《急救仙方》Vol. 3

The "Four-Substance Decoction" recorded in the third volume of Ji Jiu Xian Fang (Emergency Immortal Formulas) serves as a foundational prescription primarily addressing various women's ailments. Its basic formula consists of four herbs in equal proportions: prepared rehmannia root (Shu Dihuang), Szechuan lovage root (Chuanxiong), peony root (Shaoyao), and Chinese angelica (Danggui). These are coarsely ground and decocted in water for oral administration.

This foundational formula can be modified according to different symptoms:

For yin deficiency with fever, steaming bone fever (similar to tuberculosis-related fever in modern terms), add wolfberry root bark (Digupi), tree peony root bark (Mudanpi), anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu), bupleurum root (Chaihu), and scutellaria root (Huangqin).

For restless fetal movement in pregnancy with persistent bleeding, add ten pieces of mugwort leaf (Aiye), donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), astragalus root (Huangqi), and scallion stalk (Congbai).

For blood deficiency with bodily coldness and excessive uterine bleeding, also add donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao) and mugwort leaf (Aiye).

For severe uterine bleeding, add raw rehmannia root (Sheng Dihuang), cattail pollen (Puhuang), and scutellaria root (Huangqin), or additionally include donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), large mugwort leaves (Da Aiye), and scutellaria root (Huangqin).

For blood deficiency with abdominal pain accompanied by mild sweating and wind aversion, add zedoary rhizome (Ezhu) and cinnamon bark (Guan Gui).

For dizziness and blurred vision due to wind deficiency, add large gentian root (Qinjiao) and notopterygium root (Qianghuo).

For qi deficiency with general weakness, inability to rise, or sudden fainting, add magnolia bark (Houpo) and tangerine peel (Chenpi).

For fever with irritability and insomnia, add coptis root (Huanglian) and gardenia fruit (Zhizi).

For deficiency-cold with weak pulse, spontaneous sweating, and shortness of breath, add dried ginger (Ganjiang) and prepared aconite (Pao Fuzi).

For dampness-induced heaviness, fatigue, cold limbs, and mild sweating, add white atractylodes rhizome (Baizhu) and poria (Fuling).

For bone and joint pain, headache, and aversion to cold, add notopterygium root (Qianghuo), saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng), ligusticum root (Gaoben), and asarum root (Xixin).

For cold pain below the navel and stiffness in the lower back, add stir-fried corydalis rhizome (Chao Yanhusuo) and stir-fried chinaberry seed (Chao Kulianzi).

For heavy menstruation without other symptoms, add scutellaria root (Huangqin) and white atractylodes rhizome (Baizhu).

For scanty or obstructed menstrual flow, add sunflower receptacle (Kuihua) and safflower (Honghua).

For consumptive fatigue with qi weakness, cough, and panting, add ginger-prepared magnolia bark (Jiang Zhi Houpo) and bran-fried bitter orange (Fuzhi Zhishi).

For sudden heavy menstrual bleeding, add scutellaria root (Huangqin).

For blood stasis forming painful clots, add zedoary rhizome (Ezhu), burreed tuber (Sanleng), cinnamon bark (Rougui), and stir-fried lacquer (Chao Ganqi).

For red and white vaginal discharge, add cyperus rhizome (Xiangfu) and stir-fried cinnamon bark (Chao Rougui).

For bloody dysentery, add donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), mugwort leaf (Aiye), and coptis root (Huanglian).

For postpartum bloody dysentery with abdominal pain, add sophora flower (Huaihua), coptis root (Huanglian), and poppy capsule (Yingsuqiao).

For blood-heat damaging fluids with dry mouth and thirst, add trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) and ophiopogon root (Maimendong).

For extreme thirst with excessive drinking, add gypsum (Shigao) and anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu).

For constipation, add rhubarb (Dahuang) and peach kernel (Taoren).

For vomiting, add white atractylodes rhizome (Baizhu), ginseng (Renshen), agastache herb (Huoxiang), and fresh ginger (Shengjiang).

For deficiency-cold with diarrhea, add cinnamon bark (Guan Gui) and prepared aconite (Pao Fuzi).

This prescription system exemplifies the principle of "pattern differentiation and treatment" in traditional Chinese medicine. By modifying the foundational formula with specific herbs, it addresses complex gynecological disorders. Each variation targets distinct pathological mechanisms, such as blood-heat, qi deficiency, or dampness accumulation.

