门人问曰∶妇人何以无子？
曰∶妇人无子，皆由经水不调。经水所以不调者，皆由内有七情之伤、外有六淫之感，或气血偏盛、阴阳相乘所致。
种子之法，即在于调经之中，前论已详矣。若经水既调，身无他病，而亦不孕者，一则身体过于肥盛，脂满子宫而不纳
精也，前人有启宫丸一方颇超然。修园最厌女科书，排列许多方名，徒乱人意，究竟是二陈汤加苍术、川芎、六神曲、
香附之类，不如直说出来更妙。一则身体过于羸瘦，子宫无血而精不聚也，景岳有育麟珠极效，然亦是八珍汤加菟丝子、
鹿茸霜、川椒、杜仲四味，似亦不必另立名色也。其有生女不生男者，系以男人督脉不足，阳不胜阴；令其男人以鹿茸
四具，人参一斤，远志四两，菟丝子半斤，醇酒为丸服之。所谓得其要者一言而尽，他书皆繁而无当也。
启宫丸 时方。
半夏（制） 苍术 香附（各四两，童便浸炒） 六神曲（炒） 茯苓（生研） 陈皮（各二两，盐水炒） 川芎
（三两）
蒸饼丸，酒下三钱服。（苍术，又一本作白术。）
育麟珠 时方。
鹿角霜 川芎 白芍 生白术 茯苓（各二两） 川椒（一两） 人参（二两） 当归（四两） 杜仲 甘草
（各一两） 菟丝 地黄（各四两）
上为末，炼蜜为丸，如梧桐子大，米汤无灰酒送下。
门人问曰∶妇人不能得孕，或易于得孕，可以诊脉而预知之否乎？
曰∶陈楚良云∶人身血气，各有虚实寒热之异，惟察脉可以知，舍脉而独言药者，妄也。脉不宜太过而数，数则为
热；不宜不及而迟，迟则为寒；不宜太有力而实，实者正气虚，火邪乘之以实也。治法当散郁，以伐其邪，邪去而后正
可补。不宜太无力而虚，虚乃血气虚也；治法当补其气血。又有女子气多血少，寒热不调，月水违期，皆当诊脉，而以
活法治之。务使夫妇之脉，和平有力，交合有期，不妄用药，乃能生子也。
门人问曰∶东垣言∶妇人经水甫静，三日前交者成男，以精胜于血也；三日后交者成女，以血胜于精也。七日
子宫既闭，虽交而亦不孕。褚氏言∶血先至裹精以生男，精先至裹血则生女。《道藏》言∶月水净后，一、三、五成男，
二、四、六成女。圣经言∶因气而左动，阳资之则成男；因气而右动，阴资之则成女。程鸣谦言∶精之百脉齐到胜乎血
则
成男；血之百脉齐到胜乎精则成女。此皆一偏之言，不足以语乾坤、阴阳之道也。老子云∶“天法道，道法自然，亦惟顺
之而已”。然天命虽听其自然，而人事亦不可不尽。敢问求嗣果有其法否乎？曰∶袁了凡云∶天地生物，必有 之时；
万物化生，必有乐育之候。猫犬至微，将受娠也，其雌必狂呼而奔跳，以 乐育之气触之不能自止耳，此天然之节候，
生化之真机也。凡妇人一月经行一度，必有一日 之候，于一时辰间，气蒸而热，昏而闷，有欲交接不可忍之状，此
的候也。此时逆而取之则成丹，顺而施之则成胎矣。
门人问曰∶妇科论种子繁杂无所适从，而至当不易之法，当宗谁氏？
曰∶宋·骆龙吉有《内经拾遗》一书，明人增补之，内附种子论一首，方三首，卓然不凡。论曰∶男女媾精，万物
化生，则偏阴不生，偏阳不长，理有必然者也。然夫妇交媾而不适其会，亦偏阴偏阳之谓也，则以无子而诿于天命，岂
不泥乎！间有资药饵以养精血，候月经以种孕育，多峻补以求诡遇，又求嗣未得，而害己随之，深可痛可惜也！兹幸拜
名师，于百年中而得有秘授焉∶一曰择地，二曰养种，三曰乘时，四曰投虚。地则母之血也，种则父之精也，时则精血
交感之会也，虚则去旧生新之初也。余闻之师曰∶母不受胎者，气盛血衰之故也。衰由伤于寒气，感于七情，气凝血滞，
荣卫不和，以致经水前后多少，谓之阴失其道，何以能受？父不种子，气虚精弱故也。弱由过于色欲，伤乎五脏，脏皆
有精而藏于肾，肾精既弱，辟之射者力微，矢枉不能中的，谓之阳失其道，何以能种？故腴地也不发瘠种，而大粒亦不
