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The origin of heaven and earth lies in the union of husband and wife, and the coordination of Qian (Heaven) and Kun (Earth) is based on Yin and Yang. Although their properties of clarity/turbidity and motion/stillness differ, the images they form and the laws they follow are similar. Investigating women's diseases, whether caused by the external invasion of the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) or the internal disturbance of the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Sorrow, Fear, Fright), as well as various ailments from diet and labor, are treated with the same principles as men. There are three differences. First, women's temperament tends to be biased and stubborn, difficult to change; their emotions are often suppressed and unexpressed, and their minds are depressed and blocked. Zhu Danxi said that for women's diseases, eight or nine out of ten are due to depression (Qi stagnation). This applies to both rich and poor. Why? Because among greed, attachment, kindness, love, jealousy, envy, worry, and caution, once one is tainted, it becomes deeply rooted and firm, leading to depression. Thus, symptoms such as chest fullness, epigastric distension, hypochondriac swelling, and abdominal bloating often occur, making it difficult for doctors to achieve rapid and effective results. This is a difference in physical constitution. Second, women often have the flaw of concealing their illness; even when asked, they may not reveal everything. Noblewomen, living deep in inner chambers behind curtains, cannot be examined via inspection (Wang) or listening/smelling (Wen), thus two of the four diagnostic methods are missing. The Yellow Emperor said: "In treating disease, observe the patient's form, Qi, color, and luster. If form and Qi are harmonious, it is treatable; if color is good, it heals easily. If form and Qi are discordant, it is difficult to treat; if the complexion is dull and lacks luster, it is hard to heal." He also said: "The way to diagnose is to observe courage or timidity, bones, muscles, and skin to determine deficiency or excess." If a woman's pulse does not match her condition, and her form is unseen, the doctor relies solely on the pulse; or if the full condition is unknown and the root cause is sought, tedious questioning is unavoidable, often due to imprecise medical skills. Patients receiving medicine often lack deep respect and trust, which is considered the most difficult aspect. This is a difference in the treatment process. Third, women suffer from more diseases than men due to menstrual irregularities, strangury (Lin syndrome), leukorrhea (Dai xia), metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (Beng Lou), pregnancy and childbirth issues, breast and genital ailments, and complications during pregnancy. These are differences in disease types. Therefore, diagnosis and medication are harder to regulate. As the ancients said: "Better to treat ten men than one woman." This is true. The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: "If the Cun Kou pulse is faint and choppy, faint indicates insufficient Wei Qi, short breath, and dry form; choppy indicates insufficient Ying Qi and reversed form. When Ying and Wei are both deficient, speech is weak. Faint, weak, and choppy pulses indicate infertility in youth and cessation of reproduction in middle age. Deep, wiry, fine, choppy, rapid, and hurried pulses are all pathological. Women's diseases often result from abundant Qi and scarce Blood; the treatment method focuses on regulating Qi and nourishing Blood."

Main Formula: Xiang Fu Zi (Cyperi Rhizoma, crushed fine. For moving Qi, use raw; for internal heat, process with child's urine; for Qi stagnation, stir-fry with vinegar. 3 qian), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 2 qian), Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix. Use raw Sheng Di Huang for heat, cooked Shu Di Huang for nourishing blood), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1.5 qian each. Raw for cooling blood, wine-fried for nourishing blood), Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 1 qian). Decoct in water, take on an empty stomach.

To harmonize Qi and Blood, add Wu Yao (Linderae Radix) and Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus), which can also be made into pills. For chest and diaphragm oppression, reduce Di Huang, add Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Fu Ling (Poria), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Su Geng (Perillae Caulis), and Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma); for severe cases, add Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Sha Ren, Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), and Luo Bo Zi (Raphani Semen). For Qi stagnation, add Wu Yao, San Leng (Sparganii Rhizoma), and Peng Ze (Curcumae Radix). For abdominal pain, add Chi Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra). For epigastric pain, add Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizoma), Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterori Faeces), and Cao Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus). For indigestion, add Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus), Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), and Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus). For phlegm, add Chen Pi, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Fu Ling, and Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus). For wind, add Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix). For wind-damp pain, add Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix). For generalized body pain, add Cang Zhu, Qiang Huo, and Jiu Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix processed with wine). For vomiting, add Chen Pi, Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Chao Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma stir-fried). For Stomach deficiency, add Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). For hot vomiting, add Huang Lian (processed with ginger). For Blood deficiency causing dizziness, fatigue, and reluctance to speak/move, add Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Bai Zhu, and Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma preparata). For spontaneous sweating, add Huang Qi. For night sweats, add Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, fried and ground) and Xiao Mai (Tritici Fructus). For heart heat and irritability, add Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus) and Huang Lian. For Yin deficiency with internal heat, hot palms/soles, dry mouth/throat, add Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex), and Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, salt-processed). For bone-steaming tidal fever, add Hu Huang Lian (Coptidis Teetae Rhizoma), Yin Chai Hu (Stellariae Radix), Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), and Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax et Plastrum, vinegar-processed and crushed). For thirst, add Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), and Wu Mei (Mume Fructus). For irritability, thirst, and preference for cold drinks, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhi Mu. For Heart Qi deficiency, add Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix) and Ren Shen. For unsettled spirit, add Fu Shen (Poria cum Radice), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Mai Dong, Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Bai Zi Ren (Platycladi Semen), decocted with Gold and Silver foil, taken with Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris, water-washed). For insomnia, add Huang Lian, Suan Zao Ren (fried fragrant, ground), and Zhi Gan Cao. For weak dry cough, reduce Xiang Fu and Chuan Xiong, add Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix), Mai Dong, Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix), Bai He (Lilii Bulbus), Dong Hua Hua (Senecionis Scandentis Flos), and Zi Wan (Adenophorae Radix). For Upper Jiao Wind-Heat, add Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian, Zhi Zi, Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), and Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba). For wind-phlegm dizziness, add Tian Ma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba), Qin Jiao, and Qiang Huo. For uterine cold infertility, add Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), and Qi Ai (Artemisiae Argyi Folium, boiled in vinegar). For red and white leukorrhea, add Chou Chun Gen Pi (Toosendan Cortex), Mu Li (Ostreae Concha, fired and quenched in vinegar), Chi Shi Zhi (Halloysit Rubrum), and Wu Mei. For blood stasis forming masses, add San Leng, Peng Ze, Guan Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gan Qi (Cryptomeriae Lignum), Su Mu (Sappan Lignum), and Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), made into pills.

