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Those who can live to an old age must have a particular aspect that is exceptionally vigorous. If Yang Qi (Vital Energy) is exceptionally vigorous, Yin Fluids should be tonified; if Yin is exceptionally vigorous, Yang Qi should be augmented. However, cases of exceptional Yin vigor account for only one or two out of ten, while cases of exceptional Yang vigor account for eight or nine out of ten. For those with excessive Yang, not only should Yin be tonified, but fire should also be cleared to protect the Yin. Therefore, elderly people invariably present with various Yang-heat symptoms such as heat in the head, deafness, flushed face, and dry stools. Yet, physicians prescribing for the elderly, regardless of whether they are ill or well, always focus on tonifying Yang. This leads to heat generating wind, inevitably causing diseases similar to stroke, which is inviting illness. If there is an occasional pathogenic factor such as Wind-Cold, Phlegm, or Dampness, it is especially urgent to expel the pathogen quickly. Since the Qi and Blood of the elderly are not very smooth, how can they bear having pathogens retained by tonification, thereby conflicting with their Qi and Blood? Thus, treating elderly patients with exterior contractions follows the same general approach as for young adults. Only if there is evident deficiency should light and bland herbs be used sparingly to tonify and support. For health maintenance without disease, one must examine the bias of Yin and Yang and adjust the prescription to restore balance. Just as ancient trees often burn from within; when Yin fluids are exhausted, fire flares up, which applies to all things. Therefore, when treating the elderly, one must absolutely avoid using acrid-hot herbs that deplete Yin Qi and assist hyperactive Yang, causing symptoms like red face, red eyes, chest oppression, phlegm congestion, surging pulse, and dry skin, subjecting them to the misery of being "burned" at an age where they should enjoy longevity.

During pregnancy, the true Yang within the uterus absorbs maternal blood daily to nourish the fetus, so Yang becomes increasingly vigorous while Yin declines. Spontaneous abortion or habitual miscarriage are all due to excessive fire and deficient Yin, failing to sustain the fetal form. The recent theory that "cooling is suitable before delivery" is quite reasonable. As for after delivery, Yin and Blood are largely depleted, leaving isolated Yang standing alone; the Zang-Fu organs are like burning, and the meridians are like boiling. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing specifically focused on nourishing Blood and eliminating stasis, and did not prohibit the use of Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) or Zhu Ru (Bambusae Caulis in Recens). I always follow this method, achieving immediate results every time. However, recently, erroneous theories claiming "warming is suitable after delivery" have been created, using Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus) as main herbs. If there is indeed depletion of both Yin and Yang, presenting with slow pulse, aversion to cold, dripping blood and water, cyanotic face, and pale tongue, then Jiang and Gui may have their place; but if Blood is dry and Fire is燥 (dry/hot), presenting purely with heat symptoms, using hot herbs will lead to exhaustion of menstruation/Blood vessels and cessation of pulse, resulting in death within moments. I have seen hundreds of such cases. Furthermore, when lochia is not yet clear, accompanied by fever, chest oppression, irritability, insomnia, heart vexation, and abdominal pain, these are caused by pathological blood (stasis). Using Jiang and Gui here assists fire and solidifies stasis; severe cases result in immediate death, while mild cases develop into postpartum consumption (Churu Lao). So-called experts in gynecology all act this way. Pregnancy and childbirth are mechanisms of heaven and earth for reproduction; deaths are extremely rare, and those that occur are due to medication errors. Those who create such erroneous theories deserve death many times over for their crimes. Additionally, in prescriptions for pregnancy and childbirth, using Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) instead of Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) completely violates the principles of herbal medicine and requires deep reflection.