〔大〕大凡生产自有时候，未见时候，切不可强服催生滑胎等药，或势不得已，则服
之。又云∶切不可坐早，及令坐婆乱动手。（凡催生药必候腰痛甚，胎陷下，浆血破方可服。）大法∶
滑以流通涩滞，苦以驱逐闭塞，香以开窍逐血。气滞者行气，胞浆先破，疲困者，固血。
丹溪云∶催生只用佛手散，最稳当，又效捷。（方见胎产大法）
〔滑剂〕
催生如圣散
黄蜀葵子（小半合。一方二钱重。）研烂，以酒滤去滓，温服，神妙。或漏血胎干难产痛极
者，并进三服，良久腹中气宽，胎滑即产，须见正产候方可服之。歌曰∶黄葵子炒七十粒，
细研酒调济君急，若遇临危产难时，免得全家俱哭泣。
又方 以香油、白蜜、小便和匀，各半盏，调益母草末服。一方止用油、蜜、小便，
能下难产。
又方 治横倒生者。
明阿胶（炒） 滑石末（各一两） 葵子（二两）
上水一盏半，煎至一盏，去滓分二服。
治难产五六日不得分娩者，疲困虚乏。
光明水胶二两，微火焙，好酒一升半，煎滚入胶候烊，再入新鸡子一枚，盐一钱匕，搅
匀放温，令产母坐椅上，伸腰大口作二次服，觉小便重即生，缘坐草早惊动故也。
〔苦剂〕
催生柞木饮子 治产难或横或倒，死胎烂胀腹中，此方屡用神效。
大柞木枝（一大堆长一尺，洗净，寸锉生用） 甘草（大者五寸，锉作五段）
上用新汲水三升半，同入新瓷瓶内，以纸三重封紧，文武火煎至一升半，令香。候
产妇腰重痛欲坐草时，温饮一小盏，（腰末重痛勿服。）便觉心下开豁，如觉渴，再饮一盏至三
四盏，觉下重便生，此方最验。
〔梅〕治难产碍胎在腹中，如已见儿，胎衣不出，或胎死者。
蒺藜子、贝母各四两，为末，米饮下一匙，如人行四五里许，不下再服。
按∶苦能下气，柞木、蒺藜、贝母，则又不专于苦，要之亦有利窍行血之功，兹特
因娄氏所编而列之耳。
〔香剂〕
乳朱丹
用通明乳香研细，以猪心血为丸，梧子大，朱砂为衣，日干。每服一粒，催生冷酒
化下，良久未下，再服一粒。若大段难产，以莲叶心蒂七个，水二盏，煎至一盏，放温化
下一粒，良久未下，再服，其验如神。如胎下胞衣不下者，服此便下。若胎横逆不顺，即
先服神应黑散，再服此药催之。合药时要五月五日午时极妙，或七月七日、三月三日及
初上辰日亦可。
又方 通明乳香（如皂角子大为末，）腰痛时用新汲水一小盏，入醋少许同煎，令产母两
手捉两石燕，坐婆调药饮水，须臾坐草便生，无痛楚，神良。
开骨膏 （五月五日午时作。）
乳香研细，滴水丸如芡实大。每服一粒。无灰酒吞下。
又方 乳香 朱砂（等分） 为细末，麝香、酒调下。
催生丹 （一名兔脑丸。）治产妇生理不顺，产育艰难，或横或逆。
十二月兔脑髓（去皮膜，研如泥） 母丁香（一钱，细末） 乳香（二钱半，另研）
麝香（另研，一字）
上三味拌匀，以兔脑髓和丸鸡头实大，阴干，油纸裹。每服一丸，温汤下，即产儿握
药出。
如意散 临产腰疼方可服之。
人参（为末） 乳香（各一钱） 朱砂（二钱）
上同研，临产急用鸡子清一个调药末，再用生姜自然汁调开冷服。如横倒等实时端顺，
子母无恙。
胜金散 郭稽中云∶产难者，因儿转身，将儿枕血块破碎，与胞中败血壅滞，儿身不
能便利，是以难产。急服胜金散消散其血，使儿自易生。陈无择云∶多因儿未转顺，坐草
太早，或努力太过，以致胞衣破而血水干，产路涩而儿难下，宜先服催生如神散以固其血，
设或逆生横产，当用前法针刺之。
麝香（一钱，研） 盐豉（一两，以青布裹了烧红，急研细）
上取秤锤烧赤，淬酒中，以酒调服一钱。
〔行气〕
催生汤 治妊娠欲产，痛阵尚疏，难产经三两日不生，胎死腹中，或产母气乏委顿，
产道干涩。才觉痛密，破水后便可服。
苍术（二两，米泔浸洗，锉，炒黄） 小浓枳壳（去幅，麸炒） 白桔梗 薄陈皮（去白）
杨芍药 川白芷 大川芎 大当归（去尾，各一两） 交趾桂（去粗皮，不见火） 半夏（汤洗）
粉草 麻黄（去节） 军姜（去皮） 浓朴（去粗皮，锉，姜汁炒） 南木香（不见火）
杏仁（去皮尖，另研） 白茯苓（各五钱）
上为末，每服二钱，顺流水温暖调下，若觉热闷，白蜜汤下，或锉散入真米醋一合煎。
方内用杨芍药、肉桂，能开通子宫，其余药皆助气之盛，关窍自通。麻黄内通阳气，阳
气盛则血行，血行即产矣。外却寒邪，去积聚，皆得其宜。寒月用之甚确，隆暑不宜轻
服。但以五苓散用葵子、灯心煎汤调下，却暑清魂，滑胎易产。胞浆先破，则胎干难产，
用白蜜、清油，侵以热酒，令得所，顿服，胎气既润，即分娩矣。
难产
缩砂 香附（醋炒） 枳壳 甘草 滑石
上为末，白汤调服。
〔行血〕
《本草》主难产。捣益母草取汁七大合，煎减半，顿服立产。无新者，以干者一大握，
水七合煮服。
〔丹〕易产天麻丸 天麻（即益母草，六月间带根花叶采，晒干，不以多少，）为末，炼蜜丸
龙眼大，临产熟水嚼一丸，能除产后百病。
