Blood, Tigers, Dragons: The Physiology of Transcendence for Women

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

After the period is fully over, the woman feels true yin moving in her uterus like a fish inhaling water, and then may resume refinement.

“As is described in that text, once the period is completely over, the woman will feel the movement of the true yin within her uterus, 'just like a fi sh inhaling water', then she can resume her practice of refi nement.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The texts caution against practice during the period because it would cause serious illness, but allow resumption after the period ends.

“While texts warn against practising during the period, as it would only provoke major illnesses within the body, once the period has passed, the female practitioner can resume her work.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Before blood can enter the uterus, intense meditation refines it into qi and returns it to the qi cavity between the breasts, from which the refined qi spreads through the body.

“Before the blood has the chance to enter the uterus, the work of intense meditation will have refi ned it into qi and sent it back to its source, the qi cavity between the breasts, and from there the refi ned qi is scattered around the body.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The message comes before the blood, also called the tide or chao.

“Th is message arrives before the arrival of the blood (also termed tide, chao 潮) itself.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Nüdan texts were produced at local spirit writing altars and distributed and exchanged easily.

“Th e texts were produced at local spirit writing altars and distributed and exchanged easily.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Nüdan texts were written in simple prose for women of wealthy families with leisure and the ability to read simple texts, to be practised at home in isolation or with other women.

“It was written in simple prose, for use by women of wealthy families with leisure time and the capability to read simple texts, and it was to be practised at home and in isolation or together with other women.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The texts explain xin as the intimation of menses arrival, shown by symptoms such as dizziness and abdominal discomfort.

“Th e texts understand and explain the word xin as the intimation of the arrival of the menses, which manifests itself in physiological symptoms like dizziness and abdominal discomfort.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Nüdan describes the female body as bloody, yin, and cold, naturally prone to congestion and depletion illnesses, inherently deficient, and requiring intervention to replenish, repair, and refine it through massage and internal qi circulation.

“Th e quotation above describes the bloody, yin and cold nature of the female body, its natural propensity to falling ill due to congestion and depletion ailments, its inherent defi ciency and the necessity to intervene to replenish, repair and refi ne it through massage and internal qi circulation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Renshui arrives with the messenger and appears with dizziness and abdominal pain, while guishui is the full period or tide that comes later.

“While renshui is a liquid that arrives together with the messenger, therefore manifests itself together with the dizziness and the abdominal pain, guishui is the full fl edged period, or the tide (chao) that arrives later.”

May combine two claims.

In nüdan prefaces, the reactionary shift is exemplified by insistence on the dangers of incorrect practices, the superfluousness of an outside male teacher, and the simplicity of prose easily read by women at home.

“In the case of nüdan, this reactionary shift is exemplifi ed by the insistence, in prefaces to female alchemy texts, on the dangers of certain incorrect (physically harmful but also indecent) practices, on the superfl uousness of an outside (male) teacher and on the simplicity of the prose, easily read by women at home.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Performing the practice between the menses intimation and the actual blood arrival is called suo longtou in the Kunyuanjing.

“Implementing the practice in the period of time between the intimation of the menses and the actual arrival of the blood is called, in the Kunyuanjing 坤元經 (Scripture on the female origin), suo longtou 索龍頭 (capturing the dragon's head).”

May combine two claims.

Although Chinese medicine and nüdan describe loci, fluids, and processes similarly, their goals are strikingly different.

“However, despite the fact that loci, fl uids and processes are described in a similar manner in the two textual traditions, the goals to reach are strikingly diff erent.”

May combine two claims.

Nüdan practical instructions were preceded and accompanied by behavioural guidelines like shanshu, given authority by a lineage of female immortals, and presented by authors as expressly requested by women.

“Practical instructions were preceded and accompanied by abundant behavioural guidelines for women of the kind found in shanshu 善書 (morality books), they were provided with authority by a lineage of female immortals, and they were presented by the authors as expressly requested by women themselves.”

• cites [8]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Refining the menses after the period ends is called qin huwei in the Kunyuanjing.

“Th e refi nement of the menses that takes place after the end of the period is called, again in the Kunyuanjing, qin huwei 擒虎尾 (capturing the tiger's tail).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The passage distinguishes message from tide and also renshui from guishui.

“Th is passage not only distinguishes between the message (xin) and the tide (chao), but between related liquids, the renshui 壬 水 and the guishui 癸水.”

