The above three herbs are ground into powder, mixed with refined honey to form pills the size of small beans. Take 3 pills with water, three times a day.

During pregnancy, if there is fluid retention in the body, difficulty in urination, chills and shivering, and dizziness upon rising, Kui Zi Fu Ling San (Okra Seed and Poria Powder) should be used as the primary treatment.

Formula for Kui Zi Fu Ling San:

Kui Zi (Abutilonis Fructus) 1 jin, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 liang.

The above two herbs are pounded into a powder. Take one fang cun chi (approximately 5-10 grams) with water, three times a day. The condition will resolve when urination becomes smooth.

For pregnant women who have no other illnesses, it is advisable to regularly take Dang Gui San (Angelica Powder). This will make delivery easier and prevent other postpartum diseases.

Formula for Dang Gui San:

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 1 jin, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 1 jin, Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 1 jin, Xiong Qiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 jin, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 0.5 jin.

The above five herbs are pounded into a powder. Take one fang cun chi with wine, twice a day.

During pregnancy, if the body is affected by cold-dampness, or if there is abdominal pain, irritability, heart pain, loss of appetite, and restless fetal movement, nourishment and regulation are required. Bai Zhu San (Atractylodes Powder) should be used as the primary treatment.

Formula for Bai Zhu San:

Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Xiong Qiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Shu Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium) (remove seeds and sweat), Mu Li (Ostreae Concha), each in equal parts.

The above four herbs are pounded into a powder. Take one qian chi with wine, three times a day, and once at night.

When a woman reaches the seventh month of pregnancy, if she experiences abdominal fullness, inability to urinate, and a sensation of fluid accumulation below the waist, this indicates that the Tai Yin Spleen fails to nourish the fetus properly, resulting in excess Heart Qi. Acupuncture at Lao Gong (Pericardium 8) and Guan Yuan (Ren 4) is indicated. The condition will resolve when urination becomes smooth.

Question: What are the three diseases affecting women immediately after childbirth? One is Jing disease (spasm), the second is Yu Mao (depression and vertigo), and the third is difficult defecation. What does this mean? The Master said: After childbirth, blood deficiency and excessive sweating make the body susceptible to wind pathogens, leading to Jing disease; loss of blood combined with sweating and excessive cold leads to Yu Mao; depletion of body fluids causing dryness in the Stomach leads to difficult defecation.

In cases of postpartum Yu Mao, the pulse is weak and faint, accompanied by vomiting and inability to eat, constipation, but only sweating on the head. This occurs because blood deficiency leads to Jue (reversal cold), which causes vertigo. For Yu Mao to resolve, profuse sweating must occur throughout the body. Due to blood deficiency causing lower reversal cold, isolated Yang floats upward, resulting in head sweating. Postpartum women prefer sweating because the loss of Yin blood leads to relative excess of Yang; sweating helps restore Yin-Yang balance. If constipation and vomiting preventing eating occur, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Xiao Chai Hu Tang:

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 0.5 jin, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 3 liang, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 3 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 3 liang, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 0.5 sheng (washed), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang (sliced), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) 12 pieces (split).

The above seven herbs are boiled in 1 dou (10 liters) of water until 6 sheng remain. Strain the dregs, then boil again until 3 sheng remain. Take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

If Yu Mao resolves and the patient can eat, but fever returns after seven or eight days, this indicates Stomach excess (fullness). Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Da Cheng Qi Tang:

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 4 liang (washed with wine), Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) 0.5 jin (roasted, skin removed), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) 5 pieces (roasted), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) 3 he.

The above four herbs are boiled in 1 dou of water. First, boil Hou Po and Zhi Shi until 5 sheng remain. Strain, add Da Huang, and boil until 2 sheng remain. Strain again, add Mang Xiao, and boil briefly over low heat. Divide into two warm doses. Stop subsequent doses if bowel movements occur.

For postpartum abdominal cramping due to deficiency-cold, Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang (Angelica, Ginger, and Mutton Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang:

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3 liang, Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 5 liang, Yang Rou (Ovis/Capis Carcass) 1 jin.

