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[Yun] Treats postpartum difficulty in urination and defecation, accompanied by blood discharge.
Semen Plantaginis (Cheqianzi), Radix Scutellariae (Huangqin), Sanguis Fuliginis (Puhuang), Concha Ostreae (Muli), Radix Rehmanniae Recens (Shengdi), Radix Paeoniae Alba (Shaoyao) (each 1 liang 5 qian).
The above are ground into fine powder. Take a measure of one cun bi (a small spoonful) with rice water on an empty stomach. Avoid wheat products and garlic.
[Qianjin Fang] Treats women after childbirth who suddenly have lower abdominal distension like a gourd, with obstruction of urination and defecation. Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), Guanyuan (CV4), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yingu (KI10) are indicated.

[Ling Shu] The Yellow Emperor asked: Food and drink enter the mouth, are transported to the intestines and stomach, and their fluids are divided into five types: when it is cold and clothes are thin, they become urine and qi; when it is hot and clothes are thick, they become sweat; when grieving, qi gathers and becomes tears; when internal heat is high and stomach qi is relaxed, it becomes saliva. When pathogenic qi rebels internally, qi becomes blocked and does not flow; if it does not flow, water swelling occurs. I know this principle, but I do not know how it arises. I wish to hear the mechanism. Qibo said: The fluids of the five grains, harmonized and combined into a paste-like substance, penetrate inward into the bone cavities, nourish the brain marrow, and flow downward to the inner thighs. If yin and yang are not in harmony, fluids overflow and flow downward to the yin organs, causing marrow and fluids to decrease and flow down excessively. Excessive downward flow leads to deficiency, resulting in lower back pain and soreness of the shins. If the pathways of yin and yang qi are blocked, the Four Seas are obstructed, the San Jiao fails to drain, and fluids fail to transform, food and drink move together through the intestines and stomach, separate at the ileum, remain in the lower jiao, and cannot渗 (permeate) into the bladder, causing lower jiao distension. Overflowing water results in water swelling. (Note from Wuling Jin Ye Pian: "Excessive downward flow" refers to excessive sexual activity.)
[Nan Jing] Swelling of the umbilical abdomen and all four limbs is called Water Disease. Abdominal distension alone with slight swelling of the four limbs is called Gu Distension. (Gu means distension.)
[Ling Shu] The Yellow Emperor asked Qibo: How can Water Disease be distinguished from Skin Distension, Drum Distension, Intestinal Polyp, Stone Mass, and Stone Water? Qibo replied: At the beginning of Water Disease, there is slight swelling above the eye sockets, resembling the appearance after waking up. The neck vessels pulse, there is occasional coughing, coldness in the inner thighs, swelling of the ankles, and then the abdomen enlarges, indicating that water has formed. Pressing the abdomen causes it to rise immediately, resembling a bag filled with water; this is its sign. The Yellow Emperor asked: How is Skin Distension diagnosed? Qibo said: Skin Distension is caused by cold qi lodging between the skin. It feels hollow and not firm, with abdominal distension, whole-body swelling, thick skin, and pressing the abdomen leaves an indentation that does not rise. The abdominal color remains unchanged; this is its sign. What about Drum Distension? Qibo said: The abdomen is distended and the body is enlarged to the same degree as the abdominal distension. The complexion is dark yellow, and abdominal veins are prominent; this is its sign. What is an Intestinal Polyp? Qibo said: Cold qi lodges outside the intestines and struggles with Wei Qi. Qi fails to nourish, leading to adhesion and internal fixation. Evil qi arises, and flesh grows. Initially, it is the size of a chicken egg, gradually increasing until it resembles pregnancy. After a year or more, it is hard to press but movable. Menstruation occurs on time; this is its sign. What is a Stone Mass? Qibo said: A Stone Mass forms in the uterus. Cold qi lodges at the cervical os, blocking it so qi cannot pass. Evil blood should be discharged but is retained, growing daily until it resembles pregnancy, and menstruation is delayed. These diseases occur only in women and can be treated with guiding or purging methods. The Yellow Emperor asked: Can Skin Distension and Drum Distension be treated with acupuncture? Qibo said: First, puncture the collateral vessels of the distended area to bleed, then regulate the meridians and remove the blood from the collaterals. (Note from Shui Zhang Lun: Stone Water presents with swelling below the navel and a deep pulse.)
Edema (Swelling starts in the feet and later involves the abdomen, called Water Disease.)