May combine two claims.

The paper explains that blood and its forms define the female body similarly in female alchemy, although the two traditions treat this fluid differently.

“Above, I have tried to explain how blood and its instantiations defi ne the female body similarly in female alchemy, even though the way in which this fl uid is treated diff ers in the two traditions.”

May combine two claims.

The term Red Dragon appears only in nüdan texts and has no equivalent in medical theory.

“It is a term that only appears in nüdan texts, and does not have a correlate term in medical theory.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In nüdan, the very first step, even before cultivating the menses, is to pacify the heart-mind.

“In nüdan, the very fi rst step, even before cultivating the menses, involves pacifying the heart-mind:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

In men, seminal essence moves against the current and he becomes immortal; in women, blood moves upward toward the heart's cavity.

“In the man, seminal essence moves against the current and he becomes immortal; in the woman, blood moves upwards, ascending towards the heart's cavity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In nüdan texts, the terms qixue, xueyuan, and ruxi are used interchangeably to denote the same point between the breasts.

“Qixue 氣穴 (qi cavity), Xueyuan 血元 (origin of blood), Ruxi 乳溪 (breast stream) Th ese three terms are used interchangeably in nüdan texts to indicate the same point between the breasts.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Both quotations identify the breasts, navel, and uterus as focal points of the practice.

“Both quotations identify the breasts, the navel and the uterus as focal points of the practice.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

To complete inversion and attain immortality, Kan must become Qian, recovering the external yang lines lost when Qian intermingled with Kun to generate Kan and Li.

“In order to complete the process of inversion and attain immortality, Kan must change into Qian ☰, therefore recapturing the external yang lines lost in the intermingling of Qian with Kun ☷, the process that generated Kan and Li.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Female alchemy texts also treat illness seriously.

“Th e texts of female alchemy also seriously address the issue of illness.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This transformation, in which blood thins and changes from red to yellow to white and then disappears into qi, is achieved through breathing techniques, breast massage, internal visualisations, and micro-movements.

“Th is transformation, through which the blood becomes thinner and changes colour from red to yellow to white, and then disappears transforming into qi, is achieved through a specifi c series of breathing techniques, massage of the breasts, internal visualisations and micro-movements.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In normal female physiology as described in these texts, blood produced by the heart gathers in the qi cavity, descends to the sea of blood, and leaves the body as menstrual blood.

“In the normal female physiological process, the blood produced by the heart concentrates in the qi cavity, fl ows down into the sea of blood, and leaves the body as menstrual blood.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

When a man completes the practice and his seminal essence no longer drips, it is called subduing the white tiger; when a woman completes it and her menstrual flow no longer drips, it is called beheading the red dragon.

“When a man has completed the practice and the seminal essence (jing) does not drip away any more, this is called 'subduing the white tiger'.When a woman has completed the practice and the menstrual fl ow (jing) does not drip away anymore, this is called 'Beheading the red dragon'.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The white tiger, symbolized by the internal yin line of Li, should be transformed into complete yang.

“Symbolised by the internal, yin line of the trigram Li, it should be transformed into complete yang.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This channel of transformation is clearly shown in figure 1, where a woman in meditative pose is marked on a vertical axis with xuehai, zhongji, and rufangxue.

“Th is channel of transformation is clearly seen in fi gure 1, where the body of a woman in a meditative pose is inscribed, on a vertical axis, with the points xuehai 血海 (sea of blood), zhongji 中極 (central pole-navel) and rufangxue 乳房穴 (breast cavity).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The texts describe a general decline for women who do not begin refining vital energies before menarche at 14, and a worse decline for those who lose vital energies monthly.

“A general situation of decline is described for the woman who does not start refi ning her storage of vital energies even before her fi rst menstruation at 14, and an even direr situation for women who allow themselves to lose vital energies every month.”

May combine two claims.

This process in men is not mentioned in other nüdan texts and is not common in neidan.

“Th is process in men is not mentioned in other nüdan texts, nor is it a common process in neidan.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

When the texts speak of the breasts, they refer to two different loci in the same area.

“It needs to be noted that, when the texts speak of the breasts, they are referring to two diff erent loci in the same area.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Beheading the red dragon for women and subduing the white tiger for men mark the completion of the first stage of alchemical practice.

