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According to the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic), regarding postpartum pulses: if the pulse at the Cun Kou (inch position) is flooding, rapid, and irregular, it indicates a fatal prognosis; whereas if the pulse is faint but still palpable deep against the bone (indicating root Qi), it indicates survival. It further states that sinking, small, slow, and slippery pulses are auspicious, while excessive, large, firm, wiry, and rapid pulses are ominous. Pulses that are firm, leathery, knotted, intermittent, or choppy and irregular are considered intractable. Zhu Danxi stated that during pregnancy, the pulse should be flooding and rapid; if it remains flooding and rapid after delivery, the prognosis is poor. He also said that if the pulse was fine and small during pregnancy but becomes flooding and large after delivery, death is likely. I have observed many cases where patients recovered despite having flooding, rapid pulses postpartum. One must understand that floating, flooding, and rapid pulses are common due to Blood deficiency. Since postpartum Blood deficiency is prevalent, these pulses appear. If this is not clearly explained, lay physicians often misdiagnose it as an external contraction (Exogenous pathogen invasion). The disaster of "making the deficient more deficient" can occur in an instant. However, within this flooding and rapid quality, there is naturally a harmonious and slippery aspect. This is unlike the firm and rapid pulse lacking Stomach Qi, which leads to death. The *Chan Jing* (Obstetric Classic) states: for diseases during pregnancy, the pulse should be substantial; for diseases after delivery, the pulse should be deficient. During pregnancy, one should soothe Qi and calm the fetus; after delivery, one should tonify deficiency and resolve stasis. This is the key principle.

Regarding the discussion on Shenghua Tang: Various conditions after delivery arise because Qi and Blood suddenly descend, causing severe depletion of Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). Medication cannot follow ordinary methods. Therefore, in cases that cannot wait, one must add warming and moving herbs within strong tonification. Strong tonification provides great force to promote circulation; warming promotes smooth flow without stagnation. As for formulas that expel stasis, even in excess patterns, harsh purgative drugs should not be used. How much less so in the case of severe postpartum deficiency? There is fear that the Blood will lose its master (control), and任由 the drug's power causes hemorrhage that does not stop. Deficiency easily leads to collapse, a situation like spilt water that cannot be gathered. After a major illness, when both Qi and Blood are deficient, regulation and tonification are still necessary. How much more so for the deficiency and decline of Spleen-Stomach Qi and Blood after delivery? Physicians treating postpartum conditions today say: Yuan Qi is depleted by childbirth, leading to disordered circulation and retention of Blood stasis, causing various diseases. One must prioritize removing stasis; only after stasis is cleared can tonification proceed. Some even use Huisheng Dan (Revival Pill) to attack blood masses and expel the placenta, resulting in death. This is because they only know how to specifically attack old stasis, unaware of the harm caused to new Blood. They do not realize that while masses must be eliminated, new Blood must also be generated. Specifically eliminating stasis prevents new Blood from forming; specifically generating Blood causes old stasis to stagnate. In my examination of formulas for recent delivery, none surpasses Shenghua Tang as the premier excellent formula for postpartum care. This formula uses Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome), Gui (Danggui Radix), and Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) to warm and move Blood, effectively removing old stasis and rapidly generating new Blood. It is assisted by Zhi Hei Gan Jiang (Charred Dried Ginger) and Zhi Cao (Prepared Licorice Root) to guide the three ingredients into the Lung and Liver meridians. Moving within tonification, transforming within generation—hence named Shenghua (Generate and Transform), named for its efficacy. Adding Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri Herba) at 1.5 qian also yields similar efficacy. This is truly a good formula for treating childbirth, a sacred medicine for preserving the mother's life. Thus, Feng Shi, recognizing the miracle of this formula, modified it for use during labor by adding Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), creating a divine agent for inducing labor.

Shenghua Tang Formula: Whenever a pregnant woman near term, prepare several doses of Shenghua Tang in advance. When labor begins, decoct it beforehand. After delivery, take two or three doses immediately to expel stasis and generate new Blood, preventing any postpartel complications. Whether for normal delivery or miscarriage, even for young and robust mothers, it is suitable. Thus, this decoction is a crucial medicine for the first seven days postpartum. If it was not decocted and taken at the time of delivery, for any postpartum conditions, treat with this decoction nonetheless.

Quan Dang Gui (8 qian, washed with wine), Chuan Xiong (4 qian), Gan Jiang (4 fen, charred black retaining nature), Tao Ren (10 grains, skin and tip removed, crushed), Zhi Cao (5 fen).

Decoct with 2 zhong of water until reduced to 7/10. Add a small half zhong of wine. For those who usually cannot drink alcohol, add 6-7 tea spoons of wine. Take slightly warm. Retain the dregs, combine them with the dregs of subsequent doses, and decoct again. Total three decoctions. Within one to two shichen (2-4 hours) after delivery, before taking food, decoct and take successively. This can quickly transform old Blood and rapidly generate new Blood. Not only does it prevent current conditions such as syncope, sweating, hemorrhage, and lochia stasis, but it also prevents other diseases and restores spirit and energy manifoldly. For those constitutionally deficient during pregnancy, prepare two additional doses after delivery to prevent fatigue. If one or two doses have been taken after delivery but abdominal pain and masses persist, continue taking several more doses; the pain and masses will naturally subside.