佛手散（方及加减法，见胎产大法。）
如圣散 专治孕妇难产。
紫苏叶 当归（各等分）
上 咀，每服三五钱，用长流水煎服。如无流水，以水顺搅动，煎服即下。
又方 取本夫 带五寸，烧存性，酒调服下。
又方 取槐树东枝，令产妇把之，易产。
又方 用紫苏煎汤，调益元散服之，即产。
无忧散 治胎肥气逆，临蓐难产。
当归（去芦，酒浸） 川芎 木香（不见火） 白芍药 枳壳（去白，盐炒） 甘草（炙，各一钱半）
乳香（另研） 血余（烧存性，另研。各半钱）
上作一服，水二盅，煎至一盅，入乳香、血余和匀，不拘时服。
〔固血〕
治胞浆先破，恶水来多，胎干不得下时，须先与四物汤补养血气，次更浓煎葱汤，放
冷，令坐婆洗产户，须是款曲洗，令气上下通畅，更用酥调滑石末涂产户里，次服神妙
乳朱丹，或葵子如圣散。
催生如圣散 治逆产横生，瘦胎。
百草霜 香白芷（不见火，为末）
上二味，等分研匀，每服二大钱，于临产时以童便并少米醋打为膏，沸汤调下。
《集验》用酒、童便各半盏同煎，才沸即热服，不过再服即产。（丹溪用芎归汤调血，血得黑则止。
此药大能固血，免得干生。）
妇人临产累日气尽不能生，兼恶露出尽，胞干终不产者，用赤小豆一斗，水九升，煮
令熟，去豆滓，以阿胶三两，入豆汁溶化，每服止半盏，未产再服，即出。
〔破血〕
半夏汤 治胎干而不能产。
半夏曲（一两半） 大黄（五钱） 肉桂（七钱半） 桃仁（三十枚，微炒）
上为粗末，先服四物汤一二服，次服半夏汤，姜三片水煎。
又方 当归为末，酒调方寸匕，服之。
七圣散 临产腰疼方服。
延胡索 没药 白矾 白芷 姜黄 当归 桂心（各等分）
上为末，临产阵痛时，烧铧刃铁（即犁头。）令通赤，淬酒调下三钱，服一两杯立产。
胜金散 治难产，逐败血，即自生。若横逆则转正，子死腹中则胎软膨宽即产。祖
宗秘传，千金不授。
王不留行 酸浆草（死胎倍用） 茺蔚子 白蒺藜（去刺） 五灵脂（行血宜生用，各等分）
上为散，每服三钱，取利方水一盏半，入白花刘寄奴子一撮，同煎温服，大效。
〔外取〕
如圣膏 治产难并治胞衣不下，兼治死胎。
蓖麻子（七粒）去壳，细研成膏，涂脚心，胞即下，速洗去，不洗肠出。却用此膏涂顶
上，肠自缩入。一方，蓖麻子百粒，雄黄一钱，细研，用如上法。
催生万金不传遇仙丹
蓖麻子（十四粒，去壳） 朱砂（研） 雄黄（研，各一钱半） 蛇蜕（一尺，烧存性）
一方，蓖麻子三粒。
上为末，浆水饭和丸如弹子大。临产时先用椒汤淋渫脐下，次安药一丸于脐中，用
蜡纸数重覆上，阔帛束之，头生下，急取去药。一丸可用三次。
三麻四豆脱衣裳，研碎将来入麝香，若有妇人遭产难，贴在脐中两分张。（用蓖麻子三
粒，巴豆四粒，去壳，入麝研细，贴脐中。）
立圣丹 治产难危急者。
寒水石（四两，二两生用，二两 赤）
上同研细，入朱砂同研如深桃花色，每用三分，井花水调如薄糊，以纸花剪如杏叶
大，摊上贴脐心，候干再易，不过三上，便产。横逆恶候，死胎不下并治，神验。（寒水石
非方解石，即今人谓软石膏是也。此方异人所传，妙。）
〔杂方〕
《图经》云∶令产妇两手各握石燕一枚，须臾子下。
救产难经日不生，云母粉半两，温酒调服，入口即产，万不失一。（陆氏云∶已救三五百
人，效。）
治横逆产理不顺，用伏龙肝细研，每服一钱，酒调服，其土从儿头上戴出，妙。
〔世〕如神散 治催生累效，灵妙之理，人所难通，用实殊效。
临产时令人路上寻破草鞋一双，取耳烧灰，温酒调下三钱匕。得左足者男，右足者
女，覆者死，侧者有惊，果是神奇。用此送催生丸尤妙。
胜金丹 治难产神妙。败兔毫笔头一枚，烧灰研细，捣生藕汁一盏下之。若产母虚弱
及素有冷疾者，恐藕冷动气，即于重汤内暖过服，立产。
〔针灸〕
〔东〕妇人将产，预先胎破，恶水长流，坐草早，无血可养，枯竭。独阴（五分，在足
小指第三节间。） 承阴（一寸五分）
〔玉〕催生，难产及死胎。太冲（八分，补百息。） 合谷（补） 三阴交（五分，泻，立时分解。）
足小指节（三壮。《心术》多此一穴。）产子上冲逼心。巨阙（令正坐，用抱头抱腰微偃，
针入六分，留七呼，得气即泻，立苏。如子掬母心，生下手心有针痕。子顶母心，人中有痕。向后
枕骨有痕。是其验也。神效。） 合谷（三分，留三呼，补之。） 三阴交（五分，泻寸吸。）
〔张仲文〕横产、难产。右脚小指尖头（灸三壮，立产。）
〔集〕又法 独阴（同上法，取灸七壮，禁刺。） 合谷（补） 三阴交（泻）
〔桑〕难产。三阴交
〔治验〕淳于意治 川王美人怀子而不
乳，召臣意往，饮以莨KT 药一撮，以酒饮之，旋乳。意复诊其脉而脉躁，躁者有余病，即
饮以消石一剂，出血，血如豆比五六枚。
滑伯仁治一妇难产，七日而不乳，且食甚少。伯仁视之，以凉粥一盂，捣枫叶煎汤
调，啖之旋乳。或诘其理，滑曰∶此妇食甚少，未有无谷气而生者。夫枫叶先生先落，后