“Th e beheading of the red dragon for women and the subduing of the white tiger for men mark the completion of the fi rst stage of the alchemical practice.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The translated text says the second method is more suitable for middle-aged women.

“Th e text translated above states that this second method would be more appropriate for middle-aged women.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One locus is the breasts themselves, which are massaged to stop the downward flow of blood that produces menstruation.

“One is the breasts themselves (rufang), which are massaged in order to halt the downward fl ow of blood that results in menstruation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

This massage is described in minute detail in many nüdan texts.

“Th is massage is described in minute detail in many nüdan texts:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The breasts undergo major changes in size and shape once the adept has completed her practice.

“Th e breasts undergo major changes in size and shape once the adept has completed her practice.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In medical texts, blood in the female body is treated as a difficult, uniquely female reality that is complex and treacherous.

“In medical texts, the presence of blood in the female body is seen as a hard reality to deal with, a uniquely female situation that is perceived as complex and treacherous.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

This is where female alchemical practice begins, where blood is stored before descending to the uterus, and where it must ascend through practice.

“Th is is the place where the female alchemical practice begins, where the blood is stored prior to descending to the uterus, and where it has to ascend to with the practice.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

During sublimation, blood is made to rise from the sea of blood back to the qi cavity and become qi.

“During the sublimation process, on the contrary, it is made to ascend from the sea of blood back to the qi cavity to become qi.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

As practice progresses toward beheading the red dragon, the breasts change physically and the nipples retract to resemble a man's.

“With the progressing of the practice, eventually resulting in the beheading of the red dragon, the breasts undergo physical changes, the nipples retract to look like those of a man.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

In female alchemy, the sea of blood is located approximately where the lower elixir field is in men; in men the lower dantian holds essence, while in women the sea of blood stores blood.

“Its location is approximately the same as that of the lower elixir fi eld in the man.But while in the man the lower dantian contains essence ( jing), in the woman the sea of blood stores blood:”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The prevailing rhetoric is one of energy loss, decline, depletion, and eventual exhaustion.

“Th e all-pervading rhetoric is one of loss of energy, decline, depletion, and eventual exhaustion.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Massaging the breasts helps reverse the downward flow of blood from the qi cavity to the sea of blood.

“Massaging the breasts helps to revert the downward fl ow of blood from the qi cavity to the sea of blood.”

May combine two claims.

In female alchemy, zigong is always a receptacle or cauldron, one of the three main loci (breasts, navel, child palace), and is not directly involved with blood; xuehai is more related to the actions of blood, which inhabits, enters, and exits it.

“While zigong is always referred to as a receptacle, a cauldron, one of the three main loci of the female body (breasts, navel, child palace), and is not directly involved with blood, the xuehai, while it sometimes also has that connotation, is more related to the actions of blood, which inhabits, enters and exits it.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The renmai begins in the perineum and ends on the lower lip.

“Th e renmai, shown in image 2 on a male fi gure, originates in the perineum and ends on the lower lip.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In capturing the tiger's tail, blood is not sent directly upward to the breast qi cavity but travels to the back, up the spine to the head, and then down to the breast qi cavity.

“In the case of capturing the tiger's tail, the blood is not sent directly upwards to the qi cavity between the breasts, but it travels to the back side of the practitioner, ascends up the spine to the top of the head, and from there descends to the qi cavity between the breasts.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The transformed qi joins with original qi to form an embryo over a symbolic ten-month period.

“Here, the qi thus transformed unites with the original qi (yuanqi 元氣) to form the embryo, within a symbolic period of 10 months.”

May combine two claims.

Several points on this vertical axis match those on the female figure in figure 1: xue hai corresponds to hui yin, zhongji shares name and location with the same point on the renmai, and rufangxue corresponds to shan zhong on the renmai.

“Several of the points on this vertical axis coincide with those indicated on the female meditating in fi gure 1: the xue hai (sea of blood) on the female fi gure corresponds to the hui yin, in the perineum, on the renmai; the zhongji (also named jiangong on the female fi gure) shares a name and a location with the same point on the renmai; the rufangxue, a point between the breasts and right above”

May combine two claims.

In the same period, there was a stricter policy on women's involvement in public religious activities and a heightened interest in and reactionary move toward chastity.

“In the same period of time, there was a concomitant shift towards a stricter policy on women's involvement in public religious activities, and a heightened interest in and reactionary move towards chastity.”