The above three ingredients are boiled in 8 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

For postpartum abdominal pain accompanied by irritability, fullness, and inability to lie down, purgatives are contraindicated. Instead, use Zhi Shi Shao Yao San (Immature Bitter Orange and Peony Powder) to harmonize.

Formula for Zhi Shi Shao Yao San:

Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) in equal parts.

The above two herbs are pounded into a powder. Take one fang cun chi, three times a day, taken with millet porridge to harmonize the stomach.

The Master said: For postpartum abdominal pain, Zhi Shi Shao Yao San is the standard treatment. If it fails to resolve, it indicates blood stasis fixed below the navel. Xia Yu Xue Tang (Drain Blood Stasis Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Xia Yu Xue Tang:

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 3 liang, Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) 20 pieces (skin and tip removed), E Chong (Asiatic Ground Beetle) 20 pieces (legs removed).

The above three herbs are powdered, mixed with refined honey to form pills. Boil in 1 sheng of wine until 0.8 sheng remains. Take all at once. Stool resembling pig liver should be passed.

Seven or eight days postpartum, without Tai Yang exterior symptoms, if there is hardness and pain in the lower abdomen, this is due to incomplete expulsion of lochia. If there is constipation, irritability, fever, and a slightly solid pulse, harmonization is needed. If there is evening irritability, delirium after eating, which resolves at night, Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) should be used. (See formula above).

For postpartum wind-stroke persisting for dozens of days, with headache, chills, fever, epigastric fullness, dry retching, and continuous mild sweating, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) should be used. (See formula above).

For postpartum wind-stroke with fever, red face, headache, sweating, panting, and a wiry-rapid pulse, Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Zhu Ye Tang:

Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium) 1 handful, Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) 3 liang, Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) 1 liang, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 1 liang, Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 5 liang, Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) 15 pieces (split).

The above seven herbs are boiled in 8 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

For postpartum restlessness and vomiting without exterior signs, indicating deficiency in the Milk Center (breast/stomach area), Zhu Pi Da Wan (Bamboo Peel Large Pill) should be used.

Formula for Zhu Pi Da Wan:

Zhu Ru (Bambusae Caulis in Taenia) 2 fen, Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 2 fen, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 1 fen, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 7 fen, Bai Wei (Cynanchi Atrati Radix) 1 fen.

The above five herbs are powdered and mixed with jujube flesh to form pills the size of a bullet. Take 1 pill with water, three times a day and twice at night. Increase Bai Wei if there is heat.

For postpartum diarrhea with an extremely weak pulse, Bai Tou Weng Jia Gan Cao E Jiao Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction with Added Licorice and Donkey-Hide Gelatin) should be used.

Formula for Bai Tou Weng Jia Gan Cao E Jiao Tang:

Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatillae Radix) 2 liang, Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 3 liang, Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) 3 liang, Qin Pi (Fraxini Cortex) 3 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 2 liang, E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 2 liang.

The above six herbs are boiled in 5 sheng of water. First, boil the first five herbs until 3 sheng remain. Strain, dissolve E Jiao, and divide into three warm doses.

For women feeling a sensation of a roasted meat lump in the throat, Ban Xia Hou Po Fu Ling Sheng Jiang Tang (Pinellia, Magnolia Bark, Poria, and Ginger Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Ban Xia Hou Po Fu Ling Sheng Jiang Tang:

Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 1 sheng, Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) 3 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 4 liang, Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 5 liang, Su Ye (Perillae Folium) 2 liang.

The above five herbs are boiled in 1 dou of water until 4 sheng remain. Strain and divide into four warm doses, taking three times a day and once at night. If pain is severe, remove Su Ye and add Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) 2 liang.

For women suffering from Zang Zao (Visceral Agitation), characterized by sadness, desire to cry, frequent yawning and stretching, and symptoms resembling spirit possession, Gan Cao Xiao Mai Da Zao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Gan Cao Xiao Mai Da Zao Tang:

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 3 liang, Xiao Mai (Tritici Fructus) 1 sheng, Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) 10 pieces (split).