长硗地，调经养精之道所宜讲也。诚精血盛矣，又必待时而动，乘虚而入，如月经一来即记其时，算至三十时辰，则秽
气涤净，新血初萌，虚之时也，乘而投之。如恐情窦不开，阴阳背驰，则有奇砭，纳之户内，以动其欲。庶子宫开、两
情美、真元媾合、如鱼得水，虽素不孕者亦孕矣！此法历试历验，百发百中者也，岂谬言哉！及其既孕，欲审男女，先
以父生年一爻在下，母生年一爻在上，后以受胎之月居中；或遇干、坎、艮、震、阳象也，则生男；或遇巽、离、坤、
兑，阴象也，则生女；有可预知者焉。呜呼！始而无子者，非天也，人自戕其天也。已而有子者，亦非天也，人定可以
胜天也。
学生问道：“妇人为什么不能生育？”
回答说：“妇人不能生育，都是因为月经不调。月经之所以不调，都是由于内有七情（喜、怒、忧、思、悲、恐、惊）的损伤、外有六淫（风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火）的侵袭，或者气血偏盛、阴阳相互乘侮所致。
求子的方法，就在于调理月经之中，前面的论述已经详细说明了。如果月经已经调顺，身体没有其他疾病，但仍然不孕，一种情况是身体过于肥胖丰腴，脂肪充满子宫而不能容纳精子，前人有一方名为启宫丸颇为有效。修园（陈念祖自号）最讨厌妇科书，罗列许多方名，徒然扰乱人心，究其本质不过是二陈汤加苍术、川芎、六神曲、香附之类的药物，不如直接说出来更妙。另一种情况是身体过于消瘦羸弱，子宫无血而精气无法汇聚，景岳（张景岳）有育麟珠极为有效，然而这也是八珍汤加菟丝子、鹿茸霜、川椒、杜仲四味药，似乎也不必另立名目。其中有只生女不生男的情况，是因为男子督脉不足，阳气不能胜过阴气；让男子用鹿茸四具，人参一斤，远志四两，菟丝子半斤，用纯酒制成丸药服用。这就是所谓抓住关键要点一句话就能说尽，其他书籍都繁杂而不恰当。
【附录方剂】
启宫丸 时方（流行于当时的方剂）。
半夏（制） 苍术 香附（各四两，用童子小便浸泡后炒制） 六神曲（炒） 茯苓（生研） 陈皮（各二两，用盐水炒） 川芎（三两）
蒸饼为丸，酒送服三钱。（苍术，另一版本作白术。）
育麟珠 时方。
鹿角霜 川芎 白芍 生白术 茯苓（各二两） 川椒（一两） 人参（二两） 当归（四两） 杜仲 甘草（各一两） 菟丝子 地黄（各四两）
以上研为末，炼蜜为丸，如梧桐子大小，米汤或无灰酒送下。
学生又问道：“妇人不能受孕，或者容易受孕，可以通过诊脉预先知道吗？”
回答说：“陈楚良说：‘人身体的气血，各有虚实寒热的差异，只有观察脉象才能知道，抛开脉象单独谈论用药，是荒谬的。’脉象不宜太过且数急，数急则为热证；不宜不及且迟缓，迟缓则为寒证；不宜太有力而实，实证往往是正气虚弱，火邪乘虚而入导致表象为实。治疗方法应当疏散郁结，以祛除邪气，邪气去除后正气才可补益。不宜太无力而虚，虚证乃是气血虚弱；治疗方法应当补益气血。又有女子气多血少，寒热不调，月经周期紊乱，都应当诊脉，并用灵活的方法治疗。务必使夫妇双方的脉象平和有力，交合有定时，不妄自用药，这样才能生子。”
学生又问道：“东垣（李杲）说：‘妇人月经刚干净，前三天性交者成男孩，因为精胜于血；三天后性交者成女孩，因为血胜于精。七天之后子宫口闭合，即使性交也不能受孕。’褚氏（褚澄）说：‘血先到包裹精则生男，精先到包裹血则生女。’《道藏》说：‘月经干净后，一、三、五日子同房生男，二、四、六日子同房生女。’圣经（指儒家经典或道教经典中的说法）说：‘因气向左动，阳资助则成男；因气向右动，阴资助则成女。’程鸣谦说：‘精的百脉齐到胜过血则成男；血的百脉齐到胜过精则成女。’这些都是片面的言论，不足以探讨乾坤、阴阳的大道。老子说：‘天法道，道法自然，也只是顺应它罢了。’虽然天命听其自然，但人事也不可不尽。请问求嗣确实有方法吗？”
