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Although the treatment of women's diseases has specialized branches, there are instances where it is impossible to fully adhere to the methods of the Sages. Today, wealthy families reside in deep inner chambers, within curtains and canopies, and further cover their arms with silk. Consequently, physicians cannot employ the divine skill of "inspection of complexion" (Wang Se, observation of facial color and luster) nor exhaust the subtlety of "palpation of pulse" (Qie Mai, feeling the radial pulse). Among the four diagnostic methods (Inspection, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, Palpation), two are missing. The Yellow Emperor stated: "In treating disease, one must observe the patient's form, qi, color, and luster. If form and qi are harmonious, it is termed treatable; if the color shows floating (pathogen moving outward), it is termed easily curable; if form and qi are discordant, it is termed difficult to treat; if the complexion is dull and lacks luster, it is termed difficult to cure." He also said: "The way to diagnose disease lies in observing a person's courage or timidity, as well as their bones, muscles, and skin, to understand the condition and establish diagnostic methods." If a patient's pulse does not correspond to the disease, and the physician cannot see their physical form, relying solely on the pulse to prescribe medication—is this feasible? Thus, it is difficult to fully master the art. This is a common flaw among physicians, which society finds hard to rectify. Physicians inevitably ask detailed questions; patients, seeing the multitude of inquiries, often deem the medical skill inadequate and refuse to take the medicine. Such cases are numerous. Even Bian Que was not believed when he observed the complexion of the Duke of Qi, let alone when the physician cannot see the patient at all. Alas! It is indeed difficult.

The term "general-purpose formulas" refers to prescriptions applicable to both antenatal and postnatal conditions. Some formulas treat dozens of different syndromes and do not fit into specialized categories; these were formulated by renowned sages. Although commonly used effective formulas are termed "general-purpose," one must not apply them rigidly like "carving a mark on a boat to find the sword" (acting dogmatically without regard to changing circumstances) or "following the picture to find the steed" (seeking reality based on theory alone).

For treating menstrual disorders—whether early or late, heavy or light, with varying pains—involving pain in the waist, legs, or abdomen, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (non-cyclic heavy bleeding or prolonged spotting), excessive lochia after miscarriage, or retained lochia; for abdominal pain and bleeding during pregnancy with fetal restlessness; for postpartum blood stasis masses that do not dissipate; for excessive blood loss or retained lochia—taking this formula yields miraculous results.
Zhang Shengdao stated: "This formula treats a hundred ailments in women; it is simply Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with Cornus officinalis added and decocted. For individuals with a Yang constitution, use less Cornus; for those with a Yin constitution, use more Cornus." Zhou Duanren, a Langzhong (Medical Attendant) from Wuxing, once recounted upon taking the provincial examination: "I am originally from a medical family. Regarding a hundred ailments in women, it is merely Siwu Tang with Cornus added, and there is no case that does not respond." He offered this as his report. (Xu Mingzhong's formula adds Cyperi Rhizoma).
Angelicae Radix Sinensis (Danggui), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) [Lu Shi states: reduce Chuanxiong by half], Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Gan Dihuang) [washed, dried]. *Yangsheng Biyong Fang* uses Prepared Rehmannia (*Shu Di Huang*), as does *Heji Jufang*. *Bencao* states: "Prepared Rehmannia is suitable for men, raw Rehmannia for women"; thus, using raw Rehmannia is correct.
Equal parts of the above, ground into coarse powder. Take 4 qian per dose. Add 1.5 sheng of water, decoct until 0.8 sheng remains, strain, and take 6 li of the clear liquid while hot, before meals.
For general qi and blood disharmony or daily maintenance, use only this base formula. Take 2–3 times daily.