生后落，故以作汤饮也。
庞安常治一妇产七日而子不下，百治不效。庞视之，令其家人以汤温其腰腹，自为
上下拊摩，孕者觉肠胃微痛，呻吟间生一男，其家惊喜而不知所以。庞曰∶儿已出胞，但
一手误执母肠不能脱，非符药所能为，吾隔腹扪儿手所在，针其虎口，痛即缩手，所以
遽生，无他术也。取儿视之，右手虎口，针痕存焉。一妇累日产不下，服催生药不效。庞
曰∶此必坐草太早，心下怀惧，气结而不行，非不顺也。《素问》云∶恐则气下。盖恐则精
神怯，怯则上焦闭，闭则气逆，逆则下焦胀，气乃不行矣。以紫苏饮一服便产。及治妇人
子悬证。（紫苏饮见胎上逼心。）
吴茭山治一妇产难，三日不下，服破血行经之药，俱罔效。吴因制一方，以车前子
为君，冬葵子为臣，白芷、枳壳为佐使，巳服午产。众医异之。吴曰∶《本草》谓催生以
此为君，《毛诗》采 苡以防产难是也。
刘复真遇府判女产不利，已敛。刘取红花浓煎，扶女于凳上，以绵帛蘸汤 之，连
以浇帛上，以器盛水，又暖又淋，久而苏醒，遂生男子。盖遇严冬血冷，凝滞不行，温即
产见，亦神矣哉。
一医宿客店，值店妇产数日不下，下体已冷，无药甚窘。以椒、橙、茱萸等煎汤，可
下手则和脐腹入门处皆淋洗之，气温血行遂产。
〔交骨不开〕
〔薛〕交骨不开，产门不闭，皆由元气素弱，胎前失于调摄，以致血气不能运达而
然也。交骨不开，阴气虚也，用加味芎归汤、补中益气汤。产门不闭，气血虚也，用十全
大补汤。地官李孟卿娶三十五岁女为继室，妊娠虑其产难，索加味芎归汤四帖备用，至
期果产门不开，止服一帖，顿然分娩。上舍费怀德之室，产门不开，两日未生，服前
药一剂，实时而产。上舍传此方，用之者无有不验。一妇人分娩最易，至四十，妊娠
下血甚多，产门不开，与前汤一剂，又以无忧散斤许，煎熟时时饮之，以助其血而产。
加味芎归汤 主交骨不开，不能生产。
川芎 当归（各一两） 自死龟板（一枚，酥炙） 妇人头发（生男女多者，一握，烧存性）
上为散，每服五钱，水煎服，约人行五里即生。如胎死亦下。灼过龟板亦可。
[General Principles] Generally speaking, childbirth has its own specific timing. Before the expected time, one must absolutely not forcibly administer drugs for inducing labor or promoting fetal expulsion; they may only be taken when circumstances leave no other choice. It is also stated: One must absolutely not sit on the birthing mat too early (i.e., begin pushing prematurely), nor allow midwives to handle the mother recklessly. (Any drug for inducing labor must wait until the mother experiences severe lower back pain, the fetus descends, and the amniotic fluid breaks with bleeding.) The general treatment principle is: Use slippery agents to unblock stagnation, use bitter agents to expel obstruction, and use aromatic agents to open orifices and drive out blood stasis. For qi stagnation, promote qi movement; if the amniotic sac ruptures first, solidify the blood to prevent depletion. Zhu Danxi said: For inducing labor, only Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) should be used, which is the most stable and effective. (See "General Principles of Fetal Production" chapter for the formula.)
