Sun, female, 29 years old. More than 50 days into her second pregnancy, she initially experienced nausea, vomiting, thirst, reduced appetite, and a subjective feeling of fever, though her body temperature was not elevated. She considered these to be normal symptoms and did not pay much attention. However, the vomiting became severe, to the point where she could not retain any fluids, and even vomited blood-stained water. Both Chinese and Western medicines were ineffective, and for more than half a month, she survived only on intravenous fluids.

Examination revealed a red tongue with yellow, dry coating, scanty urine, and a weak, thin, and rapid pulse. She had not had a bowel movement for more than 10 days. Based on the symptoms, it was determined that the condition was due to qi deficiency with excessive heat, leading to the stomach's failure to harmonize and descend. Despite the use of fragrant, sandalwood, tangerine peel, and pinellia, the condition did not improve. A method of pungent dispersing and bitter descending was proposed, and the following prescription was given:
Cooking Stove Earth 250g (soaked in boiling water until clear, then decocted with water), Dried Ginger 9g, Coptis Rhizome 9g, Tangshen 18g, Skullcap Root 12g
decocted with water twice, to be taken in multiple doses. The vomiting gradually lessened, and her appetite improved. After taking 9 doses consecutively, the tongue coating receded, the pulse normalized, and the fetus was also preserved.