妇人有先期经来者，其经水甚多，人以为血热之极也，谁知肾中之水火旺乎。夫火旺则
血热，水旺则血多，此有余之病，非不足之症也。似不药有喜，但过于有余，则子宫大热，
亦难受孕，恐有烁干男精之虑。太过者损之，亦既济之道也。然而，火不可任其有余，水断
不可使之不足。治法但少清其火，不必泻水也。方用∶
丹皮（三钱） 地骨皮（五钱） 白芍（三钱） 青蒿（二钱） 黄柏（五分） 熟地（
三钱） 茯苓（二钱）水煎服。此方名为清经散，服二剂自平也。
方中虽是清火之品，然仍是滋水之味，火泻而水不与之俱泻，则两不损而两有
益也。
此症用损余汤亦效。
地骨皮（一两） 茯苓（五钱） 黄柏（二钱） 生地（五钱） 炒黑荆芥（三钱） 玄
参（五钱）水煎服。四剂而经调矣。
妇人有先期经来，其经水止有一、二点，人亦以为血热之极也，谁知肾中火旺而阴水虚
乎。先期者，火气之冲，多寡者，水气之验。故先期之来多，火热而水有余；先期之来少，
火热而水不足。倘一见先期，俱以为有余之热，但泻火而不补水，或水火两泻，如何不增病
哉。治法不必泻火，专补其水，水足而火气自消。方用∶
玄参（一两） 生地（一两） 白芍（五钱） 麦冬（五钱） 阿胶（三钱） 地骨皮（
三钱）水煎服。连服四剂而经调矣。
方名两地汤，以地骨、生地同用耳。二味俱能凉骨中之热也。骨中之热，由于肾中之热，
凉其骨髓，则肾气自寒，又不损伤胃气，此治之巧也。况所用诸药，纯是补水之味，水盛而
火安得不平乎。此条与上条并观，断无误治先期之病矣。
此症用加味纯阴汤亦效。
熟地 玄参 麦冬（各五钱） 山茱萸（二钱） 北五味子（一钱） 丹皮（五钱）水
煎服。可用十剂，经水自多。
妇人有经来后期而甚多者，人以为血虚之病也，谁知非血虚也。盖后期之多少，实有
不同。后期来少，血寒而不足；后期来多，血寒而有余。夫经水虽本于肾，而其流则五脏六
腑之血皆归之。故经一来，而诸血尽来附益，以经开而门启，不遑迅阖，诸血乘其隙而皆
出也。但血既出矣，则成不足之症。治法宜于补中温之，非曰后期者俱不足也。方用温经摄
血汤∶
白芍（一两） 川芎（五钱） 肉桂（五分） 熟地（一两） 白术（五钱） 续断（
一钱） 五味子（三分） 柴胡（五分）水煎服。二十剂经调矣。
此方大补肾、肝、脾之精血。加肉桂以祛其寒，加柴胡以解其郁，是补中有散，而散非
耗气；补中有泻，而泻非损阴。所以受补之益，收温之功也。是方凡经来后期者，俱可用，
诚调经之妙药，摄血之仙丹也。倘人元气虚，加入人参一、二钱，未为不可耳。
此症用温带益经汤亦效。
熟地（一两） 白术 杜仲（各五钱） 肉桂（一钱） 茯苓 人参（各三钱）水煎服。
妇人有经来断续，或前或后，无一定之期者，人以为气血之虚，谁知是肝气之
郁结乎。夫经水出诸肾经，肝为肾之子，肝郁则肾亦郁，肾郁而气自不宣，前后之或断或
续，正肾气之或通、或闭耳。虽然肝气郁而肾不应，未必至于如此。然子母关切之病，而母
必有顾复之情，肝泄而肾自有缱绻之谊，肝气之或藏或闭，即肾气之或去或留，有相因而至
者矣。然则治法，舒肝之郁即所以开肾之郁也，即所以定经水之流也。方用定经汤∶
白芍（一两） 当归（一两） 熟地（五钱） 山药（五钱） 菟丝子（一两） 柴
胡（五分） 荆芥（炒黑，一钱） 茯苓（三钱）水煎服。二剂经水净，四剂经期定矣。
此方舒肾肝之气，非通经之药也。补肝肾之津，非利水之品也。肾肝气舒而经通，肝肾
津旺而水利，不治之治，正妙于治也。
此症用顺经汤亦效。
香附 生地 茯苓 白芥子（各三钱） 当归（一两） 白芍（一两） 车前子（二钱）
神曲 甘草（各一钱）水煎服。
十剂自调。
妇人有数月一行经者，每以为常，且无或先或后之异，又无或多或少之殊。人以为异，
而不知非异，此乃无病之人，气血两不亏损耳。妇人之中，有天生仙骨者，
经水必四季一行，盖以季为数，不以月为盈虚也。妇人之经水不泄，则黄河便可逆流。真
气内藏，则坎中之阳不损。倘加以炼形之法，一年之内便易飞升。无如世人不知炼形之法，
见经水之不来，误认作病，妄用药饵，往往无病而成病。余闻异人之教，特为阐扬，使世
人见此等行经，在不必治之列，万勿疑为气血之不足，而轻施医疗也。虽然天生仙骨之
妇，世正不少，而嗜欲深者，天分损也，又不可不立一救疗之方。方名助仙丹∶
白术（三钱） 茯苓（五钱） 甘草（一钱） 山药（三钱） 陈皮（五分） 白芍（三
钱） 杜仲（一钱） 菟丝子（二钱）水煎，服二、四剂而仍如其旧，不可再服。
此方平补，健脾益肾，解郁消痰，不损天然之气血，便是调经之大益，何必用重剂以
助火，用热药以通经哉。
此症用肝肾双治汤亦佳。
白芍（三钱） 当归 山药 熟地（各五钱） 甘草（五分） 陈皮（三分） 茯苓 山
茱萸（各二钱） 神曲（一钱）水煎服。
自然如期矣。
妇人至五十之外，或六、七十岁者，忽然行经，或如紫血之块，或如红血之淋，
人以为老妇行经是还少之期，谁知乃血崩之渐乎。妇人至七七之外，天癸已穷，又不服补
阴济阳之药，如何能使精满化经，一如少妇乎。不宜行经而行经者，乃肝不藏血、脾不统血
