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Wang Ziheng stated: Menses are a regular physiological sign. By observing them, one can ascertain the fluctuation and concealment of Yin and Yang throughout the body, thereby determining health and safety. Thus, menses occur once a month. Any excess or deficiency in volume or timing constitutes irregularity. Excess Yang leads to early onset; deficiency of Yin leads to delayed onset. Variations such as sudden abundance or scarcity, cessation of flow, metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), or continuous leukorrhea with blood are all caused by the imbalance of Yin and Yang prosperity and decline.

Danxi stated: Early onset of menses is due to Blood Heat. It is treated with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Lianzi (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma). In obese individuals, excessive flow before the expected date indicates Phlegm accumulation, Blood deficiency, and Heat. This is treated with pills made from Nanting (Arisaematis Cum Bile), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), and Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma).

Xue Shi (Xue Ji) stated: Early onset may be caused by Dryness of Blood in the Spleen Meridian, for which Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is indicated. It may be caused by Stagnation in the Spleen Meridian, for which Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) is indicated. It may be caused by Fire from Anger in the Liver Meridian, for which Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with Sheng Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) is indicated. It may be caused by Heat in the Blood Level, for which Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), and Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) is indicated. It may be caused by Fire stirring due to overexertion, for which Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) is indicated. (Master Danxi focused solely on "Heat," yet used Cangzhu and Nanting within heat syndromes, which some find hard to believe. Master Lizai further categorized causes into five types involving the Liver, Spleen, Blood level, and Overexertion, which is particularly detailed and clear. I hold that for Spleen Deficiency with Qi Stagnation, Guipi Tang is appropriate; for Spleen Excess with Qi Stagnation, Yueju Wan (Yueju Pill) and similar formulas are more suitable.)

Danxi stated: Delayed menses with scanty flow is treated with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), combined with Phlegm-resolving herbs. Delayed menses with pale color indicate Phlegm abundance, treated with Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) added with Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix). Delayed menses with dark purple color and clots indicate Blood Heat, accompanied by pain, treated with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma).

Xue Shi (Xue Ji) stated: Delayed onset may be caused by Blood Deficiency in the Spleen Meridian, for which Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing the荣 Decoction) is indicated. It may be caused by Blood Scarcity in the Liver Meridian, for which Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) is indicated. It may be caused by Qi Deficiency and Blood Weakness, for which Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) is indicated. (Blood is generated by the Spleen; thus, pale color suggests the need to tonify the Spleen and Stomach, making Renshen and Baizhu essential. Danxi paired Chuanxiong and Danggui without using Dihuang and Shaoyao, which must have profound intent. Formulas like Lizai’s Renshen Yangrong Tang and Bazhen Tang are based on this principle. The use of Liuwei Dihuang Wan represents the method of "tonifying the mother," which warrants careful study.)