This passage presents several emergency herbal formulas and administration methods for common ailments, with modifications based on specific symptoms:

For insomnia with restlessness and inability to sleep, add bamboo leaves, ginseng, and spina date seed to the formula. For sudden onset of red eyes with corneal opacity and unbearable pain, include saposhnikovia root, notopterygium root, tetrandra root (soaked in wine), and gentian root (also wine-soaked).

The Chuanxiong-Danggui decoction uses equal parts ligusticum root and angelica sinensis, finely chopped and decocted in water for hot consumption. For postpartum dizziness, add peony root and chrysanthemum flowers; for postpartum abdominal pain, add cassia bark (a type of cinnamon) decocted with wine and "child's urine" (historically used as medicinal agent in traditional practice).

For fetal movement or suspected fetal death during pregnancy, add perilla leaves decocted in wine-water mixture—this helps expel a deceased fetus or stabilize a living one. Pre-labor consumption may reduce fetal size for easier delivery. For difficult labor or stillbirth, add one he (approx. 60g) of fried black beans decocted in water and child's urine.

To treat intestinal wind (intestinal bleeding) and visceral toxins, add 1.5g of sophora flower powder—recovery occurs when blood clots are expelled within three days. For hematemesis, add fresh rehmannia root, scutellaria root, and bitter orange. For qi-blood rebellion causing panting and lower abdominal swelling, consume argyi leaf decoction on empty stomach.

Postpartum blood stagnation with unconsciousness, panting and abdominal pain requires one he of fried black beans with ginger juice decoction. For continuous metrorrhagia (uterine hemorrhage), add 3g of licorice root and cyperus tuber (fried until fragrant) per 37g of medicine, taken with decoction.

For abnormal leukorrhea, take 18g of peony root powder and 9g of dried ginger powder with rice water. For leukorrhea with blood, take cyperus tuber powder and burnt palm bark ash with rice water.

The specially formulated Lianwan pills for bloody leukorrhea contain 18g each of wine-fried melia toosendan, fried fennel, and angelica sinensis, ground fine and formed into pills with wine paste—take 50 pills with warm wine on empty stomach.

Notable specific remedies include: 3g of mica powder taken with warm water for rapid effect; 6g of selfheal spike powder (collected when flowering) taken before meals with warm wine (or straight wine for drinkers); 11g of dried physalis powder taken on empty stomach with wine for chronic menstrual disorders and bloody leukorrhea; and one fossilized cyrtospirifer ground in hard porcelain with warm water for consumption.

Here are several classical prescriptions for treating gynecological disorders:

The first is Clove and Mugwort Decoction (Dingxiang Jiaoai Tang), specifically designed for abnormal leukorrhea (excessive vaginal discharge) and metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding). Symptoms manifest as continuous discharge resembling water dripping from eaves, sometimes mixed with fresh blood. The formula includes Chinese angelica root (Danggui), prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang), white peony root (Baishao), Szechuan lovage rhizome (Chuanxiong), donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), clove (Dingxiang), and fresh mugwort leaves (Sheng Aiye). Preparation involves first washing the angelica root with wine, then decocting it with other herbs, finally adding donkey-hide gelatin for further boiling. Taken warm on an empty stomach, two or three doses typically show results.

The second formula, Channel-Securing Pill (Bujing Guzhen Wan), addresses chronic leukorrhea caused by heart-kidney deficiency. It contains roasted licorice (Zhigancao), bupleurum root (Chaihu), scutellaria root (Huangqin), dried ginger powder (Ganjiangmo), tangerine peel (Jupi), ginseng (Renshen), white sunflower receptacle (Bai Kuihua), and bush cherry seed (Yuliren). When decocting, add scutellaria root last. Patients should wait briefly after taking the medicine before breakfast.

The third prescription, Myriad Gold Powder (Wanjin San), specifically treats severe uterine bleeding. It combines processed cyperus rhizome (Chao Xiangfu), Chinese angelica root tail (Dangguiwei), and processed flying squirrel feces (Chao Wulingzhi), ground into powder. Take five qian (about 15g) mixed with vinegar on an empty stomach for rapid effect.

The fourth formula, Angelica Powder (Danggui San), also treats metrorrhagia, containing Chinese angelica root (Danggui), calcined dragon bone (Shao Longgu), processed cyperus rhizome (Chao Xiangfu), and palm hair ash (Zongmaohui). Grind into powder and take with rice water, avoiding greasy foods during treatment.

