Library

Newborn infants undergo the transformation and steaming of Yin and Yang within their Qi and Blood, leading to the maturation of their physical form. Through the transformation and steaming of the Five Zang Organs, the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright) arise. "Transformation" refers to changes in temperament; "steaming" refers to the sensation of heat rising in the body. During the period of transformation and steaming, infants may exhibit symptoms such as low-grade fever, lethargic eyes, cold ears and buttocks, white bubbles on the upper lip resembling pearls, mild fright, and refusal to nurse. In severe cases, there may be restlessness, thirst, nocturnal crying, symptoms resembling Taiyang disease (a syndrome caused by pathogenic factors affecting the Taiyang meridian), spontaneous sweating (daytime sweating without exertion), or night sweats (sweating during sleep). Fever may appear earlier than expected but resolves spontaneously after seven days. Medication is unnecessary; administering drugs may instead cause fright. One should only avoid wind and cold, reduce milk and food intake, and provide careful nursing care. Starting from birth, thirty-two days constitute the first "transformation," generating the Kidney Meridian (based on the principle that Heaven generates Water); sixty-four days constitute the second "transformation" accompanied by "steaming," generating the Bladder; ninety-six days constitute the third "transformation," generating the Heart (based on the principle that Earth generates Fire); one hundred twenty-eight days constitute the fourth "transformation" accompanied by "steaming," generating the Small Intestine. The fifth transformation generates the Liver, the sixth generates the Gallbladder, the seventh generates the Lungs, the eighth generates the Large Intestine, and the ninth generates the Spleen. Three hundred twenty days constitute the tenth "transformation" accompanied by "steaming," generating the Stomach (at this stage, the Spleen and Stomach are not yet fully formed; feeding them indigestible substances would inevitably cause injury and illness, just as uncut teeth cannot grind food). With the generation of each organ, a specific intelligence develops. If symptoms persist beyond the expected time, Baolong Wan (Dragon Embracing Pill) or Xingxing San (Stirring Powder) may be used (formulas see later sections). If other miscellaneous syndromes occur consecutively, treat according to the specific condition. (If the infant is robust, has sufficient Qi, and does not have a fever, it is called "hidden transformation"). If symptoms resemble Taiyang disease, administer the following formula or similar preparations like Rensu Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction).

Main Formula: Zi Su (Perillae Folium), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (each 0.5 fen), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (0.2 fen). Decoct with Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) and take orally.

Fetal Heat Syndrome: While in the womb, if the mother consumes foods with heat-toxicity or takes heat-inducing medicines, the newborn may present with body heat, flushed face, closed eyes with phlegm and wheezing, constipation, and dark red urine. If untreated, conditions such as oral thrush (E Kou), double tongue (Chong She), red tumors, and acute convulsive disorder (Ji Jing Feng) may develop. Treatment should initially involve Mu Tong Tang (Akebia Decoction) administered to the mother so that its effects transfer through breast milk for the infant to drink. This promotes Heart Qi and resolves irritability and heat. The mother should avoid spicy, alcoholic, wheat-based, and rich-flavored foods. The infant should receive Gandou Tang (Black Bean Decoction) and the ancient formula Huadu Dan (Toxin-Resolving Pill).

Main Formula (administered to both lactating mother and infant): Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis), Bian Dou (Dolichoris Semen) (each 1.5 qian), Chi Fu Ling (Poria Cocos with Red Cortex), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 qian), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (0.5 fen), Hua Shi (Talcum, ground), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Qu Mai (Persicariae Herba) (each 0.8 fen). Decoct with Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medullia) and Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) in water and take orally.

Gandou Tang: Treats fetal heat. Hei Dou (Sojae Semen Nigrum) (2 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (1 qian), Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatheri Herba) (10 leaves), Deng Xin Cao (Junci Medullia) (7 stems). Decoct in water.

Huadu Dan: Treats accumulation of heat pathogens, mouth and tongue ulcers, generalized pruritus, migratory wind dan-du (erysipelas-like eruptions), sores, carbuncles, scabies, tinea, all diseases caused by fetal heat-toxicity in newborns, and residual toxicity after smallpox/variolous eruptions. Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) (each 1 liang), Fu Ling (Poria Cocos) (8 qian), Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis, artist grade), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 3 qian), Ya Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) (2 qian). Grind into powder, mix with Qing Dai, Ya Xiao, and honey to form pills the size of beans, coated with Jin Yin Bo (Gold Leaf). Take half a pill at a time, dissolve in mint-infused water, apply to the inside of the infant's mouth, or swallow with decoction.