The above three herbs are boiled in 6 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and divide into three warm doses.

For women spitting saliva/phlegm, if the physician incorrectly uses purgatives, leading to epigastric stuffiness, treat the spitting first, then the stuffiness. For spitting, Jie Geng Gan Cao Fu Ling Ze Xie Tang (Platycodon, Licorice, Poria, and Alisma Decoction) is suitable. For stuffiness, Xie Xin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) is suitable.

Formula for Jie Geng Gan Cao Fu Ling Ze Xie Tang:

Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) 3 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 2 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 liang, Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma) 2 liang.

The above four herbs are boiled in 5 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

Formula for Xie Xin Tang:

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 2 liang, Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 1 liang.

The above two herbs are soaked in 2 sheng of boiling hemp tea infusion. After a moment, strain and divide into two warm doses.

Women's diseases caused by deficiency, accumulated cold, and stagnation lead to amenorrhea and blood stasis in the Bao Men (uterine gate). Symptoms may include periumbilical pain resembling Han Shan (cold colic); pain at Guan Yuan with skin like fish scales; pulling pain in the vagina with coldness in the lower abdomen; pain radiating to the lower back and spine, or down to the Qi Jie (vital passage). These are all classified as Dai Xia (leukorrhea/gynecological disorders). All diseases can be summarized by observing Cold, Heat, Deficiency, Excess, Tension, and Wiry pulses, applying acupuncture and herbal medicine to address the root cause. You must distinguish and remember this.

Question: A woman around fifty years old suffers from vaginal bleeding for dozens of days without stopping, evening fever, urgency and fullness in the lower abdomen, palm heat, and dry lips/mouth. What is the cause? The Master said: This belongs to Dai Xia. How do we know? It is due to previous miscarriage leaving blood stasis in the lower abdomen, causing dry lips and mouth. Wen Jing Tang (Warming the Meridians Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Wen Jing Tang:

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) 3 liang, Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 2 liang, Xiong Qiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 2 liang, Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 2 liang, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 2 liang, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 2 liang, E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 2 liang, Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 2 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 2 liang, Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 2 liang.

The above ten herbs are boiled in 1 dou of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

For irregular menstruation, lower abdominal fullness and pain, or menstruation occurring twice a month, Wang Gua Gen San (Trichosanthes Root Powder) should be used. It is also used for vulvar swelling.

Formula for Wang Gua Gen San:

Wang Gua Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) 3 fen, Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 fen, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 3 fen, E Chong (Asiatic Ground Beetle) 3 pieces.

The above four herbs are pounded into a powder. Take one fang cun chi with wine, three times a day.

For women with miscarriage or metrorrhagia (bleeding between periods), Xuan Fu Hua Tang (Inula Flower Decoction) should be used. If the pulse is weak, Huang Qi Dang Gui Tang (Astragalus and Angelica Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Xuan Fu Hua Tang:

Xuan Fu Hua (Inulae Flos) 3 liang, Cong Bai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) 14 stalks, Xin Jiang (Safflower-infused silk) a small amount.

The above three herbs are boiled in 3 sheng of water until 1 sheng remains. Strain and take all at once.

Formula for Huang Qi Dang Gui Tang:

Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 3 liang, Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 0.5 liang.

The above two herbs are boiled in 5 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

For women with Jian Jing (sunken menses) presenting with black, clotted leukorrhea, Jiao Jiang Tang (Gelatin and Ginger Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Jiao Jiang Tang:

E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 3 liang, Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) 6 liang, Xiong Qiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 2 liang, Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang (sliced), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3 liang, Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 2 liang (roasted).

The above seven herbs are boiled in 5 sheng of water and 3 sheng of clear wine. First, boil the first six herbs until 3 sheng remain. Strain, dissolve E Jiao, and take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

For women with lower abdominal fullness shaped like a Dun (ancient vessel), slight difficulty in urination without thirst, or occurring after menstruation or childbirth, this indicates Water and Blood jointly stagnating in the Blood Chamber. Da Huang Gan Sui E Jiao Tang (Rhubarb, Kansui, and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Da Huang Gan Sui E Jiao Tang:

Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 4 liang, Gan Sui (Kansui Radix) 2 liang, E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 2 liang.

