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The treatment of women's diseases must first clarify the condition of the Chong (Penetrating) and Ren (Conception) vessels. The Chong vessel originates from the Qicheng (Qi Street) point (located on both sides of the pubic hairline), runs parallel with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian, flanks the navel, ascends to the chest, and disperses. The Ren vessel originates below the Zhongji point (four cun below the umbilicus), follows the pubic hairline along the interior of the abdomen, and ascends to the Guanyuan point. It is also said that both the Chong and Ren vessels originate from the Baozhong (uterus), ascend along the interior of the back, serve as the Sea of the Twelve Meridians, are the source from which blood is generated, and are the foundation upon which the fetus depends. Understanding the principles of the Chong and Ren vessels allows one to thoroughly comprehend the root cause of diseases, avoiding the indiscriminate use of medications typically applied to men, thereby ensuring effective treatment.

Liver Qi disorders are prevalent nowadays, especially among women. Even young girls in their teens often present with masses, distension, and vomiting in the left hypochondrium, which stems from congenital deficiency of Liver Blood. Treatment with draining and attacking methods exacerbates the condition, while nourishing treatments bring it under control, a phenomenon frequently observed. This is particularly true for women who have had regular menstruation for years and frequent pregnancies; their blood becomes increasingly deficient, leading to hyperactive Liver Qi that invades the stomach epigastrium upwards and affects the lower limbs downwards, potentially causing immediate vomiting after eating, spasmodic pain in both legs, and even convulsions and syncope. Since chronic Liver Qi pain inevitably enters the collaterals, and blood deficiency prevents smooth circulation, causing Qi stagnation, only by nourishing blood, harmonizing collaterals, and tonifying water to nourish wood can this be cured. People generally believe that the "East" (Liver) is constantly full, admitting only draining but no tonification, thus treating according to the theory that "the Liver has no tonification method." Little do they know that most Liver Qi pain belongs to Water deficiency and Wood hyperactivity. Therefore, Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is the primary formula for treating Liver disorders, containing no draining ingredients; instead, it uses Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) and Shaoyao (Peony Root) to tonify the Liver, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) and Gancao (Licorice Root) to tonify the Spleen/Stomach, supplemented by Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) and Wei Jiang (Roasted Ginger) for unblocking. Once the Qi is balanced, Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) should follow for conditioning, gradually lightening the attacks. If one blindly follows custom and arbitrarily uses Qi-breaking drugs like Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Qingpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium Viride), and Yujin (Curcuma Longa Rhizome), Yuanqi (Original Qi) will be depleted day by day; Yang decline leads to Yin exhaustion, and disaster follows swiftly. Zhang Jingyue stated in *Zhiyi Nan* that "the Liver has no tonification method" referring to the fact that Liver Qi cannot be directly tonified, not that Liver Blood cannot be. To tonify Liver Blood, nothing surpasses nourishing Kidney Water, for the Kidney is the mother of the Liver; when the mother is strong, the child is robust. Thus, nourishing the source of transformation is an excellent method passed down through ages. The General Officer (Liver) has a rigid nature; Wood and Fire reside together, wind rides fire, and fire aids wind, with mother supporting child's excess—this describes an excess of Qi. However, seeking the root reveals that Yi-Gui share the same source (Liver and Kidney share essence/blood); thus, nourishing Yin and tonifying blood is urgent.

When women suffer from Blood stasis at the Baomen (uterine gate), Yang Qi from the Upper Jiao cannot enter Yin. Below, there is urgency and tightness in the lower abdomen and constant discharge of fluids; above, solitary Yang floats alone, causing irritability, fever, dry mouth, and cold extremities. The treatment should first open obstruction and break Yin knots, avoiding purely cloying/nourishing herbs that might cause Qi stagnation. One must assess deficiency or excess and use the six formulas of Chaihu Yin from Zhang Jingyue's *Xin Zhen*, such as Chaichen Jian, Guochai Yin, and Jiegan/Huagan Jian, modifying them according to the disease. These are more flexible than ancient formulas.

