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Decoction for Successive Continuation (Xu Ji Tang) from *Liang Fang* (Women 22), Four-Substance Decoction with Two Coptises (Si Wu Er Lian Tang) from *Liang Fang* (Women 113), Two-Yellows Powder (Er Huang San) from *Liang Fang* (Women 20), One-Mother Pill (Yi Mu Wan) from *Liang Fang* (Women 37);
Angelica Dispersion (Dang Gui San) from *Liang Fang* (Women 96), Longevity and Procreation Elixir (Yan Nian Yi Si Dan) from *Liang Fang* (Women 135); Four-Substance Decoction (Si Wu Tang) from *Qixiao Liang Fang* (Women 111), Scutellaria Dispersion (Zi Qin San) from *Qixiao Liang Fang* (Women 122).

In cases of Blood Heat, the menstrual period often arrives early. This is common in patients whose Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood) flows freely and whose deficiency is not severe. However, if internal Yin Fire (Deficiency Heat) scorches internally, causing blood that is inherently hot to also experience delayed menstruation, this results from Kidney Water deficiency and scanty Blood, leading to dryness and stagnation. Treatment should focus on clearing Fire and nourishing Yin, primarily using modified Four-Substance Decoction (Jia Wei Si Wu Tang), Modified One-Yin Decoction (Jia Jian Yi Yin Jian), or Ziyin Bawei Wan (Nourishing Yin Eight-Ingredient Pill).

In cases of Blood Cold, menstruation must arrive late. But why does Blood become cold? It is solely due to insufficient Yang Qi, which causes Cold to generate from within, disrupting the timing of metabolic transformation; this is what is referred to as "Cold." If, however, Yin Cold enters from the exterior, or raw/cold food damages from within, potentially leading to Blood rebellion or pain, these are syndromes of Cold Stagnation, distinct from Blood Cold causing delayed menstruation, and must be carefully differentiated.

In cases where Yang Qi insufficiency leads to Blood Cold and delayed menstruation, the menstrual color is often dull, appearing dark black, or scanty and stagnant. The pulse may be faint, fine, deep, slow, wiry, or choppy. The organ Qi and physical constitution will inevitably exhibit aversion to cold and preference for warmth. All such cases belong to syndromes without Fire (Yang Deficiency). Treatment should warm and nourish Blood and Qi, primarily using Daying Jian (Great Camp Decoction) or Liyin Jian (Regulating Yin Decoction) with modifications. Generally, Cold tends to cause stagnation, so it is appropriate to add Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Sheng Jiang), Ramulus Cinnamomi (Gui Zhi), Fructus Evodiae (Wu Zhu Yu), or Rhizoma Piperis Kadsurae (Bi Bo). In severe cases, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Fu Zi) must be added.

Wu Wu Jian (Five-Substance Decoction) from *Xinyin* (Etiology 3), Black Hen Pill (Wu Ji Jian Wan) from *Furen* (Women 142), Modified Four-Substance Decoction (Zeng Sun Si Wu Tang) from *Furen* (Women 110), Four-Spirit Powder (Si Shen San) from *Furen* (Women 75).

In women with Blood Deficiency, menstruation may be either early or late, resulting in irregular cycles. At this time, one must observe Organ Qi, examine Yin and Yang, and carefully reference physical symptoms, pulse, and complexion to differentiate and treat, thereby avoiding error. Typical signs of Blood Deficiency include pale color, scanty flow with a choppy quality, absence after the expected date, or pain following menstruation that prefers warmth and pressure. Post-menstrual fatigue and inability to support oneself, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees as if broken, weak/wiry/choppy pulses, habitual poor appetite, or frail appearance and spirit are all indicative. Whenever menstrual irregularity coincides with these signs of insufficiency, one must not recklessly use purgative or cooling agents, which would further damage Spleen and Kidney and deplete Sheng Qi (Vital Generating Energy), causing the condition to worsen daily. For Liver and Spleen Blood Deficiency with slight stagnation and pain, Si Wu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) is indicated, possibly adding Ramulus Cinnamomi (Rou Gui) or Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) according to Cold or Heat patterns. For Three Yin (Liver, Spleen, Kidney) deficiency without Heat or Cold, and with balanced Organ function, Xiaoying Jian (Small Camp Decoction), Wufu Yin (Five-Fortune Drink), or Liuwu Jian (Six-Substance Decoction) are indicated, being most suitable for general constitutions. Bajun Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) or Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) are also appropriate choices. For Three Yin deficiency accompanied by Yang Deficiency, Daying Jian (Great Camp Decoction) or Liyin Jian (Regulating Yin Decoction) are indicated. For excessive worry and thought injuring Heart and Spleen, Qifu Yin (Seven-Fortune Drink) or Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) are indicated. For Spleen Earth failing to transport, with reduced diet requiring drying and warming, Wenwei Yin (Warming Stomach Drink) or Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) are indicated. For Spleen Earth sinking and failing to control Ying Blood, leading to metrorrhagia or frequent menstruation, Wufu Yin (Five-Fortune Drink), Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), Shoupi Jian (Longevity Spleen Decoction), Miyuan Jian (Secret Origin Decoction), or Sizijunzi Tang (Four-Gentlemen Decoction) plus Chuanxiong Rhizome (Xiong Gui) are indicated. For Liver Deficiency failing to store Blood, manifesting as frightfulness or acute lower abdominal pain, Sanyin Jian (Three-Yin Decoction) or Bugan San (Tonify Liver Powder) are indicated. If Yin Blood Deficiency fails to control Fire, allowing Evil Fire to flourish, presenting as night fever, night sweats, irritability, thirst, or phlegm generation, this is the onset of Consumption/Lao Sun. Prompt regulation and treatment are required using Yinyin Jian (First through Fifth Yin Decoctions) selected appropriately; otherwise, Blood Dryness (Xue Ku) may develop.