Modern Medical Practitioners' Theories on Huang Yuan-You's Use of "Pivotal Movements" in Treating Menstrual Disorders

Abstract

Objective: To explore the academic ideas of the famous Qing dynasty physician Huang Yuan-young's "Four Saints' Heart Source" in identifying and treating menstrual diseases. METHODS: We studied Huang Yuan-yu's works, and analyzed the theory, methods, prescriptions and medicines of Huang Yuan-yu in the treatment of menstrual diseases, taking the Four Sages Heart Source as the main object of study. Results: Huang Yuan-yu's academic thought of "one qi flowing around and pivotal movement" was also reflected in the physiopathology of menstruation. It is believed that Spleen Yang and Kidney Water are the basis for the production of menstrual blood, while Lung Gold and Liver Wood regulate the menstrual cycle. He elaborated on menstrual disorders such as closed knots, menorrhagia, late pre-menstruation, purple and black stasis, abdominal pain during menstruation, and heat entering the blood chamber, and proposed that "the first method to regulate menstruation and nourish blood is to give priority to Chong Yang", and founded the formulas of Gui Zhi Dan Pi Tang, Gui Zhi Jiang Ling Tang, Jiang Ling Ah Gao Tang, Ling Gui Dan Shen Tang, Gui Di Peony Tang, and Chai Hu Di Huang Tang, which provided new ideas for clinical practice. Conclusion: Huang Yuan-you's treatment of menstrual diseases is guided by his academic thought of "one qi flowing around, pivotal movement", and proposes a physiological mechanism for the production and regulation of menstruation, which is different from the traditional mechanism of "kidney - tian-kuei - punching - uterus". It also provides guidance on the etiology of menstrual diseases and the prescriptions and medicines for their treatment, which are of contemporary value in the modern treatment of menstrual diseases.