The fifth prescription, Lotus Husk Powder (Lianke San), uses calcined lotus receptacle (Shao Liampeng) and palm bark ash (Zongpihui) with processed cyperus rhizome (Chao Xiangfu), also taken with rice water for metrorrhagia.

Finally, Field Thistle Decoction (Xiaoji Tang) treats persistent uterine bleeding. Take one cup each of fresh field thistle stems/leaves (Xiaoji Jingye) and fresh rehmannia root juice (Sheng Dihuang zhi).

These formulas all emphasize taking medication on an empty stomach, with some requiring rice water or vinegar as conduits. Traditional preparation methods like dry-frying or calcining to ash are commonly employed for herbal processing.

Here are several ancient medicinal formulas for treating gynecological bleeding disorders:

The first formula uses half an ounce of white atractylodes rhizome (Baizhu), decocted in water until reduced by half. After removing the dregs, it should be taken warm.

For metrorrhagia (blood flooding), the Sophora Flower Powder: one ounce of aged sophora flowers and half an ounce of plant soot (Bai Cao Shuang), ground into powder. Take 3-4 qian (9-12 grams) per dose with warm wine. If the patient loses consciousness, quench a red-hot steelyard weight in wine for administration.

Chuanxiong Wine for incessant uterine bleeding day and night: one ounce of chuanxiong rhizome (Ligusticum) and one cup of fresh rehmannia juice. First decoct the chuanxiong in five cups of wine until reduced to one cup, remove the dregs, add rehmannia juice, then bring to boil 2-3 more times. Divide into three doses.

Sophora Ash Powder for various uterine bleedings: burn sophora twigs to ash (no quantity limit), take approximately 1 gram (fangcunqi) before meals with warm wine.

Cuttlebone Powder for bleeding with abdominal pain: calcined cuttlebone ground into powder. Take two qian (6 grams) per dose with equisetum (Muzei) decoction.

Safflower Powder for postpartum hemorrhage: equal parts of dried lotus leaf, tree peony bark, Chinese angelica, safflower, and fried cattail pollen, ground into powder. Take half an ounce per dose decocted in wine. For retained placenta, add half an ounce of elm bark powder.

Cure-All Pills for amenorrhea with abdominal pain: one ounce each of fried dried lacquer and wine-steeped achyranthes root, ground and mixed with rehmannia juice to form pills. Take two pills on empty stomach with rice water.

Achyranthes Powder for irregular menstruation: one ounce of achyranthes root, combined with seven qian each of cinnamon bark, red peony root, peach kernel, corydalis rhizome, Chinese angelica, tree peony bark, chuanxiong rhizome, and costus root. Grind into powder and take approximately 1 gram (fangcunqi) before meals with warm wine.

Here are several ancient prescriptions for treating gynecological disorders:

The first is Cuijing Powder, specifically for irregular menstruation. It uses finely ground flowers of Chinese trumpet creeper (Campsis grandiflora), taken in doses of 2 qian (about 6 grams) with warm wine before meals.

The second is Weisheng Decoction, for amenorrhea in women with constitutional weakness. The formula includes white peony root and Chinese angelica (Danggui) 2 liang each, astragalus root 3 liang, licorice and ginseng 1 liang each. Coarsely grind these herbs, decoct 5 qian per dose in water, and take on an empty stomach.

The third is Ershen Pills, for unmarried women experiencing lower abdominal stabbing pain and menstrual disorders due to Qi-blood stagnation. It combines tangerine peel 2 liang, vinegar-processed Corydalis rhizome, and wine-fried Chinese angelica 1 liang each. Grind into powder, mix with rice paste to form firmiana seed-sized pills. Take 100 pills per dose with mugwort-vinegar decoction.

The fourth is Lotus Receptacle Powder for excessive menstrual bleeding. Char lotus seed pods (retaining medicinal properties), grind into powder, and take 2 qian mixed with heated wine.

Several headache remedies:

Cheqing Paste uses Sichuan lovage root 3 qian, vitex fruit, asarum herb, mint, and ligusticum root 1 qian each, plus raw licorice 0.5 qian. Grind finely and take 2 qian with light tea after meals.

Gypsum Powder treats severe headaches: gypsum and ephedra (with root nodes removed) 1 liang each, kudzu vine root 7.5 qian, and polygonum root (avoid iron contact) 0.5 liang. Grind and decoct 3 qian per dose with 3 ginger slices.

Chuanxiong Powder for migraines: Sichuan lovage, chrysanthemum, and gypsum 3 qian each, plus raw silkworm 6 qian. Grind into ultra-fine powder, take 3 qian with light tea.

