Library

Cough during pregnancy is attributed to wind-cold. The Lung organ governs Qi internally and controls the skin and hair externally; if the skin and pores are not dense, cold pathogenic factors will take advantage of this deficiency to cause cough. Prolonged coughing may also risk miscarriage, so Ningfei Zhisou San (Calming the Lungs and Stopping Cough Decoction) should be used with modifications. For chronic cough that does not heal, it is often due to Spleen Earth deficiency failing to generate Lung Metal, resulting in loose pores and susceptibility to external pathogens again; or due to Lung deficiency failing to generate Kidney Water, leading to the flaming up of Yin fire. The treatment method should employ Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) to cultivate Spleen Earth and Lung Metal, combined with Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) plus Wuweizi (Schisandra) to generate Kidney Water, which is preferable.

Ningfei Zhisou San (Calming the Lungs and Stopping Cough Decoction): Treats wind-cold cough in pregnant women.
Ingredients: Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 2 qian), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, 1 qian), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Zisu (Perillae Folium), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 10 grains, peeled and removed of tips), Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex, 6 fen), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 4 fen).

Pregnancy-associated asthma with inability to lie flat can be caused by sudden contraction of wind-cold pathogenic factors; it is appropriate to resolve the exterior for self-healing, primarily using Shenru Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink). If there is Spleen deficiency, the limbs lack strength; if there is Lung deficiency, one cannot withstand wind-cold; if there is Kidney deficiency, there is soreness and weakness of the lower back, shortness of breath, and inability to walk. Sudden onset of incessant asthma is due to inherent deficiency of the Spleen and Lung, where maternal deficiency leads to fetal deficiency, and Kidney Qi fails to return to its origin but instead ascends to overwhelm the Lung. Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) removed should be used. Zhu Danxi stated: Asthma caused by Fire movement is most common before delivery; Sujie Tang (Perilla and Platycodon Decoction) can be used with modifications to achieve efficacy.

Shenru Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink): Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Zisu (Perillae Folium), Gange (Puerariae Radix), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Zhi Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum), Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (all equal parts); Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus, stir-fried with wheat bran), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (all halved in dosage).

Sujie Tang (Perilla and Platycodon Decoction): Treats wind-cold cough in pregnant women and asthma caused by Fire movement.
Ingredients: Tiandong (Asparagi Radix, 6 fen, heart removed), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix, 1.5 qian), Zisu (Perillae Folium), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus, hearts removed, 8 fen each), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 10 grains), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 4 fen).

Diarrhea during pregnancy can result from external contractions of wind, cold, summer-heat, and dampness, or internal injuries from consuming raw and cold food. The disease manifests suddenly, and the specific cause must be investigated. If it is Wei Feng (Stomach Wind), Jiawei Zhizhong Tang (Modified Regulate the Middle Decoction) should be added and used. However, it is important to know that diarrhea can also arise from deficiencies in the Spleen and Kidney organs. Blood is governed by the Spleen; when blood stagnates around the fetus, it causes Spleen Yin deficiency and failure of food transformation. The Spleen governs healthy transportation; if the lower jiao is obstructed, clear Qi struggles to diffuse, making digestion of water and grain difficult and leading to diarrhea. Alternatively, since the fetus is tied to the Kidney, the fetus may borrow Kidney Qi for protection, weakening Kidney Qi. When Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life Fire) declines, it cannot steam and warm the Spleen Earth from above; these are all causes of pregnancy-related diarrhea. If there is Spleen deficiency with internal injury, Jiawei Liujunzi Tang (Modified Six-Gentleman Decoction) should be used, modified according to the cause. If Mingmen Fire is deficient, Yizhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) should be added to assist. For prolonged diarrhea during pregnancy causing sinking of Yuan Qi (Primal Qi), accompanied by fever, thirst, and limb fatigue, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) should be used.

Jiawei Zhizhong Tang (Modified Regulate the Middle Decoction): Treats diarrhea caused by excessive eating and insufficient Spleen-Stomach Qi to transform and transport.
Ingredients: Renshen (Panacis Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, stir-fried with earth), Pa Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 qian); Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, each 7 fen); Sharen (Amomi Fructus, 5 fen).
Administration: Decoct in water and drink.