也。非泄精而动命门之火，必气郁而发龙雷之炎。二火发动，血乃奔失，有似行经而实非
行经也。遇此等之病，非大补脾肝则血不能骤止。然而补肝脾者，不可全补血以止血，尤当
兼补气以止血也。方用安老丹∶
人参（一两） 黄 （一两） 熟地（一两） 山茱萸（五钱） 甘草（一钱） 木耳
灰（一钱） 当归（五钱） 阿胶（一钱） 香附（五分） 荆芥（一钱） 白术（五钱）
水煎服。一剂少减，二剂又减，四剂全止，十剂全愈。
此方补益肝脾之气，气足自然生血，且能摄血也。况且大补肾水，肾水足而肝气益舒，
肝气舒而脾气得养，肝藏血，脾统血，安有漏泄乎。血既无漏泄之失，何虑于血崩乎。
此症亦可用 术调经散治之。
人参 三七根末（各三钱） 白术 当归 黄 （各一两） 生地（五钱）水煎调服。
一剂即止，四剂愈。
妇人有经水忽来忽断，时痛时止，往来寒热，人以为血结之故，不知乃肝气不
舒耳。夫肝属木，最恶者寒风也。妇人行经，则腠理大开，适逢风吹，则肝气闭塞，经水之
门亦随之而俱闭，于是腠理经络各皆不宣，而作寒热。气行于阳而热生，气行于阴而寒生
也。然此犹感寒之轻者，倘外寒更甚，则内热益深，往往有热入血室，变为似狂之症，一
如遇鬼之状。今但往来寒热，是寒未甚而热未深耳。治法补肝中之血，通郁而散其风，则病
随手而效也。方用加味四物汤∶
熟地（一两） 川芎（三钱） 白芍（五钱） 当归（五钱） 白术（五钱） 甘草（
一钱） 延胡索（一钱） 丹皮（三钱） 柴胡（一钱）水煎服。
此方用四物以滋脾肾；用柴胡、白芍、丹皮以宣扬风郁；用甘草、白术、延胡利腰脐以和
腹痛。入于表里之间，通于经络之内，用之得宜，自然奏功如响也。
此症用开结汤亦佳。
柴胡 续断 神曲（各一钱） 香附 川芎 丹皮（各三钱） 当归 熟地（各一两）
白术（五钱） 甘草（一钱）水煎服。十剂全愈。
妇人有经前疼痛数日后行经者，其经水多是紫黑之块，人以为热极也，谁知郁极而火不
能化乎。夫肝中有火郁则不扬，经欲行而肝气不应，则拂抑其气而痛生。
然经满则不能内藏，肝中火气焚烧，内逼经出，而火亦随之而怒泄。其色紫黑者，水火两
战之象也。成块者，火煎成形之状也。经失其为经，正郁火内夺其权耳。治法似宜大泻肝
中之火矣。然泻肝之火，不解肝之郁，则热之标可去，热之本未除也。方用宣郁调经汤∶
白芍（五钱） 当归（五钱） 柴胡（一钱） 香附（一钱） 郁金（一钱） 丹皮（五
钱） 白芥子（二钱） 甘草（一钱） 黄芩（一钱） 炒栀子（三钱）水煎服。连服四
剂，下月断不先腹痛而后行经也。
此方补肝之血，又解肝之郁，利肝之气，又退肝之火，所以奏功如神耳。
此症用香草散亦佳。
香附 茯神（各三钱） 玄胡索 甘草 神曲 天花粉（各一钱） 炒栀子 黄芩（各
二钱） 白术 生地 麦冬（各五钱） 陈皮（五分）水煎服。
妇人有经后小腹作痛，人以为气血之虚，谁知是肾气之涸乎。夫经水乃天一之水，满
则溢，空则虚，亦其常也，何以虚能作痛哉？盖肾水一虚，则水不能生肝，而肝必下克于脾
土，土木相争而气逆，故作痛也。治法亦须舒肝气为主，而益之补肾之味，则水足而肝气
益安矣。方用后调汤∶
阿胶（三钱） 荆芥（三钱） 巴戟天（一钱） 山药（五钱） 白芍（三钱） 当
归（三钱） 甘草（一钱） 山茱萸（三钱）水煎服。
此方平调肝肾，既能转逆于须臾，尤善止郁痛于顷刻，经后以此方调理最佳，不止治经
后腹痛也。
此症用填经止痛丹亦神。
熟地（二两） 山茱萸（五钱） 山药（三钱） 甘草（一钱） 肉桂（五分）水煎服。
妇人有行经之前一、二日，忽然腹痛而吐血，人以为火盛之极也，谁知肝气之逆而不顺
行而上吐乎。夫肝之气最急，宜顺不宜逆，顺则气安，逆则气动，血随气而俱行。若经逆从口
上出，乃少阴之火急如奔马，得肝中龙雷之气直冲而上，其势最捷，反经为血，又至便也，不
必肝不藏血，始成吐血之症。但此等吐血，不同各经之吐血，各经吐血乃内伤而成，此逆
经吐血者，乃内溢而激之使出也。其症绝有异同，而逆气则一也。治法似乎治逆以平肝，
不必益精以补肾。虽然逆经而吐血，虽不损夫血，而反复颠倒，未免伤肾之气，而血又上泄
过多，则肾水亦亏，必须于补肾之中，以行其顺气之法也。方用顺经汤∶
当归（五钱） 白芍（三钱） 熟地（五钱） 茯苓（三钱） 牛膝（三钱） 丹皮（
五钱） 沙参（三钱） 荆芥（炒黑，三钱）水煎服。一剂吐血止，二剂经顺，连服十
剂，不再逆经也。
此方于补肾、补肝之中用引血归经之药，肝气不逆，肾气自顺也。肾气既顺，经何能逆哉。
此症用顺肝藏血丹亦效。
白芍 当归 熟地（各一两） 荆芥（炒黑三钱） 牛膝 人参 茯苓（各二钱） 柴
胡（五分） 乌药（五分） 泽泻（一钱）水煎服。二剂即顺行矣。
人有经水将来三、五日前，脐下疼痛，状如刀刺，寒热交作，下如黑豆汁，既而经来，因
之无娠，人以为血热之故，谁知是下焦寒湿相争耶。夫寒湿之气乃邪气也，妇人有任、冲之脉，
居于下焦，冲脉为血海，任脉主胞胎为血室，皆喜正气之相通，最恶邪气之相犯，经水由二