[Su Wen] The Emperor said: There is a disease that does not arise from the hair pores but from the exhaustion of Yang Qi in the Five Zang Organs, causing fluids to fill the outer boundary. (Wang Bing's commentary: "Not arising from hair pores" means it originates internally. Fluids refer to water. "Fill" means full. "Guo" refers to the skin. Roughly, Yang Qi is exhausted externally, allowing fluids to fill the space under the skin, causing edema.) Yin essence resides alone internally, isolated essence depletes internally, while Qi dissipates externally. The form cannot even maintain its clothing fit. This is characterized by urgency in the four extremities and movement within the interior. Qi is rejected internally, and the form changes externally. How should it be treated? Qibo said: Balance and treat according to weight and measure. Remove accumulated stale matter. Slightly move the four extremities. Keep warm. Apply Miu Ci (twisted needle) therapy at the sites to restore the form. Open the ghost gate (induce sweating). Cleanse the spirit mansion (promote urination). Essence will be taken in time. Once the Five Yang Qi are distributed, dredge and cleanse the Five Zang Organs. Thus, essence generates naturally, the form prospers, bone and flesh protect each other, and Great Qi becomes peaceful. (Commentary from Tang Ye Lao Li Lun: "Open the ghost gate" means induce sweating. "Cleanse the spirit mansion" means promote urination. Wang Bing's commentary: "Balance and treat according to weight and measure" refers to observing whether the pulse is floating or deep. Floating indicates exterior; deep indicates interior. Interior conditions are drained; exterior conditions are sweated out. Hence the text says: Open the ghost gate, cleanse the spirit mansion. "Remove accumulated stale matter" refers to removing long-standing water retention, like weeds that cannot stay in the body. "Slightly move the four extremities" means gently moving the limbs to allow Yang Qi to circulate gradually, hence the advice to keep warm.)
[Zhang Zhongjing] For all water diseases, if swelling is below the waist, promote urination; if swelling is above the waist, induce sweating for cure. For Wind Water, with floating pulse, heavy body, sweating, and aversion to wind, Fangji Huangqi Tang is indicated.
Fangji (1 liang), Huangqi (1 liang 1 fen), Baizhu (3 fen), Gancao (roasted, 0.5 liang).
Cut the herbs. Take 5 qian per dose with 4 slices of fresh ginger and 1 jujube, decocted in 1.5 cups of water until 0.8 cup remains. Strain and take warm. Repeat after some time. Add Shaoyao if abdominal pain occurs. Another method: Jiegu used this decoction mixed with Wuling San to treat edema caused by dampness. (Another formula, Fangji Tang, treats Wind-Dampness with a floating pulse indicating exterior involvement; or if the patient has head sweating but no exterior syndrome, feeling heaviness only below the waist while the upper body is normal, and chronic swelling below the waist with body heaviness and difficulty bending/extending.)
For Pi Shui (Skin Water) disease, with swelling of the four limbs and water qi in the skin causing slight tremors in the limbs, Fangji Fuling Tang is indicated.
Fangji, Huangqi, Guizhi (each 3 liang), Fuling (6 liang), Gancao (2 liang).
Decoct the five ingredients in 6 sheng of water until 2 sheng remains. Divide into three warm doses.
For Jue (cold extremities) complicated by Pi Shui, Puhui San is indicated. (Formula see Lin Zheng section. Above are methods to promote urination.)
For acute Feng Shui (Wind Water) with widespread sores, floating pulse, no thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, and no high fever, Yebing Tang is indicated.
Mahuang (6 liang), Shigao (0.5 liang), Shengjiang (3 liang), Dazao (15 pieces), Gancao (2 liang).
Decoct the five ingredients in 6 sheng of water. First boil Mahuang, skim off the foam, then add other herbs and decoct until 3 sheng remains. Divide into three warm doses. Add Paofu Zi (1 piece) if aversion to wind exists. For Feng Shui, add Baizhu (4 liang). For Li Shui (Interior Water) with yellowish swelling of the face and body, deep pulse, and difficult urination, use Yebing Jia Zhu Tang. Add Baizhu (4 liang) to the previous Yebing Tang. Gancao Mahuang Tang also treats this condition.
Gancao (2 liang), Mahuang (4 liang).
Decoct the two ingredients in 5 sheng of water. First boil Mahuang, skim off the foam, then add Gancao and decoct until 3 sheng remains. Take 1 sheng warm, cover heavily to induce sweating. If no sweat, take again. Avoid wind and cold.
Water disease with a deep, small pulse belongs to Shaoyin; a floating pulse indicates Wind; empty distension without water indicates Qi Water. Sweating may resolve it. For deep pulses, Mahuang Fuzi Tang is suitable; for floating pulses, Xingzi Tang is suitable.
Mahuang (3 liang), Gancao (2 liang), Fuzi (1 piece, roasted).