The above three herbs are boiled in 3 sheng of water. Boil Da Huang and Gan Sui until 1 sheng remains. Strain, dissolve E Jiao, and take warm all at once.

For women with intermittent abdominal pain and irregular menstruation (starting and stopping repeatedly), Di Dang Tang (Di Dang Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Di Dang Tang:

Shui Zhi (Hirudo) 30 pieces (roasted), Meng Chong (Blatta Orientalis) 30 pieces (wings and legs removed), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) 30 pieces, Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 3 liang.

The above four herbs are boiled in 5 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain and take 1 sheng warm. If not effective, take again.

For women with amenorrhea, hard masses in the viscera, and continuous white vaginal discharge due to dried blood, Fan Shi Wan (Alum Pill) should be used.

Formula for Fan Shi Wan:

Fan Shi (Alumen) 3 fen (calcined), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) 1 fen.

The above two herbs are powdered, mixed with refined honey to form pills the size of a date pit. Insert into the vagina. Repeat if severe.

For women suffering from sixty-two types of wind syndromes with stabbing pain in the abdomen due to Qi and Blood stagnation, Hong Lan Hua Jiu (Safflower Wine) should be used.

Formula for Hong Lan Hua Jiu:

Hong Lan Hua (Carthami Flos) 1 liang.

Boil 1 liang of Hong Lan Hua in 1 dou of wine until reduced by half. Strain and divide into two warm doses.

For various abdominal pains in women, Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Angelica and Peony Powder) should be used. Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) is also applicable. (See Dang Gui Shao Yao San above).

Formula for Xiao Jian Zhong Tang:

Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 3 liang, Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 6 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 3 liang (roasted), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang (sliced), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) 12 pieces (split), Yi Tang (Maltose) 1 sheng.

The above six herbs are boiled in 7 sheng of water until 3 sheng remain. Strain, add Yi Tang, and melt over low heat. Take 1 sheng warm, three times a day.

Question: A woman has normal diet but suffers from irritability, inability to lie down, and orthopnea (difficulty breathing while lying flat). What is the cause?

The Master said: This is called Zhuan Bao (displaced bladder), causing urinary retention. It is caused by the twisting of the bladder ligaments. Promoting urination will cure it. Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) should be used.

Formula for Shen Qi Wan:

Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) 8 liang, Shu Yu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 4 liang, Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus) 4 liang, Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma) 3 liang, Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 3 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 liang, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 1 liang, Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) 1 piece (prepared).

The above eight herbs are powdered, mixed with refined honey to form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 15 pills with warm wine, twice a day. Increase gradually to 25 pills if necessary.

For women with external genital coldness, She Chuang Zi San (Cnidium Powder) should be used.

Formula for She Chuang Zi San:

She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus) 1 liang.

Powder the herb, mix with a small amount of Bai Fen (white powder/starch) to form pills the size of a date. Wrap in cotton and insert into the vagina for natural warming.

If the Shao Yin pulse is slippery and rapid, it indicates sores in the vagina. For erosion and ulceration, Lang Ya Tang (Wolf Tooth Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Lang Ya Tang:

Lang Ya (Wolf Tooth Herb) 3 liang.

Boil in 4 sheng of water until 0.5 sheng remains. Strain. Wrap the decoction in cotton around a chopstick (size of a silkworm cocoon) and irrigate/wash the vagina four times a day.

If Stomach Qi descends abnormally, causing Yin Chu (flatulence from the vagina) sounding like passing gas, this is due to excess in the Gu Dao (anus/rectum). Zhu Gao Fa Jian (Pork Fat and Hair Decoction) should be used.

Formula for Zhu Gao Fa Jian:

Zhu Gao (Pork Fat) 0.5 jin, Luan Fa (Human Hair) 3 pieces (size of an egg).

Mix the hair with the fat and fry until the hair dissolves. Divide into two doses.

Guilin Ancient Edition of Shanghan Zabing Lun, Volume Upper

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