Qingning Powder treats migraine with eye pain: equal parts gypsum, fried arctium seeds, and Sichuan lovage, plus half portions of chrysanthemum and asarum. Take with tea before meals.

Finally, Yongquan Powder promotes lactation postpartum, using dianthus spikes, de-selected ophiopogon root, and dragon bones. These formulas demonstrate traditional Chinese medicine's meticulous observation and therapeutic experience in treating women's disorders.

Here are several medicinal prescriptions and their applications for treating women's breast diseases:

The first prescription uses pangolin scales (yellow after processing) and cowherb seeds, ground into fine powder. Take one qian (approximately 3 grams) per dose with warm wine, followed by a small portion of pig's trotter soup. Then gently comb the breasts 20-30 times on each side with a wooden comb. Administer three times daily.

For insufficient lactation: Grind equal parts of trichosanthes root and dried mint into powder, taken with wine. Before administration, drink a bowl of sheep bone broth. After taking the medicine, consume some shredded scallion and mutton soup until slight perspiration appears—this indicates effectiveness.

A lactation-promoting formula: Combine half a ge (about 30ml) each of non-glutinous and glutinous rice, half a liang (about 15 grams) of raw licorice, and one ge of washed lettuce seeds. Decoct into one sheng of medicinal liquid, strain thoroughly, and divide into three doses for immediate milk production.

For mastitis: Mix one qian of frankincense with one liang of trichosanthes root powder. Take two qian per dose with warm wine, while simultaneously applying a paste of arisaema rhizome powder mixed with warm water to the affected area.

Early-stage mastitis treatment with tangerine peel powder: Soak tangerine peel in hot water to remove the white pith, sun-dry, then stir-fry until slightly yellow. Grind and take two qian per dose with musk-infused wine.

For mastitis and mammary tuberculosis: Bake and powder one peeled trichosanthes fruit, then combine with one qian raw licorice, one qian separately ground frankincense, two qian separately ground myrrh, and half a liang of wine-soaked then baked angelica root. Simmer three sheng of ash-free wine in silver or stoneware until reduced to one sheng of clear liquid, divided into three doses.

Lianqiao Powder for inflammatory mastitis: Combine one liang each of forsythia, cimicifuga rhizome, and mirabilitum; eight qian each of scrophularia root, peony root, ampelopsis, and tetrandra root; two qian rhubarb; six qian licorice; forty peeled and pointed apricot kernels. First decoct in five sheng water until reduced to two sheng, add rhubarb for several boils, then finally mirabilitum. Divide into three doses.

For vulvar ulcers: Finely chop three liang each of angelica root, peony root, licorice, sanguisorba root, and chuanxiong rhizome. Decoct in five sheng water until reduced to two sheng, strain, and use the warm decoction for fumigation and washing—three times during daytime and once at night.

The text records several medicinal formulas for treating gynecological disorders:

The first prescription combines equal parts of cattail pollen (puhuang) and mercury (shuiyin), ground into powder for external application.

Another effective remedy involves grinding equal amounts of toad (hama) and rabbit droppings into powder for application on sores.

For symptoms of "ghost intercourse" (guijiao) - including hallucinations and delirious speech - boil 1.5 liang of poria cocos spirit (fushen) with 1 liang each of poria (fuling), ginseng (renshen), and acorus (shichangpu), plus 0.5 liang of red beans. Take 4 qian of the decoction warm before meals.

The "Evil-Warding Pill" (bixie dan) specifically treats spirit possession: combine 2 liang of tiger skull with 1 liang each of cinnabar (zhusha), realgar (xionghuang), orpiment (cihuang), dysosma (guijiu), gleditsia (zaojia), euonymus (guijian), veratrum (lilu), and ulmus seeds (wuyiren). Form into honey pills. Men should wear it on the left arm, women on the right, while burning one pill in the patient's room to repel malignant influences.

For menstrual disorders and vaginal swelling, the "Acorus Powder" (changpu san) uses 1 liang each of fried acorus and angelica (danggui), 7.5 qian of gentian (qinjiao), and 0.5 liang of processed evodia (wuzhuyu). Take 3 qian decocted with scallion whites on an empty stomach.

Topical wash for vaginal swelling: boil 5 liang of mugwort (aiye), 3 liang of saposhnikovia (fangfeng), and 2 liang of euphorbia (daiji) for hot compresses three times daily, avoiding wind exposure.

