凡男女胎孕所由,总在血气。若血气和平壮盛者,无不孕育,育亦无不长。其有不能孕者,无非气血薄
弱;育而不长者,无非根本不固。即如诸病相加,无非
伤损血气,如果邪逆未除,但当以煎剂略为拨正,拨正之后,则必以调服气血为主,斯为万全之策。所以凡种
子丸散,切不可杂以散风、消导及败血、苦寒、峻利等药。盖凡宜久服而加以此类,则久而增气,未有不反伤
气血,而难于孕者也。
再若香附一物,自王好古曰“乃妇人之仙药,多服亦能走气”,而后世不言走气,但相传曰“香
附为妇人之要药”,由是但治妇人,则不论虚实,无弗用之。不知香附气香、味辛、性燥,惟开郁、散气、行
血、导滞乃其所长,若气虚用之,大能泄气;血虚用之,大能耗血。如古方之女金丹及四制香附丸之类,惟
气实血滞者用之为宜。凡今妇人,十有九虚,顾可以“要药”二字而一概用之乎?用之不当,则渐耗渐弱,
而胎元之气,必反将杳然矣。
凡饮食之类,则人之脏气各有所宜,似不必过为拘执。惟酒多者为不宜。盖胎种先天之气,极宜清楚,极
宜充实,而酒性淫热,非惟乱性,亦且乱精。精为酒乱,则湿热其半,真精其半耳。精不充实,则胎元不固,
精多湿热,则他日痘疹、惊风、脾败之类,率已受造于此矣。故凡欲择期布种者,必宜先有所慎,与其多饮,
不如少饮;与其少饮,犹不如不饮,此亦胎元之一大机也。欲为子嗣之计者,其母以此为后着。
In general, the origin of conception and pregnancy in both men and women lies entirely in Blood and Qi. If Blood and Qi are harmonious and robust, there is no case of infertility, and if conception occurs, the fetus will grow without fail. Those who cannot conceive do so simply due to deficient or weak Blood and Qi; those whose pregnancies fail to develop properly do so simply because their fundamental root is not secure. Just as various diseases may compound each other, they all essentially damage Blood and Qi. If pathogenic factors are still rebellious and unremoved, one should only use decoctions to slightly correct the imbalance. After correction, the primary focus must be on regulating and tonifying Blood and Qi; this is the most comprehensive strategy. Therefore, in any seed-promoting pills or powders, one must absolutely avoid mixing in herbs that disperse Wind, promote digestion, break Blood stasis, are bitter-cold, or have drastic purgative effects. Since such substances added to long-term regimens will, over time, exacerbate pathological tendencies, they inevitably damage Blood and Qi, making conception difficult.
Regarding Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), since Wang Haogu stated it is "the immortal medicine for women, but excessive use can scatter Qi," later generations ceased mentioning its Qi-scattering property, instead propagating the saying that "Cyperi Rhizoma is the essential medicine for women." Consequently, when treating female disorders, it is used indiscriminately regardless of deficiency or excess patterns. One fails to realize that Cyperi Rhizoma has an aromatic odor, pungent taste, and dry nature; its strengths lie in resolving stagnation, dispersing Qi, moving Blood, and guiding out accumulation. If used by those with Qi deficiency, it greatly drains Qi; if used by those with Blood deficiency, it greatly consumes Blood. Ancient formulas such as Nü Jin Dan (Women's Golden Pill) and Si Zhi Xiang Fu Wan (Four-Processed Cyperi Rhizoma Pill) are suitable only for individuals with Qi excess and Blood stasis. Today, nine out of ten women present with deficiency patterns; how can one apply them universally merely because of the title "essential medicine"? Improper use leads to gradual depletion and weakness, causing the Qi of the fetal origin to vanish completely.
As for dietary intake, different organs have different preferences, so one need not be overly rigid. However, alcohol consumption in large quantities is particularly unsuitable. The congenital Qi required for conception needs to be extremely clear and pure, and extremely substantial. Alcohol possesses a licentious and hot nature; it not only disturbs the Shen (Spirit) but also contaminates Jing (Essence). When Jing is disturbed by alcohol, half becomes damp-heat, leaving only half as true Essence. If Essence is not substantial, the fetal foundation is insecure; if Essence contains excessive damp-heat, future conditions such as smallpox/variolae, convulsions, or Spleen failure in the child are likely already determined at conception. Therefore, those wishing to select auspicious times for conception must exercise caution beforehand: rather than drinking much, drink less; rather than drinking less, abstain completely. This is a major mechanism concerning the fetal origin. Those planning for offspring should consider this as a crucial final measure.