To treat stagnant menstrual blood causing abdominal pain from qi and blood stagnation, add Curcumae Zedoariae Rhizoma (Ezhu) and Cinnamomi Cortex (Guigui) in equal parts. [Wang Shuo Fu stated: Prepared Rehmannia is cloying and causes blood stasis; how can it relieve pain? It is better to replace it with Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi)]. To promote the expulsion of old blood and generation of new blood after childbirth, and to treat various ailments by nourishing the Sea of Blood, add fresh ginger during decoction. For restless fetus with bleeding, add 5–7 leaves of Artemisia argyi (Aiye) per dose, along with Allii fistulosi Bulbus (Congbai) and Epimedii Folium (Ejiao) powder, reducing the dosage of the four main ingredients by half, and using a smaller amount of Angelicae Radix Sinensis. For severe conditions, chop 0.5 liang each of the four ingredients finely, add 4 sheng of water, a piece of prepared Artemisia argyi the size of a chicken egg, and 5–7 pieces of Ejiao. Decoct until 2.5 sheng remains, strain, and divide into four doses, consumed within one day. (Another prescription includes Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata (Fencao), Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum (Ganjiang), and Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin)). Take 2–3 times daily until two "la" periods (one la equals seven days) have passed after childbirth; thereafter, one or two doses daily are acceptable. For qi deficiency and disharmony of the Sea of Blood, taking it for one month is harmless. If startled after childbirth, leading to qi stagnation, accumulation of stale blood, and symptoms such as slight lochia, distension or pain, chest oppression, alternating chills and fever, or limb pain, add Corydalis Rhizoma (Yanhusuo), Myrrha (Moyao), and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Xiangbaizhi) in equal parts to Siwu Tang, grind into fine powder, and administer with weak vinegar soup, child's urine, or wine. If wind-blood attacks due to deficiency postpartum, or wind-strike with headache, fever, and bone-joint pain, add Schizonepetae Spica (Jingjie Sui), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfuzi), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), and Agastaches Herba (Huoxiang), each 1 fen, added to 1 liang of Siwu Tang material. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct in 1 sheng of water until 0.7 sheng remains. For deficiency-heat with vexation, blood conflict, dry mouth and tongue, and thirst, add Trichosanthis Radix (Gualou Gen) 1 liang and Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, heart removed) 3 fen. For stabbing abdominal pain with failure to expel lochia, add Angelicae Radix Sinensis and Paeoniae Radix Alba, each 1 fen. For uncontrolled metrorrhagia, add Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shu Dihuang) and Poria Cocos (Puhuang), each 1 liang. For retching, add Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) and Ginseng Radix (Renshen), each 0.5 liang. For alternating chills and fever, add Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma (Pao Ganjiang) and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), each 1 fen. For wind generated by heat, add Chuanxiong Rhizoma 1 fen and Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) 0.5 liang. For abdominal distension, add Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (N Houpo) and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi), each 1 fen. For body heat with rapid pulse, dizziness, and stiff neck, add Bupleuri Radix and Scutellariae Radix, each 0.5 liang. For slippery diarrhea of the zang-fu, add Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guixin) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi, prepared), each 1 fen. For deficiency-vexation and insomnia, add Bambusae Folium (Zhuye) and Ginseng Radix, each 1 fen. For irritability, thirst, severe headache, and extreme thirst, add Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) and Gypsum Fibrosum, each 0.5 liang. For fluid retention below the heart with mild retching, add Polyporus Umbellatus (Muling) and Podagricae Herba (Fangji), each 3 fen, decoct together. For mild deficiency vertigo, emaciation, fatigue, and irregular menstruation, use only fresh ginger and Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe), decocted normally. (This is a daily maintenance medicine for women. Its flavor is mild and nature gentle; effects are slow but profound.) Another prescription for unbearable cardiac and abdominal pain due to blood deficiency removes Rehmannia and adds Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum, named Six Shen Tang (Si Shen Tang). For constipation due to wind in the elderly, add Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Qingpi) in equal parts and decoct.
Another prescription for dysuria and constipation adds Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang) and Persicae Semen (Taoren, peeled, de-pippled, stir-fried yellow), reducing the decoction volume by half.
Another prescription for persistent bloody dysentery adds Epimedii Folium (Ejiao) and Artemisia argyi (Aiyao) for decoction. (Chen's formula for dysentery with unbearable abdominal pain is named Liu Wu Tang).
Another prescription for audible abdominal pain and sluggish menstruation doubles Prepared Rehmannia Root and adds half again as much Cinnamomi Ramulus. For malaria, add Schizonepetae Spica, decocted in wine for regular use.
Another prescription adds Bupleuri Radix, named Five Shen Tang (Wu Shen Tang). Bupleuri Radix greatly tonifies deficiency and clears deficiency-heat.
Another prescription takes 4 liang of Siwu Tang, grinds into fine powder, makes pills with refined honey, sized like paulownia seeds. Take 30–40 pills on an empty stomach with rice drink. This effectively treats leukorrhea in elderly women.
Another prescription takes 4 liang of Siwu Tang plus 0.5 liang of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata, grinds into powder, makes pills with refined honey (8 pills per liang). Dissolve half a qian of pills in wine and vinegar mixed with warm water. Named Danggui Jian (Angelica Decoction Paste). Expels bad blood, generates good blood. Take another pill after walking five li, regardless of time. (Use Raw Rehmannia Root as standard). The origin of this medicine is unknown. Some say it started with Hua Tuo of Wei. According to Chao Yuanfang, Hua Tuo's techniques were subtle, and his formulas were simple and concise. Legends state his acupuncture involved only a few points. *Qianjin Fang* states: Since the Three Dynasties, no medical formulas or discussions have been so comprehensive. These include formulas from famous doctors of Han and Jin. *Chanbao Fang* was compiled by Zan Yin, a patrol official under the Liang dynasty, containing Siwu San. Several formulas were incorporated into *Shenghui Fang* during the Taiping Xingguo era of our dynasty. Later, physicians changed powders to decoctions. Though lacking extraordinary efficacy, skilled users can manipulate it like riding a good horse, achieving any desired result, making it precious. Since the founding of our dynasty, famous physicians have freely modified the ingredients of Siwu Tang according to excess/deficiency and cold/heat, achieving efficacy in all cases. Moreover, it is not limited to women's diseases.