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Postpartum numbness and visual confusion (Mao, dizziness/blurred vision) are all caused by Qi deficiency and Blood insufficiency, which fail to fill and nourish the whole body. It is just like when a person bends their arm to use as a pillow; after a short while, it becomes numb and unusable. Is this not clear evidence that Qi and Blood are not circulating throughout the body? The eyes can see when they receive Blood, and can function when they receive the ascending Clear Qi. If Blood is deficient and Qi is weak, Clear Qi cannot ascend, thus Turbid Qi cannot descend, leading to Mao (visual confusion/dizziness). Treatment should focus on generating Blood and tonifying Qi, with Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction) as the primary formula.

In cases where excessive blood loss leads to numbness in the hands and feet, severe lower abdominal pain, and subsequently generalized numbness, dizziness, and extreme suffering, this is not due to stagnation of lochia, but rather deficiency complicated by Phlegm-Dampness. Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Pao Jiang (Roasted Ginger), Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) should be used.

I once treated a woman who, postpartum, suffered from numbness and confusion in the right half of her body, accompanied by coma and unconsciousness. Upon onset, she experienced chest and diaphragm fullness and oppression, heaviness in the lower body, and sometimes mental agitation as if lacking heart and lung functions. Shortly after, profuse cold sweat poured from her entire body, and she only recovered after vomiting large amounts of phlegm-saliva. This was due to the emptiness of the meridians postpartum, allowing Phlegm-Fluids to invade vacuity. Therefore, I administered Liu Junzi Tang added with Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), [missing text], and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), achieving immediate effect.

Another woman, postpartum, suffered from numbness and confusion in the left half of her body, accompanied by coma and unconsciousness. Upon onset, she experienced severe pain throughout the body, spasms of the sinews and vessels, and twitching of muscles. Sometimes her head and face were red and hot, and sometimes her legs trembled and shook. She recovered shortly after profuse sweating. This was due to severe depletion of Ying-Blood postpartum, allowing Deficient Wind to invade. I treated her with Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction), which resolved all symptoms except for the persistent numbness and confusion. Later, Dihuang Yinzi (Rehmannia Infusion) was used, and she stabilized.

Dihuang Yinzi (Rehmannia Infusion): Treats conditions where Kidney Qi fails to ascend to connect with the Heart, resulting in aphasia (Yin, inability to speak) and flaccidity of the legs (Fei, inability to walk).

Ingredients: Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root, 3 liang), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Officinalis Root, soaked in wine, medulla removed), Fu Zi (Aconite Root, processed), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit, pips removed), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche Stem, soaked in wine, decayed parts removed, sliced and baked), Shi Hu (Dendrobium Stem), Bai Fu Ling (Poria Cocos, white part), Shi Chang Pu (Acorus Rhizome), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root, soaked in Licorice decoction, medulla removed, flesh taken), Tian Rou Gui (Sweet Cinnamon Bark), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber, heart removed; each 1 liang), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry, 5 qian).

Grind into coarse powder. Each dose consists of 5 qian. Add 5 slices of fresh ginger, 1 jujube, and 7 leaves of mint. Decoct in water. Take twice daily, at any time. The Gui (Cinnamon), Fu Zi (Aconite), and Ba Ji Tian (Morinda) in the formula are originally intended to expel turbid Yin and phlegm-saliva; do not arbitrarily omit them based on personal prejudice.

Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction) (See Volume 1, Section on Failure of Fetal Nourishment).
Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) (See Volume 1, Section on Various Pains).