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Milk is transformed from Qi and Blood. Therefore, when the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) are abundant, and the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach is strong, milk will be plentiful and thick; if deficient, it will be thin and scanty. Treatment should focus on strengthening the Spleen and Stomach and nourishing the source of transformation.

If Qi and Blood are stagnant and blocked, preventing lactation, Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), Tugua Gen (Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root), and Loulu (Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba) should be used to unblock the flow.

If Qi and Blood are weak and failing to produce milk, Pig's Trotters, Crucian Carp, Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) should be used to moisten and nourish. Yulu San (Supplement 62), Jiawei Siwu Tang (Modified Four Substances Decoction) (Supplement 61), and Tongru Tang (Lactation Promoting Decoction) (Harmony 43) can all be used to tonify Blood and promote lactation.

If milk flows excessively not due to Qi and Blood deficiency failing to hold it, but rather due to fullness, one must assess excess or deficiency based on the patient's physical strength and the thickness of the milk.

For Heat in the Liver Channel manifesting as Blood Heat, Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is indicated. (Supplement 21)

For Depression and Anger affecting the Liver Channel, Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction) is indicated. (Supplement 3)

For distension, urgency, and pain, Loulu San (Euphorbia Powder) is indicated. (Disperse 30)

For Qi and Blood deficiency, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Ingredients Great Tonifying Decoction) is indicated. (Supplement 39)

The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian descends from Quepen (Clavicular Fossa) along the medial aspect of the breast. The Foot-Yangming Meridian ascends flanking the umbilicus and disperses in the chest. If this meridian is attacked by pathogenic heat, blood is driven into combat-like turbulence, and Qi becomes stagnant. Turbulence causes pain, while stagnation leads to swelling. This results from milk accumulation clashing with Qi. Alternatively, anger may cause Qi rebellion, depression may obstruct Qi, and rich foods may generate damp-heat, leading to impaired circulation of Qi in the Jueyin Liver Channel. Consequently, the orifices remain closed, and milk cannot exit. The treatment method should involve soothing the stagnation of the Jueyin Liver and clearing the heat of the Yangming Stomach. Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), raw Gancao Jie (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma nodes), Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Moyao (Myrrha), Zaojiao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina), Ju Ye (Citri Reticulatae Folium), and Ju He (Citri Reticulatae Semen) may be used, with a small amount of wine added as an adjuvant, adjusted according to circumstances.

If stasis attacks upward, causing sudden elongation of both breasts, becoming thin and intestine-like, extending directly to the lower abdomen with unbearable pain, use Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix). Decoct them into a concentrated liquid for oral administration. If oral intake is refused, burn these two herbs and have the patient inhale the smoke. This dissipates stasis, and the breasts heal naturally.

If Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) has been inherently weak and neglected in care, resulting in the inability of Qi and Blood to consolidate and retain, this indicates a deficiency pattern.

For Qi and Blood deficiency, Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Ingredients Great Tonifying Decoction) is indicated. (Supplement 39)

For swelling and pain, attributed to Deficient Heat in the Liver Channel, Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is indicated. (Supplement 21)