经而外出。若寒湿之气弥满于二经之外，势必两相争而作疼痛矣。邪感正衰，寒气生浊，下
如豆汁之黑者，见北方寒水之象也。治法利其湿而温其寒，冲、任无邪，何至搏结作痛哉。
方用温脐化湿汤∶
白术（一两） 茯苓（三钱） 巴戟天（五钱） 山药（五钱） 扁豆（三钱） 白
果（十枚） 莲子（三十粒，连心用）
水煎服。然必须经未来前十日服之，四剂而邪去，经调兼可种子也。
此方用白术以利腰脐，更用巴戟、白果以通任脉，再用山药、扁豆、莲子以卫冲脉，故
寒湿尽去，经水自调矣。倘疑腹痛为热邪之作祟，妄用寒凉，则冲、任虚冷，血海变为冰
海，血室成为冰室，毋论艰于生育，疼痛何有止日哉。
此症可用术桂草玄丹∶
白术（二两） 肉桂（一钱） 甘草（一钱） 玄胡索（一钱）水煎服。一剂愈。
妇有经水过多，行后复行，面色痿黄，人倦无力，人以为血热之故也，谁知血虚而不归
经乎。夫血旺则经多，血少则经缩。然血归于经，虽血旺而经亦不多，血不归经，虽血衰而
经亦不少。世人以经水过多为是血旺，此治之所以错也。惟多是虚，故再行而不胜其困乏。血
损精散，骨中髓空，不能华于面也。治法大补其血之不足，引其归经，宁有经后再行之病哉。
方用四物汤加味治之。
熟地（一两） 川芎（五钱） 白芍（三钱） 当归（五钱） 荆芥（三钱） 山茱
萸（三钱） 白术（五钱） 续断（一钱） 甘草（一钱）水煎服。四剂血归经矣。十剂
之后，加人参三钱，再服十剂，下月行经适可而止，不再行也。
四物汤乃补血之神药，加白术、荆芥行中有利；加山茱萸、续断止中有补；加甘草而调
和得宜，所以血足而归经，经归而血净也。
此症用加味补血汤亦佳。
Women who experience menstruation arriving early, with a large volume of menstrual blood, are often thought to suffer from extreme blood heat. However, it is actually due to the excessive prosperity of water and fire in the kidney. When fire is prosperous, blood becomes hot; when water is prosperous, blood volume increases. This is a disease of excess, not deficiency. It might seem that no treatment is preferable, but if there is too much excess, the uterus becomes excessively hot, making conception difficult, and there is a concern that it may scorch the male essence. Those who are excessive should be reduced, which is also the way of Ji Ji (balance of yin and yang). However, fire should not be allowed to remain excessive, and water must absolutely not be made deficient. The treatment method requires only slightly clearing the fire, without purging the water. The prescription is: Mu Dan Pi (3 qian), Di Gu Pi (5 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Qing Hao (2 qian), Huang Bo (0.5 qian), Shu Di Huang (3 qian), Fu Ling (2 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. This prescription is named Qing Jing San (Clear the Menses Powder). After taking two doses, the condition will naturally stabilize.
Although the ingredients in this prescription are for clearing fire, they are still flavors that nourish water. Fire is purged while water is not drained along with it, so both are undamaged and both benefit.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Sun Yu Tang (Reduce Excess Decoction).
