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Fuling Tang treats *Zhi Yin* (fluid retention in the chest and diaphragm) manifesting as numbness of the hands and feet, excessive salivation, dizziness, and vertigo.

Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Chi Fuling (Poria with Red Wood), Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum) (each 1 liang); Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 0.5 liang).
The above herbs are cut into small pieces. For each dose of 4-5 qian, add 7 slices of fresh ginger and decoct with water.

Commentary: The text states that *Zhi Yin* can cause Bi syndrome (obstruction syndrome), implying that fluid retention can also cause Hongjiao (foot disease/gouty arthritis). Generally, this arises from deficiency allowing pathogenic transmission; when pathogens reside for a long time, Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive qi) become stagnant and depressed, often leading to damp-heat. The meridians become flaccid and unable to maintain their tone; upon encountering heat, they relax and slacken. The aforementioned prescription does not cover all cases; practitioners should adapt it flexibly according to circumstances.

The *Neijing · Yin Yang Bie Lun* chapter states: "Diseases of the Two Yangs originate in the Heart and Spleen; there is difficulty in expressing hidden grievances, and women may experience amenorrhea." If it transmits to Fengxiao (wind emaciation) or Xiben (lung distension), it is a death case, untreatable. Li Dongyuan stated: In women, chronic deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, or emaciation with exhaustion of both Qi and Blood, can lead to the cessation of menstruation. Alternatively, one may suffer from Zhongxiao (middle xiao/thirst), where stomach heat causes polyphagia but gradual emaciation, failing to generate fluids. Since menstruation is transformed from blood vessels and body fluids, once fluids are exhausted and scorched by heat, muscles waste away, thirst and irritability occur frequently, the Sea of Blood becomes depleted, the disease is named "Blood Dryness" (Xue Ku), and menstruation ceases. It is appropriate to clear dryness-heat from the Stomach and tonify/nourish Qi and Blood, after which menstruation will resume naturally. This condition may also occur if conception happens immediately after menstruation, causing fetal instability. Or, if the Pericardium mer pulse is surging and rapid, with intermittent dryness-heat, constipation, clear but difficult urination, and complete amenorrhea, this indicates depletion of the Sea of Blood; it is appropriate to regulate the blood vessels and clear fire from the Pericardium, after which menstruation will resume. The *Neijing* states that heat transferring from the Small Intestine to the Large Intestine forms masses (Zhijia) and causes sluggish, irregular menstruation, hence termed "Zhijia" and "Chen" (sluggish). Or, due to mental overwork causing Heart Fire to ascend, menstruation stops; calming the mind, nourishing blood, and clearing fire will restore menstruation. Thus, the *Neijing* says: "Menstruation fails to come because the Bao Mai (Uterine Vessels) are closed." The Bao Mai belongs to the Heart and connects to the Uterus. Now, Qi forces upward against the Lung, preventing Heart Qi from descending, hence menstruation does not come. I once treated the wife of Pei Zezhi, who suffered from alternating chills and fever and had no menstruation for several years, accompanied by asthma and cough. Physicians typically administered Gejie (Gecko), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), and Fuzi (Aconite Root). I said, "Incorrect. This patient's condition involves Yin being constrained by Yang; excessive warm-toning agents are unhelpful and harmful." I prescribed cooling and harmonizing blood herbs, and her menstruation resumed, which proved correct.

The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states: Women's diseases arise from deficiency, accumulated cold, and stagnated Qi, leading to amenorrhea, sometimes lasting years. Cold-blood accumulation in the Baomen (uterine gate) damages meridians; condensation in the upper part causes vomiting of saliva/phlegm, eventually forming Lung Abscess; damage in the middle causes core-like pain around the umbilicus (Han Han/cold colic); or pain in the hypochondrium connected to organs; or heat accumulation in the center with pain at Guanyuan, rapid pulse without sores, irregular menses, cold pulling pain, aversion to cold in the lower abdomen, or radiation to the waist and spine, extending down to Qichuang (etc.).

Respectfully commenting: Liang Fang states that amenorrhea in women results from labor injuring Qi and Blood, causing body weakness and susceptibility to Wind-Cold pathogens invading the interior of the uterus, damaging the Chong and Ren meridians as well as the Hand Taiyang and Hand Shaoyin meridians, causing absolute blockage of blood in the uterine collaterals. Such pathological mechanisms are briefly mentioned here without detailed discussion. Moreover, blood-related amenorrhea is not limited to just the Hand Taiyang and Hand Shaoyin meridians. However, there are cases not caused by cold/heat, phlegm-fluid retention, or hernias/masses, but rather by emotional disturbances affecting Qi, which subsequently affects Blood. Furthermore, the female pathway is often deficient and insufficient; thus, it is advisable to refer to the section on "Blood belongs to Yin, hard to form, easy to vacate" in the Blood Syndrome chapter, as well as the theories of Mr. Danxi and others.