[Slippery Agents]
Cui Sheng Ru Sheng San (Induction Like-Sage Powder)
Huangshu Kui Zi (Abelmoschus manihot seeds, half a small he). Another version uses two qian. Grind into a paste, filter through wine to remove dregs, and take warm. The effect is miraculous. For cases of leakage causing dry fetus and difficult labor with extreme pain, take three doses consecutively. After some time, abdominal qi will feel relaxed, and the fetus will slide out easily for delivery. However, it can only be taken when signs of normal labor appear. The song says: "Seventy fried Huang Kui seeds, ground fine and mixed with wine to relieve your urgency; when facing life-threatening dystocia, it saves the whole family from weeping."
Another prescription: Mix sesame oil, white honey, and urine evenly, take half a zhan of each, mixed with Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus) powder. Another version uses only oil, honey, and urine, which can also induce difficult labor.
Another prescription: For transverse or breech presentation.
Ming E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini, fried) and Hua Shi (Talcum, powdered) (one tael each); Kui Zi (Abelmoschus seeds, two taels).
Add one and a half zhan of water, decoct to one zhan, remove dregs, and divide into two doses.
For difficult labor lasting five or six days without delivery, accompanied by fatigue and deficiency.
Guang Ming Shui Jiao (Light-bright Gum Arabic/Gelatin, two taels), baked over low fire. Add one and a half sheng of good wine, boil until rolling, then add the gelatin until melted. Add one fresh chicken egg and one qian of salt, stir well and let cool to warm temperature. Have the parturient sit on a chair, stretch her waist, and drink in two large gulps. When she feels heaviness in urination, delivery will occur, as this was caused by sitting on the mat too early and being startled.
[Bitter Agents]
Cui Sheng Zha Mu Yin Zi (Induction Oak Wood Decoction)
Treats difficult labor, whether transverse or breech, or dead fetus rotting and distending the abdomen. This formula has been repeatedly effective.
Da Zha Mu Zhi (Large Oak branch, a large pile, one chi long, washed clean, cut into cun segments, used raw); Gan Cao (Licorice root, large pieces five chi long, cut into five segments).
Place these in a new porcelain bottle with three and a half sheng of newly drawn water. Seal tightly with triple-layered paper. Decoct over mild heat until reduced to one and a half sheng, until fragrant. When the parturient feels heavy pain in the waist and desires to sit on the mat, drink one small zhan warm. (Do not take if the waist does not feel heavy/painful.) She will feel relief in the chest/epigastrium. If thirsty, drink another one to three zhan. When she feels downward pressure, she will deliver. This formula is very reliable.
[Mei] Treats difficult labor where the fetus obstructs the abdomen, such as when the head is visible but the placenta has not expelled, or if the fetus is dead.
Ji Li Zi (Tribulus terrestris seeds) and Bei Mu (Fritillaria bulb), four liang each, powdered. Take one spoonful with rice water. If not delivered after walking for about four or five li, take another dose.
Note: Bitterness can descend qi. Zha Mu, Ji Li, and Bei Mu are not solely bitter; essentially, they also have the function of opening orifices and promoting blood circulation. They are listed here specifically because they were compiled by Lou.
[Aromatic Agents]
Ru Zhu Dan (Frankincense Cinnabar Pill)
Use transparent Ru Xiang (Frankincense resin), grind finely, form pills with pig heart blood, size of wutong seeds, coat with Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), and dry in the sun. Take one pill per dose, dissolve in cold wine. If not delivered after a while, take another pill. For severe dystocia, use seven lotus leaf hearts/stems, decoct in two zhan of water to one zhan, cool slightly, and dissolve one pill. If not delivered after a while, take another. The efficacy is miraculous. If the fetus is delivered but the placenta remains, taking this will cause it to expel. If the fetus is transverse or inverted, first take Shen Ying Hei San (Divine Response Black Powder), then take this drug to induce labor. The best time to prepare the medicine is noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, or alternatively the seventh day of the seventh month, third day of the third month, or the Chen day of the beginning of the month.
Another prescription: Transparent Ru Xiang (ground to the size of a soap bean). For lower back pain, take one small zhan of newly drawn water, add a little vinegar, and decoct together. Have the parturient hold a Shi Yan (stone swallow) in each hand. The midwife prepares the medicine and lets her drink it. Within moments, she can sit on the mat and deliver without pain. Excellent efficacy.