Di Gu Pi (1 liang), Fu Ling (5 qian), Huang Bo (2 qian), Sheng Di Huang (5 qian), Chao Hei Jing Jie (Stir-fried black Jing Jie) (3 qian), Xuan Shen (5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After four doses, menstruation will regulate.
Women who experience early menstruation with only a drop or two of blood are also thought to suffer from extreme blood heat. In reality, it is due to prosperous fire in the kidney and deficient yin water. The reason for being early is the rush of fire qi; the difference in volume is the test of water qi. Therefore, early and abundant flow indicates heat fire and excess water; early and scanty flow indicates heat fire and deficient water. If one sees early menstruation and assumes it is all excess heat, purging fire without replenishing water, or purging both water and fire, how can the disease not worsen? The treatment method does not require purging fire, but specifically replenishing water. When water is sufficient, fire qi naturally dissipates. The prescription is: Xuan Shen (1 liang), Sheng Di Huang (1 liang), Bai Shao (5 qian), Mai Dong (5 qian), E Jiao (3 qian), Di Gu Pi (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After continuous use for four doses, menstruation will regulate.
The prescription is named Liang Di Tang (Two Earths Decoction) because Di Gu Pi and Sheng Di Huang are used together. Both ingredients can cool heat in the bone marrow. Heat in the bone marrow stems from heat in the kidney. Cooling the bone marrow makes kidney qi naturally cold, without damaging stomach qi, which is the ingenuity of this treatment. Moreover, all the herbs used are purely for replenishing water. When water is abundant, how can fire not be pacified? Observing this clause together with the previous one ensures no misdiagnosis of early menstruation.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Jia Wei Chun Yin Tang (Modified Pure Yin Decoction).
