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Treats heaviness of the body, reluctance to eat, edema of the limbs, absence of thirst in the mouth, and loose stools and urine.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Faxe) Fu Ling (Poria) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Melle) Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex Praeparata cum Zingibere) Da Fu Zi (Arecae Semen) Cao Guo Ren (Tsaoko Fructus Semen) Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). Decoct with Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) for oral administration. For Qi deficiency, add Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma).
[Note] When Pi Wei Xu (Spleen-Stomach Deficiency) exists, the Earth element cannot control Water, causing Water to wander recklessly on the muscle surface, resulting in heaviness of the body and edema. Bai Zhu, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, and Da Zao are used to solidify the deficiency of Spleen and Stomach. When Pi Wei Han (Spleen-Stomach Cold) exists, the Middle Jiao Cold cannot transform Water, causing Water to stagnate in the intestines and stomach, resulting in reluctance to eat, absence of thirst, and loose stools and urine. Gan Jiang, Fu Zi, and Cao Guo are used to warm the cold of Spleen and Stomach. Furthermore, Da Fu, Fu Ling, Hou Po, Mu Xiang, and Mu Gua are assisted to guide Water flow and regulate Qi. Qi is the mother of Water; Earth is the dam of Water. When Qi moves, Water moves; when Earth is solid, Water is controlled. Hence it is named Shi Pi Yin (Solidify the Spleen Decoction). However, this formula has sufficient power to guide Water flow and regulate Qi, which is indeed suitable for Yin Water syndromes where Cold predominates and Qi is not deficient. If there is scanty Qi and a faint voice, Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) plus Fu Zi should be used, with double the amount of Fu Ling as the sovereign drug, to warm and tonify Yuan Qi to move Water, which is the most appropriate method.
[Commentary] Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Licorice Decoction), Shi Pi Yin, and Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) all treat syndromes of Water-Qi caused by Yang Xu (Yang Deficiency). Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang treats Shang Jiao (Upper Jiao) Yang Xu where transport and distribution fail, causing Water to remain above, leading to fullness and rebellion under the heart, and Qi rushing up to the chest. Therefore, drugs such as Fu Ling, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Bai Zhu, and Gan Cao are used to support Yang, unblock Qi, and open the Water pathways. Shi Pi Yin treats Zhong Jiao (Middle Jiao) Yang Xu where steaming and transformation fail, causing Water to soak in the middle, overflowing outward to cause edema, while urination and defecation are free. Therefore, agents such as Gan Jiang, Fu Zi, Fu Ling, and Bai Zhu are used to cultivate Earth, warm the Middle, and overcome Cold-Dampness. Shen Qi Wan treats Xia Jiao (Lower Jiao) Yang Xu where Water movement fails, causing difficult urination, edema of the limbs, panting and urgency, abdominal distension. Therefore, items such as Gui Zhi, Fu Zi, Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), and Fu Ling are used to warm and tonify to move Water.