典藏书目

Treats conditions during pregnancy such as fetal restlessness and vaginal bleeding, or bleeding with abdominal pain due to trauma causing the fetus to die in the uterus. It also addresses symptoms like trismus (lockjaw) approaching death. After taking this formula, if the fetus is not damaged, the pain will cease; if the fetus is already damaged, it will be expelled rapidly. It is also used for transverse presentation, breech presentation, failure of the pelvic symphysis pubis to open, postpartum blood syncope with confusion, metrorrhagia (bing zhong), excessive blood loss from traumatic wounds, and other syndromes.

Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 liang or 3 liang, Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang. The above herbs are coarsely chopped, mixed evenly. Take 5 qian per dose, add 1 zhan of water and 0.5 zhan of wine, decoct until 0.8 zhan remains, and take hot. If ineffective, take again. If added with one piece of turtle shell (Gui Ban) and a tuft of hair, it is named Ka Gu San (Bone-Opening Powder).

[Annotation] The formula is not named "Gui Xiong" but "Fo Shou" (Buddha's Hand), implying that its efficacy in treating various pre- and postpartum diseases in women is as miraculous as Buddha's hand. Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong are principal herbs for regulating the blood aspect. Their nature is warm, and their taste is sweet and acrid. Warmth can harmonize the blood, sweetness can tonify the blood, and acridity can disperse blood stasis. In ancient usage, Dang Gui was always used as the Jun herb (monarch drug) and Chuan Xiong as the Chen herb (minister drug), with Chuan Xiong often used at one or two times the dosage of Dang Gui. This is because Chuan Xiong is acrid and penetrating, with rapid ascending and dispersing properties; excessive use damages Qi. Therefore, Kou Zongshi stated: "It should not be taken alone or for a long time," which reflects this principle. However, for conditions of Qi stagnation and blood coagulation, this formula is invariably effective. Thus, it is used to assist Dang Gui to achieve therapeutic effects on blood disorders, promoting the elimination of stasis and generation of new blood, allowing blood to return to its vessels. Once the blood returns to its vessels and resides peacefully, all blood disorders are cured. Regarding fetal restlessness and bleeding due to fetal injury, whether caused by blood obstruction damaging the fetus or chaotic blood flow, taking this formula serves as a probe. If the blood is chaotic but the fetus is undisturbed, smooth blood flow stops the pain; if the blood is obstructed but the fetus is undamaged, circulation stops the pain, thereby stabilizing the fetus. If the fetus is already moving or damaged, smooth blood flow facilitates the expulsion of the fetus. For transverse or breech presentations caused by premature exertion or misuse of labor-inducing drugs leading to rebellious Qi and chaotic blood, this formula is also used to regulate. For postpartum metrorrhagia or traumatic blood loss causing fainting, this formula is used to tonify. For a dead fetus in the uterus causing severe abdominal pain, this formula is used to expel. All the above conditions involve blood disorders without Qi deficiency. However, in cases of difficult labor due to Qi deficiency, or postpartum blood collapse presenting with yellowish-white lips and face, shortness of breath, irritability, and fainting upon movement, misusing this formula may cause immediate deterioration. In such cases, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) must be doubled to rapidly secure formless Qi to save formed blood. As for the difficulty in opening the pelvic symphysis, adding turtle shell and hair guides the medicine downward to the vagina; for cold patterns, add Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex); for heat patterns, add Huang Qi (Astragali Radix); for excessive sweating, add Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus); for convulsions, add Jing Sui (Schizonepetae Spica). Dosage adjustments should be made according to clinical judgment.