Niu Bang Zi Tang (Arctii Fructus Decoction)

Niu Bang Zi Tang is composed of Trichosanthis Semen (Gualou Ren), Lonicerae Flos (Yin Hua), Gardeniae Fructus (Shan Zhi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi), Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin), Forsythiae Fructum (Lian Qiao), Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu), Trichosanthis Radix (Tian Hua Fen), Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Qing Pi), Arctii Fructus (Niu Bang Zi), and Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (Jiao Zhen).
It treats Ru Yong (acute suppurative mastitis) and Ru Ju (deep breast abscess), presenting as nodular swelling and pain. It can be taken regardless of whether the condition is new or chronic, provided that pus has not yet formed.
Ingredients: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Arctii Fructus, Gardeniae Fructus, Lonicerae Flos, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Semen, Scutellariae Radix, Trichosanthis Radix, Forsythiae Fructum, Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum (each 1 qian); Bupleuri Radix, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (each 0.5 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with two zhong of water until reduced to eight fen. Add one cup of wine, mix well, and take after meals.

Ju Ye San (Tangerine Leaf Powder)

Ju Ye San contains Bupleuri Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Gardeniae Fructus, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Gypsum Fibrosum, Scutellariae Radix, Forsythiae Fructum, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Citrus Nobilis Pericarpium Viride (Ju Ye).
It treats "Nei Chui" (mastitis during pregnancy caused by fetal heat) in pregnant women, and "Wai Chui" (mastitis during lactation caused by infant suckling). These conditions cause milk stasis leading to nodular swelling and pain, accompanied by alternating chills and fever. For severe cases with nausea and vomiting, this formula is also applicable.
Ingredients: Bupleuri Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Gardeniae Fructus, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Gypsum Fibrosum, Forsythiae Fructum (each 1 qian); Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (0.5 qian); Citrus Nobilis Pericarpium Viride (20 leaves).
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with two zhong of water until reduced to eight fen. Take after meals. The dregs should be decocted again and taken.

Qing Gan Jie Yu Tang (Soothe Liver and Resolve Stagnation Decoction)

Qing Gan Jie Yu Tang consists of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Platycodonis Radix, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Fritillariae Bulbus, Poria, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Sheng Fu Zi), Perillae Folium, Akebiae Caulis, Gardeniae Fructus, and Polygala Radix.
It treats all conditions where depression leads to Qi stagnation, resulting in hard, swollen breasts that are initially painless and itchless but gradually become painful over time. It also addresses chest and diaphragm discomfort, limb fatigue, sallow complexion, and decreased appetite.
Ingredients: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma (each 0.8 fen); Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Polygala Radix, Poria, Fritillariae Bulbus, Perillae Folium, Platycodonis Radix (each 0.6 fen); Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Akebiae Caulis (each 0.4 fen).
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with two zhong of water and three slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens until reduced to eight fen. Take after meals.

Lu Jiao San (Deer Horn Powder)

Lu Jiao San is uniquely effective and excels in resolving breast nodules.
Take 3 qian each time, mixed with wine. It can permanently eliminate swelling and pain.
It treats early-stage Ru Yong with nodular swelling and pain, aversion to cold, and fever, provided pus has not yet formed.
Ingredients: Deer horn tip (Lu Jiao Jian), 3 cun long, calcined in charcoal fire until slightly red but retaining its medicinal properties (Cun Xing), then ground into powder.
Preparation and Administration: Take 3 qian after meals, mixed with a tea-cupful of warm wine. Severe cases may require a second dose for complete resolution.

Hui Ru Si Wu Tang (Return Milk Si Wu Decoction)

Hui Ru Si Wu Tang is highly efficacious. It is based on Chuanxiong Rhizome, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata.
Added with Mai Ya (Hordeum Vulgare Fructus Germinatum), it disperses milk and effectively reduces swelling to restore peace.
It treats postpartum women whose infants do not suckle, causing milk accumulation, swelling, hardness, and unbearable pain.
Ingredients: Chuanxiong Rhizome, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (each 2 qian); Mai Mao (Stellariae Herba, stir-fried to coarse powder, 2 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with two zhong of water until reduced to eight fen. Take after meals. Simultaneously, bind both breasts tightly with cloth and massage the swelling by hand until it naturally dissipates. Severe cases may require another dose.