Ai Fu Nv Zhen Wan: Treats women with excessive Qi and deficient Blood, irregular menstruation (early or late), varying amounts and colors (purple or pale), red and white leukorrhea, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, yellow face and emaciation, limb weakness, lethargy, shortness of spirit, dim vision and tinnitus, dizziness and reluctance to speak, five-palm heat, dry throat and mouth, and restless sleep.

Xiang Fu (5 liang, divided into four parts: one part soaked in child's urine, one in rice vinegar, one in human milk, one in salt wine), Qi Ai (boiled in vinegar), Dang Gui (2 liang each), Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang (steamed in wine), Huang Qin (stripes, 1.5 liang each), E Jiao (steamed in wine), Chou Chun Gen Pi (1 liang each). Grind into powder. Mash Di Huang and E Jiao (steamed in wine), mix evenly, add vinegar paste to make pills the size of tung seeds. Take 100 pills with rice soup on an empty stomach.

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Wan: Treats dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, weak Spleen and Stomach, poor appetite, limb weakness. Irregular menstruation, early onset, lower back pain and abdominal distension, prolonged periods, red and white leukorrhea, alternating chills and fever. Effective upon taking; conception possible after one month. For severe deficiency, using one jin of medicine ensures timely conception.

Yi Mu Cao (4 liang, avoid iron, use only upper half with leaves), Ren Shen (deprived of rhizome), Bai Zhu (soil-fried), Fu Ling (peeled, 1.5 liang each), Zhi Gan Cao (peeled, 1 liang), Dang Gui (wine-rinsed), Bai Shao Yao (vinegar-fried), Chuan Xiong, Shu Di (wine-rinsed, 2 liang each). Grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of a bullet. Take one pill with honey water on an empty stomach. Or make small bean-sized pills, take 70 per dose.

For Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, add Sha Ren (1 liang, ginger-fried). For chest fullness, add Shan Zha Rou (1 liang). For excessive Qi depression, add Xiang Fu Zi (2 liang, child's urine processed).

Dan Shen San: Tonifies new blood, breaks blood stasis, calms the fetus, expels dead fetus, stops bleeding and leukorrhea, regulates menstruation. Expels postpartum lochia, treats cold-heat lao (consumptive disease), lower back and spine pain, joint pain. Equivalent to Si Wu Tang.

Dan Shen (washed in wine, sliced). Grind into powder. Take 2 qian with warm wine on an empty stomach.

Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan: Treats irregular menstruation, frequent lower abdominal pain, red and white leukorrhea, uterine deficiency-cold.

Xiang Fu (1 jin: 4 liang soaked in vinegar, 4 liang in wine, 4 liang in child's urine, 4 liang in human milk. Substitute salt wine if no human milk. Summer 1 day, Spring/Autumn 2 days, Winter 3 days. Sun-dry), Dang Gui (2 liang), Qi Ai (4 liang, boiled in vinegar), Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao (wine-fried), Shu Di Huang (ginger-processed), Yan Hu Suo (2 liang each), Gan Cao (8 qian). Grind into powder, mix with vinegar paste to make tung seed-sized pills. Take 100 pills with rice soup or wine on an empty stomach.

Quan Yuan Bai Bu Wan: Treats women with Qi and Blood injury from overwork, Yin-Yang disharmony, alternating chills and fever, heart and abdominal pain, poor appetite and fatigue.

Xiang Fu (1 jin, four-process method as above), Dang Gui (6 liang), Chuan Xiong, Shu Di (4 liang each), Fu Ling, Yan Hu Suo (2 liang each), Bai Zhu (4 liang), Gan Cao (roasted, 1 liang), Yi Mu Cao Ye (8 liang, best harvested on Dragon Boat Festival). Grind into powder, make honey pills tung seed-sized. Take 70 pills on an empty stomach with Sha Ren soup; or with vinegar soup, wine, or boiling water.

Si Wu Yi Mu Wan: Treats women with irregular menstruation and lower abdominal masses. Long-term use leads to recovery and pregnancy.

Dang Gui, Shu Di (4 liang each), Yi Mu Cao (avoid iron), Xiang Fu Zi (processed, 0.5 jin each), Bai Shao Yao (fried), Chuan Xiong, Wu Yu (2 liang each). Grind into powder, make honey pills bullet-sized. Take one pill with wine on an empty stomach (small pills also acceptable).

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang: Treats dual deficiency of Qi and Blood, limb weakness, weak Spleen and Stomach, poor appetite, and all deficiency-wasting syndromes. Composed of Si Jun Zi Tang and Si Wu Tang plus Huang Qi and Rou Gui (see Deficiency Syndrome chapter).