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Zhu Danxi stated: Postpartum treatment should primarily focus on greatly tonifying Qi and Blood. Even if there are other miscellaneous syndromes, they should be treated as secondary (Although postpartum requires great tonification, one must also examine whether lochia is retained, and whether internal injury or external contraction presents as deficiency or excess; this approach is reasonable). For postpartum deficiency tonification, use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Dang Gui Shen Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, body and tail), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma); if fever occurs, for mild cases add Fu Ling (Poria) to promote diuresis and leach out dampness (using a bland-draining method for mild heat is easily overlooked by people, yet it is most excellent), the heat will naturally subside; for severe cases, add Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Generally, when illness occurs postpartum, first secure Qi and Blood. All diseases postpartum are mostly due to Blood deficiency, and none should be treated with methods that induce sweating to release the exterior. Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) should not be used immediately after childbirth because its sour and cold nature can damage the vitalizing and ascending energy. In general, during pregnancy, avoid stagnation; postpartum, avoid deficiency. (This is a principle of medical practice).

Zhu Danxi stated: Someone asked, "In women who have just given birth, good blood is already depleted, and foul blood may remain; is Hei Shen San (Black Divine Powder) not an essential medicine?" I replied: The principle of Kun Yuan (the generative power of Earth) is profound; all things rely on it, which is the constant law. In women who have just given birth, good blood is not necessarily depleted, foul blood is not necessarily accumulated, and the Zang-Fu organs are not necessarily cold; why use medicine? With careful attention to diet and daily life, what illness would arise? If there is indeed foul blood, and the constitution is weak and cold, administering a few doses of Hei Shen San is simple and effective. If there are other illnesses, one must seek the cause of the disease and determine which meridian it affects; treat Qi disorders by regulating Qi, and Blood disorders by regulating Blood (This argument comes from *Ju Fang Fa Hui* [Elucidations on the Formulas of the Imperial Pharmacy]; following 'treat Blood disorders by regulating Blood,' there are five additional sentences: 'warm the cold, clear the heat, move the stagnant, tonify the deficient, stop excessive bleeding.' These seem indispensable and should be noted for future reference). Why stick rigidly to this formula and order everyone to take it? Suppose there are those with irritable temperaments, emaciated bodies, or pre-existing fire-toxin. Women confinement in summer, when the Fire mandate prevails, must avoid Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex). As for nursing care, some methods are particularly contrary to reason. Meat broths can ignite fire in the Yin meridians, easily leading to internal injury diseases. Ancient sages left warnings against this; why use rich mutton and chicken broths to make porridge, and frequently administer Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Angelica Decoction to Establish the Middle) and Si Shun Li Zhong Wan (Four-Obedient Pill to Regulate the Middle)? Although these are tonifying formulas, they are predominantly hot in nature. If the Zang-Fu organs are not cold, how can they tolerate such heating tonics? Regarding the newborn, once the mother's abdomen suddenly relaxes after delivery, she eats eggs and consumes 'fire salt' (likely referring to roasted salt or similar heated substances). One fails to consider that eggs are hard to digest and fire salt generates heat, leading to various complications whose causes are unknown. Prescribing medication rashly, does this not harm people? I often see postpartum women without illness; I instruct them to discard Hei Shen San, as well as eggs, fire salt, and various meats. Instead, provide plain white rice gruel for nourishment, occasionally adding a small amount of dried hairtail fish (*Huangyu*), boiled until bland and sweet, to eat. After half a month, give a little meat. If eggs are consumed, they must be cracked open and boiled plainly, which greatly benefits the Stomach and dispels disease. Those wealthy families with indulgent wives suddenly present with symptoms like leukorrhea with headache (Bai Dai Tou Feng), Qi pain and chest oppression, rebellious Phlegm with dry mouth, irregular menstruation, hair loss, and body heat. These are all conditions of Excess Yang and Deficiency Yin. Naturally generated Qi and Blood are originally harmonious. To speak of 'excess' or 'deficiency,' how do we know these are not caused by such erroneous and absurd practices!