Jiu Ru Zhong Miao Fang (Excellent Moxibustion Formula for Breast Swelling)

This moxibustion method for breast swelling and pain is unique, treating conditions caused by anger and overwork leading to Qi dysregulation.
By placing a bowl upside down on the affected area and performing moxibustion, various swellings and pains will subside silently.
It treats sudden breast swelling and pain caused by emotional distress, overwork, or imbalance of cold and heat.
Procedure: Place four thick rush piths (Deng Cao) in a cross shape inside a bowl, leaving about one cun exposed at the top. Cut strips of rough paper (1.5 cun wide) from Ping Shan, wet them, and paste them over the rush piths inside the bowl, aligning the edges with the bowl's rim. Place the bowl upside down over the swollen breast, leaving the rush pith ends exposed outside. Place a large round ball of Artemisiae Argyi Folium (Ai Ye) under the bottom of the bowl and ignite it. Replenish the mugwort as it burns. Continue until moisture appears at the bowl's rim and internal pain ceases. Severe cases may require a second session the next day for resolution.

Bao An Wan Ling Dan (See Chapter on Carbuncles and Ulcers)
Highly effective for early-stage Ru Yong presenting with fever, aversion to cold, dizziness, and body pain.

Yi Qi Yang Rong Tang (See Chapter on Scrofula)
Treats breast nodules caused by liver injury from anger and emotional constraint. Initially painless and itchless, they become painful over time. Severe cases present with chest discomfort, acid regurgitation, vomiting, dizziness, limb fatigue, or if ulcerated, thin purulent discharge that fails to heal, decreased appetite, tastelessness, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and emaciation.

Simple Formula for Treating the Breast

For breast issues, Pu Gong Ying (Taraxaci Herba) is commonly used. Decoct it with wine and drink it while hot.
Adding Cong Bai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) promotes sweating, and the reduction of swelling is like pouring hot water on snow.
It treats early-stage Ru Yong with swelling and pain before pus formation.
Ingredients: Fresh Pu Gong Ying (including roots, stems, and leaves) harvested in spring or autumn when it blooms yellow flowers resembling chrysanthemums, 2 liang, crushed.
Preparation and Administration: Decoct with half a jin of good wine for a few boils. Apply the dregs to the swelling. Drink the hot wine, cover with blankets, and sleep for about an hour. Then drink a tea-cupful of Cong Bai soup to induce mild sweating. This formula is extremely useful and simple for remote rural areas lacking access to medicine.

Xia Ru Tian Jiang San (Heavenly Pulp Powder to Promote Lactation)

Xia Ru Tian Jiang San is based on Si Wu Tang plus Poria, Trichosanthis Radix, Ophiopogonis Tuber, Myrtilli Fructus (Wang Bu Liu Xing), Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia), Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba (Lou Lu), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Akebiae Caulis.
It treats nursing mothers with weak Yuan Qi and scanty milk, or prolonged lactation resulting in low milk supply.
Ingredients: Chuanxiong Rhizome, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Poria, Trichosanthis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Myrtilli Fructus (stir-fried), Ophiopogonis Tuber, Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba, Pangolin Scales (stir-fried), Akebiae Caulis (each 1 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Boil one healthy pig trotter until soft, extract two bowls of broth. Decoct the herbs in this broth until reduced to half a bowl. Take twice, warmed, after meals. Comb the breast with a hot wooden comb to stimulate milk flow, which will come forth like a spring.

Mu Xiang Bing (Costus Root Cake)

Mu Xiang Bing combines Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix). Mixed evenly, it is applied to the affected area.
It treats Qi stagnation leading to nodular swelling, pain, sprains, and injuries from wind-cold. Application and warming ensure no harm.
It treats all conditions of Qi stagnation forming nodules, whether painful or due to sprains/wind-cold.
Ingredients: Aucklandiae Radix (5 qian), Rehmanniae Radix (fresh, pounded into paste, 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind Aucklandiae Radix into powder and mix with the Rehmanniae paste. Form into cakes sized to the affected area and place on the swelling. Warm with a hot iron. For hard, painful masses, apply every other day for optimal effect.