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There are two types of swelling disorders.
The first is Qi swelling (Qi edema). Swelling appears first, followed by panting. This is caused by the deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach. The Spleen governs muscles, and the Lung governs skin. When Earth (Spleen) is weak and fails to generate Metal (Lung), deficient Qi attacks upward towards the Lung, circulating in the face and eyes, resulting in generalized edema throughout the body. Treatment should primarily focus on regulating the Spleen and promoting Qi circulation. Use Wuzi Wupi Tang (Five Seeds and Five Peels Decoction), with equal parts of ingredients decocted and taken orally. For mild cases, six doses are sufficient; for severe cases, ten doses. There will be no failure in recovery.
The second is Water swelling (Water edema). Panting appears first, followed by swelling. This is due to irritability and thirst in the Upper Jiao, with a preference for drinking tea and water. Spleen deficiency fails to control water, leading to Water insulting Earth (Spleen), attacking upward towards the Lung, and flowing into the skin, causing shiny edema. Treatment should primarily focus on strengthening the Spleen and promoting diuresis. Use Weiling Tang (Stomach-Calm Decoction). Additionally, for various post-dysentery or post-malaria conditions where Spleen deficiency causes swelling, treatment should primarily focus on regulating the Spleen and Stomach. Use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) or Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). One must absolutely avoid using purgative or draining herbs. If such herbs are used, survival is impossible. Only if swelling suddenly occurs without prior history of malaria or dysentery should it be treated according to the categories of Water Qi and Qi swelling. These formulas are also commonly used by physicians in internal medicine (Da Fangmai), with universal efficacy. If the entire body does not swell, but only the abdomen is swollen, sounding like a drum when tapped yet soft upon pressure, this indicates Spleen deficiency. It is appropriate to use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Houpo (Magnolia Bark). If the abdominal swelling sounds dull when tapped and feels hard as stone upon pressure, this is Dan Zhang Fu (Single Abdominal Distension), which is an incurable condition.

San Xiao (Three Consumptions) disorders are rarely excess-heat patterns but mostly deficiency-heat patterns, belonging to deficiency syndromes. Treating them as excess syndromes would be a mistake. Initially, there may be Xin Fei Xiao Ke (Heart-Lung Thirst), Pi Wei Xiao Zhong (Spleen-Stomach Consumption), or Shen Shui Xiao Zhuo (Kidney Water Turbidity). After prolonged transmission, the Intestines and Stomach become involved in consumption, leading to dryness of the Five Zang organs, mental fatigue, and emaciation of the four limbs.
Xiao Ke (Thirst Consumption): Heart Fire moves and consumes the upper burner. The pathology involves the Heart, transferring heat to the Lung. The patient suffers from thirst and drinks tea/water, yet remains thirsty after drinking. This is named Shang Xiao (Upper Consumption). Treatment should primarily use Lianhua Yin (Lotus Flower Decoction), followed by Shengjin Siwu Tang (Fluid-Generating Four Substances Decoction). Ingredients include Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) 8 fen, Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) 1 qian, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shudihuang) washed in wine 1 qian, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) 1 qian, Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao) wrapped in wet paper and roasted 1 qian, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) dehearted 1 qian, Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) 8 fen, Mume Fructus (Wumei) pulp 5 fen, Trichosanthis Radix (Tianguafen) 7 fen, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe), Nelumbinis Semen (Shilianrou), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai) honey-fried, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparata (Gancao) each 5 fen.
Xiao Ji (Muscle Consumption): Spleen Fire moves and consumes the middle burner. The pathology involves the Spleen, transferring heat to the Stomach. The patient desires excessive food intake, eating without satiety, and has yellow urine. This is named Zhong Xiao (Middle Consumption). It is appropriate to use Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), doubling the dose of Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), and adding Coicis Semen (Jingmi/Rice). Subsequently, it is appropriate to generate fluids and nourish the Spleen.
Xiao Zhuo (Turbid Consumption): Fire moves and consumes the Kidney, transferring heat to the Bladder. Urine is turbid, resembling grease or paste. This is named Xia Xiao (Lower Consumption). It is appropriate to use Nelumbinis Semen (Lianzi), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Euryales Semen (Qianshi), and Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), taken with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction).
For all Xiao disorders, one must prioritize nourishing the Spleen and generating Lung fluids, descending Fire, and nourishing Yin. The disease will naturally resolve.
To treat San Xiao comprehensively, the primary method is generating blood. Use Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Tianguafen (Trichosanthis Radix) ground into powder. Mix with Lotus Root Juice (Ou Zhi), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata Juice (Shengdi Zhi), Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma Juice (Shengjiang Zhi), Human Milk (Renru), and Honey. Combine these juices with the powders to form pills. Each pill should be the size of a finger joint, taken orally with warm water.