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Bianzheng (Periodic Growth and Transformation) refers to the steaming of Yin-Yang and Water-Fire within the Blood and Qi, promoting the maturation of the physical form. It represents the transformational Qi of the Five Zang organs and is the origin of the Seven Emotions. From the day of birth, an infant undergoes a "Bian" (Transformation) every thirty-two days. Upon completion of each Bianzheng, one notices that the child's temperament differs from before. Why? Because the Zang-Fu organs, intentions, and wisdom are growing. What does "growing bones and adding spirit every thirty-two days" mean? The human body has three hundred and sixty-five bones, symbolizing the cycle of heavenly numbers, corresponding to the annual period, and dividing into the Twelve Meridians. Thus, from birth to thirty-two days constitutes the first Bian, generating Gui Water, belonging to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; the Kidney stores Essence and Will. At sixty-four days, the second Bian and first Zheng (Steaming) occur, generating Ren Water, belonging to the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; its manifestation is cold ears. At ninety-six days, the third Bian occurs, generating Ding Fire, belonging to the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian; the Heart stores Spirit, and its emotion is Joy. At one hundred and twenty-eight days, the fourth Bian and second Zheng occur, generating Bing Fire, belonging to the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian; its manifestations are sweating and slight fright. At one hundred and sixty days, the fifth Bian occurs, generating Yi Wood, belonging to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; the Liver stores Hun (Ethereal Soul), manifesting as weeping. At one hundred and ninety-two days, the sixth Bian and third Zheng occur, generating Jia Wood, belonging to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; its manifestations are eyes remaining open and redness. At two hundred and twenty-four days, the seventh Bian occurs, generating Xin Metal, belonging to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian; the Lung stores Po (Corporeal Soul), manifesting as vocalization. At two hundred and fifty-six days, the eighth Bian and fourth Zheng occur, generating Geng Metal, belonging to the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; its manifestations are skin heat and sweating, or absence of sweating. At two hundred and eighty-eight days, the ninth Bian occurs, generating Ji Earth, belonging to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; the Spleen stores Yi (Intellect). At three hundred and twenty days, the tenth Bian and fifth Zheng occur, generating Wu Earth, belonging to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; its manifestations are refusal to eat, abdominal pain, and regurgitation of milk. Additionally, the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian lack specific shapes, so they do not undergo Bian or Zheng. The first ten Bians and five minor Zhengs follow the numbers of Heaven and Earth for generation and nourishment. Only after this do teeth emerge, speech begins, and joy/anger are understood, hence it is said that the body becomes complete. Taicanggong stated: "Qi enters the four limbs, lengthening the fragmented bones." Sixty-four days after the ten Bians, a major Zheng occurs, totaling three hundred and eighty-four days; at this stage, meridians fill the hands and feet. Hands receive blood, enabling grasping; feet receive blood, enabling walking and standing. The classic states: "Bian and Zheng," meaning the completion of steaming corresponds roughly to a year's duration. The Master stated: "For fever without sweating, induce sweating; for severe vomiting, mildly stop it; do not treat otherwise." Another sixty-four days later constitutes the second major Zheng, totaling four hundred and forty-eight days; another sixty-four days later constitutes the third major Zheng, totaling five hundred and twelve days; altogether five hundred and seventy-six days. Upon completion of Bianzheng, the child becomes an adult. "Bian" refers to the transformation and generation of the Five Zang organs; "Zheng" refers to the steaming and nourishment of the Six Fu organs, thereby achieving adulthood. "Bian" involves the movement of Upper Jiao Qi; "Zheng" involves body heat. With each meridian undergoing one Bian and one Zheng, the temperament changes. Mild cases present with low-grade fever and slight sweating, resembling Fright Wind; severe cases present with high fever, chaotic and rapid pulse, vomiting, sweating, irritability, crying, restlessness, and thirst. Mild cases resolve in five days; severe cases in seven to eight days. These signs resemble Cold Damage (Shanghan). Some infants, while residual effects of Bianzheng persist, contract Cold Evil. However, pure Bianzheng presents with cold ears and buttocks, and blisters on the upper lip resembling pearls. If Cold Evil combats it, there is alternating chills and fever, abdominal pain, and ceaseless crying day and night. "Bian" means change; steaming the Liver causes dizziness and slight redness of the eyes; steaming the Lung causes sneezing, coughing, and erection of hair. All Five Zang and Six Fu organs, tendons, vessels, bones, and joints have cyclic corresponding syndromes. Treatment methods: for mild/harmonious cases, use mild exterior-releasing agents; for Heat-Excess cases, use mild purgatives; or it may resolve spontaneously.

