Labor-Inducing Ointment，*Li Ye*.，For difficult labor, restlessness lasting several days, or when the pelvic bones do not open.
Labor-Inducing Ointment
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Formulas Name : Labor-Inducing Ointment
Chinese Name : 催生膏
Drug Formulation
1 large turtle (preferably jet-black; yellow ones are inferior; approximately 2–3 jin; the larger, the better. Soak in finely ground sesame oil for several days, boil until charred, remove the residue, then refine the oil until it is well-rendered. Add roasted yellow丹 and mix well; add 4 liang of roasted lead powder and stir until uniform).
Source
*Li Ye*.
Processing
When ready for use, spread 3 qian of the ointment onto rice paper. Have the laboring woman lie down and rest comfortably, then apply the ointment to her navel. Additionally, apply the following external poultice: 2 liang of Plantain Seed (Cheqianzi), 1 liang each of Sichuan Lovage (Chuanxiong) and Whole Angelica Root (Quandangui), 7 qian of Winter Mallow Seed (Dongkuizi), and 4 qian each of Trifoliate Orange Peel (Zhike), White Angelica Root (Bai Zhi), Pinellia (Banxia), and White Knotweed (Bai Lian). Grind all ingredients into a fine powder, then mix in 3 liang of Elm Bark Powder (Yu Mian) and 2 liang of Yiyuan Powder (Yiyuan San), blending thoroughly.
Benefits
For difficult labor, restlessness lasting several days, or when the pelvic bones do not open.
Instructions for Use
Use 1 liang at a time, mixed with ginger and scallion juice, aged wine, and vinegar for application; if the amniotic sac is dry, mix with refined lard; in hot summer weather, mix with sesame oil, white honey, and egg white for application. For retained fetal remains, add Aconite and Cinnamon Bark. The baby will be born naturally upon waking.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Li Ye*., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 20, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 20, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 20, 2026
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Labor-Inducing Ointment,For difficult labor, restlessness lasting several days, or when the pelvic bones do not open.