Kai Gu Gao (Bone-Opening Ointment) (Prepare at noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.)
Grind Ru Xiang finely, add drops of water to make pills the size of a Chinese quince seed. Take one pill per dose. Swallow with Wu Hui Jiu (wine without ash impurities).
Another prescription: Ru Xiang and Zhu Sha (equal parts), grind to fine powder, mix with wine and take.
Cui Sheng Dan (Induction Pill) (Also known as Rabbit Brain Pill.) Treats abnormal physiology during childbirth, difficult labor, or transverse/inverted presentations.
December Rabbit Brain Marrow (skin and membrane removed, ground like mud); Mu Ding Xiang (Mother Clove, one qian, fine powder); Ru Xiang (Frankincense, two and a half qian, ground separately); She Xiang (Musk, ground separately, one zi amount).
Mix the above three ingredients, bind with rabbit brain marrow into pills the size of a cockle shell, dry in shade, wrap in oiled paper. Take one pill per dose with warm water. The newborn will come out holding the medicine.
Ru Yi San (As-You-Wish Powder) Can only be taken when experiencing lower back pain during labor.
Ren Shen (Ginseng, powdered); Ru Xiang (Frankincense, one qian each); Zhu Sha (Cinnabar, two qian).
Grind together. At urgent labor onset, mix with one egg white, then dilute with fresh ginger juice and take cold. If transverse or inverted, it will correct itself, ensuring safety for both mother and child.
Sheng Jin San (Victorious Gold Powder) Guo Jizhong said: Dystocia is caused by the fetus turning, breaking the blood clots of the 'child pillow', which obstructs the uterus with stale blood, preventing the fetus from descending smoothly. Urgently take Sheng Jin San to dissipate the blood, making birth easier. Chen Wuyue said: Often due to the fetus not turning correctly, sitting on the mat too early, or pushing too hard, causing the amniotic sac to rupture and blood/fluid to dry up, making the birth canal rough and the fetus hard to pass. One should first take Cui Sheng Ru Shen San (Induction Like-God Powder) to consolidate the blood. If transverse or inverted, acupuncture methods described earlier should be used.
She Xiang (Musk, one qian, ground); Yan Chi (Salted Fermented Soybeans, one liang, wrapped in green cloth, heated red, then ground fine quickly).
Heat a scale weight until red-hot, quench it in wine. Mix the wine with the powder and take one qian.
[Promoting Qi Movement]
Cui Sheng Tang (Induction Decoction)
Treats pregnancy nearing term, contractions still sparse, difficult labor lasting two or three days without delivery, dead fetus in the womb, or maternal qi deficiency and exhaustion, dry birth canal. Can be taken as soon as contractions become dense and waters break.
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea, two liang, soaked in rice wash water, cut, fried yellow); Xiao Nong Zhi Ke (Thick Aurantium peel, pith removed, bran-fried); Bai Jie Geng (White Platycodon root); Bo Chen Pi (Thin Tangerine peel, pith removed); Yang Shao Yao (Yang Peony root); Chuan Bai Zhi (Sichuan Angelica dahurica); Da Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Ligusticum chuanxiong); Da Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis, tail removed, one liang each); Jiao Zhi Gui (Cinnamon from Cochinchina, bark removed, not exposed to direct fire); Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata, washed in hot water); Fen Cao (Licorice root); Ma Huang (Ephedra, nodes removed); Jun Jiang (Ginger, peeled); Nong Po (Magnolia bark, bark removed, cut, fried with ginger juice); Nan Mu Xiang (Costus root, not exposed to direct fire); Xing Ren (Apricot kernel, skin and tip removed, ground separately); Bai Fu Ling (Poria cocos, five qian each).
Powder all ingredients. Take two qian per dose, mixed with smooth-flowing warm water. If feeling hot/stuffy, take with white honey water, or decoct the powder with one he of true rice vinegar.
The formula uses Yang Shao Yao and Rou Gui (Cinnamon bark) to open the uterus; the rest boost qi, naturally opening orifices. Ma Huang internally promotes yang qi; abundant yang qi moves blood, and moving blood leads to delivery. Externally dispels cold pathogens and removes accumulations, all appropriately. Very accurate for cold months; not suitable for light use in hot summer. However, if using Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) with Kui Zi and Deng Xin Cao (Juncus effusus) decocted in water to mix, it clears summer heat and calms the soul, facilitating easy delivery. If the amniotic sac ruptures first, causing dry fetus and difficult labor, use white honey and clear oil, soaked in hot wine, taken in one dose. Once the fetal qi is moistened, delivery occurs.
Dystocia
Suo Sha (Amomum villosum); Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus, vinegar-fried); Zhi Ke (Aurantium peel); Gan Cao (Licorice); Hua Shi (Talc).
Powder all, take with warm water.
[Promoting Blood Circulation]
Ben Cao materia medica states it treats difficult labor. Crush Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus) to extract juice (seven da he), decoct until halved, take in one dose for immediate delivery. If fresh is unavailable, use a large handful of dried herb, decoct in seven he of water.
