Vexation of pregnancy

Heart vexation occurring in pregnancy. Vexation of pregnancy is attributed to exploitation of the heart by fire-heat that results from a) insufficiency of yīn-blood arising when the blood gathers to nourish the fetus or b) preexisting phlegm-rheum that is transformed into phlegm-heat by the action of depression, anger, worry, or thought. In the case of yīn vacuity, there is vexing heat in five hearts and dry mouth, whereas in phlegm heat, there is dizziness, oppression in the stomach duct, nausea and vomiting, and copious phlegm. If there is pronounced liver depression, there is distending pain in both rib-sides.

Medicinal therapy: Yīn vacuity patterns are treated by clearing heat, nourishing yīn, and eliminating vexation with Coptis, Ass Hide Glue, and Egg Yolk Decoction (黄连阿胶鸡子黄汤 huáng lián ē jiāo jī zǐ huáng tāng). Phlegm-fire patterns are treated by clearing heat and flushing phlegm with Fritillaria and Trichosanthes Powder (贝母栝蒌散 bèi mǔ guā lóu sǎn). For liver depression, course the liver, resolve depression, and eliminate vexation with Moutan and Gardenia Free Wanderer Powder (丹栀逍遥散 dān zhī xiāo yáo sǎn).