the five flavors of food and drink.

Xue Lizhai stated: The medical classics record: When food and drink enter the stomach, they move and overflow with essence and Qi, which are transported upward to the Spleen. The Spleen disperses these essences, sending them upward to return to the Lung. The Lung regulates the water passages, transporting them downward to the Bladder. Water and essences are distributed throughout the body, and the five meridians function in parallel. As Li Dongyuan said, "the Spleen is the source of production and transformation," and "the Heart commands the blood of all meridians." This is indeed true. If the Heart and Spleen are harmonious and peaceful, menstruation will proceed normally. However, if internal injury from the Seven Emotions, external invasion by the Six Excesses, irregular diet, or improper daily routine leads to deficiency and damage of the Spleen and Stomach, and reckless movement of Heart Fire, menstrual irregularities will occur. Generally speaking, blood is born from Spleen Earth; therefore, it is said that "the Spleen commands the blood." In treating blood disorders, bitter and sweet herbs should be used to assist Yang Qi and thereby generate Yin blood.

Xue Lizhai further stated: Blood is the refined essence of water and grain. It harmonizes the Five Zang organs and distributes to the Six Fu organs. In men, it transforms into essence; in women, it ascends as breast milk and descends as menstruation. Thus, although the Heart governs blood and the Liver stores blood, both are ultimately controlled by the Spleen. By tonifying the Spleen and harmonizing the Stomach, blood will naturally be generated. During menstruation, bitter-cold and acrid-dispersing herbs are strictly prohibited, and dietary habits should follow this principle as well.

Cheng Ruoshui stated: A woman's menstruation and breast milk are both produced by the Spleen and Stomach. The *Treatise on Distinct Variations of the Meridians* states: When the Qi of food enters the Stomach, its pure and clear fluid essence returns to the Heart, enters the vessels, changes color to red, and becomes blood. When blood is in excess, it flows into the Chong and Ren vessels to become menstruation. Menstruation is Yin water. Yin must follow Yang; therefore, its color is red, reflecting the hue of Fire. The Chong vessel is the Sea of Blood, and the Ren vessel governs the fetus and uterus. If a man contributes sperm during intercourse, and Yin and Yang combine to conceive pregnancy, this blood is transferred to nourish the fetus. After delivery, the pure and clear fluid essence from the Stomach returns to the Lung, circulates in the vessels, flows into the breasts, changes color to white, and becomes breast milk, reflecting the hue of Metal (Lung). If the infant does not suckle, the orifices of the Yangming channel remain unopened. Consequently, the fluid essence from the Stomach still returns to the vessels, changes color to red, and reverts to menstruation.

Shenzhai commented: The above four passages describe how a woman's menstrual blood is transformed from the refined essence of food and drink and the five flavors. This indicates that regulating menstruation must prioritize supporting the Spleen and protecting the Stomach as the essential key.