[Dan] Yi Chan Tian Ma Wan (Easy-Birth Gastrodia Pill)
Tian Ma (Gastrodia elata - *Note: Text identifies this as Yi Mu Cao/Harvest-All*, harvested in June with roots, flowers, and leaves, dried, amount unspecified). Powder, bind with refined honey into pills the size of a dragon eye. Chew one pill with warm water at labor onset. It can cure hundred postpartum diseases.
Fo Shou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) (Formula and modifications see "General Principles of Fetal Production").
Ru Sheng San (Like-Sage Powder) Specifically treats pregnant women with difficult labor.
Zi Su Ye (Perilla leaf) and Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) (equal parts).
Cut into pieces. Take three to five qian per dose, decoct in long-flowing water. If long-flowing water is unavailable, stir water in a circular motion, decoct and take.
Another prescription: Take the husband's umbilical cord, five cun long, burn until charred but preserved (cun xing), mix with wine and take.
Another prescription: Take an east-facing branch of a locust tree, have the parturient hold it for easier delivery.
Another prescription: Decoct Zi Su Ye in water, mix with Yi Yuan San and take for delivery.
Wu You San (Carefree Powder) Treats fetal obesity and rebellious qi, difficult labor at term.
Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis, radix removed, soaked in wine); Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum); Mu Xiang (Costus, not exposed to direct fire); Bai Shao Yao (White Peony root); Zhi Ke (Aurantium peel, pith removed, salt-fried); Gan Cao (Licorice, honey-fried, one and a half qian each); Ru Xiang (Frankincense, ground separately); Xue Yu (Scorched human hair, ground separately, half qian each).
Take as one dose, decoct two zhong of water to one zhong. Add Ru Xiang and Xue Yu, mix well, take at any time.
[Consolidating Blood]
When the amniotic sac ruptures first, excessive lochia flows, and the dry fetus cannot descend, first administer Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to tonify blood and qi. Then, decoct strong scallion soup, cool it down, and have the midwife wash the vulva carefully to ensure smooth qi flow up and down. Apply Hu You (Butter/Ghee) mixed with Hua Shi (Talc) powder to the inside of the vulva. Then take Shen Miao Ru Zhu Dan (Miraculous Frankincense Cinnabar Pill) or Kui Zi Ru Sheng San (Abelmoschus Like-Sage Powder).
Cui Sheng Ru Sheng San (Induction Like-Sage Powder) Treats inverted/transverse birth and thin fetus.
Bai Cao Shuang (Soot from hundred herbs); Xiang Bai Zhi (Fragrant Angelica dahurica, not exposed to fire, powdered).
Equal parts, grind uniformly. Take two large qian per dose. At labor onset, mix with child's urine and a little rice vinegar to form a paste, take with boiling water.
Ji Yan text: Decoct wine and child's urine (half zhan each), take hot immediately upon boiling. Usually delivers after one more dose. (Danxi uses Xiong Gui Tang to regulate blood; blood stops when blackened. This drug strongly consolidates blood, preventing dry birth.)
For women who have labored for days until qi is exhausted, unable to deliver, with lochia completely gone and dry uterus finally failing to deliver: Use one dou of Chi Xiao Dou (Red Adzuki beans), nine sheng of water, cook until soft. Remove bean residue. Add three liang of E Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), melt in bean juice. Take half a zhan per dose. If not delivered, take again, and it will come out.
[Breaking Blood Stasis]
Ban Xia Tang (Pinellia Decoction) Treats dry fetus unable to deliver.
Ban Xia Qu (Pinellia fermented cake, one and a half liang); Da Huang (Rhubarb, five qian); Rou Gui (Cinnamon bark, seven and a half qian); Tao Ren (Peach kernel, thirty pieces, lightly fried).
Coarsely powder. First take Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) one or two doses, then take Ban Xia Tang decocted with three slices of ginger.
Another prescription: Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) powder, mix with wine and take one fang cun bi (square-inch measure).
Qi Sheng San (Seven Sages Powder) Take only when experiencing lower back pain during labor.
Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis); Mo Yao (Myrrh); Bai Fan (Alum); Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica); Jiang Huang (Turmeric); Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis); Gui Xin (Cinnamon heart) (equal parts).
Powder. During labor contractions, heat a plowshare iron until red-hot, quench in wine, mix with powder and take three qian. Drink one or two cups for immediate delivery.
Sheng Jin San (Victorious Gold Powder) Treats difficult labor, drives out stale blood, leading to spontaneous delivery. Corrects transverse/inverted positions; softens/expands the fetus if dead in utero for delivery. Secret transmission of ancestors, priceless.
Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria seeds); Suan Jiang Cao (Oxalis corniculata, double dose for dead fetus); Chong Wei Zi (Leonurus fruit); Bai Ji Li (Tribulus terrestris, thorns removed); Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus dung, raw for blood-moving, equal parts).
