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Preface: Diarrhea (Xie Xie) seems easy to identify; however, when encountering complex and deeply rooted cases, even skilled physicians may find it difficult. The reason for this is that the Spleen is the mother of all things (the foundation of acquired constitution), and diarrhea can damage the body's fundamental Qi. Herein, fifteen famous prescriptions are examined; users should apply them with flexibility.

Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, stir-baked with soil) Bai Fu Ling (Poria, peeled, each 7 qian 5 fen)
For cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency where the ability to transform and transport water and grain is impaired, leading to excessive dampness causing diarrhea, this prescription is indicated.
The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth. When Earth Qi is deficient, it cannot distribute fluids properly, causing food and drink to remain in the Stomach and generate dampness. The Classics state: "Excessive dampness leads to soft stool/diarrhea." Thus, we know that watery diarrhea originates from dampness. Bai Zhu is sweet, warm, and drying; its sweetness enters the Spleen, and its dryness overcomes dampness. Fu Ling is sweet, warm, and light/insipid; its warmth benefits the Spleen, and its insipid nature promotes diuresis to drain dampness. When Earth Qi is robust and dampness declines, diarrhea ceases. Dai Shi stated: Watery diarrhea without abdominal pain indicates dampness, while pain indicates food retention. He Jian (Liu Wansu) stated: Diarrhea with discolored food and water indicates heat; if food and water remain unchanged in color but are clear and cold, it indicates cold. These are both profound insights. If the anus is dry and astringent, and urination is yellow and red, then even if the food and water do not change color, it is still considered heat. This is due to the rapid nature of fire; food is expelled immediately after ingestion without time for transformation, as Zhang Zhongjing described as "pathogenic heat failing to digest grains" (Xie Re Bu Sha Gu). Therefore, precise observation during clinical practice is required to add appropriate herbs.

Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) Fu Ling (Poria) Zhu Ling (Polyporus) Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma) Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus)
This prescription also treats diarrhea caused by excessive dampness.
Cang Zhu, Hou Po, Chen Pi, and Gan Gan constitute Ping Wei San (Stomach-Peeling Powder), which dries dampness; Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Zhu Ling, Ze Xie, and Gui Zhi constitute Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), which promotes urination to drain dampness. For those with strong Spleen and Stomach function, this prescription is suitable; for those with weak constitutions, the preceding prescription is more appropriate. The detailed examination of Bai Zhu Fu Ling Tang and Ping Wei San can be found in the "Dampness Chapter," and that of Wu Ling San in the "Cold Damage Chapter."

Ding Xiang (Syzygii Fructus, baked in flour) Mu Xiang (Vladimiriae Radix) Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride, stir-fried) Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) Ke Zi (Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus, wrapped in flour and lightly baked)
For stomach cold with diarrhea and a slow pulse, this prescription is indicated.
When the Intestines and Stomach have heat, stools become dry and constipated; when they have cold, severe watery diarrhea occurs uncontrollably. Generally, a slow pulse verifies the presence of cold. In this formula, the pungent and hot nature of the two aromatics (Mu Xiang and Ding Xiang) warms the Middle Jiao; the pungent and dispersing nature of the two barks (Qing Pi and Chen Pi) unblocks the Spleen mechanism; and the astringent nature of Ke Zi stops diarrhea.