Case 1: Postpartum Chest Pain Misdiagnosis
My sister-in-law (my wife’s younger sister) married the eldest son of Mr. Zhang, a military examination candidate (wǔjǔrén). After giving birth, she developed severe chest and stomach pain. During episodes, she couldn’t eat, had rapid breathing, and a dry mouth. Her father-in-law consulted multiple doctors, all of whom diagnosed it as “deficiency syndrome,” claiming that postpartum women rarely exhibit “excess patterns” (a Traditional Chinese Medicine term for conditions caused by pathogenic factors). They prescribed blood and qi tonics, insisting that restoring these would relieve the pain.
She was first given Eight-Ingredient Tonic Decoction (Bā Zhēn Tāng) and later Ten Complete Great Tonification Decoction (Shí Quán Dà Bǔ Tāng). After a month of no improvement, her family sought my help through her parents’ household.
Upon diagnosis, I found her left cùn (wrist pulse near the heart) and guān (pulse near the liver/gallbladder) pulses hard and sluggish, indicating blood stasis trapped in the chest cavity. I explained: “This is chest stasis pain, not heart or stomach pain. The stabbing sensation, thirst, and breathlessness require blood-activating therapy, not tonics that worsen stagnation. Previous tonics were counterproductive.” I prescribed Laughing Powder (Shī Xiào Sǎn—a formula with Wu Ling Zhi [faeces of flying squirrels] and Pu Huang [cattail pollen]). After two doses, the pain vanished completely.
Case 2: Infant Phlegm Obstruction
Three days later, during a follow-up visit, her one-year-old child developed feverish hands/feet, lethargy, labored breathing, refusal to breastfeed, and a saw-like gurgling throat. The family suspected infantile convulsions (jīngfēng) and summoned a neighbor skilled in acupuncture. I countered: “This is phlegm obstruction. Acupuncture will aggravate it. The child was likely kept too warm and compressed during side-lying breastfeeding.”
I prescribed White Jade Pills (Bái Yù Bǐng):
- Ingredients: Huá Shí (talc), Bàn Xià (pinellia rhizome), Bā Dòu Shuāng (processed croton seed), Zhū Shā (cinnabar), and Kǔ Fán (alum) — 3 grams each.
- Preparation: Mixed with fermented dough, rolled into pills coated with talc.
The child took a few pills and passed large amounts of green stool that evening. Normal breastfeeding resumed, and the fever subsided.
Case 3: Emotional Stress-Induced Hemoptysis
Less than a month after returning home, Mr. Zhang (the husband) arrived at my doorstep. He appeared sallow and greasy-faced, with heaving chest movements and breathlessness. He reported vomiting blood, persistent nausea, rib-side stabbing pain, and coughing.
His pulse was wire-like (tense) and slippery (phlegm-indicating). I concluded: “This is qi stagnation from intense anger after a traumatic event.” Zhang confirmed a recent explosive argument. A village doctor had misdiagnosed “yin deficiency” and prescribed Rehmannia Decoction (Dì Huáng Tāng), worsening his bloating.
I prescribed two formulas:
- Perilla Seed Qi-Descending Decoction (Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng): Contains Zi Su Zi (perilla seed), Bàn Xià (pinellia), and other qi-regulating herbs.
- Free Wanderer Powder (Xiāo Yáo Sǎn): A liver-soothing formula.
I advised: “Given the long journey, take the qi-regulating formula first to ease congestion, then the liver formula to stop bleeding. Full recovery should follow within two weeks—no need to return.”
A month later, Zhang sent a messenger announcing his full recovery. He intended to visit formally in ceremonial attire but was politely declined.
Important Note:
The mentioned formulas involve complex herb combinations and potentially toxic ingredients (e.g., cinnabar, croton). Modern usage must follow licensed TCM practitioners’ guidance. Self-prescription is strictly discouraged.
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