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(Yan Shi)
Treats limb edema (swelling), sallow complexion, shortness of voice, absence of thirst in the mouth, and free passage of urine and stool. This is due to Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold, where Earth fails to control Water, causing Water to act recklessly and resulting in edema.
Bai Zhu (Stir-fried with soil) Fu Ling Gan Cao (Honey-fried) Hou Po (Ginger-fried) Da Fu Pi Cao Dou Kou Mu Xiang Mu Gua Fu Zi
This acts on the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian. Because of Spleen deficiency, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Gan Cao are used to tonify; because of Spleen cold, Sheng Jiang, Fu Zi, and Cao Dou Kou are used to warm; because of Spleen dampness, Da Fu Pi etc. are used to promote urination and leach out dampness. Thus, Liver Wood does not overact on Spleen Earth, allowing the Liver to harmonize, so that Spleen Earth can control Water and the Spleen Qi becomes solid. The Classic says: When dampness prevails, the earth becomes muddy; draining water is precisely the method to solidify Earth. (Zhu Danxi said: To treat edema, it is appropriate to clear Heart Fire and tonify Spleen Earth. When Fire retreats, Lung Qi descends and the water passages become unobstructed; when Spleen is robust, transformation and transportation function properly, separating clear from turbid. The clear part returns to become Qi, Blood, Jin Ye (Body Fluids); the turbid part becomes sweat and urine, being dispersed and eliminated. He also said: For water diseases, one should primarily tonify the Spleen. If the Spleen is solid and Qi moves, Water will flow naturally. It is suitable to use Ren Shen and Fu Ling as the sovereign herbs, modifying according to accompanying syndromes. If only diuretic herbs are used, it often leads to untreatable conditions. Yu Jiayan said: Treating water qi prioritizes solidifying the Spleen, not only for Yin Water. However, Yin Water refers to the decline of True Yang in the Shaoyin Kidney, which cannot seal and contain, leading to unrestrained flooding. In this formula, Gui Zhi is not used but Hou Po and Mu Xiang are, which is still open to discussion. Note: There are three methods for treating water qi; solidifying Earth is maintaining stability; draining water is attacking pathogenic factors; combining with sweating...)

(Dan Liao Fang)
Treats water disease with swelling and fullness, upper body asthma and rapid breathing, or swelling below the waist (Spleen deficiency fails to control Water, leading to abnormal transmission and transformation, Kidney Water floods, and conversely soaks Spleen Earth).
Wu Jia Pi Di Gu Pi Fu Ling Pi Da Fu Pi Sheng Jiang Pi. One prescription replaces Wu Jia Pi with Chen Pi. Luo Shi: Replaces Wu Jia Pi with Sang Bai Pi, treating post-illness Spleen-Lung Qi deficiency leading to swelling and fullness.
This acts on the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian. Wu Jia Pi dispels wind and overcomes dampness; Di Gu Pi clears heat and tonifies deficiency; Sheng Jiang is pungent and dispersing, assisting Yang. Water is a Yin pathogen; Da Fu Pi directs Qi downward and moves Water; Fu Ling leaches out dampness and strengthens the Spleen. Within the dispersing and draining actions, there is still an intention of regulation and tonification. All parts used are peels because Water overflows into the skin, so peel treats peel.
Mai Men Dong Tang
Treats water overflowing from the high source, with whole-body edema. The Classic says: The San Jiao (Triple Burner) is the official of irrigation, through which water passages emerge. If the Upper Jiao is not regulated, water overflows from the high source; if the Middle Jiao is not regulated, water stagnates in the Zhong Wan region; if the Lower Jiao is not regulated, water accumulates in the Bladder. The Classic says: Symptoms of San Jiao disease include abdominal fullness, especially hardness in the lower abdomen, inability to urinate, distress and urgency; overflow causes water retention leading to distension. The Lower Jiao Shaoyang meridian Qi corresponds to the transformation of Ministerial Fire. Ministerial Fire has its meridian but no zang-fu organ, roaming among the five zang organs, hence Shaoyang is called the wandering department. Its meridian ascends to distribute at Dan Zhong, connects with the Pericardium, descends to exit at Wei Yang, and connects with the Bladder. Is this not assisting Heaven above and Earth below, exterior-interior related to the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium, to conduct Qi through all meridians? Therefore, when the Kidney meridian is affected by pathogens, the Fire Qi in the Lower Jiao becomes stagnant. Stagnation prevents Jing (Essence/Water) from distributing to four directions, leading to water accumulation. Long-standing Fire stagnation must erupt, rising counterflow together with the Fire-associated branches of the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). The Chong Mai is the Sea of the Twelve Meridians; its ascending branch emerges at Hang Sang, seeps into all Yang meridians, and irrigates essences; its descending branch merges with Shaoyang, goes down to the feet, seeps into all Yin meridians, and irrigates collaterals. Thus, water overflows from fire, accumulating upward in the Lung causing panting, coughing, and inability to lie flat; scattering into Yin collaterals causing edema; entering and gathering wherever the Five Zang are deficient, becoming distension of the Five Zang. All are diseases caused by Ministerial Fire flooding Water. Without Ministerial Fire, Water would not overflow and stop, becoming accumulated water. Ang notes: The Classic says: All abdominal distensions and enlargements belong to Heat. Various diseases...