Decoct the three ingredients in 7 sheng of water. First boil Mahuang, skim off the foam, then add other herbs and decoct until 2.5 sheng remains. Take 0.8 he warm, three times a day. (Above are methods where sweating leads to cure.)
[Zhu Danxi] Edema due to Spleen deficiency failing to control water, with water accumulating and acting recklessly, should be treated by tonifying the Spleen with Renshen and Baizhu. When Spleen Qi is solid, it functions vigorously, regulating ascent and descent and moving the pivot, so water moves naturally, unlike the forced diuresis of Wuling San. The method should tonify the center while resolving dampness and promoting urination. Purging must be avoided. Use Erchen Tang with Baizhu, Renshen, and Cangzhu as the main formula, assisted by Huangqin and Maidong to restrain Liver Wood. If abdominal distension occurs, add Houpo slightly. If Qi stagnates, add Muxiang and Mutong. If Qi sinks, use Shengma and Chaihu to lift it. Adjust according to symptoms, ensuring the center is tonified with large doses of Baizhu. If there is fullness, use Banxia, Chenpi, and Xiangfu to suppress it. If there is heat, clear Lung Metal with Maidong and Huangqin. Official Feng of Chi'an, who always ate until full and suffered diarrhea after eating meat, suddenly developed generalized edema, worse on the head and face, closing his eyes, with chest fullness like pounding, numbness in legs up to the knees, aversion to wind, and penile erection. His left pulse was deep and unresponsive to heavy pressure; the right three positions were short and small but had a harmonious and slippery quality. He was instructed to drink a decoction of Baizhu alone and induce vomiting on an empty stomach in the morning. After meals, he took a decoction of Baizhu (2 qian), Mahuang (5 fen), Chuanxiong (0.5 qian), and Fangfeng (3 fen), followed by 50 pills of Baohe Wan. After two days, vomiting induced sweating, mostly on the upper body, reducing swelling and opening his eyes, smoothing Qi and improving appetite. Then, Mahuang and Fangfeng were removed from the formula, Baizhu increased to 3 qian, and Mutong and Tongcao (0.5 qian each) added, followed by 50 pills of Baohe Wan. After five days, he recovered. (This is the method of "Opening the Ghost Gate".)
Lady Lu, over twenty years old, had night fevers half a month ago, starting with facial swelling, then spreading to the body and feet, with abdominal swelling, thirst for cold water, and reduced appetite.
Dafupi (0.5 qian), Baizhu (1.5 qian), Cangzhu (1.5 qian), Zhizi (4 pieces), Chuanxiong (1 qian), Mahuang (6 fen), Mutong (1 qian), Gegen (2 qian), Gancaoshao (a little).
Scholar Zhu, suffering from dampness due to prolonged sitting and alcohol consumption, experienced lower bleeding. Using astringent herbs stopped the bleeding but caused edema, with abdominal and foot swelling, thirst, epigastric fullness, weakness, scanty sweat, and a choppy, short pulse. This is blood injured by dampness. The treatment should resolve dampness, smooth Qi, clear heat, promote digestion, and resolve accumulation.
Huashi (6 qian), Baizhu (2 qian), Mutong (3 qian), Houpo, Gegen (each 2 qian), Cangzhu (1 qian).
Divide into four doses. Add 7 leaves of Zisu. Decoct each dose to one-third volume. Take hot, followed by 50 pills each of Baohe Wan, Dian Wan, and Wenzhong Wan.
Lady Wang Sanjiu, with edema, chest fullness, loose stools, bitter taste, thirst, red scanty urine, and a deficient, wide, slightly slow pulse, had stagnant pathogens and an impatient nature.
Huashi (1 liang), Chenpi (4 qian), Sugeng, Baizhu, Chuanxiong, Mutong, Houpo (each 2 qian), Fulingpi (1.5 qian), Gancaoshao (0.5 qian).
Divide into six doses. Decoct with flowing water. Take with 25 pills of Baohe Wan and 10 pills of Yiqing Wan.
Lady Wu, with gastric accumulation causing edema and skin sores, fatigue, poor appetite, aversion to cold and fever, and a deficient, deep pulse.
Baizhu (1 liang 6 qian), Huashi (2 liang), Shengdi, Mutong, Chuanxiong (each 0.5 liang), Huangqin, Fulingpi, Lianqiao (each 4 qian), Zisu (3 qian), Gancao (roasted, 2.5 qian).
Take 30 pills of Baohe Wan.
A woman, over thirty, had edema with heat. Medication brought relief, but swelling remained in the lower joints of both feet, and she felt internal heat, though her pulse was normal and diet unchanged.