Shu Di Huang, Xuan Shen, Mai Dong (each 5 qian), Shan Zhu Yu (2 qian), Bei Wu Wei Zi (1 qian), Dan Pi (5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Ten doses can be used, and menstrual flow will naturally increase.
Women who experience delayed menstruation with a large volume are often thought to suffer from blood deficiency. However, it is not blood deficiency. The amount of delayed menstruation indeed varies. Delayed and scanty flow indicates cold blood and deficiency; delayed and abundant flow indicates cold blood and excess. Although menstrual blood originates from the kidney, its flow involves blood from all five zang and six fu organs gathering there. Thus, when menstruation arrives, all blood rushes to supplement it. Because the menses gate opens and cannot close quickly, various blood flows out through the gaps. Once blood has flowed out, it becomes a deficiency syndrome. The treatment method should warm within tonification. It is not said that all delayed cases are deficiency. The prescription is Wen Jing She Xue Tang (Warm Meridians and Astringe Blood Decoction):
Bai Shao (1 liang), Chuan Xiong (5 qian), Rou Gui (0.5 qian), Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Xu Duan (1 qian), Wu Wei Zi (0.3 qian), Chai Hu (0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After twenty doses, menstruation will regulate.
This prescription greatly tonifies the essence and blood of the kidney, liver, and spleen. Adding Rou Gui dispels cold; adding Chai Hu resolves stagnation. This is tonification with dispersion, but dispersion does not consume qi; tonification with purging, but purging does not damage yin. Thus, it receives the benefits of tonification and achieves the effects of warming. This prescription can be used for all cases of delayed menstruation; it is truly a wonderful medicine for regulating menses and an immortal pill for astringing blood. If the person's yuan qi is deficient, adding Ren Shen (1-2 qian) is acceptable.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Wen Dai Yi Jing Tang (Warm Belt and Benefit Menses Decoction).
Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Bai Zhu, Du Zhong (each 5 qian), Rou Gui (1 qian), Fu Ling, Ren Shen (each 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
Women whose menstruation is intermittent, coming either early or late without a fixed schedule, are often thought to suffer from qi and blood deficiency. In reality, it is due to liver qi stagnation. Menstrual blood comes from the kidney meridian. The liver is the child of the kidney. Liver stagnation causes kidney stagnation. Kidney stagnation leads to obstructed qi flow. The intermittency of the flow reflects the blockage or patency of kidney qi. Although liver qi stagnation without kidney response might not reach such severity, diseases involving mother and child organs imply mutual concern. When the liver vents, the kidney retains affection. The storage or closure of liver qi corresponds to the departure or retention of kidney qi, occurring sequentially. Therefore, treating by soothing liver stagnation is equivalent to opening kidney stagnation and stabilizing menstrual flow. The prescription is Ding Jing Tang (Stabilize Menses Decoction):
Bai Shao (1 liang), Dang Gui (1 liang), Shu Di Huang (5 qian), Shan Yao (5 qian), Tu Si Zi (1 liang), Chai Hu (0.5 qian), Jing Jie (stir-fried black, 1 qian), Fu Ling (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. After two doses, menstrual blood clears; after four doses, the cycle stabilizes.
This prescription soothes kidney and liver qi; it is not a menstruation-promoting drug. It tonifies kidney and liver fluids; it is not a diuretic. When kidney and liver qi are smooth, menstruation flows; when kidney and liver fluids are abundant, water metabolism works. This "non-treatment" treatment is superior to active treatment.
This condition can also be effectively treated with Shun Jing Tang (Smooth Menses Decoction).
Xiang Fu, Sheng Di, Fu Ling, Bai Jie Zi (each 3 qian), Dang Gui (1 liang), Bai Shao (1 liang), Che Qian Zi (2 qian), Shen Qu, Gan Cao (each 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
After ten doses, it naturally regulates.
Women who menstruate once every few months often consider it normal, with no variation in timing or volume. People think it is abnormal, but it is not. These are healthy individuals with balanced qi and blood. Among women, some have innate "immortal bones." Their menstruation occurs once per season, counting by seasons rather than monthly cycles. If menstrual blood does not leak, the Yellow River could flow backward. If true qi is stored internally, the yang within Kan (kidney) is not damaged. With body refining methods, ascension could be achieved within a year. Unfortunately, people do not know these methods. Seeing absent menstruation, they mistakenly treat it as disease, using drugs unnecessarily, turning health into illness. I heard teachings from unusual persons and specially elaborate on this to show that such menstruation falls under "no treatment needed." Do not suspect qi and blood deficiency and lightly apply medical treatment. Although many women have innate "immortal bones," those with deep desires lose their natural endowment. A rescue prescription is necessary. The prescription is named Zhu Xian Dan (Assist Immortals Pill):
Bai Zhu (3 qian), Fu Ling (5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Shan Yao (3 qian), Chen Pi (0.5 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Du Zhong (1 qian), Tu Si Zi (2 qian). Decoct in water. Take two or four doses, then return to the original state. Do not continue taking it.