Pregnancy complicated by Shanghan (Cold Damage) or Wenre (Warm Heat) syndromes is difficult to manage. One must distinguish the tongue coating. Zhang Danxian’s *Shejian* (Tongue Diagnosis) outlines six principles, which are famous theories worthy of adoption. First: If a pregnant woman initially contracts cold, presenting with a red face and white slippery tongue coating, mild sweating should be induced to release the exterior. If both face and tongue are white, accompanied by fever and craving for cold water, this indicates extreme Yang transforming into Yin; warming middle-jiao herbs should be used. If cold extremities and restlessness appear, misusing cooling agents will lead to cold reversal, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Second: A red face and yellow tongue coating appearing after five to six days indicate interior syndrome; mild purgation should be employed to prevent heat damaging the fetus. If both face and tongue are yellow, it results from neglected sweating allowing damp-heat to enter the interior; clearing and draining damp-heat herbs are indicated. Third: Black face and tongue indicate mutual punishment of Water and Fire (Yin-Yang separation); regardless of gestational age, both mother and fetus will die. If the face is red and tongue slightly black, the fetus should still be preserved. Gray color indicates pathogen entering the uterus, making fetal stability impossible. If the face is red, the root is undamaged, and urgent purgation may save the mother. Fourth: In pregnancy with Shanghan/Wenre, if face and tongue are red, sweating or purging based on symptoms ensures safety for both. If the face is pale/white and tongue red, indicating maternal constitutional deficiency, mild warming and dispersing methods should be used. Black face with red tongue is ominous; near term, the fetus may survive while the mother dies. Fifth: Red face with purple tongue suggests alcoholism and internal transmission of wine toxicity. Pale purple with cyan indicates Yin syndrome with food retention, which is hard to treat; even using Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Lizhong Tang, or Sini Tang may fail. Red face with blue/green tongue indicates the mother is safe, but the fetus has died intrauterinely; urgently use Xionggui Tang combined with Pingwei San plus Mangxiao (Mirabilite) to purge and save the mother. Sixth: Black face with dry, curled, short tongue, or yellow-black prickly/cracked tongue, indicates critical interior syndrome. Without purging, heat damages the fetus; purging risks immediate danger. If signs like grasping at clothes or staring are absent, one or two out of ten might be saved. For pregnancy complicated by Wind-Cold, securing the fetus and smoothing Qi is paramount. Even with tight pulse and no sweat, Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), Daqinglong Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction), or other strong diaphoretics must be avoided because wind-dispersing herbs rise upward and disturb the fetal Qi. Zheng Xugu stated: For pregnancy complicated by Wind-Cold, regardless of months, Yan Shi’s Zisu Yin (Perilla Leaf Decoction) added with Congbai (Scallion White) is safest.

Ancients used Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) to calm the fetus because fetal Qi was too hot and restless; Huangqin’s bitter-cold nature calms it. The Spleen is the hub of body fluids and governs all Qi; fetal respiration and transformation rely entirely on Spleen Earth, so Baizhu assists it. However, this suits only thin individuals with blood heat and rapid Ying circulation where the fetus presses upward. For obese individuals with weak Qi and downward-falling fetus, Renshen (Ginseng Root) lifting is needed. For obese individuals with excess Qi and stagnant fetus, Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Sharen (Amomum Fruit) dispersing is required. For blood deficiency with fire hyperactivity and abdominal pain, Xiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Guibai (Angelica Sinensis Root), Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), and Shaoyao (Peony Root) nourishment is necessary. For obese individuals with phlegm-dampness, vomiting, and dizziness, Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) resolving phlegm is needed. These address maternal imbalances. Miscarriage and dystocia are the most dangerous conditions in women. Treating miscarriage often involves tonifying and astringing; treating dystocia often involves purging, neither being correct. Half of spontaneous abortions are due to deficiency and slipping; half due to internal heat. After conception, Chong-Ren blood is absorbed by the fetus, leaving none for menstrual flow. If blood is insufficient, the fetus withers and falls. The root is internal heat; excessive fire/Yang depletes Yin-blood. Treatment prioritizes nourishing blood, then clearing heat. Clinging to cloying tonics causes stagnation. Childbirth follows Heaven and Earth’s generative principle and is naturally safe; dangers arise from human error. Pushing too early causes premature descent. Delayed turning leads to premature rupture of membranes; the fetus becomes dry and stuck, risking transverse or breech presentation. Treatment focuses on nourishing blood; as blood generates, the fetus delivers naturally. Misusing purgatives, even after delivery, severely injures Chong-Ren vessels, causing Qi collapse and hemorrhage, endangering life instantly. Be cautious, be cautious.