典藏书目

Postpartum delirium and hallucinations. These symptoms arise from severe deficiency of Qi and Blood, where the essence is depleted and the Spirit becomes confused, leading to false perceptions and delirious speech. In mild cases, there is muttering in dreams; in severe cases, the patient speaks even when awake and not sleeping. Additionally, phlegm may invade the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner) due to deficiency, causing dysfunction of the five sense organs, resulting in false visual, auditory, verbal, and motor behaviors. One must not mistake this for possession by evil spirits or ghosts and erroneously use talismanic waters, which could lead to untreatable conditions. Zhu Danxi stated: "Deficiency syndromes can resemble manifestations of spirit possession." Having treated this syndrome repeatedly, I have found that it often requires a larger dosage of medicine before efficacy is seen.

(Wu's Commentary: Phlegm-fire reversely transmitting to the Pericardium constitutes a syndrome of deficiency with excess characteristics. Urgent treatment with aggressive methods may overwhelm the body, while slow regulation risks becoming a chronic disease. Moreover, given the postpartum state, the priority should be supporting the Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi) and expelling pathogenic factors, treating with careful deliberation.)

Within three days after childbirth, if blood stasis (lochia clots) has not been eliminated and delirium/hallucinations occur, take the following prescription for three to four doses, then modify based on changes.

Chuanxiong Rhizome (2 qian), Danggui Radix (4 qian), Poria (1 qian), Glycyrrhiza Root (4 fen), Dried Ginger (4 fen), Peach Kernel (10 grains), Ziziphus Seed (1 qian), Jujube (2 pieces). Decoct in water. Take shortly after meals.

Between three days before and after delivery, if lochia clots are painless but delirium/hallucinations occur, this is an extremely deficient syndrome. After taking the following prescription, if stability is achieved—even without dramatic improvement—wait for the medicinal power to accumulate sufficiently, then all symptoms will subside. Generally, more than twenty doses are required to see full effects.

Chuanxiong Rhizome (1.5 qian), Danggui Radix (3 qian), Poria, Ginseng Radix, Biota Seed, Ziziphus Seed (each 1 qian), Glycyrrhiza Root (5 fen), Longan Aril (8 pieces), Tangerine Peel (deprived of white pith, 3 fen), Bamboo Shavings (4 fen). If sweating occurs, add Astragali Radix and Ephedrae Herba roots (each 1 qian); if diarrhea occurs, add Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (1.5 qian). If constipation is present, strictly avoid strong diaphoretic purgatives.

Postpartum lactation obstruction or scanty milk secretion.

Raw Astragali Radix (1 liang), Danggui Radix, Angelica Dahurica Root (total 5 qian), Seven-hole Pig Trotters (1 pair). Boil the pig trotters to make soup, skim off the floating oil, and decoct the herbs in this soup until one large bowl remains. Drink. Cover the face with a blanket and sleep for a while; milk will flow. If ineffective, take another dose; no case will remain unrelieved. For new mothers with no milk, do not use pig trotters; instead, decoct the herbs in half water and half wine. Those with robust constitution may add Safflower (3-4 fen) to resolve lochia.

(Wu's Commentary: This is Huangqi Danggui Buxue Tang (Astragalus and Angelica Tonifying Blood Decoction). Adding Vitex Fruit, Tetrapanacis Medulla, and Mantou (steamed bun), taken warm at bedtime, causes milk to gush forth; this has been verified repeatedly.)

Postpartum nursing with insufficient milk, inability to afford a wet nurse, forcing breastfeeding leads to exhaustion of both mother and infant, and reduced food intake. Immediately wean the infant and continuously administer the following prescription.