This prescription gently tonifies, benefiting the spleen and kidney, resolving stagnation and eliminating phlegm, without damaging natural qi and blood. This is the great benefit of regulating menses. Why use heavy agents to assist fire or hot medicines to promote menstruation?
This condition is also well-treated with Gan Shen Shuang Zhi Tang (Simultaneous Treatment of Liver and Kidney Decoction).
Bai Shao (3 qian), Dang Gui, Shan Yao, Shu Di Huang (each 5 qian), Gan Cao (0.5 qian), Chen Pi (0.3 qian), Fu Ling, Shan Zhu Yu (each 2 qian), Shen Qu (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
It will naturally arrive on time.
Women over fifty, or even sixty or seventy years old, who suddenly menstruate, passing purple clots or red dripping blood, are often thought to be experiencing "return to youth." In reality, this is the beginning of uterine bleeding (blood flooding). After age forty-nine (seven sevens), Tian Gui (heavenly water) is exhausted. Without taking yin-nourishing and yang-supporting medicines, how can essence fully transform into menstrual blood like a young woman? Menstruation that should not occur but does occurs because the liver fails to store blood and the spleen fails to control blood. This is either due to essence leakage activating Ming Men fire, or qi stagnation triggering Long Lei (dragon thunder) inflammation. When these two fires activate, blood rushes uncontrollably, resembling menstruation but not being true menstruation. For such conditions, only major tonification of the spleen and liver can stop the blood quickly. However, when tonifying liver and spleen, one should not solely rely on blood tonification to stop bleeding; it is crucial to simultaneously tonify qi to stop bleeding. The prescription is An Lao Dan (Peace the Elderly Pill):
Ren Shen (1 liang), Huang Qi (1 liang), Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Mu Er Hui (Wood Ear Ash) (1 qian), Dang Gui (5 qian), E Jiao (1 qian), Xiang Fu (0.5 qian), Jing Jie (1 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Slight reduction after one dose, further reduction after two, complete cessation after four, full recovery after ten.
This prescription tonifies the qi of the liver and spleen. Sufficient qi naturally generates and controls blood. Furthermore, it greatly tonifies kidney water. Sufficient kidney water relaxes liver qi; relaxed liver qi nourishes spleen qi. The liver stores blood, and the spleen controls it. How can leakage occur? If there is no leakage, why worry about blood flooding?
This condition can also be treated with Shu Tiao Jing San (Regulate Menses Powder).
Ren Shen, San Qi Gen Mo (Sanqi Root Powder) (each 3 qian), Bai Zhu, Dang Gui, Huang Qi (each 1 liang), Sheng Di Huang (5 qian). Decoct in water and mix for oral administration.
Stops after one dose, cures after four.
Women whose menstrual flow comes and goes, with intermittent pain and alternating chills and fever, are often thought to suffer from blood stasis. In reality, it is due to unsmooth liver qi. The liver belongs to wood and most dislikes cold wind. During menstruation, pores open widely. Exposure to wind closes liver qi, closing the gates of menstrual blood. Consequently, pores and meridians become obstructed, causing chills and fever. Qi moving in yang generates heat; qi moving in yin generates cold. This is mild cold invasion. If external cold is severe, internal heat deepens, potentially leading to heat entering the blood chamber, transforming into manic-like symptoms resembling ghost possession. Currently, only alternating chills and fever indicate mild cold and shallow heat. The treatment method tonifies liver blood, unblocks stagnation, and disperses wind, achieving immediate effect. The prescription is Jia Wei Si Wu Tang (Modified Four Substances Decoction):
Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Chuan Xiong (3 qian), Bai Shao (5 qian), Dang Gui (5 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Yan Hu Suo (1 qian), Dan Pi (3 qian), Chai Hu (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
This prescription uses Si Wu Tang to nourish spleen and kidney; uses Chai Hu, Bai Shao, and Dan Pi to promote wind stagnation; uses Gan Cao, Bai Zhu, and Yan Hu Suo to benefit waist and umbilicus and harmonize abdominal pain. Entering between exterior and interior, connecting within meridians, proper use yields immediate results.