回答说：“袁了凡说：‘天地生物，必有交感之时；万物化生，必有乐育之候。猫犬等微小动物，将要受孕时，雌性必定狂呼奔跳，这是因为受到乐育之气的触动而不能自止罢了，这是天然的节候，生化真机的体现。’凡是妇人一个月经行一次，必有一天受胎的候期，在一个时辰之间，气蒸而热，昏闷，有想要交接不可忍耐的状态，这就是确切的候期。此时逆而取之则结成金丹（道家术语，此处喻指非正常受孕或修炼），顺而施之则结成胎孕了。”
学生又问道：“妇科论及求子繁杂无所适从，而至当不易的方法，应当尊崇谁家的学说？”
回答说：“宋代骆龙吉有《内经拾遗》一书，明代人增补，内附一篇种子论和三首方剂，卓然不凡。论述说：‘男女媾精，万物化生，那么偏阴不生，偏阳不长，道理上是必然的。’然而夫妇交媾如果不适宜时机，也是偏阴偏阳的表现，却因此没有孩子而推卸给天命，岂不固执！间或有借助药物来滋养精血，等候月经来潮以孕育，大多峻补以求偶然成功，结果求嗣未得，祸害随之而来，深可痛惜！幸好拜名师，在百年中得到了秘授：一是择地，二是养种，三是乘时，四是投虚。地就是母亲的血，种就是父亲的精，时就是精血交感的时刻，虚就是去旧生新的初始阶段。我听老师说：‘母亲不受胎，是气盛血衰的缘故。’衰是由于受寒气伤害，感受七情，气凝血滞，营卫不和，导致月经前后多少不一，这叫阴失其道，怎么能受孕？父亲不能播种，是气虚精弱的缘故。弱是由于过度色欲，损伤五脏，脏都有精而藏于肾，肾精既已衰弱，就像射手力气微弱，箭矢歪斜不能命中目标，这叫阳失其道，怎么能播种？所以肥沃的土地不发瘠薄的种子，大的种子也不长在贫瘠的土地上，调理月经、滋养精气的道理应当讲求。如果确实精血旺盛，又必须等待时机而动，趁虚而入，比如月经一来就记下时间，算至三十个时辰，则秽气涤净，新血初萌，这就是虚的时候，趁机投入。如果担心情窦不开，阴阳背驰，则有奇砭（一种医疗器具或方法），纳入阴道内，以激发欲望。这样子宫打开、两情相悦、真元媾合、如鱼得水，即使是素来不孕的人也能怀孕了！此法历试历验，百发百中，难道是谬言吗！等到已经怀孕，想审查男女，先用父亲生年的一爻在下，母亲生年的一爻在上，然后以受孕之月居中；如果遇到干、坎、艮、震，是阳象，则生男；如果遇到巽、离、坤、兑，是阴象，则生女；有可以预知的地方。唉！开始没有孩子的，不是天的过错，是人自己残害了天性。后来有了孩子的，也不是天的恩赐，人的努力可以胜过天命。”
Student asked: "Why is it that women cannot conceive?"
The reply was: "Women's inability to conceive is always due to irregular menstruation. The reason for irregular menstruation lies in internal injury from the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright), external invasion by the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire), or an imbalance where Qi and Blood are excessively strong, leading to Yin and Yang mutually overcoming each other.