Baizhu (1 qian), Yuliren (1.5 liang), Sugeng, Mutong, Tiaoqin, Binglang, Zhishi (stir-fried, 0.5 liang), Qingpi (1 liang), Gancaoshao (1 qian).
Divide into ten doses. Grind Yuliren finely. Rinse with three cups of flowing water, decoct to one cup. Take hot before meals.
Mr. Zhang, twenty years old, contracted edema in autumn. Upper body swollen in the morning, lower body in the afternoon. Thirsty, weak, with a choppy, weak pulse, poor appetite, inherent timidity, inability to sweat spontaneously, leading to water retention due to stagnation. Acupoints Sanyanjiao, Feishu, Dazhui, Hegu, and Fen Shui were moxa-ed. Also prescribed this formula.
Baizhu (1.5 qian), Chenpi (5 fen), Huangqin, Zisu, Haijinsha, Mutong, Dafupi, Fulingpi, Gegen (stir-fried), Houpo, Gancao (each 2 qian).
Make one dose, decoct in water, and take.
Person from Guangming, with foot swelling, tight abdomen, slight fever, rapid pulse, and dry mouth.
Baizhu (1 qian), Fuling (5 fen), Gegen (stir-fried, 5 fen), Sugeng (5 qian), Dafupi (3 qian), Gancao (roasted, 1 qian), Chuanxiong (2 qian), Chenpi (5 fen).
Woman of the Xu household, over twenty, with ankle swelling and recent skin toxins.
Baizhu (7 qian), Cangzhu, Chenpi, Xijiao Mo, Chuanxiong (each 5 qian), Lianqiao, Mutong, Zisu Ye (each 3 qian), Gancao (tip, 1 qian).
Divide into seven doses. Decoct, add ginger juice to make spicy and hot. Take before meals.
Official Feng, with internal damp accumulation and seasonal damp-heat, developed a palm-sized ulcer on the right leg along the Shaoyang channel, severe itching. Both hands had surging, slow, slightly rapid pulses. Eyes, hands, and feet were puffy. Epigastric stuffiness in the morning, swelling reaching feet in the afternoon relieving the chest.
Xijiao (raw, 5 fen), Zhike (stir-fried, 5 fen), Chenpi, Lianqiao, Baizhu (each 1 qian), Mutong (5 fen), Cangzhu (5 fen), Gancao (tip, 2 fen), Fuling (5 fen). Decoct with ginger juice.
Guest Feng, with malaria and edema, slight thirst, deficient left pulse, large right pulse, and poor appetite.
Baizhu (1.5 qian), Chenpi (1 qian), Mutong, Houpo (stir-fried), Dafupi (each 5 fen), Gancao (roasted, 2 fen), Niuxi (5 fen), Sugeng (3 fen), Jiang (3 slices).
Confucian Lady Feng, with malaria and edema, and spontaneous loose stools.
Renshen, Banxia, Chenpi (each 1 qian), Chuanxiong, Cangzhu (stir-fried), Baizhi (each 5 fen), Mutong (2 qian), Baizhu (1.5 qian, stir-fried), Gancao (roasted, 3 fen).
Official Wang, forty years old, with malaria every two days. Initially good appetite, but developed edema in spring, constipation of urine and stool, poor appetite, facial edema, and thirst.
Houpo (1 qian), Baizhu (1.5 qian), Mutong (0.75 qian), Chenpi (1 qian), Chuanxiong, Dafupi (each 5 fen), Niuxi, Huashi (each 1 qian, stir-fried), Gancao (roasted, 3 fen).
These are fifteen methods of Danxi for treating edema. Generally, they use Gancao assisting Baizhu, Renshen, Chenpi, etc., tonifying Middle Qi as the sovereign herb; Mutong, Huashi, Yuliren, Haijinsha to move water as the minister herbs; Houpo, Dafupi, Sugeng to unblock stagnant Qi as the assistant and envoy herbs. If Qi does not ascend, with aversion to cold and deep pulse, induce vomiting to lift it; if swelling starts in the head and face, add Mahuang to mildly induce sweating; if complicated by stagnant Qi, assist with Baohe, Wenzhong, Yiqing pills to grind it down; if complicated by heat, assist with Huangqin to clear it; if complicated by sores/abscesses, assist with Lianqiao and Xijiao to disperse it, adjusting according to symptoms.
