Library

Lou stated: The method for seeking offspring prioritizes regulating menstruation (in treating women's diseases, one must first be familiar with these conditions and treatments). It is often observed that women who are infertile invariably have irregular menstruation—either early or late, heavy or light, painful before or after the period, with colors ranging from purple-black to pale, or congealed and unsmooth. Irregular menstruation leads to a conflict between blood and qi, making conception impossible. A detailed analysis of the causes reveals that early/late periods and post-menstrual pain indicate deficiency; scanty and pale flow indicates blood deficiency; excessive flow indicates qi deficiency; pre-menstrual pain and persistent clumps indicate stagnation; purple-black color indicates stagnation complicated by heat. The treatment methods are as follows: for blood deficiency, use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction); for qi deficiency, Siwu Tang plus Ginseng Radix (Renshen); for stagnation, use Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Suosha), Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang), Arecae Semen (Binglang), Persicae Semen (Taoren), and Cystancheae Herba (Xuanyuan); for chronic and entrenched stagnation, employ emetic and purgative methods (Zhang Hezi believed only emetic and purgative therapies were worthy of emulation for regulating menstruation); if pulse and symptoms indicate heat, use Siwu Tang plus Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian); if they indicate cold, use Siwu Tang plus Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), and Pyritum (Zishiyang). Only when stagnation is cleared, flow is smooth, and deficiency is restored can qi and blood harmonize, allowing for pregnancy. In my treatment of menstrual irregularities, I solely use powder of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) (if there is stagnation, turbidity remains unclear; if deficiency persists, new qi cannot be generated; single-use Xiangfu has the wonder of eliminating the old and generating the new), formed into pills with vinegar, which proves effective in every case.

Mr. Yuan Liaofan said: The way to gather essence involves five principles: first, few desires; second, moderate labor; third, calm anger; fourth, abstain from alcohol; fifth, guard dietary flavors (these five are not only good medicine for those seeking offspring but also the true prescription for health preservation). Modern proponents of health preservation often speak of "harvesting yin to supplement yang" and prolonged intercourse without emission, which is a great fallacy. The Kidney is the mansion of essence. Any sexual intercourse disturbs the Kidney; when the Kidney moves, essence and blood flow with it. Even if external emission does not occur, the essence has already left its palace. Those unable to maintain endurance will inevitably lose small amounts of true essence as yang energy wanes, which serves as proof. Just as fire produces smoke and flame, how can smoke return to the wood? Therefore, few desires are prized. Essence is formed from blood. Not only does sexual intercourse damage our essence, but any daily activity that consumes blood should be deeply guarded against. For instance, visual overuse consumes blood through sight; auditory overuse consumes blood through hearing; mental overuse consumes blood through thought. By moderating these activities, blood is nourished and accumulates day by day. Thus, moderate labor is prized. The Kidney governs closure and storage, while the Liver governs dispersion and excretion. Both viscera contain ministerial fire (Xianghuo), which connects upward to the Heart, the ruler fire (Junhuo). Anger injures the Liver, stirring ministerial fire; once stirred, the dispersing function dominates, and the storing function fails its duty. Even without intercourse, essence secretly flows and is consumed. Therefore, calming anger is essential. Blood in the body returns to its residence and coagulates normally; alcohol agitates blood, causing facial redness and reddened hands and feet, indicating blood agitation and rapid circulation. In individuals with declining qi and blood, even months of abstinence may yield thick, usable essence, but a night of heavy drinking thins it. Hence, abstaining from alcohol is advisable. The *Neijing* states: "For insufficiency of essence, tonify with flavor." However, rich flavors do not generate essence; only bland flavors can tonify essence. All things possess true flavor; excessive seasoning diminishes this true flavor. Regardless of meat or vegetables, properly boiled blandly yields a harmonious, tranquil qi that benefits the intestines and stomach. The *Hongfan* discusses flavors, stating "grains and crops produce sweetness." Among worldly items, only the five grains possess correct flavor. Eating grains blandly best nourishes essence. Furthermore, in cooked porridge or rice, the concentrated liquid rolling into a mass is where the grain's essence gathers; consuming it rapidly generates essence, and trials prove effective. The secret to refining essence lies in acting upon the Kidney system. The inner kidney aperture is called the Mysterious Gate (Xuanguan); the outer kidney aperture is called the Female Door (Pinhu) (though the internal/external distinction of Xuanguan and Pinhu is an old saying, it remains imprecise). If true essence is not leaked and the physical structure intact, the yang qi of the outer kidneys rises at the Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM). Human qi aligns with the qi of heaven and earth (this is the ultimate principle). Leakage of essence and breaking of the physical structure delay the generation of yang qi in the body; some arise at Chou hour, others at Yin, then Mao, and some never arise, becoming unresponsive to heaven and earth. The secret of refinement requires rising at midnight (Zi hour), rubbing hands until extremely hot, using one hand to cup the outer kidneys and the other to cover the navel, concentrating spirit within the inner kidney (the term 'inner kidney' lacks precision and requires oral transmission), maintaining this practice for a long time...