• cites [5]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

In nüdan, refined energy concentrates inside the body to form an embryo of immortality that is subsequently released through the top of the head.

“Th is refi ned energy concentrates inside the body to form an embryo of immortality that is subsequently released through the top of the head.”

May combine two claims.

The main goal of female alchemy is transcendence, achieved by reversing natural female processes such as menstruation, gestation, and childbirth.

“while in the case of female alchemy, the main goal is transcendence, achieved through the reversal of natural female processes like menstruation, gestation and childbirth.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Nüdan hebian was collated and printed in 1906 at the Erxian an temple in Chengdu, and its main editor He Longxiang was a local Daoist and Confucian intellectual.

“It was collated and printed in 1906 at the Erxian an 二仙庵 temple in Chengdu and its main editor, He Longxiang 賀龍驤 (fl .1906), was a local Daoist and Confucian intellectual.”

May combine two claims.

Once the female bloody constitution is transformed and gender and external sexual differences are almost eliminated, the woman reaches a state of pre-puberty or androgynity and can progress toward immortality in the same way as a man.

“Once the female bloody constitution was transformed, and the gender and external sexual diff erences almost eliminated, the woman, having reached a state of pre-puberty or androgynity, could progress towards the fi nal goal of immortality in the same way as the man.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Min Yide included two nüdan texts in his Daozang xubian: the Niwan Li zushi nüzong shuangxiu baofa and the Xiwangmu nüxiu zhengtu shize.

“Min Yide 閔一得 (1758-1836), an infl uential Daoist intellectual and a Longmen 龍們 patriarch of the eleventh generation in Jiangsu, included two nüdan texts in his Daozang xubian 道藏續編 (Sequel to the Daoist Canon), the Niwan Li zushi nüzong shuangxiu baofa 泥丸李祖師女宗雙修寶筏 (Precious raft on paired cultivation of women by Master Li Niwan) and the Xiwangmu nüxiu zhengtu shize 西王母女正途十則 (Xiwangmu's ten precepts”

• cites [11]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In medical literature, xinshui denotes the ordinary monthly menstrual process.

“In medical texts, xinshui is in fact the process of regular monthly menstruation.”

May combine two claims.

The description of female physiology as ruled by blood is not only a feature of female alchemy; attention to depletion ailments and the leadership of blood in female physiology has a long history in Chinese medicine.

“Th e description of female physiology as ruled by blood, as seen in the initial quotation, is not just a prerogative of female alchemy; the attention to depletion ailments and to the leadership of blood in female physiology has a long history in Chinese medicine”

• cites [14]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Neidan involved three steps: transformation of jing into qi, qi into shen, and shen into xuwu.

“It involved three steps, the transformation of jing 精 (seminal essence or essence) into qi 氣, the transformation of qi into shen 神 (spirit), and the transformation of shen into xuwu 虛無 (nothingness).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Nüdan hebian includes texts of different origins and dates, collected and organised by He Longxiang, who also provides a lengthy introduction to nüdan.

“Th is collection includes texts of diff erent origins and dates, collected and organised by He, who also provides a lengthy and exhaustive introduction to nüdan in it.”

• cites [9]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Nüdan practices consist of progressive refinement of the female body through meditation, breathing, internal visualisations, and massage, with the ultimate goal of physical immortality.

“consist of a process of progressive refi nement of the female body through meditation, breathing, internal visualisations and massage techniques with the ultimate goal of attaining physical immortality.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Liu Yiming included a discussion of nüdan in his Xiuzhen biannan (1798).

“Liu Yiming 劉一明 (1734-1821), again a Longmen patriarch of the eleventh generation in Gansu, included a discussion of nüdan in his Xiuzhen biannan 修真辯難 (Discriminating Diffi cult Points in the Cultivation of Perfection; 1798).”

• cites [12]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In contemporary culture, the role of blood in the treatment of women is still central, as shown by ethnographic work by Furth and Chen on contemporary beliefs about menstruation in Taiwan.

“In contemporary culture, the role of blood in the treatment of women is still central, as is testifi ed by ethnographic work by Furth and Chen, who have looked into contemporary beliefs on menstruation in Taiwan.”

• cites Furth and Ch'en Shu-yueh 1992 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In nüdan, blood is the energetic basis of the woman.