The method of seeking offspring lies within regulating menstruation, as detailed in previous discussions. If menstruation has been regulated and the body suffers from no other diseases, yet still remains infertile, there are two possibilities. First, the body may be excessively obese, with fat filling the uterus preventing sperm reception; a formula named Qigong Wan (Palace-Opening Pill) proposed by predecessors is quite effective. Xiuyuan (Chen Nianzu's pseudonym) detested gynecological texts that listed numerous formulas merely to confuse people; essentially, these were often Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) added with Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Liushenqu (Six Divine Fermented Mass), and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), etc., which might as well be stated directly. Second, the body may be excessively emaciated, with the uterus lacking blood so that essence cannot gather; Jingyue (Zhang Jingyue) had Yulin Zhu (Kidney-Nourishing Pearl) which is extremely effective, but this too is basically Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Lurongshuang (Deer Antler Frost), Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper), and Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), four ingredients, seemingly unnecessary to establish as a separate name. In cases where only daughters are born but no sons, it is because the man's Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) is insufficient, and Yang cannot overcome Yin; let the man take Lu Rong (Deer Antler) four pieces, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) one jin, Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) four liang, Tusizi half a jin, made into pills with pure wine. This captures the essence in one sentence, whereas other books are verbose and inappropriate.
[Appendix Formulas]
Qigong Wan (Palace-Opening Pill). Contemporary Formula.
Banxia (Prepared Pinellia Rhizome), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) [each 4 liang, soaked in child's urine and stir-fried], Liushenqu (Fermented Mass of Medicinal Leaven) [stir-fried], Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [each 2 liang, stir-fried with salt water], Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizome) [3 liang].
Made into pills with steamed wheat cake, taken with wine, 3 qian per dose. (Note: Cangzhu is written as Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) in another version.)
Yulin Zhu (Kidney-Nourishing Pearl). Contemporary Formula.
Lujiaoshuang (Deer Horn Frost), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Sheng Baizhu (Raw Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria) [each 2 liang], Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper) [1 liang], Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [2 liang], Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) [4 liang], Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Gancao (Licorice Root) [each 1 liang], Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) [each 4 liang].
Grind into powder, make pills with refined honey, size of Sophora seeds, swallow with rice soup or unadulterated wine.
The student further asked: "Can a woman's infertility or ease of conception be predicted through pulse diagnosis?"
The reply was: "Chen Chuliang said: 'Human Qi and Blood vary in deficiency, excess, cold, and heat; only by observing the pulse can one know this. To speak of medicine alone without the pulse is absurd.' The pulse should not be too rapid; rapidity indicates Heat. It should not be too slow; slowness indicates Cold. It should not be too forceful and full; a Full condition often masks underlying Righteous Qi deficiency, with Fire Evil invading to create a false excess. The treatment method should be to disperse stagnation and eliminate the Evil; only after the Evil is gone can the Righteous Qi be tonified. It should not be too weak and deficient; Deficiency implies Qi and Blood insufficiency; the treatment method should be to tonify Qi and Blood. Furthermore, for women with excessive Qi and scant Blood, irregular cold and heat, and delayed menstruation, pulse diagnosis is essential, and flexible methods should be applied. It is crucial that both husband and wife have harmonious and forceful pulses, intercourse occurs at appropriate times, and medications are not used recklessly, so that offspring can be conceived."
The student then asked: "Dongyuan (Li Gao) stated: 'If intercourse occurs three days before the end of menstruation, a male is conceived because Essence surpasses Blood; if three days after, a female is conceived because Blood surpasses Essence. After seven days, the uterus closes, and even with intercourse, pregnancy does not occur.' Chu Shi (Chu Cheng) said: 'If Blood arrives first and wraps Essence, a male is born; if Essence arrives first and wraps Blood, a female is born.' The Daoist Canon states: 'After menstruation cleanses, intercourse on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days yields males; on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days yields females.' Sacred Scriptures state: 'Movement to the left driven by Qi, aided by Yang, produces a male; movement to the right driven by Qi, aided by Yin, produces a female.' Cheng Mingqian said: 'If Essence's hundred vessels arrive simultaneously and surpass Blood, a male is born; if Blood's hundred vessels arrive simultaneously and surpass Essence, a female is born.' These are all one-sided statements, insufficient to discuss the Way of Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang. Laozi said: 'Heaven follows the Dao, the Dao follows Nature; simply follow it.' Although Heaven's mandate listens to nature, human effort must not be neglected. May I ask if there is indeed a method for seeking heirs?"
