典藏书目

The various matters pregnant women should avoid have been detailed in the preceding sections. If these can be followed and practiced, childbirth and nurturing will naturally be easy, and the child will be intelligent and long-lived. However, as the fetus remains in the womb for a long time, various factors can cause disease. Herein, the most critical and common symptoms are listed below for reference. An ancient saying states: "Before delivery, there is no deficiency; after delivery, there is no excess." This refers to the general rule. Nevertheless, cases of excess before delivery do occur and must be examined carefully; there are also times of deficiency. Although deficiency is common after delivery, one must also carefully examine it, as it often accompanies excess conditions.

Zhu Danxi stated: "During pregnancy, the primary approach should be clearing heat and nourishing blood, to prevent damage to Yin blood. Regulating the Spleen ensures its healthy function, facilitating the generation of Qi and Blood. Promoting the smooth flow of Qi harmonizes Qi and Blood. By regulating the Spleen, promoting Qi flow, and simultaneously clearing heat and nourishing blood, the fetus will naturally remain secure."

The three prohibitions are sweating (diaphoresis), purging (catharsis), and promoting urination (diuresis). This is because excessive sweating may lead to the loss of Yang and damage Qi; excessive purging may lead to the loss of Yin and damage Blood; and diuresis may injure body fluids.

There are two approaches to securing the fetus. One must distinguish whether the mother's illness causes fetal disturbance or if fetal pathology causes maternal illness, and treat accordingly. If the fetal movement is caused by the mother's illness, treating the mother alone will suffice; once the mother is stable, the fetus will naturally be secure. Conversely, if the mother's illness is triggered by fetal pathology, securing the fetus alone is appropriate; once the fetus is stable, the mother will naturally recover.

Thin individuals tend to have internal fire; overuse of warm and hot herbs will damage Yin blood. Obese individuals tend to have phlegm; excessive use of Qi-tonifying herbs may stagnate Qi and stir phlegm. Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) resolves phlegm and strengthens the Spleen; Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, specifically Tiaoqin) clears heat and nourishes Yin. These two herbs are essential for securing the fetus. If other symptoms exist, auxiliary herbs may be added. One may reduce Baizhu and increase Huangqin, or increase Baizhu and reduce Huangqin, adjusting as needed. If fire is excessive, double the dosage of Huangqin to clear fire. If phlegm is excessive, double the dosage of Baizhu to resolve phlegm. For Blood deficiency, combine with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to tonify Blood. For Qi deficiency, combine with Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) to tonify Qi. For an unstable fetus, add Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Xuduan (Dianthi Herba), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), and Aye (Folium Artemisiae Argyi) to secure it. If Qi is excessive causing the fetus to rise high, add Zisu (Perillae Folium), Dafupi (Arecae Pericarpium), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to soothe it.

Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction): Treats syndromes of Blood deficiency with Liver and Kidney insufficiency.
Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) (4 qian), Danggui Shen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, root portion), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) (each 2 qian), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (1 qian).

Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction): Treats syndromes of Qi deficiency with Spleen and Stomach insufficiency.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) (3 qian), Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) (2 qian), Fuling (Poria) (2 qian), Zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle) (5 fen), plus Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) (2 slices) and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) (3 pieces).
Ancient formulas used Renshen; if cost is a constraint, Xidangshen (Codonopsis Radix) may be substituted.

Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction): Treats simultaneous deficiency of Qi and Blood.
It is the combination of Sijunzi Tang and Siwu Tang.

Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Substance Great Tonifying Decoction): Treats simultaneous deficiency of Yin and Yang with aversion to cold.
It is Bazhen Tang plus Zhi Huangqi (Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle) (2 qian) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) (6 fen).

Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction): Treats Qi deficiency with retained phlegm.
It is Sijunzi Tang plus Zhi Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum) (1.5 qian) and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (2 qian).

Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Costus and Amomi Six Gentlemen Decoction): Treats Stomach cold with vomiting and diarrhea.
It is Liujunzi Tang plus Huoxiang (Agastaches Herba) (1 qian) and Sharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) (2 grains).

Ejiao Tang (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction): Treats fetal leakage due to Blood heat.
It is Siwu Tang plus Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Heishanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus Carbonisatus), Cebeiye (Folium Platycladi), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix).

Huangqi Tang (Astragalus Decoction): Treats securing the fetus and tonifying Qi and Blood.
Zhi Huangqi (Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle) (2 liang), Nuomi (Oryza Sativa Glutinosa) (1 he).