Library

Within seven days postpartum, if coughing, nasal congestion, heavy voice, and aversion to cold occur due to external contraction of wind-cold, simply taking Shenghua Tang (Biology Transformation Decoction) will lead to spontaneous recovery. This is because the formula contains Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum (Paojiang), which disperse pathogenic factors. Alternatively, add Prunus Armeniaca Semen (Xingren) and Platycodon Radix (Jiegeng) to Shenghua Tang. If there is phlegm, add Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen). There is also Jiawei Shenghua Tang (Modified Biology Transformation Decoction), all of which treat this condition. Generally, do not use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) to induce sweating; even if coughing is accompanied by hypochondriac pain, do not use Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) to soothe the Liver, because the interior is deficient. *Yitong* advocates using Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction) with Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (Congbai), Fermented Soybean (Xiangchi), and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), or Xiaojianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction), and it can also treat coughing caused by Wind-Wood overacting on the Spleen. As for prolonged coughing after childbirth, Jiawei Ganjie Tang (Modified Licorice and Platycodon Decoction) should be used as the primary treatment. *Zunsheng* advocates using Sangbei Xiongui Qingfei Tang (Mulberry Bark, Fritillaria, Chuanxiong, and Angelica Lung-Clearing Decoction), which is very effective in treating postpartum cough. Feng Shi and *Bencao Gangmu* state: Postpartum coughs all belong to deficiency of Stomach Qi. The Stomach is the root of the five Zang organs; once Stomach Qi is deficient, the five Zang organs lose their nourishment, and a hundred diseases arise. Although it is said that the Lung governs the skin and hair, and that loose interstices allow external pathogens to invade, one must not forget that the Lung belongs to Metal of Acridity, born from Earth of Yin. It is also because Earth deficiency fails to generate Metal, leading to loose interstices and susceptibility to external pathogens. For cases where Yin Fire flares upward, one should strengthen Earth to generate Metal and nourish Water to control Fire. If deficiency is not tonified and only symptoms are treated superficially, it will lead to error. Note: Strengthening Earth to generate Metal refers to Yigong San (Extra Efficacy Powder). Nourishing Water to control Fire refers to Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill). Therefore, *Yitong* treats postpartum deficiency cough with a prescription of Yigong San removing Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), adding Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi). For Yin deficiency with external pathogen invasion, Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) removes Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu), adding Guizhi and Xixin. For Yin deficiency where Water fails to control Fire causing cough, Liuwei Wan adds Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) and Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), among others. However, there are also cases of dry cough and internal heat, where Jiegeng Tang is combined with Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zherui/Muzhudanpi context implies Anemarrhena or similar, here likely referring to Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma Weiyu or Anemarrhena based on text "Weirui"), Ophiopogonis Radix, and Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Danpi), along with honey-fried Ginger and Citrus reticulata peel. Generally, for dry cough, it is easy to cure in infants who breastfeed; otherwise, it may develop into consumption (Lao). If salt and vinegar are consumed too early postpartum, it is difficult to cure. One must wait until the second month postpartum; remember to use them late and sparingly, so that recovery can be hoped for. Mizhai says: Postpartum conditions often involve lochia attacking upward, flowing into the Lung Meridian, thereby forming cough. The symptoms include chest and diaphragm distension and stuffiness, suitable for Ermu Tang (Two Mothers Decoction). Note: Ermu has a cool nature; how can it treat lochia attacking upward? Ginseng Tonifies Qi; how can it treat cough caused by lochia flowing into the Lung Meridian? Although Lizhai doubled the dosage of Persicae Semen (Taoren) and Prunus Armeniaca Semen (Xingren) to drain the Lung and guide out stasis, I ultimately dare not use it recklessly. If stasis indeed enters the Lung Meridian, it becomes a condition of Stomach/Lung clash (Chong Fei), which would manifest not merely as cough and chest distension.

Jiawei Shenghua Tang (Modified Biology Transformation Decoction): Treats coughing, nasal congestion, and heavy voice due to wind-cold contraction postpartum.
Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) (2.5 qian), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) (1 qian), Prunus Armeniaca Semen (Xingren) (10 grains, peeled and crushed), Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum (Paojiang), Platycodon Radix (Jiegeng), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata (Zhigancao) (each 4 fen), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) (8 fen, wine-fried).
One slice of fresh ginger, decocted in water and taken orally. Add Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen) if there is phlegm. Add Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) 1 qian if weak with sweating and cough. I believe that since this formula uses Zhimu and Tianhuafen together, it should only be used when postpartum bleeding has ceased and there is no abdominal pain from masses.

Jiegeng Tang (i.e., Ganjie Tang / Licorice and Platycodon Decoction): Treats cough due to unclear Lung Qi caused by wind-heat.
Platycodon Radix (Jiegeng), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) (each 3 qian).
Decocted in water and taken orally.

Jiawei Ganjie Tang (Modified Licorice and Platycodon Decoction): Treats prolonged cough postpartum with thick, sticky sputum and nasal discharge.
Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Platycodon Radix (Jiegeng), Farfarae Flos (Kuandonghua), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu, heart removed), Peucedani Radix (Qianhu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhike, bran-fried), Poria (Fuling), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi, crushed), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong, heart removed). (All in equal parts).
Fifteen leaves of Lophatheri Herba (Danzhuye), decocted in water and taken orally.

Sangbei Xiongui Qingfei Tang (Mulberry Bark, Fritillaria, Chuanxiong, and Angelica Lung-Clearing Decoction): Treats postpartum cough.
Peucedani Radix (Qianhu), Asteris Radix et Rhizoma (Ziwan), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu, heart removed), Mori Cortex (Sangbaipi), Poria (Fuling), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Puerariae Radix (Gange), Perillae Folium (Zisu) (each 1 qian).
Decocted in water and taken orally.

Yigong San (Extra Efficacy Powder): Treats thin phlegm and wheezing cough due to Qi deficiency of the Lung and Stomach.
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, earth-fried), Poria (Fuling) (each 1 qian), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi, white part removed), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata (Zhigancao) (each 6 fen).
Ground into powder, take 3-4 qian each time, mixed with decoction of fresh ginger.

Ermu Tang (Two Mothers Decoction): Treats incessant cough due to lochia attacking upward and flowing into the Lung Meridian postpartum.
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu, heart removed), Poria (Fuling), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) (each 1 qian), Persicae Semen (Taoren, peeled and crushed), Prunus Armeniaca Semen (Xingren, peeled and crushed) (each 2 qian).
Decocted in water, taken after meals.

Shenghua Tang (See discussion on Shenghua Tang at the end of this volume.) Xiaojianzhong Tang (See section on Sweating and Yang Collapse in this volume, attached under Huangqi Jianzhong Tang.) Liuwei Dihuang Wan (See section on Various Pains in the upper volume, attached under Liuwei Dihuang Tang.)