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Pediatric medications for convulsions are mostly small pills or powders, often possessing harsh and potent properties, intended to achieve quick results. When used to treat conditions characterized by excess in the Liver and Heart meridians, they may be effective against the specific disease, but one should cease administration immediately once the pathogen is eliminated; they should not be used as a routine practice. If the pathological condition is mild and superficial, only light and gentle preparations should be used; after the symptoms subside, it is appropriate to regulate and harmonize the Spleen and Stomach. For instance, Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) contains thirty to forty ingredients and is excessively chaotic in its formulation; Liangjing Wan (Cooling Convulsion Pill) is unsuitable for patients who do not have robust qi and vigorous Liver fire; Baolong Wan (Embracing Dragon Pill) also often fails to show efficacy. Moreover, the musk and borneol contained within are overly pungent and aromatic, which scatters true qi and damages the Spleen and Stomach; when Yuanqi (Original Qi) is deficient, the illness will inevitably worsen.

I observe that pediatric conditions involving excess belong to the Liver meridian, while those involving deficiency belong to the Spleen meridian. "Excess" refers to pathological qi, whereas "deficiency" refers to Yuanqi (Original Qi). Whenever there is excess of pathological qi and deficiency of Yuanqi, tonification should be employed rather than purgation. How can delicate and tender internal organs withstand harsh and potent medicines? The previous discussion on Jue syndrome (Cold Extremities Syndrome) was indeed profound!

A child of several years old, upon experiencing food stagnation, would invariably take harsh purgative agents. Subsequently, he developed abdominal distension, accompanied by occasional vomiting and diarrhea. I initially prescribed Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction), after which all symptoms gradually resolved. Thereafter, I administered Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), leading to the gradual recovery of Stomach qi.

Following a convulsive episode, slight eye movements and teeth grinding indicate Liver deficiency, yet this deficiency harbors heat. Deficiency here denotes insufficient blood; heat denotes surplus qi. Insufficient Water (Kidney Yin) fails to control Fire, causing Fire to flare up. However, the gums belong to the Stomach; deficiency with heat in the Spleen and Stomach can also manifest as slight gnashing of teeth, so it cannot be exclusively attributed to the Liver and Kidneys. Treatment should primarily focus on tonifying the Spleen, adding Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma); this constitutes draining Liver qi and nourishing Liver blood. Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) cools Heart blood, making it suitable for Daochi San (Guide Out Redness Powder); Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) tonifies Kidney blood, making it suitable for Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill). In cases where Liver and Kidney deficiency symptoms appear, adding Dihuang to Spleen-regulating formulas is appropriate. Some attribute blinking and teeth grinding solely to Liver and Kidney deficiency and prescribe Dihuang Wan exclusively; does this not lead to phlegm accumulation in the diaphragm, thereby hindering the Spleen and Stomach?

I further note that such symptoms may also arise from Liver heat generating Wind. When Wind enters the eyes, it pulls the ocular tendons, causing frequent blinking; when Heat enters the eyes, it causes tendon and vessel contraction, resulting in staring eyes. If the face is red, the patient lies supine, shakes their head, and grinds their teeth, this is caused by Heart heat. One must distinguish between excess and deficiency: for Liver excess, use Xieqing Wan (Drain Green Pill); for Liver deficiency, use Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill); for Heart excess, use Daochi San (Guide Out Redness Powder); for Heart deficiency, use Fen Hong Wan (Pink Pill); for Spleen-Stomach deficiency-heat, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with added Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) and Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) to solidify Earth and restrain Wood; for Liver-Kidney deficiency-heat, use Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to tonify Water and generate Wood.

The daughter of Mr. Xi, aged six, suddenly experienced convulsions, eye movements, and teeth grinding, with occasional nocturnal spasms and excessive phlegm-saliva. Previous treatments using phlegm-resolving and wind-dispelling herbs exacerbated her condition. I stated: "Her complexion is green, and given the aforementioned symptoms, this belongs to Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth, failing to control saliva, which surges upward. One should nourish Kidney Water and generate Liver blood, so that Wind will subside naturally and Phlegm will dissipate." Consequently, she was treated with Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) and recovered.

Another child suffered from the aforementioned symptoms, with spontaneous drooling of phlegm-saliva. Treatment with anti-convulsant medicines worsened the symptoms and further weakened the Spleen and Stomach. Observing his sallow complexion and spitting of phlegm-saliva, I treated him with Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), resulting in recovery.