Ulcer wash: decoct 2 liang each of ephedra (mahuang), coptis (huanglian), and cnidium (shechuangzi) with 1.5 liang mugwort and 10 dark plums (wumei), applying hot while avoiding drafts.

The "Rhubarb Powder" (dahuang san) for vaginal itching combines 1 liang each of lightly fried rhubarb (dahuang), scutellaria (huangqin), and roasted astragalus (huangqi) with 0.5 liang each of red peony (chishaoyao), scrophularia (xuanshen), salvia (danshen), cornus (shanzhuyu), and cnidium. Take with warm wine.

Two simple remedies: 1) Insert cloth-wrapped burnt apricot kernel (xingren) ashes while warm, changing twice daily; 2) Wash with boiled garlic water or lycium root decoction.

(Note: Modern medicine discourages using mercury and certain animal-derived ingredients mentioned here. These formulas reflect historical practices and should not replace professional medical advice.)

The text records several ancient medicinal formulas for treating gynecological and pediatric conditions:

The first method involves inserting warm chicken liver into the vagina, which was believed to expel parasitic worms. For vaginal itching and prolapse, the prescription calls for powdered alum taken with wine on an empty stomach, one small spoonful three times daily.

Uterine prolapse was treated with a mixture of stir-fried angelica root, scutellaria, oyster shell, roasted hedgehog skin, and red peony root, ground into powder and taken with warm wine or rice water. Vaginal sores were treated externally with a paste of stir-fried apricot kernels, realgar, alum, and musk.

The Internal Tonifying Pill (Neibu Wan) addressed infertility in women with constitutional weakness. Made from dioscorea root, achyranthes root, acanthopanax bark and other herbs formed into honey pills, it was taken with warm wine for one month to promote conception, after which use was discontinued.

Diagnostic methods for children included examining finger creases and facial complexion: purple might indicate cold damage disorders, blue signaled convulsive disorders, white pointed to malnutrition, black suggested demonic influence, while yellow related to spleen-stomach disorders.

The Universal Infant Purple Pill (Quanying Zi Wan) treated various pediatric conditions including persistent fever, indigestion, and epilepsy. Its main ingredients were hematite, halloysite, apricot kernels, and defatted croton seeds. During preparation, the ingredients were ground and mixed, with a small amount of honey added if the mixture proved too hard.

These formulas reflect traditional Chinese medical approaches to women's and children's health, though modern application requires caution and professional medical supervision.

This passage describes two ancient medicinal formulas for treating infant diseases along with related medical theories. Regarding child development, ancient physicians believed newborns undergo a process called "bianzheng" (transmutation and steaming) - referring to physiological changes occurring every 32 days. The child experiences ten minor changes and four major transformations over 576 days (approximately one and a half years) before completing this developmental cycle.

The first method details the administration of Purple Pills: For newborns within thirty days, the dosage should be the size of a hemp seed, mixed with a small amount of breastmilk. After ingestion, nursing may resume shortly but should be moderate. If slight bowel movement occurs by noon, it indicates fever reduction; if symptoms persist, administer another pill the following day. For hundred-day-old infants, use pills sized like small beans, adjusting dosage according to age.

The second formula explains Peach Blossom Powder preparation: Slice Aconite root and Typhonium rhizome (5 qian each, raw), Arisaema rhizome and aged Pinellia tuber (2 qian each, raw), then moisten with freshly drawn well water. Place in earthenware to soak - five days in spring, three in summer, seven in autumn, and ten in winter, with daily sun exposure and night dew collection while changing water regularly. After soaking, sun-dry and pulverize, then blend with 5 qian of premium cinnabar powder until achieving peach-blossom coloration. Form into longan-sized pills taken with different decoctions according to symptoms, or make mung bean-sized pills (15 pellets per dose) for direct consumption.

Special note on bianzheng symptoms: Mild manifestations include slight fever, minor fright, cool ears/buttocks, fish-eye-like white blisters on upper lips, and mild sweating. Severe cases involve high fever, erratic pulse, intermittent sweating, breastfeeding refusal, vomiting after feeding, reddened eye whites, and whitened pupils. These symptoms naturally subside after bianzheng completion, indicating proper Qi-blood circulation and skin development. Treatment requires minimal Purple Pills to reduce fever - if fever persists after two doses, consider alternative diagnoses.

This passage describes two medicinal formulas for treating acute pediatric conditions—the Life-Preserving Elixir (Baoming Dan) and Child-Preserving Elixir (Baotong Dan)—including their preparation and administration methods.