Powder. Take three qian per dose. Take one and a half zhan of Li Fang Shui (water from a convenient source), add a pinch of Bai Hua Liu Ji Nu Zi (Andrographis seeds), decoct together and take warm. Highly effective.
[External Applications]
Ru Sheng Gao (Like-Sage Ointment) Treats difficult labor, retained placenta, and dead fetus.
Bi Ma Zi (Castor bean, seven pieces), remove shell, grind finely into paste. Apply to soles of feet. Placenta will expel; wash off immediately, otherwise intestines may prolapse. Apply this ointment to the top of the head instead, and intestines will retract. Another version: Hundred castor beans, one qian Xiong Huang (Realgar), grind fine, apply as above.
Cui Sheng Wan Jin Bu Chuan Yu Xian Dan (Induction Ten-Thousand-Gold Untransmitted Immortal Pill)
Bi Ma Zi (Castor bean, fourteen pieces, shelled); Zhu Sha (Cinnabar, ground); Xiong Huang (Realgar, ground, one and a half qian each); She Tui (Snake slough, one chi, burned to preserve nature). Another version: Three castor beans.
Powder all. Mix with Jiang Shui Fan (fermented rice water dough) into pills the size of a marble. At labor onset, first wash below the navel with pepper soup. Place one pill in the navel, cover with several layers of wax paper, bind tightly with wide cloth. Once the head is born, urgently remove the medicine. One pill can be used three times.
"Three castors, four beans strip clothes, grind fine add musk; if a woman faces dystocia, stick two fen apart in the navel." (Use three castor beans, four Ba Dou (Croton seeds), shelled, add musk, grind fine, stick in navel.)
Li Sheng Dan (Establishing Sage Pill) Treats critical difficult labor.
Han Shui Shi (Calcitriol/Halloysite, four liang, two liang raw, two liang calcined/red).
Grind together finely, add Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), grind until deep peach blossom color. Use three fen per dose. Mix with well-water to a thin paste. Cut paper flower like apricot leaf, spread paste on it, stick to center of navel. Change when dry. Do not exceed three applications, then delivery occurs. Treats transverse/inverted bad signs and retained dead fetus. Miraculous. (Han Shui Shi is not Calcite, but what people now call soft Gypsum Fibrosum. This formula is passed by unusual persons, wonderful.)
[Miscellaneous Prescriptions]
Tu Jing states: Have the parturient hold one Shi Yan (Stone Swallow) in each hand; within moments the baby will be born.
Jiu Chan Nan Jing Ri Bu Sheng (Rescue Dystocia Not Delivering After Days): Yun Mu Fen (Mica powder), half liang, mix with warm wine and take. Delivers upon entry into mouth, infallible. (Lu Shi said: Has saved three to five hundred people, effective.)
Treats transverse/inverted abnormal labor mechanics: Use Fu Long Gan (Dragon's House Soil/Vermilion Earth), finely ground. Take one qian, mix with wine. The soil will emerge wearing the baby's head. Wonderful.
[Shi] Ru Shen San (Like-God Powder) Treats induction with repeated efficacy. Its spiritual mechanism is hard for people to understand, but practical use yields special results.
At labor onset, have someone find a pair of broken straw sandals on the road. Burn the ear/tuft to ash. Mix with warm wine and take three qian bi. Left foot indicates male, right foot female, upside down indicates death, sideways indicates fright. Truly miraculous. Using this to send down Induction Pills is especially good.
Sheng Jin Dan (Victorious Gold Pill) Treats difficult labor miraculously. Burn one failed rabbit-hair brush head to ash, grind fine. Smash fresh lotus root to extract one zhan of juice, take with ash. If the parturient is weak or has chronic cold disease, fear the cold lotus will move qi; warm the juice in a double boiler before taking. Immediate delivery.
[Acupuncture]
[Dong] Women about to give birth, premature rupture of membranes, continuous flow of foul water, sitting on mat too early, no blood to nourish, exhaustion. Du Yin (Five fen, between the third joint of the little toe). Cheng Yin (One inch five fen).
[Yu] Induction, difficult labor, and dead fetus. Tai Chong (Eight fen, tonify for hundred breaths). He Gu (Tonify). San Yin Jiao (Five fen, reduce, immediate resolution). Foot little toe joint (Three moxa cones. Xin Shu adds this acupoint). Fetus rising to press on the heart. Ju Que (Have sit upright, hold head and waist slightly leaning back, needle insert six fen, retain seven breaths, reduce upon obtaining qi, immediate revival. Signs: Needle mark on palm if fetus grabs mother's heart; mark on Ren Zhong if fetus presses heart; mark on occiput if backward. These are confirmations. Divine efficacy.) He Gu (Three fen, retain three breaths, tonify). San Yin Jiao (Five fen, reduce with inhalation at Cun pulse).
[Zhang Zhongwen] Transverse birth, difficult labor. Tip of the big toe of the right foot (Moxa three cones, immediate delivery).
[Ji] Another method: Du Yin (Same method as above, moxa seven cones, prohibit needling). He Gu (Tonify). San Yin Jiao (Reduce).
[Sang] Difficult labor. San Yin Jiao.
