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This is an explanation of the character "Ling" (苓). The term "Ling" implies the meaning of command or order. It can circulate body fluids and subdue pathogenic factors in the Kidney. The function that specifically acts as a commander belongs to Poria (Fuling, 茯苓). In Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), Poria is the principal herb, hence the name Wuling San. Poria has a sweet taste and neutral nature; Polyporus (Zhuling, 猪苓) also has a sweet taste and neutral nature. Although both are described as sweet, they ultimately return to a sweet and bland nature. The *Neijing* states: "Bland flavors have seeping and draining actions, which belong to Yang." Draining stool is called purgation, while draining urine is called seepage and drainage. When water and fluid accumulate internally, seepage and drainage methods must be employed, primarily using herbs with sweet and bland properties. Therefore, Poria is used as the Sovereign (Jun, 君) herb, and Polyporus as the Minister (Chen, 臣) herb. Atractylodes Macrocephala (Baizhu, 白术) has a sweet taste and warm nature. The Spleen dislikes dampness. When water and fluid accumulate internally, the Spleen Qi fails to govern properly. To benefit the Spleen and overcome dampness, sweet herbs must serve as assistance. Thus, Atractylodes Macrocephala is used as the Assistant (Zuo, 佐) herb. Alisma (Zexie, 泽泻) has a salty taste and cold nature. The *Neijing* states: "Salty flavors have downward-draining actions, which belong to Yin." To drain fluid and guide urination, salty herbs must serve as assistance. Thus, Alisma is used as the Envoy (Shi, 使) herb. Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi, 桂枝) has a pungent taste and hot nature. The Kidney dislikes dryness. When water accumulates and fails to move, the Kidney Qi becomes dry. The *Neijing* states: "The Kidney dislikes dryness; one should urgently consume pungent foods to moisten it." To disperse water qi and moisten dryness, Cinnamon Twig is used as an Envoy herb. Drinking plenty of warm water after administration causes sweating and recovery because the pungent flavor disperses water qi outwardly through the skin, leading to resolution via moistening sweat.

Poria (Sovereign, 18 zhu) Polyporus (Minister, 18 zhu, peeled) Atractylodes Macrocephala (Assistant, 18 zhu) Alisma (Envoy, 1 liang 6 zhu) Cinnamon Twig (Envoy, half liang, peeled)

Crush the above five ingredients into a powder. Mix with rice water and take one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure) per dose, three times daily. Drink plenty of warm water afterwards; recovery occurs when sweat appears. Follow these instructions for care.

The Heart and Lung are located above the diaphragm and belong to Yang; the Kidney and Liver are located below the diaphragm and belong to Yin. These are the upper and lower Zang organs. The Spleen and Stomach correspond to Earth and reside in the Central Region. Among the Five Zang organs, it is called the Solitary Organ; within the Triple Burner, it belongs to the Middle Jiao. Since the Triple Burner uniquely governs the middle, any dysfunction here is specifically treated by this pill, hence its name Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill). Ginseng has a sweet taste and warm nature. The *Neijing* states: "The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume sweet foods to relax it." To relax the middle and benefit the Spleen, sweet herbs must be primary. Therefore, Ginseng is used as the Sovereign herb. Atractylodes Macrocephala has a sweet taste and warm nature. The *Neijing* states: "The Spleen dislikes dampness; sweet flavors overcome dampness." To warm the middle and overcome dampness, sweet herbs must serve as assistance. Therefore, Atractylodes Macrocephala is used as the Minister herb. Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) has a sweet taste and neutral nature. The *Neijing* states: "Of the five flavors, sweet enters the Splel first." When the Spleen is deficient, use sweet herbs to tonify it. To tonify the middle and assist the Spleen, sweet agents must be prioritized. Therefore, Licorice Root is used as the Assistant herb. Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 干姜) has a pungent taste and hot nature. The Stomach prefers warmth and dislikes cold. If the Stomach is cold, the Middle Jiao fails to govern. The *Neijing* states: "When cold-damp prevails, pacify it with pungent-hot agents." To disperse cold and warm the Stomach, pungent agents must be prioritized. Therefore, Dried Ginger is used as the Envoy herb. The Spleen and Stomach occupy the center; when diseased, pathogenic factors can reach anywhere up, down, left, or right. Hence, there are various modifications. If there is a throbbing sensation below the umbilicus, it indicates Kidney Qi moving. Remove Atractylodes Macrocephala and add Cinnamon Twig. When Qi stagnates without draining, a throbbing sensation occurs. Atractylodes Macrocephala is sweet and tonifies Qi; removing it allows Qi to scatter easily. Cinnamon Twig is pungent and hot. For moving Kidney Qi, which threatens to become Ben Tun (Rushing Pig disease), pungent herbs must be consumed to disperse it. Thus, Cinnamon Twig is added to disperse Kidney Qi. The classics state: "Pungent flavors enter the Kidney and can drain Ben Tun Qi." If vomiting is frequent, remove Atractylodes Macrocephala and add Fresh Ginger. When Qi rebels upward, vomiting increases. Atractylodes Macrocephala is sweet and cloying/stagnant, unsuitable for rebellious Qi. The *Qianjin Fang* states: "Vomit-prone patients often take Fresh Ginger; this is the holy medicine for vomiting." Fresh Ginger is pungent and dispersing, so it is added for frequent vomiting. If diarrhea is frequent, continue using Atractylodes Macrocephala. When Qi leaks and cannot consolidate, frequent diarrhea results. Atractylodes Macrocephala is sweet and consolidating/tonifying, helping righteous Qi to consolidate and not leak. Some say: When dampness prevails, loose stools occur; Atractylodes Macrocephala specifically removes dampness, so it is added for frequent diarrhea. For palpitations, add Poria. When fluid accumulation gathers, palpitations occur. Poria is sweet and drains latent water, which is appropriate. For thirst desiring water, add Atractylodes Macrocephala. When body fluids are insufficient, thirst occurs. Atractylodes Macrocephala is sweet and generates fluids. For abdominal pain, add Ginseng. Deficiency causes pain. The *Bencao* states: "Tonification can remove weakness," referring to substances like Ginseng and mutton. For excessive cold, add Dried Ginger. Pungent flavors can disperse cold. For abdominal fullness, remove Atractylodes Macrocephala and add Aconite Root (Fuzi, 附子). The *Neijing* states: "Sweet flavors cause central fullness." Atractylodes Macrocephala is sweet and cloying/tonifying, so it is removed for abdominal fullness. Aconite Root is pungent and hot. Cold qi stagnation and depression cause abdominal fullness. Use hot herbs to overcome cold and pungent herbs to disperse fullness; thus, Aconite Root is added. The *Neijing* states: "Treat heat with cold, treat cold with heat." This refers to such cases.

Ginseng (Sovereign) Atractylodes Macrocephala (Minister) Licorice Root (Assistant, honey-fried) Dried Ginger (Envoy, each 3 liang)

Crush and sieve the above four ingredients. Form pills with refined honey, size of a chicken egg yolk. Dissolve one pill in a few ounces of boiling water. Take warm. Three to four times daily, two times at night.