This condition is also well-treated with Kai Jie Tang (Open Knots Decoction).
Chai Hu, Xu Duan, Shen Qu (each 1 qian), Xiang Fu, Chuan Xiong, Dan Pi (each 3 qian), Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang (each 1 liang), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Cures after ten doses.
Women who experience abdominal pain for several days before menstruation, passing dark purple-black clots, are often thought to suffer from extreme heat. In reality, it is extreme stagnation where fire cannot transform. Fire stagnating in the liver remains suppressed. As menstruation approaches, liver qi does not respond, causing friction and pain. When the uterus is full, it cannot contain blood. Liver fire burns internally, forcing menstruation out, with fire venting angrily. Dark purple-black color indicates battle between water and fire. Clots indicate fire frying into shape. Menstruation loses its nature because stagnant fire usurps authority internally. The treatment seems to require major purging of liver fire. However, purging liver fire without resolving liver stagnation removes the branch of heat but not the root. The prescription is Xuan Yu Tiao Jing Tang (Vent Stagnation Regulate Menses Decoction):
Bai Shao (5 qian), Dang Gui (5 qian), Chai Hu (1 qian), Xiang Fu (1 qian), Yu Jin (1 qian), Dan Pi (5 qian), Bai Jie Zi (2 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Huang Qin (1 qian), Chao Zhi Zi (Stir-fried Zhi Zi) (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Continuous use for four doses ensures next month's menstruation will not precede with abdominal pain.
This prescription tonifies liver blood, resolves liver stagnation, benefits liver qi, and reduces liver fire, hence miraculous efficacy.
This condition is also well-treated with Xiang Cao San (Fragrant Herb Powder).
Xiang Fu, Fu Shen (each 3 qian), Xuan Hu Suo, Gan Cao, Shen Qu, Tian Hua Fen (each 1 qian), Chao Zhi Zi, Huang Qin (each 2 qian), Bai Zhu, Sheng Di, Mai Dong (each 5 qian), Chen Pi (0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
Women who experience lower abdominal pain after menstruation are often thought to suffer from qi and blood deficiency. In reality, it is due to exhaustion of kidney qi. Menstrual water is Tian Yi Water. Fullness leads to overflow; emptiness leads to deficiency, which is normal. How can deficiency cause pain? When kidney water is deficient, it cannot generate liver wood. Liver then attacks spleen earth. Wood and earth contend, causing qi reversal and pain. The treatment must primarily soothe liver qi, supplemented by kidney-tonifying herbs. Then water is sufficient, and liver qi is peaceful. The prescription is Hou Tiao Tang (Post-Menses Regulation Decoction):
E Jiao (3 qian), Jing Jie (3 qian), Ba Ji Tian (1 qian), Shan Yao (5 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Dang Gui (3 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Shan Zhu Yu (3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
This prescription balances liver and kidney. It reverses qi instantly and stops stagnation pain promptly. It is best for post-menstrual regulation, not just for post-menstrual abdominal pain.
This condition is also miraculously treated with Tian Jing Zhi Tong Dan (Fill Menses Stop Pain Pill).
Shu Di Huang (2 liang), Shan Zhu Yu (5 qian), Shan Yao (3 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Rou Gui (0.5 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.
Women who experience sudden abdominal pain and hematemesis one or two days before menstruation are often thought to suffer from extreme fire excess. In reality, it is liver qi reversing and flowing upward instead of downward. Liver qi is urgent; it should flow smoothly, not reverse. Smooth flow brings peace; reversal agitates qi. Blood follows qi. If menstruation reverses and exits via the mouth, it is Shaoin fire rushing like a galloping horse, aided by dragon-thunder qi from the liver charging upward. This force is swift, turning menstruation into blood, easily exiting. It does not require liver failure to store blood to cause hematemesis. However, this type of hematemesis differs from other meridians' bleeding caused by internal injury. This is internal overflow forced out by reversal. Symptoms differ, but reversal qi is the same. Treatment seems to focus on calming liver to reverse flow, without necessarily tonifying essence to tonify kidney. Although reversal hematemesis does not deplete blood directly, repeated reversal damages kidney qi. Excessive upper bleeding also depletes kidney water. Thus, within kidney tonification, one must employ methods to smooth qi flow. The prescription is Shun Jing Tang (Smooth Menses Decoction):
Dang Gui (5 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Shu Di Huang (5 qian), Fu Ling (3 qian), Niu Xi (3 qian), Dan Pi (5 qian), Sha Shen (3 qian), Jing Jie (stir-fried black, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Hematemesis stops after one dose, menstruation smooths after two. Continuous use for ten doses prevents future reversal.