The reply was: "Yuan Liaofan said: 'Heaven and Earth produce life, necessarily having moments of interaction; all things transform and generate, necessarily having periods of joyful nourishment. Even humble animals like cats and dogs, when about to conceive, the female will cry wildly and jump around, touched by the Qi of joyful nourishment unable to restrain herself. This is the natural rhythm, the true mechanism of transformation and generation.' Whenever a woman menstruates once a month, there is certainly one day of the conception window, within one shichen (two-hour period), where Qi steams and generates heat, feeling dizzy and stifled, with an unbearable desire for intercourse. This is the precise window. Reversing this to take leads to forming elixirs (Daoist term, metaphorically implying non-standard conception or cultivation); following it to apply leads to forming a fetus."
The student asked again: "Gynecological discussions on seeking offspring are complex and confusing. Which school's theory should be followed for the most appropriate and unchangeable method?"
The reply was: "In the Song Dynasty, Luo Longji wrote *Neijing Shiyi* (Supplement to the Inner Canon), supplemented by Ming Dynasty scholars, containing one treatise on seed-seeking and three formulas, outstanding and extraordinary. The treatise states: 'Male and female intertwining essence leads to the transformation and generation of all things; thus, partial Yin does not generate, and partial Yang does not grow; this is logically inevitable.' However, if marital intercourse does not occur at the appropriate time, it is also considered partial Yin or partial Yang. Blaming childlessness on Heaven's Mandate in such cases is rigid! Occasionally, people use drugs to nourish Essence and Blood, waiting for menstruation to conceive, mostly using harsh tonics seeking accidental success. Often, seeking heirs fails while harm follows, deeply regrettable! Fortunately, I studied under a master and received secret teachings passed down over centuries: First, Select the Land; Second, Nurture the Seed; Third, Ride the Time; Fourth, Enter the Void. 'Land' refers to the mother's Blood; 'Seed' refers to the father's Essence; 'Time' refers to the moment of Essence and Blood interaction; 'Void' refers to the beginning of discarding the old and generating the new. I heard my teacher say: 'When the mother does not conceive, it is due to Excess Qi and Deficient Blood.' Deficiency arises from Cold Injury and Seven Emotions, causing Qi stagnation and Blood stasis, Disharmony of Ying and Wei, resulting in irregular menstrual flow volume, termed 'Yin losing its way,' how can it receive? When the father does not seed, it is due to Qi Deficiency and Weak Essence. Weakness stems from excessive sexual desire damaging the Five Zang Organs; although organs store Essence, it is stored in the Kidneys. Once Kidney Essence is weak, like an archer with weak strength whose arrow misses the target, it is termed 'Yang losing its way,' how can it seed? Therefore, fertile land does not sprout barren seeds, nor do large seeds grow in barren soil; the principles of regulating menstruation and nourishing Essence must be studied. If Essence and Blood are truly abundant, one must wait for the right time to act, entering during the void. For example, record the time of menstruation onset, count thirty shichen; then filth is washed away, new Blood begins to sprout—this is the Void. Enter during this time. If worried that emotional doors remain closed and Yin and Yang repel each other, there are special acupuncture techniques inserted internally to stimulate desire. Thus, the uterus opens, emotions harmonize, True Yuan intertwines like fish in water; even those previously infertile will conceive! This method has been tested repeatedly with success, hitting the mark every time, surely not false words! Once pregnant, to predict gender, place the father's birth year trigram below, the mother's birth year trigram above, and the conception month in the center; if encountering Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen (Yang images), a male is born; if encountering Xun, Li, Kun, Dui (Yin images), a female is born; prediction is possible. Alas! Those initially childless are not victims of Heaven, but humans destroying their own nature. Those who later have children are not favored by Heaven, but human determination can overcome Heaven."