The *Treatise on Bianzheng* in *Qianjin Fang* states: An infant undergoes one Bian at thirty-two days, a second Bian at sixty-four days (Bian and Zheng), three Bians at ninety-six days, four Bians at one hundred and twenty-eight days (Bian and Zheng), five Bians at one hundred and sixty days, six Bians at one hundred and ninety-two days (Bian and Zheng), seven Bians at two hundred and twenty-four days, eight Bians at two hundred and fifty-six days (Bian and Zheng), nine Bians at two hundred and eighty-eight days, and ten Bians at three hundred and twenty days (Bian and Zheng). Accumulating three hundred and twenty days, minor Zhengs conclude. Then, sixty-four days later is a major Zheng; sixty-four days after that, another major Zheng; one hundred and twenty-eight days after that, yet another major Zheng. Generally, from birth, every thirty-two days is one Bian; two Bians constitute one Zheng. Ten Bians result in five minor Zhengs, plus three major Zhengs, accumulating five hundred and seventy-six days. Upon completion of all major and minor Zhengs, the child becomes an adult. The reason for Bianzheng in children is to nourish the Blood and Vessels and transform the Five Zang organs. Thus, after each Bianzheng, the temperament appears different. The signs of Bianzheng: Bian involves Upper Jiao Qi movement; Zheng involves body heat. There are mild and severe forms. Mild cases feature body heat, slight fright, cold ears and buttocks, white blisters on the upper lip like fish eyes, and slight sweating. Severe cases feature intense body heat, chaotic pulse, sweating or no sweating, anorexia, immediate vomiting upon eating, slightly red whites of the eyes, and slightly white irises. It is also said: whiteness indicates severity; redness/darkness indicates mildness. After Bianzheng concludes, vision naturally becomes clear; this is the syndrome. Single Bian is mild; combined Zheng is more intense. For Zheng, mild cases subside in five days, distant cases in ten days. Whether five days early or late, the heat should subside within ten days. If it persists beyond the timeframe, absolutely do not administer random treatments or moxibustion/acupuncture. Haizang stated: Bianzheng occurs eighteen times in total; the first three hundred and twenty days comprise ten minor Zhengs, and the subsequent two hundred and fifty-six days comprise ten major Zhengs. (Character pronunciation: hu dian qie, meaning vomiting without retching.) Wu stated: If the body, ears, and buttocks are all hot, this is another disease and should be treated differently. Xue stated: Treatment for Bianzheng: for harmonious cases, mild exterior release; for Excess-Heat cases, mild purgation. Ancient formulas such as Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill), Heisanzi (Black Powder), and Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) are applicable. For cases with Cold but no Heat, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to nurse, and excessive crying, Danggui San (Angelica Powder) and Tiaoqi San (Regulating Qi Powder) are indicated. The aforementioned syndromes are inevitable in infants; even without medication, they may heal. The aforementioned drugs are harsh; not only will the Zang-Fu organs fail to withstand them, but they will also damage Qi and Blood. I once witnessed an infant suffering from fever and phlegm during the first Bian; after administering one pill of Baolong Wan (Embracing Dragon Pill), the child died suddenly. Be extremely cautious! Those who do not exhibit fever or fright, with minimal symptoms, undergo secret Bianzheng due to robust prenatal Qi.

Ziyang Heisan (Purple Sun Black Powder): Treats severe heat in pediatric Bianzheng; also treats fever from Cold Damage.
Mahuang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction ingredient - Ephedrae Herba, 2.5 qian, nodes removed) Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian, cut together, stir-fried until black, powdered) Xingren (Prunus Armeniaca Seed, 2.5 qian, skin and tips removed)
Process: Pound and mix the above ingredients in one place, lightly roast them retaining their medicinal properties, then grind Xingren into a paste to mix. Store in a sealed container. Dosage: One bean-sized amount, mixed with breast milk and administered.

Zishuang Wan (Purple Frost Pill): Treats Pi-Ji (accumulations and masses).

Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction): Treats bone heat and irritability during Bianzheng, with incessant crying.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Gancao (Licorice Root, lightly roasted) Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber, heart removed, 2 qian each) Longdancao (Gentiana Root, wine-fried until black) Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root, 1 qian each) Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 0.5 fen)
Process: Take 1 qian per dose, decoct in water.

Danggui San (Angelica Powder): Treats Bianzheng with Cold but no Heat.
Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root, 2 qian) Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) Guigui (Cinnamomi Cortex, pungent variety) Gancao (Licorice Root, roasted) Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian each)
Process: Take 1 qian per dose, decoct in Ginger and Jujube water.

Tiaoqi San (Regulating Qi Powder): Treats Bianzheng with vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to nurse, excessive crying, and impending Slow Convulsion (Man Jing Feng).
Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) Xiangfuzi (Cyperi Rhizoma) Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Chuanpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium) Huoxiang (Pogostemonis Herba) Gancao (Licorice Root, roasted, 1 qian each)
Process: Grind into powder. Take 1 qian per dose, decoct in Ginger and Jujube water. (Note: *Youke Leicui* version contains Zhiniannou 1 qian).

Pinghe Yinzi (Harmonizing Decoction): Treats infant Bianzheng. Administer one dose every three days starting from the third day post-birth to prevent various diseases; suitable for use within the first hundred days.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, radix tip removed) Gancao (Licorice Root, roasted, half a qian in winter) Baifuling (Poria, 1 qian, skin removed) Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 2 fen, roasted)
Process: Cut into pieces. Decoct in water; administer at any time. For those with weak constitution, add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 1 qian. Not for those who are fat, strong, and robust.

Shenxing Gao (Ginseng and Apricot Paste): Treats tidal fever in pediatric Bianzheng.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, radix tip removed) Xingren (Prunus Armeniaca Seed, skin and tips removed) Chuanshengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, roasted, half a qian each) Gancao (Licorice Root, roasted, 2 qian)
Process: Grind into extremely fine powder. Before one hundred days of age, take one "zi" (a small measure) per dose. Mix with Ophiopogon Tuber decoction (heart removed) and administer well after meals.