“It is said that blood is the energetic basis of the woman.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Nüdan aims to reverse the normal course of life ending in old age, decay, and death, with rejuvenation enacted through transforming bodily fluids into energy.

“has the aim of reversing the normal course of life that ends with old age, decay, and death, with a rejuvenation enacted through the transformation of bodily fl uids into energy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Charlotte Furth described the Song as the period when a separate medical discipline for childbirth was defined and developed, and when there was clear awareness that women's ailments were mainly linked with blood, its flow, blockages, and obstructions, so therapy should act on blood.

“Charlotte Furth has described the Song as the period in which a separate medical discipline that dealt with childbirth (chanke 產科) was defi ned and developed, and the period of clear awareness that women's ailments were mainly linked with blood, its fl ow, its blockages and obstructions; thus therapy should also direct itself towards acting on blood.”

• cites Furth 1994 and 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The remaining texts in the Nüdan hebian were collected directly by He Longxiang during a lengthy stay on Emei mountain in Sichuan.

“Th e remaining texts in the Nüdan hebian were collected directly by He Longxiang on a lengthy stay on Emei 峨眉 mountain in Sichuan.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Still in the Qing, Yi-li Wu described a flourishing tradition of gynaecology.

“Still in the Qing, Yi-li Wu has described a fl ourishing tradition of gynaecology”

• cites Wu 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

While Furth describes the Ming as reverting to a concept of fundamental androgyny of male and female bodies for recognition of ailments and therapy, the concept that the female body was ruled by blood never really faded, especially for menstrual problems.

“While Furth describes the Ming period as reverting to a concept of fundamental androgyny of male and female bodies for both recognition of ailments as well as therapy, the concept that the female body was ruled by blood never really faded, especially as it pertained to menstrual problems.”

• cites FurthNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The difficulty of curing women's diseases, mostly due to their bloody nature, is widely known and discussed in medical manuals from at least the Tang period onwards.

“the diffi culty of curing women's diseases, mostly due to their bloody nature, is also widely known and discussed in medical manuals from at least the Tang period onwards.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Francesca Bray discussed the close relationship between ideas of menstrual regularity and ideal womanhood.

“Francesca Bray has discussed the close relationship between ideas of menstrual regularity and ideal womanhood.”

• cites Bray 1995 and 1997Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The goal of Chinese medicine for the female body is health, well-being, regularity, and the production of children.

“In the case of medicine, the goal is health, well-being, regularity, and the production of children”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Speaking of Qing gynaecological manuals, Furth describes a still strong double symbolism of blood for women's health: prenatal cosmic vitality and the substance whose disorders made women the sickly sex.

“Speaking of gynaecological manuals of the Qing, Furth describes the still strong double symbolism of blood for women's health, on the one hand prenatal cosmic vitality, on the other, the very substance 'whose disorders made women the sickly sex'.”

• cites Furth 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The distinction between message and blood identifies the best time for transformation and reversal practice: the interval between the message and the blood.

“Th is distinction in the texts is important because it defi nes the most advantageous moment to implement the practice of transformation and reversal, the moment between the arrival of the message and the arrival of the blood itself.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Ren, the ninth celestial stem placed before gui, was chosen to name the part of the menstrual cycle just before blood arrives.

“Ren is the ninth celestial stem, and, positioned just before gui, the tenth celestial stem has been chosen here to defi ne the part of the menstrual cycle that comes just before the arrival of the blood.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: In wuxing theory, both ren and gui belong to the water element.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

One fundamental part of this area is the breasts.

“On fundamental part of this area is the breasts.”

May combine two claims.

They are mentioned in the Inner Classic as involved in female sexual maturity, and the thoroughfare vessel was identified with the sea of blood.

“Th ey are mentioned in the Inner Classic as being involved in female sexual maturity, and in fact the thoroughfare vessel was identifi ed with the sea of blood.”

• cites Inner ClassicNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

This depletion must be reversed, and that is the purpose of the female practice.

“Th is situation of depletion must be reversed, and that is the aim of the female practice.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

In both Chinese medicine and nüdan, the heart-mind is the seat where blood that circulates in the body is produced.

“In Chinese medicine as well as in nüdan, the heart-mind (xin) is the seat for the production of the blood that circulates in the body.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Women have a complex physiology, and there is an additional level of complexity, the emotional level.

