典藏书目

Women's menstruation may present with abnormalities. When the period is due but does not arrive, blood may flow upward manifesting as hematemesis (vomiting blood) or epistaxis (nosebleed), or even discharge from the ears or eyes. This is termed "retrograde menstruation" (Dao Jing Ni Xing). Although it is said to stem from individual constitutional differences, it ultimately constitutes a pathology; treatment methods are described later.

Cases where menstruation occurs once every three months are termed "Ju Jing" (Residential Period); those occurring once a year are termed "Bi Nian" (Avoidance Year); cases where menstruation never occurs throughout life yet pregnancy is possible are termed "An Jing" (Hidden Period); those who do not conceive are termed "Bai Shen" (White Body); cases where slight vaginal bleeding continues monthly after conception are termed "Tai Sheng" (Fetal Abundance), commonly known as "Gou Tai" (Dirt Fetus); and cases where heavy vaginal bleeding occurs several months into pregnancy while the fetus remains unharmed are termed "Lou Tai" (Leaking Fetus). These several types are all due to constitutional bias rather than disease, treating the abnormal as normal. If one loses the norm of regularity, it is termed "irregular menstruation," which should also be treated by referring to previous methods with discretion. One should not be startled by such daily peculiarities and mistakenly diagnose them as diseases.

Some women are born with "immortal bones," wherein menstruation necessarily occurs once per season. However, if Heaven-endowed vitality is damaged by excessive desires, it becomes a disease indistinguishable from ordinary people. A therapeutic formula must be established to assist them, named "Zhu Xian Dan" (Assist Immortal Pill).
Poria Cocos (Fuling), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Dodder Seed (Tusizi), Eucommia Bark (Duzhong, stir-fried until black), Prepared Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Zhuzhu), Chinese Yam (Shanyao), White Peony Root prepared with wine (Jiubaishao), Licorice Root (Gancao).

Stagnation of Qi in the Chong and Ren vessels generating heat results in the pathology of retrograde menstruation. For those with biased constitution in the womb, this may be regarded as normal; or it may result from illness. Although it causes no major damage, it prevents conception. Therefore, all such cases should be uniformly discussed as diseases. The general principle is to direct downward the rebellious Qi of the Chong and Ren vessels and to calm their fire as the primary objective.
Young White Peony Root (Nen Baiwei), Tortoise Plastron (Baiguiban), Large Rehmannia Root (Da Shengdi), Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root (Danshen), Moutan Cortex (Fen Danpi), Adenophora Root (Nanshashen), Camellia Flower (Baozhu Hua), Prepared Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao Zhu), Fritillaria Bulb (Xiangbei), Raw White Peony Root (Sheng Baishao), Fresh Dendrobium Stem (Xian Shihu), Ophiopogon Tuber (Da Maidong), Ginger Juice (Shengjiang Zhi), Child’s Urine (Tongbian).
Baozhu Hua refers to the Camellia flower. Curcuma Wenyujin Rhizome (Yujin) should ideally be used, but due to scarcity of authentic specimens, Camellia flower is substituted. It is advisable to grind it into powder and take it with liquid. For hematemesis and epistaxis with abundant phlegm, add Glehnia Root (Shashen) and Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb (Zhuhuang); for severe rebellious Liver Yang, add Cassia Seed (Jueming); for severe rebellious Stomach Qi causing vomiting, add Rheum Palmatum Root (Dahuang) and Charred Immature Bitter Orange (Chao Zhishi Tan).