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Zhuquansheng said: When the blood vessels are not harmonious, mild cases often present various syndromes of blood diseases, while severe cases may eventually develop into Laozai (chronic consumptive disease). This applies to men as well, but is even more pronounced in women, because women regard the Liver as their先天 (innate foundation), and female physiology takes Blood as its root. Therefore, how can the significance of regulating Blood be treated without caution? Thus, when I compiled this gynecological text, after discussing menstruation and leukorrhea, I listed a section on Regulating Blood.

When a woman's menses do not occur, and there are masses in the lower abdomen, varying in size, with or without pain, yet there are also many cases where menses flow regularly without obstruction, this is due to Blood stasis accumulating in the Baogong (uterus). It is not that the presence of clots in menstrual blood constitutes a "mass." Clots within the menstrual flow also belong to Blood stasis; however, some masses are formed by the combination of Phlegm-fluids and degenerated essence. For patients with deficiency-cold constitution presenting with stasis masses in the lower abdomen, treatment should focus on warming the channels and relieving pain. For those with stagnant heat, add substances such as Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell), Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), and Bai Shao (White Peony Root).
Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) | Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) | Hei Jiang (Charred Zingiberis Rhizoma) | Zhi Bie Jia (Prepared Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) | Dan Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) | E Zhu (Curcumae Rhizoma) | Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome) | Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) | Bi Qi Fen (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Amylum) | Tao Ren (Persicae Semen)

If there are no masses in the lower abdomen, but urination causes unbearable stinging pain, yet the urine flows freely and normally, this indicates Blood binding at the Jing Qiao (reproductive/urinary orifice) or within the blood vessels. Men can also suffer from this condition; treatment should avoid using diuretics.
Dang Gui Wei (Tail of Angelicae Sinensis Radix) | Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) | Hei Jie Sui (Saposhnikoviae Radix Charred) | Dan Cong Rong (Cistanches Herba) | Sheng Cao Shao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with tips) | Ou Jie (Nelumbinis Nelumbo) | Yan Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex salt-processed)

When Wind and Blood contend, causing Blood stasis to obstruct the joints, resulting in pulling pain resembling paralysis, this is called Li Jie (Lijoint syndrome, akin to rheumatoid arthritis). The primary treatment principle is to dispel Wind and resolve stasis.
Lu Xian Cao (Herba Drynariae) | Wei Ling Xian (Radix Saposhnikoviae) | Qian Cao (Rubiae Cordifoliae Radix et Rhizoma) | Hu Gu (Ossis Tigris) | Xuan Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) | Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica) | Jiu Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix wine-processed) | Wu Yi (Archididis Fructus) | Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome) | Jiu Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba wine-processed)

When Yang Qi is deficient leading to diarrhea, and Cold pathogen adheres to the muscle surface, causing Blood vessel stasis, resulting in generalized numbness and insensitivity, this is called Xue Bi (Blood Bi syndrome). Individuals of noble status living in luxury and ease often suffer from this. These individuals have weak bones and a plump body, with a pulse that is faint and choppy, or slightly tight at the Chi (cun) or Guan positions. If left untreated, the pulse channels will become obstructed, gradually evolving into Laozai (chronic consumptive disease). Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing in the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* integrates it into the discussion of Xu Lao (deficiency consumption) and advocates the use of Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five-Ingredient Decoction), which is indeed an unalterable sacred formula. ([Commentary] Since this is a sacred formula without modifications, dosages are specified, though they represent one-third of the original prescription. Note: Huang Qi, Gui Zhi, and Bai Shao were originally three liang each, now totaling seven qian five fen; Sheng Jiang was originally six liang, now one qian five chen; Da Zao was originally twelve pieces.)
*Jin Gui Yao Lue* Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five-Ingredient Decoction)
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) (2.5 qian) | Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (2.5 qian) | Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (2.5 qian) | Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) (5 qian) | Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) (4 pieces)
Zhuquansheng said: The formulas formulated by the sages are truly perfect and excellent. Huang Qi assists Qi, Da Zao nourishes Spleen Yin and aids Blood. Although Gui Zhi and Bai Shao are said to separately regulate Ying and Wei, both excel at promoting Blood circulation. The reason for heavily using Sheng Jiang is to warm the channels and disperse Cold; its pungent and unblocking nature allows for rapid movement, relying entirely on its power.