This prescription uses herbs to guide blood back to its vessels within kidney and liver tonification. Liver qi does not reverse, so kidney qi naturally smooths. Once kidney qi is smooth, how can menstruation reverse?
This condition is also effectively treated with Shun Gan Cang Xue Dan (Smooth Liver Store Blood Pill).
Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang (each 1 liang), Jing Jie (stir-fried black, 3 qian), Niu Xi, Ren Shen, Fu Ling (each 2 qian), Chai Hu (0.5 qian), Wu Yao (0.5 qian), Ze Xie (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Smooth flow resumes after two doses.
Three to five days before menstruation, some experience umbilical pain stabbing like a knife, alternating chills and fever, and discharge resembling black bean soup. Afterwards, menstruation arrives, preventing pregnancy. People attribute this to blood heat. In reality, it is conflict between cold and dampness in the lower jiao. Cold-damp qi is pathogenic. Women have Ren and Chong meridians in the lower jiao. Chong is the Sea of Blood; Ren governs the fetus and is the Blood Chamber. They prefer righteous qi connection and abhor pathogenic invasion. Menstrual blood exits via these two meridians. If cold-damp qi fills outside these meridians, they inevitably contend, causing pain. Pathogen sensing righteous decline, cold qi generates turbidity. Black discharge resembles northern cold water imagery. Treatment promotes dampness drainage and warms cold. With no pathogens in Chong and Ren, how can knotting and pain occur? The prescription is Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang (Warm Umbilicus Transform Dampness Decoction):
Bai Zhu (1 liang), Fu Ling (3 qian), Ba Ji Tian (5 qian), Shan Yao (5 qian), Bian Dou (3 qian), Bai Guo (Ginkgo Seed) (10 pieces), Lian Zi (Lotus Seed, with plumule) (30 grains). Decoct in water and take orally. Must be taken ten days before expected menstruation. After four doses, pathogens depart, menstruation regulates, and conception is facilitated.
This prescription uses Bai Zhu to benefit waist and umbilicus; Ba Ji Tian and Bai Guo to unblock Ren meridian; Shan Yao, Bian Dou, and Lian Zi to protect Chong meridian. Thus, cold-damp is eliminated, and menstruation self-regulates. If abdominal pain is mistaken for heat pathogen and cold-cooling herbs are wrongly used, Chong and Ren become deficient and cold. The Sea of Blood becomes an ice sea, the Blood Chamber becomes an ice chamber. Not only is fertility difficult, but pain will never cease.
This condition can be treated with Shu Gui Cao Xuan Dan:
Bai Zhu (2 liang), Rou Gui (1 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian), Xuan Hu Suo (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Cures after one dose.
Women with excessive menstruation, recurring immediately after stopping, sallow complexion, fatigue, and weakness are often thought to suffer from blood heat. In reality, it is blood deficiency failing to return to the vessels. Abundant blood leads to heavy periods; scant blood leads to light periods. However, if blood returns to vessels, even abundant blood results in normal flow. If blood fails to return to vessels, even deficient blood results in heavy flow. People mistake heavy flow for abundant blood, leading to incorrect treatment. Heavy flow is mostly deficiency, hence exhaustion after recurrence. Blood loss scatters essence, emptying bone marrow, failing to luster the face. Treatment requires major tonification of blood deficiency and guiding blood back to vessels. How can recurrent post-menstrual bleeding persist? The prescription is Si Wu Tang with modifications:
Shu Di Huang (1 liang), Chuan Xiong (5 qian), Bai Shao (3 qian), Dang Gui (5 qian), Jing Jie (3 qian), Shan Zhu Yu (3 qian), Bai Zhu (5 qian), Xu Duan (1 qian), Gan Cao (1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally. Blood returns to vessels after four doses. After ten doses, add Ren Shen (3 qian) and take another ten doses. Next month's menstruation will stop appropriately and not recur.
Si Wu Tang is a divine medicine for tonifying blood. Adding Bai Zhu and Jing Jie benefits movement within circulation; adding Shan Zhu Yu and Xu Duan provides tonification within astringency; adding Gan Cao ensures proper harmony. Thus, blood is sufficient and returns to vessels; vessels are regulated and blood cleanses.
This condition is also well-treated with Jia Wei Bu Xue Tang (Modified Tonify Blood Decoction).