In 1990-1991, while in Hangzhou, I had the opportunity to sit in clinic with the famous gynaecologist Qiu Xiao-Mei (1910–2001).
I was first presented of her gynaecology text, Qiu Xiao-Mei Fu Ke Lin Chuang Jing Yan Xuan, (Selections from Qiu Xiao-Mei’s Experience with Gynaecology) to study after I left. The only problem was, at that time I could not read Chinese! My study of the Chinese language began because I so wanted to know what that book said. It was definitely worth the effort.
Qiu Xiao-Mei Fu Ke Lin Chuang Jing Yan Xuan, (Selections from Qiu Xiao-Mei’s Experience with Gynecology) is rich with Dr. Qiu’s experience and wisdom. I would like to share some tidbits that are especially interesting, useful and representative of her creative use of herbs and formulas.
It is typical of Chinese doctors to develop their own experiential formulas later in their careers. Dr. Qiu devotes a section of her book to such formulas. Unlike many gynecology experts, Dr. Qiu was also very experienced in obstetrics. One experiential formula of hers called Bu Jue Tang (Supplement Certainty Decoction) treats premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.
Here is what she writes about this formula:
Bu Jue Tang (Supplement Certainty Decoction)
- Huang Qi 30g (Astragali Radix)
- Ren Shen 9g (Ginseng Radix)
or
- Dang Shen 24g (Codonopsis Radix)
- Bai Ji Mo 6g (Bletillae Rhizoma Powder) (stir in)
Function: Consolidate qi, conserve blood, “expel the old to bring forth the new”, stop bleeding and engender flesh.
Principle use: Early detachment of the placenta
Explanation: This prescription contains Huang Qi, which has a warm quality and a sweet bland flavour. It is able to raise yang and supplement qi, as well as heal wounds and engender flesh. It is also able to absorb blood and stop bleeding, consolidating so that the bleeding spontaneously stops. Ren Shen or Dang Shen increases strength, supplements the middle and boosts the qi. Bai Ji is sticky and pasty, takes in and closes and repairs damage. Therefore this prescription is called Supplement Certainty Decoction. It has a very good effect for early detachment of the placenta.
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