[Case Records] Chunyu Yi treated Mei Ren of King Chuan who carried a child but did not lactate. Summoned Yi, who gave her one scoop of Lang Di (Henbane) medicine drunk with wine, and she lactated immediately. Yi diagnosed her pulse again, finding it rapid. Rapid indicates excess disease. He gave her one dose of Xiao Shi (Niter/Potassium Nitrate), resulting in bleeding of five or six bean-sized clots.
Hua Bo Ren treated a woman with difficult labor for seven days, not lactating, eating very little. Hua examined her, gave her a bowl of cool porridge, pounded maple leaves, decocted in water to mix, and fed it. She lactated immediately. Asked for the rationale, Hua said: This woman eats very little; there is no birth without grain qi. Maple leaves fall first if they grow first, and last if they grow last; thus, I made this decoction.
Pang An Chang treated a woman who had labored for seven days without delivering, hundred treatments ineffective. Pang examined her, ordered family to warm her waist and abdomen with soup, and himself massaged up and down. The pregnant woman felt slight intestinal pain, groaned, and gave birth to a boy. Her family was surprised and delighted, not knowing why. Pang said: The child had exited the sac, but one hand mistakenly grasped the mother's intestine and could not release. This cannot be done by talismans or drugs. I palpated the child's hand location through the abdomen, needled his tiger's mouth (He Gu area), and upon pain, the hand retracted, hence the quick birth. No other technique. Examining the child, the needle mark remained on the right tiger's mouth. Another woman labored repeatedly without success, induction drugs ineffective. Pang said: This must be due to sitting on the mat too early, fear in the heart, qi knotting and not moving, not necessarily obstruction. Su Wen says: Fear causes qi to sink. Fear makes spirit timid; timidity closes the Upper Jiao; closure causes qi rebellion; rebellion causes Lower Jiao distension; thus qi does not move. One dose of Zi Su Yin induced delivery. Also treated Zi Xuan syndrome (Fetal Distress pressing on Heart) in women. (Zi Su Yin see Fetal Distress Pressing on Heart.)
Wu Jiao Shan treated a woman with difficult labor for three days, ineffective with blood-breaking and menstruation-promoting drugs. Wu formulated a prescription with Che Qian Zi (Plantago seed) as Sovereign, Dong Kui Zi (Malva seed) as Minister, Bai Zhi and Zhi Ke as Assistants/Envoys. Taken at Si hour, delivered at Wu hour. Doctors were amazed. Wu said: Ben Cao states these are sovereign for induction; Mao Shi (Book of Songs) mentions harvesting Yi Yi (Coix seed) to prevent dystocia.
Liu Fu Zhen encountered the daughter of a Prefect Judge with difficult labor, already prepared for burial. Liu took Hong Hua (Safflower), decocted thickly, supported the girl onto a stool, dipped cotton cloth in the hot decoction, poured it continuously onto the cloth, held a vessel of warm water to pour over. After a while, she revived and gave birth to a boy. Likely due to severe winter causing cold blood stagnation; warmth promoted delivery. Also miraculous.
A doctor stayed at an inn where the owner's wife had labored for days without delivery, lower body cold, no medicine available, very distressed. Decocted pepper, orange, evodia, etc., and when possible, washed the navel, abdomen, and entrance with the warm liquid. Warmth promoted qi and blood flow, resulting in delivery.
[Pubic Symphysis Separation/Open Bone Failure]
[Xue] Open pubic symphysis (Jiao Gu Bu Kai) and non-closing birth canal are all due to inherent weakness of primal qi, lack of regulation during pregnancy, causing blood and qi to fail to circulate. Open pubic symphysis is yin qi deficiency; use Jia Wei Xiong Gui Tang (Modified Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify Middle and Augment Qi Decoction). Non-closing birth canal is blood and qi deficiency; use Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Substance Great Tonifying Decoction). Official Li Mengqing married a 35-year-old woman as second wife. Worried about difficult labor during pregnancy, he requested four doses of Jia Wei Xiong Gui Tang for backup. At term, indeed the birth canal did not open. Taking only one dose resulted in instant delivery. Fei Huaide's wife had non-opening birth canal, two days without delivery. Taking one dose of the previous medicine resulted in immediate delivery. Fei transmitted this formula; users find it infallible. A woman who delivered easily previously, at age forty, had heavy bleeding during pregnancy, non-opening birth canal. Given one dose of the previous decoction, plus one jin of Wu You San, decocted and sipped frequently to assist blood and facilitate delivery.
Jia Wei Xiong Gui Tang (Modified Ligusticum and Angelica Decoction) Mainly treats open pubic symphysis, inability to deliver.
Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong); Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) (one liang each); Zi Si Gui Ban (Carapace of a naturally dead turtle, one piece, fried with butter); Fu Ren Tou Fa (Woman's hair, preferably from one who bore many sons/daughters, one handful, burned to preserve nature).
Powder all. Take five qian per dose, decoct in water. Delivery occurs approximately after walking five li. Dead fetus will also be expelled. Calcined turtle shell can also be used.