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After childbirth, Yin blood is suddenly and heavily lost, leaving Yang without attachment. The solitary Yang floats outward, often resulting in fever. This is heat generated by Yin deficiency; one must never treat it as an external contraction and use diaphoretic (sweating) methods to disperse the exterior.

Shenghua Tang (Decoction for Generating New Blood) is effective in reducing fever because it contains Ginger Rhizome (Shengjiang) and Licorice Root (Gancao), illustrating the principle that "sweet and warm substances can eliminate severe heat." Therefore, even if there are exterior symptoms after childbirth, all wind-dispelling herbs with ascending properties must not be used, as they may carry blood upward, causing dizziness, and more importantly, risk further exhausting Yang, which could lead to death from profuse sweating and collapse. Even Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) in Foshou San (Buddha's Hand Powder), due to its acrid and dispersing nature that induces sweating and leakage, must be used only after careful consideration of the specific condition at that moment. Since Yin blood is already deficient after childbirth, body fluids are naturally scant. Moreover, labor fatigue leads to Qi deficiency; when Qi is deficient, the transmission and transformation functions slow down, leading to dryness and astringency in the Large Intestine and Small Intestine, which is inevitable. It will recover naturally over time. Alternatively, Shenghua Tang can nourish blood while simultaneously generating fluids. Thus, although bowel movements and urination may be temporarily difficult after childbirth, purgative or draining herbs must be strictly prohibited. Not only are minerals like Mirabilite (Xiaoshi) and Rhubarb (Dahuang), along with Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), difficult to trial lightly, but even Rehmannia Root (Shengdihuang) and Peony Root (Shaoyao) in Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) are purely Yin in nature, damaging vital energy, promoting diarrhea, and coagulating blood. Wuling San promotes urination but injures Yin; the more one tries to drain, the more dryness and constipation result. If mistakenly used, causing further loss of Yin, the solitary Yang will lack support and escape, leading to collapse. Therefore, *Jiyao* (Essential Principles) states: Diseases related to pregnancy and childbirth originate from the Jueyin channel; do not violate Stomach Qi or the Upper and Lower Jiao; do not induce sweating, do not purge, and do not promote urination!

In treating postpartum conditions, the "Three Examinations" are indispensable. First examination: Check whether the lower abdomen hurts or not, to determine the presence or absence of lochia (postpartum discharge). Second examination: Check whether defecation is smooth or obstructed, to assess the abundance or depletion of body fluids. Third examination: Check whether lactation occurs and the amount of food intake, to evaluate whether Stomach Qi is robust or deficient. By examining these three aspects and correlating pulse findings with clinical signs—if the pulse and symptoms match, treatment will lead to recovery; if they contradict, even without critical signs, complications will likely arise. For instance, lochia typically lasts about a month. However, some women clear it within six or seven days, so this cannot be generalized. This variation depends on the mother's constitution and the fetal Qi received. If fetal Qi is vigorous, blood and Qi are fully directed to the fetus, resulting in less stasis; if fetal Qi is weak, there is excess nourishment, resulting in more stasis. Also, excessive bleeding during delivery leads to less postpartum bleeding, while minimal bleeding during delivery leads to more postpartum bleeding, which is a natural consequence. Generally, in normal deliveries, the uterus opens and closes appropriately. After birth, the uterus closes immediately, and the "child pillow" (retained blood clots) moves with Qi, breaking into small pieces and passing out gradually, prolonging the duration. In cases of difficult labor, the uterus may be overly injured, causing the closure mechanism to relax and fail to contract. Blood clots resembling eggplants in size, shape, and color may be expelled; this is called the "child pillow." If expelled entirely at once, there is no risk of prolonged dripping. Any remaining blood goes into urine and stool, resembling soap pod juice, with little to no lower abdominal pain. Do not mistake this for retained stasis and blindly use purgatives, as this can be fatal. Sometimes, postpartum pain resembles child pillow pain, with palpable masses and slight resistance to pressure. People often attribute this to residual blood in the child pillow, which is incorrect. Once the placenta and membranes are expelled, how can blood remain alone? The uterus has housed the fetus for a long time; upon separation, the Sea of Blood becomes suddenly empty, causing pain. The uterine opening is injured, leading to swelling, which feels like a mass but is not a true solid tumor. Since the swelling persists, it resists pressure. Treatment should focus on nurturing the organs, and it will heal soon. If stasis requires medication, Shenghua Tang is best; Dianbao Jian (Placenta Expulsion Decoction) or Sishen San (Four Divine Powder) are also acceptable. Mistakenly using drugs like Broom Crape Myrtle Tuber (Sumu), Safflower (Honghua), Corydalis Rhizome (Yanhusuo), or Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi) will damage organ Qi and exacerbate deficiency. Be extremely cautious. I once saw a woman whose lower abdomen had a hard, cucumber-like structure when pressed. She feared it was stasis or a mass (*zhijia*), but since it was painless and non-tender, I explained it was deficiency, not excess, and would resolve as blood replenished. Months later, it indeed disappeared.

[Fractional dosage instructions follow, likely modifications for Shenghua Tang based on context]: Take [amount unspecified in text, literally '5 fen'], add one cup of water, decoct to eight parts, and take hot. If the pulse is fine and cold, or if vomiting occurs, add roasted Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) of yellow color, 1 qian. If blood heat and fire are prominent, remove Cinnamon Twig (Rougui) and add wine-fried White Peony Root (Baishaoyao), 1 qian. If the pulse is weak indicating Yin deficiency, add Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang), 3 qian. If there is Qi stagnation, add processed Cyperus Rhizome (Zhi Xiangfu), 1 qian. For lower back pain, add Salt-processed Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong), 1–2 qian.