Library

The *Jilüe* states: The mother's Kidney channel connects to the fetus; thus, the mother's Zhen Qi (True Vital Energy) is what the offspring relies upon. After conception, one should maintain a calm and tranquil state of mind, so that Blood and Qi remain harmonious and stable. Internally, one must distance oneself from the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright); externally, one must avoid excessive indulgence in the Five Flavors (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty). Foods that are extremely cold or hot are strictly prohibited. This ensures that pathogenic factors such as mist, dew, wind, and evil influences have no opportunity to invade. Furthermore, sexual intercourse should be avoided to prevent stirring up desire and disturbing the vital essence. One must carefully regulate diet. For instance, consuming rabbit meat may cause cleft lip in the child; eating dog meat may result in a voiceless child; eating miscellaneous fish may lead to skin sores and tinea. If the mother suffers from sudden fright affecting the Heart Qi, the child may develop epilepsy; if the Kidney Qi is depleted due to excessive sexual activity or kidney essence loss, the child may suffer from delayed closure of the fontanelles (Jie Lu); if the Spleen Qi is disharmonious, the child may become emaciated; if Heart Qi is deficient, the child may lack spiritual vitality. The fetus follows the mother's Qi and condition, so caution is essential (The Heart stores the Spirit, the Kidneys govern the bones, and the Spleen governs the flesh, hence this statement). If there are no symptoms such as fetal pain, restless fetus, diarrhea, dysentery, or external Wind-Cold pathogens, medication should not be taken lightly. Medications for pregnancy are best avoided in complex combinations, so few ingredients are preferable. If absolutely necessary, one must assess the severity of the disease and the potency of the herbs, avoiding the use of too many different drugs. However, if the father is young and the mother old, the daughter will likely be frail; if the mother is robust and the father weak, the son will likely be feeble (from *Yishu*, these are profound truths). If Qi becomes biased or damaged, it should be supplemented: supplementing a frail girl involves nourishing Blood and strengthening the Spleen; supplementing a weak boy involves strengthening the Spleen and regulating sexual activity. A frail girl should marry promptly; a weak boy should wait until he is robust before marrying. Ancients discussed having children in old age, stating that men should not exceed 8x8 (64 years) and women should not exceed 7x7 (49 years). This shows that Blood and Qi in humans have inherent limits, which cannot escape the fundamental laws of Yin and Yang. (Those who understand the principles of "Seven Damages and Eight Benefits" can articulate this.)

Zhu Danxi said: During pregnancy, one should clear heat and nourish Blood (If Qi is excess, clear heat and nourish Blood; if Qi is stagnant, regulate Qi and calm the fetus; if Qi is deficient, tonify). If a parturient woman experiences fetal movement driven by Fire pathogen, with rebellious Qi causing wheezing and urgency, urgently administer powdered Tiao Qin (Scutellariae Radix selected for sinking quality) and Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma) mixed with water. Tiao Qin is best chosen as the denser portion that sinks in water. Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) calms the fetus and acts on the Upper and Middle Jiao, descending Fire downward.
Heaven and Earth operate without cessation, ensuring endless generation. Chong Wei Zi (Leonuri Fructus) regulates Blood circulation and Qi movement, possessing subtle Yin-nourishing properties. It is named Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) because it provides tonification within its moving action. Thus it is said: "During pregnancy, there should be no stagnation; after childbirth, there should be no deficiency." Dystocia can be treated by decocting it into a paste. Tiao Qin and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) are the holy medicines for calming the fetus. Laypeople often consider Huang Qin to be too cold and avoid it, instead believing that warm-hot herbs nourish the fetus. They fail to realize that pregnancy requires clearing heat and nourishing Blood, allowing Blood to follow its vessels without reckless flow, thereby nourishing the fetus. Craving specific foods during pregnancy indicates deficiency in a specific Zang organ; for example, craving sour substances indicates Liver deficiency failing to nourish the fetus. In the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, Qi-regulating herbs are necessary, specifically Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus) and Zi Su Geng (Perillae Caulis).