[Luo Tianyi] Treating edema, prioritize Stomach Qi. In May of the Wuyin year of the Zhiyuan era, continuous rain occurred. Mr. Xu Zhongping of Luzhai, aged fifty-eight, had edema of the face, limbs, frequent loose stools, abdominal distension with borborygmus and pain, and reduced appetite. I treated him. The pulse was wiry, fine, and slow. Mr. Luzhai said: In his youth, he often took Qianniu and Dahuang, causing intermittent edema of the face and limbs. Now, due to rainy weather, it has flared up severely. I said: The circulating Qi originates from the Middle Jiao, which is the Stomach. Weak Stomach Qi cannot distribute the Qi of food and drink to nourish the Zang-Fu organs, meridians, skin, and hair. Thus, Qi flow becomes sluggish, causing edema. Frequent loose stools, abdominal distension, and borborygmus are all due to excess Dampness. The Four Seasons and Five Zang Organs all rely on Stomach Qi. If the Five Zang have Stomach Qi, they are harmonious and the body is safe. If Stomach Qi is weak and cannot move/nourish the Five Zang, their pulses become disharmonious. If the Qi of the affected Zang is excessive, its pulse appears alone. Mild cases result in illness; severe cases lead to death. Thus, the Classics state: A wiry True Zang pulse without Stomach Qi indicates death. Your illness is fortunately not yet severe and can still be regulated and tonified. People know taking Qianniu and Dahuang brings momentary relief but do not realize it causes lifelong harm. I prescribed Pingwei San with Baizhu, Fuling, and Caodoukou Ren. After several doses, abdominal distension, loose stools, borborygmus, and pain resolved. Appetite improved, leaving only limb edema. Daoshi Tongjing Tang was prescribed, leading to a good recovery.
Daoshi Tongjing Tang treats Bi-Dampness excess and Qi stagnation, causing edema of the face, hands, and feet.
Chenpi, Sangbaipi, Baizhu, Muxiang (each 5 qian), Fuling (1 liang, peeled). During rainy seasons, add Ze Xie (1 liang).
Cut into pieces. Take 5 qian per dose, decoct in 2 cups of water until 1 cup remains. Take warm before meals.
Bai Fuling Tang transforms water.
Bai Fuling, Ze Xie (each 2 liang), Yuliren (5 qian).
Cut into pieces. One dose, decoct in 1 bowl of water until half remains. Add fresh ginger juice. Take regularly, anytime. Start with small amounts, increasing over 5-7 days. If abdominal swelling recurs, treat with Baizhu San.
Baizhu, Ze Xie (each 0.5 liang).
Grind into powder. Decoct and take 3 qian, or make into pills. Take 30 pills with Bai Fuling Tang decoction. Maintain health with Huangqi, Shaoyao, Jianzhong Tang, etc. After recovery, avoid sexual intercourse, pork, fish, salt, and wheat products.
[Nan Jing] Dazao Tang treats swelling and fullness of the four limbs.
Use Baizhu (3 liang), cut into pieces. Take 0.5 liang per dose, decoct with 1.5 cups of water and 3 crushed jujubes until 0.9 cup remains. Strain and take warm. Take 3-4 times a day, anytime.
[Mei] Treats edema where oral medication is impossible. Shanglu (1 sheng) and mutton (6 liang) are decocted in 1 dou of water until 6 sheng remains. Strain, mix with meat, green onion, and beans, and eat as soup. White Shanglu is preferred.
[Shi Liao Ben Cao] Doctors treat the ten types of Water Qi disease, near death and unresponsive, using one carp (over 1 jin), boiled to extract juice. Mix with winter melon and green onion white to make soup.
To treat the ten types of Water Qi disease, near death and unresponsive: Use one green-headed duck. Prepare as food, chop finely, cook with rice and five flavors until done to make porridge. Eat on an empty stomach.
[Mei] Treats Water Qi distension and fullness with difficult urination. Use one white duck, clean feathers and entrails. Fill the cavity with 0.5 sheng of glutinous rice, pepper, and ginger. Sew shut. Steam and cook thoroughly.
[Zi He] A child in the Di family of Yingyan camp suffered from Feng Shui. Physicians used silver powder and frost medicines, causing difficult urination, loss of appetite, head and abdominal swelling, and full limbs, resembling crystal. Seeking treatment from Dai Ren (Zi He), he said: This case differs from adults. Adult water disease is often due to retained fluid or sexual excess. This child is only seven, so it is Feng Shui, requiring sweating. A warm room was prepared, screened to block fire, as internal fire meeting external fire causes coma. He drank large amounts of Weifeng Tang and bathed. After bathing, covered with multiple cloth layers. Sweat flowed like water, reducing swelling by 50%. After 1-2 days, repeated the treatment, sweating reduced swelling by 70%. After three sweating sessions, swelling completely subsided, although...