“Not only do women have a complex physiology, but, as the passage above introduces, there is yet another level of complexity, the emotional level.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In medical terms, the time just after the menstrual period was considered best for intercourse to produce offspring.

“Interestingly, the time just after the end of the menstrual period was also thought to be the best time, in medical terms, to have intercourse in order to produce off spring.”

• cites Furth 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The transformation of Kan and Li into Qian, and of yin into yang, signifies a return to unity that incorporates and overcomes the duality of Qian-Kun and Kan-Li.

“Th e transformation of Kan and Li into Qian, of yin into yang, denotes the return to unity that does not eliminate, but incorporates and overcomes the duality of Qian-Kun, Kan-Li.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Controlling and stilling the heart-mind is essential, because otherwise blood will be hard to refine.

“Th us, controlling and making it still is essential, otherwise blood will be diffi cult to refi ne.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The dark dragon and white tiger had been central to inner alchemical theory since the Song dynasty.

“Th e dark dragon (xuan long 玄龍) and the white tiger (baihu 白虎) had been essential elements of the inner alchemical theory since the Song dynasty.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

On the physiological level, this process turns yin menstrual blood into yang qi, just as men's seminal essence jing is turned into qi.

“On the physiological level, this process transforms the yin menstrual blood in yang qi (in the same way in which, for men, the seminal essence jing is transformed into qi).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The body's physical workings are inherently connected to the emotional world, so a calm and peaceful heart-mind is the ideal basis for a healthy body and for advanced spiritual work.

“Th e physical workings of the body are inherently connected with the emotional world, thus a level and peaceful heart and mind are the perfect basis for a healthy body and the springboard for advanced spiritual work.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In female alchemy, the female body with its menses, breasts, and uterus is a tool or vessel for transcendence, not merely a body to be regulated, cured, prepared for childbirth, and recuperated.

“Th e female body, with its menses, the breasts, the uterus, is a tool, a vessel for transcendence, not just a body to be regulated, cured, prepared for childbirth and recuperated after it.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

These points form a nexus, a channel of transformation, almost a single organ through which blood descends; in female alchemy this is the crucible through which blood must reverse course to be refined.

“Th ese points form a nexus, a channel of transformation, an essential duct, almost a single organ through which blood descends; in the case of female alchemy this is the crucible through which blood needs to reverse its course to be refi ned.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Uncontrolled emotions can harm the female body, cause illness, and obstruct the path to transcendence in female alchemy.

“Uncontrolled emotions can harm the female body, cause illnesses and, in the case of female alchemy, hinder the path to transcendence.”

May combine two claims.

For both men and women, the decay and depletion of old age must be and can be reversed.

“For both men and women, the decay and depletion that comes with old age needs to be, and can be, reversed.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The two method names reflect their use: one catches the head of the period, the other its tail.

“Th e names of these two methods refl ect their use: in the fi rst instance, the practitioner catches the head of the period, in the other the tail.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Red Dragon is an animal metaphor for the woman's energetic base, which menstruation depletes.

“Red Dragon is yet another animal metaphor for the energetic base of the woman, which is depleted through menstruation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

From the standpoint of rebuilding innate energies, one had to recover as much remaining energy as possible and refine it to complete the immortal embryo.

“From the perspective of the reconstruction of one's innate energies, one had to recover as much of what energy was left and then refi ne it to complete the immortal embryo.”

May combine two claims.

As Yi-li Wu has shown, although these two channels are not specific to women, they were identified very early as especially important to female physiology.

“As Yi-li Wu has demonstrated, even though these two channels are not specifi c to women, they were identifi ed from very early times to be particularly important to female physiology.”

• cites Yi-li WuNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

An incorrect process would be a deviation and would endanger the adept's health.

“An erroneous process would constitute a deviation and jeopardise the adept's health.”

May combine two claims.

While neidan was already a body-based practice aimed at conducting the spiritual process through the body, nüdan describes in greater detail the minute changes the female body undergoes during spiritual practice.

“While neidan already was a practice fi rmly based in the body, and with the aim of conducting the spiritual process through the body, nüdan describes in even more detail the minute changes that the female body undergoes throughout the spiritual practice.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

It is necessary to stop the monthly bleeding that drains female vital reserves and to transform it into energy.

