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Whenever postpartum dryness of the tongue and throat with thirst is accompanied by difficult or scanty urination, it is caused by blood loss or excessive sweating after childbirth, leading to a depletion of body fluids (Jin-Ye) internally. Daily intake of food and water is received by the Stomach and transported by the Spleen; the Lungs distribute the finest and clearest Qi throughout the body, transforming it into Jin and Ye, which descend clearly and turbidly to the Bladder to form urine. Part of this Qi connects to the Heart, where it takes on the color of Fire and transforms into Blood that nourishes the body. During childbirth, blood is lost, and if sweating is also excessive, compounded by postpartum Qi deficiency, the ability to assist the Stomach in transporting fluids is impaired. Consequently, the Qi of generation and transformation fails to move, and the command for seepage and excretion does not function properly. Thus, there is no circulation of fluids above, resulting in symptoms of dry throat and thirst; below, Qi fails to ascend, leading to urinary retention. Even if urination occurs, it is scanty. Do not mistake this for Lin syndrome (dysuria) or Long-Mi (urinary retention), nor lightly employ diuretic herbs, as this will further deplete Qi and exacerbate the condition. The treatment method must focus on strengthening the Spleen and benefiting the Lung, raising and supplementing Qi and Blood, so that Qi transformation circulates freely. With Yin ascending and Yang descending, water enters the meridians to become Blood and fluids, while grain enters the Stomach to generate Qi and flow through the vessels, naturally replenishing fluids and regulating bowel and bladder movements. After initial delivery, take several doses of Shenghua Tang. If excessive sweating has depleted fluids, Ginseng must be added to generate Blood and suffice fluids. If there are no masses or pain, Liu Jun Zi Tang should be used with increased amounts of Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), or one may take Sheng Jin Zhi Ke Yi Shui Yin. For severe thirst, concurrently take Shen Mai Yin. For postpartum dry mouth and weakness, Sheng Jin Yi Ye Tang is appropriate. Some use Si Jun Zi Tang with added Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) and Gui Xin (Cinnamon Bark). If dry throat and mouth are mistaken for Fire, using Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit), and Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark) to purge heat; or if constipation is mistaken for Water stagnation, using Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) to promote urination—this is not only incorrect treatment but also leads to greater depletion and other complications. *Zun Sheng* states: For urinary retention, Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan can be modified and used. I believe Jia Wei Shen Qi Wan is more appropriate. If accompanied by thirst, use Sheng Jin Zhi Ke Yi Shui Yin. For severe thirst, concurrently take Sheng Mai Yin. Mi Zhai says: If lochia does not come, and stagnant blood blocks the water passages causing urinary retention, with symptoms of lower abdominal distension and stabbing pain, alternating chills and fever, and restlessness, Jia Wei Wu Ling should be used. I argue that immediately after birth, Shenghua Tang should naturally be used so that stasis moves and urination becomes smooth; why resort to Wu Ling San? If five or seven days have passed since delivery, lochia should naturally decrease and stop; why still use Wu Ling San? Moreover, postpartum patients are strictly forbidden from sweating or diuresis; how dare I lightly prescribe Wu Ling San to exhaust their Yin? There is a worldly remedy for urinary retention: fill the navel with fried salt mixed with a little Musk, place a bundle of over ten stalks of scallion white (cut to half-finger thickness) over the salt and musk, and moxa-burn it until the heat entering the abdomen is unbearable, at which point urination usually resumes. This is only suitable for cases of Qi obstruction; it cannot be used for postpartum Qi deficiency with exhausted sources, or Heat binding in the Bladder.

Sheng Jin Zhi Ke Yi Shui Yin treats postpartum thirst and difficult urination.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) [decored, each 2 qian], Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) [1.5 qian, honey-fried], Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) [10 grains], Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) [3 qian, wine-soaked], Fu Ling (Poria) [8 fen], Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [each 4 fen], Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) [1 qian].
Decoct in water and drink. If sweating is excessive, add Ma Huang Gen (Ephedrae Herba Caudex) 1 qian, Chao Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen) 1 qian, and Fu Xiao Mai (Tritici Levis Fructus) a pinch. If constipation persists for many days, add Jiu Xi Rou Cong Rong (Cynomorii Herba) washed in wine 1.5 qian. For severe thirst, use Shen Mai Yin as tea substitute; do not hesitate to use it. All herbs that purge fire and promote urination must absolutely not be used.

Sheng Jin Yi Ye Tang treats postpartum dry mouth and weakness.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [as needed], Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) [1.2 qian, decored], Fu Ling (Poria), Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) [each 1 qian], Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [8 fen], Xiao Mai (Tritici Levis Fructus) [a pinch], Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium) [10 leaves].
With two Jujubes, decoct in water and drink. For extreme thirst, add Lu Gen (Phragmitis Rhizoma).

Jia Wei Wu Ling San treats postpartum lochia retention and urinary obstruction.
Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) [soil-fried], Fu Ling (Poria), Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Cortex) [each 1 qian], Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) [each 2 qian].
Decoct in water and drink. I dare not use this formula myself; I record it here merely for reference.

Shenghua Tang (see discussion of Shenghua Tang later in this volume.) Liu Jun Zi Tang (see Chapter on Various Pains in the Upper Volume.) Shen Mai Yin (see Chapter on Syncope in this volume.) Si Jun Zi Tang (see Chapter on Fetal Reversal Pressing Upward in the Upper Volume.) Jia Wei Shen Qi Wan (see Chapter on Various Pains in the Upper Volume, appended under Liu Wei Di Huang Tang.)