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Nature: Cold, penetrating. Action: Drains water-dampness from the meridians and collaterals (tunnel-like passages).
Bitter and cold. Capable of draining water-dampness from the Kidney meridian and the body's tunnels (referring to fine channels between meridians and organs). Its medicinal force reaches directly to the sites where water-qi is knotted, utilizing attack and resolution as its function. It is the supreme medicine for promoting urination and removing water. It primarily treats twelve types of edema. Abdominal distension and fullness. (Known as "Shui Gu" [Water Distortion]. Jiayan stated: The Stomach is the sea of water and grain, the source of the five zang and six fu organs. If the Spleen cannot distribute the refined essence of water from the Stomach to the Lung, pathology arises in the middle; if the Lung cannot unblock the water pathways from the Stomach to the Bladder, pathology arises in the upper; if the Kidney fails to govern the opening and closing and transport/excretion of water from the Stomach, pathology arises in the lower. This leads to accumulating water flooding without cessation. Haogou stated: Water is governed by the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians, involving parts of the five zang, six fu, and twelve meridians, extending to the head and face above, limbs in the middle, waist and legs below, skin externally, muscles internally, and bones/tendons deeply. Pulse diagnoses vary by cun/cunchi positions and floating/sinking qualities; one should not lightly use purgative drugs. One must know which meridian and zang-fu are affected before using them. Regarding edema, some cases arise from phlegm encasement, food stagnation, or blood stasis causing clear yang to fail to ascend and turbid yin to fail to descend; some arise from mutual generation of damp-heat blocking the tunnels; some arise from dry-heat impact causing constipation and blockage. These syndromes belong to excess/fulfillment. Other cases arise from taking cold-cooling medicines damaging digestion, leading to deficiency of middle qi; or from post-major illness exhaustion of righteous qi; or from inability to urinate with water fluids flowing recklessly due to Spleen failure to control. These syndromes belong to deficiency/inadequacy. Treatments should be differentiated. However, the root cause often stems from insufficiency of middle qi. Danxi stated: Treating water diseases should prioritize strengthening the Spleen, using Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) as the sovereign drug, modified according to accompanying syndromes. If only diuretics are used, it often leads to fatal outcomes.)
Hernia, mass accumulation. Epigastric fullness, heat, retained food. Phlegm confusing the mind causing epilepsy. Extremely effective at removing water, but rapidly damages true qi. For severe excess and massive water retention, it may be used temporarily. Otherwise, it is contraindicated. Skin is reddish, flesh is black, roots resemble a string of pearls.
Those that are heavy and solid are superior. Wrap in flour and roast until cooked. (Alternatively, soak in juice of Gancao [Licorice] and Qimai [Shepherd's Purse] for three days, until the liquid turns black like ink, then wash until clear, and wrap in flour to roast.) Gudi (Melon Tip) serves as the assistant. Opposed to Yuanzhi (Polygala Root). Incompatible with Gancao (Licorice). (Zhang Zhongjing used it together with Gancao to treat retained fluid under the heart, leveraging their incompatibility to achieve therapeutic effect. There are cases treating edema and swelling/toxins where Gan Su powder is applied topically to the swollen area while strong decoction of Gancao is taken orally, resulting in immediate reduction of swelling. Although these two herbs are incompatible, their interaction is so miraculous.)