First, the Life-Preserving Elixir is specifically designed to treat pediatric convulsive disorders, such as acute fright wind (sudden seizures), chronic fright wind (chronic convulsions), and symptoms like phlegm obstructing the throat, locked jaw, opisthotonos (body arching backward), startled crying during sleep, strabismus (crossed eyes), bluish or reddish complexion, fixed staring, limb spasms, and neck hyperextension—all caused by wind-phlegm disorders.

The formula requires:

• Large, oil-free Arisaema rhizome (Nanxing, 2 liang, roasted)
• Borax (purified, 6 qian)
• White silkworm (Bai Jiangcan, 2 liang, soaked in ginger juice and then stir-fried)
• Poria spirit (Fuling, skin and tips removed, 6 qian)
• Cicada slough (Chanhui, head, legs, and wings removed, purified, 1 liang)
• Alum (1 liang, calcined until dry)
• Centipede (Tianlong, 4 pieces, wine-boiled)
• Musk (Shexiang, 1 qian)
• Scorpion (Quanxie, venomous tail removed, purified, 2 liang, fried with glutinous rice until yellow, then rice discarded)
• Polygala root (Yuanzhi, bones removed, purified flesh, 1 liang, boiled with a section of licorice root, then licorice discarded)
• Large-grained cinnabar (Zhu Sha, 5 qian, separately ground for coating)
• Pig’s tooth皂角 (Zhuyazaojiao, 2 liang, crushed and decocted into a thick juice).

Preparation method:

First, soak the roasted Arisaema rhizome repeatedly in the皂角汁 (soap pod juice) more than ten times, reserving the remaining juice to cook rice paste. Grind all the above ingredients into a fine powder, form into longan-sized pills, coat with cinnabar, and dry in the shade. For each dose, use one pill, decocted with mint, rush pith, and gold/silver rings, then soaked and ground into a solution. Warm it slightly over fire before administering to the child.

The second formula, the Child-Preserving Elixir, treats pediatric acute/chronic fright wind, phlegmy cough, wheezing, chest tightness, refusal to nurse, parasitic fever, and abdominal distension. Though the exact ingredients are not detailed, such formulas typically combine herbs to address common pediatric emergencies by dispelling wind, resolving phlegm, calming fright, and stopping convulsions.

The text also lists guiding decoctions for different symptoms:

• Severe convulsions: decoct with gold/silver rings; for extreme cases, apply moxibustion to Baihui (GV 20).
• Chronic fright wind: decoct with scorpion and gambir vine (Gouteng).
• Vomiting/diarrhea: decoct with ginger and scallion, or aged rice water with vinegar.
• Abdominal pain: mild ginger decoction.
• Cough: mulberry root-bark (Sangbaipi) decoction.
• Fright-induced night crying or intestinal parasites: decoct with chinaberry root bark (Kulianpi), left outdoors overnight before administration.
• Wind-induced cough: ginger-scallion decoction.
• Malaria: ginger-scallion decoction, followed by ginger water mixed with powdered medicine for enhanced effect.

This passage describes the preparation method and dosage instructions for an emergency medicinal pill.

First, gather the required herbs: Take five pairs of large bitter orange peels (a traditional Chinese herb), remove the roots, and insert seven shelled croton seeds (a toxic herb that must be processed). Bind them tightly in a cross pattern with string. Then repeatedly boil them in high-quality vinegar until softened. Remove the croton seeds, slice the peels, and dry them by baking, reserving the remaining vinegar for later use. Next, prepare black false hellebore root (sanleng) and zedoary rhizome (ezhu, five qian each, with the ezhu needing to be roasted), ten sheets of gold foil, and two qian of cinnabar (ground separately).

Preparation method: Grind the above herbs into a fine powder, then mix with the reserved vinegar and flour paste to form pills the size of mung beans. Coat the exterior with cinnabar as a finishing layer.

Dosage instructions: Infants under one year old take one pill, children over one year take three pills, those under three years take five pills, and those over three years take seven pills. When administering, the pills should be taken with a decoction made from mint, rush pith, and honeysuckle (likely referring to Lonicera japonica). If the child cannot swallow the pill, it can be crushed and dissolved before being given.

This record comes from the third volume of Emergency Immortal Prescriptions (Jiuxian Fang) and represents an ancient treatment for pediatric emergencies. It is important to note that croton seeds are toxic, and modern use requires extreme caution—only under the guidance of a professional physician.