“It is essential, then, to halt the monthly haemorrhage that depletes the female vital reserves, transforming it into energy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Illness, usually tied to female congestion and depletion, must be resolved before practice begins, and the practice must be done correctly to avoid health complications.

“Illness, usually related to common female problems of congestion and depletion, must be resolved before the start of the practice, and at the same time the practice has to be implemented correctly if one wants to avoid health complications.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

In female alchemy, the blood at the sea of blood must be blocked and made to ascend to the cavity between the breasts, its original source, marking the beginning of the reversal.

“It is here that it needs to be blocked and made to ascend to the cavity between the breasts, where it initially came from.Th is is the beginning of the reversal, of the backward path of blood”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Halting the menstrual flow through breast massage turns the female body into a more androgynous body in which menses, breasts, and the ability to bear children are erased.

“Th e halting of the menstrual fl ow, achieved through the massage of the breasts described below, transforms the female body into a more androgynous body, a body where main sexual characteristics like menses and breasts, and the possibility of generating children, are deleted.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Because refinement must start from replenishment rather than illness or depletion, menopausal women should first rebuild the natural energetic endowment that produced menstrual flow.

“Since, however, as specifi ed above, refi nement has to start from a situation of replenishment, not of illness or depletion, it follows that, in order to practise nüdan, women in menopause should fi rst reconstitute the natural energetic endowment that produced the menstrual fl ow.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This point between the breasts is the central locus of the female sublimation process.

“In all these roles, this is the central point of women's sublimation process.”

May combine two claims.

Female emotions are embodied, produce visible bodily reactions, and this link between emotions and bodily functions is widely recognized and emphasized in female alchemy texts.

“As is clear from the above quotations, female emotions are embodied, they elicit reactions that are clearly displayed in the body, and this connection between emotions and bodily functions is widely acknowledged and highlighted in female alchemy texts.”

May combine two claims.

The image of female physiology in female alchemy texts is similar to that in traditional medical texts, but what happens in the loci and the valence of blood, menstruation, and fertility are completely different.

“In conclusion, the image of female physiology that emerges from texts of female alchemy texts is reassuringly similar to that found in traditional medical texts.”

• Also stated in: § Conclusion · plain

  “But what happens in them, as well as the valence of blood, menstruation and fertility is completely diff erent.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Even after a woman has begun serious practice, the practice itself can produce sexual arousal, which must be immediately suppressed.

“Even once a woman has started seriously practising, the practice itself can cause sexual arousal, which needs to be immediately suff ocated:”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Kan symbolizes the woman, yin outside and yang inside, while Li symbolizes the male, yang outside and yin inside.

“Kan symbolizes the woman, yin outside and yang inside, and Li symbolizes the male, yang outside but yin on the inside.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The transformation must be done correctly; the goal is not simply amenorrhea but the process that produces it.

“Th is transformation, though, should be accomplished in a correct way: it is not the simple eff ect-amenorrhea-that is sought, and emphasis lies on the process that leads to this result.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Sensual desires greatly hinder stillness of the heart-mind, and women must seriously restrain them because vital energies can easily be wasted through intercourse, pregnancy, and childbirth.

“Sensual desires are a great hindrance to the stillness of the heartmind, and women need to seriously curb them, as precious vitalities can be easily squandered through sexual intercourse, pregnancy and childbirth:”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Yi-li Wu describes a key bodily nexus made up of blood, the womb, and the thoroughfare and controller vessels.

“In analysing the female gestational body in Chinese medical sources, Yi-li Wu talks about a 'key-bodily nexus . . .consisting of three interlinked components: blood, the womb, and a pair of circulation channels whose Chinese names I will translate as the thoroughfare and controller vessels (chong ren mai 衝任脈)'.”

• cites Yi-li WuNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The heart-mind and emotional stability are inherently connected, especially in women.

“Th e heart-mind and emotional stability are inherently connected, especially in women.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Once practice has begun, the practitioner must be careful to implement it correctly.

“Once the practice has started, the practitioner has to be careful about implementing it correctly:”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Because blood is so fundamental to women's physiology, the main loci of that physiology should be involved in storing, moving, and transforming blood.

“Since blood is such a fundamental part of the physiology of women, it follows that the main loci of her physiology would be involved with the storage, passage and transformation of blood.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Controlling the emotions is therefore of the greatest importance.

“Controlling the emotions is thus of utmost importance.”