猪苓十八铢(去皮) 茯苓十八铢 泽泻一两六铢 白术十八铢 桂五钱(去皮)
上五味,为末〔法〕,以白饮和服方寸匕〔法〕,日三服〔法〕。多服暖水〔法〕,汗出愈
苓,臣药也。二苓相辅,则五者之中,可为君药矣,故曰五苓。猪苓、泽泻相须,藉泽泻之
咸以润下,茯苓、白术相须,藉白术之燥以升精。脾精升则湿热散,而小便利,即东垣欲降
先升之理也。然欲小便利者,又难越膀胱一腑,故以肉桂热因热用,内通阳道,使太阳里水
引而竭之,当知是汤专治留着之水,渗于肌肉而为肿满。若水肿与足太阴无涉者,又
之方。
猪苓一两(去皮) 茯苓一两 阿胶一两 滑石一两 泽泻一两
上五味,以水四升,先煮四味,取二升,去滓〔法〕,纳下阿胶烊消〔法〕,温服七合〔法
〕,日三服〔法〕。
五者皆利水药,标其性之最利者名之,故曰猪苓汤,与五苓之用,其义天渊。五苓散治
太阳
是
取阿胶即从利水中育阴,是滋养无形以行有形也,故仲景云∶汗多胃燥,虽渴而里无热者,
不可与也。
芫花(熬) 甘遂 大戟各等分 大枣十枚(擘)
上三味,等分,各别捣为散〔法〕,以水一升半,先煮大枣肥者十枚,取八合,去滓〔法〕
,纳药末,强人服一钱匕,羸人服半钱〔法〕,温服之〔法〕,平旦服〔法〕。若下少病不
除者,明日更服加半钱〔法〕,得快下利后,糜粥自养〔法〕。
攻饮汤剂,每以大枣缓甘遂、大戟之性者,欲其循行经隧,不欲其竟走肠胃也,故不名
其方
佐
Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 18 zhu (peeled), Fu Ling (Poria) 18 zhu, Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) 1 liang 6 zhu, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 18 zhu, Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 5 qian (peeled).
The above five herbs are ground into powder [method]. Mix with rice water and take one fang cun bi [method], three times a day [method]. Drink plenty of warm water after taking the medicine [method]; recovery occurs when sweating.
Fu Ling acts as the Deputy Minister herb. With Zhu Ling assisting it, among the five ingredients, they can be regarded as the Sovereign herb, hence the name Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Zhu Ling and Ze Xie act synergistically; relying on the salty nature of Ze Xie to moisten and direct downwards. Fu Ling and Bai Zhu act synergistically; relying on the drying nature of Bai Zhu to ascend the essence. When the Spleen's essence ascends, damp-heat dissipates, and urination becomes smooth, which is the principle of "ascending first to descend later" advocated by Li Dongyuan. However, to facilitate urination, one cannot bypass the Bladder organ. Therefore, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) is used in the manner of "treating heat with heat," internally unblocking Yang channels, guiding the water retention from the interior of the Taiyang channel to be exhausted. It should be known that this decoction specifically treats retained water dampness infiltrating the muscles, causing swelling and fullness. If edema is unrelated to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen channel, it falls outside the scope of this formula.
Zhu Ling 1 liang (peeled), Fu Ling 1 liang, E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) 1 liang, Hua Shi (Talcum) 1 liang, Ze Xie 1 liang.
The above five herbs are boiled in four sheng of water. First, boil the first four herbs until two sheng remain, strain off the dregs [method]. Add E Jiao and melt it [method]. Take seven he of the warm liquid [method], three times a day [method].
All five herbs are diuretics; the formula is named Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) based on the herb with the most potent diuretic property. Its application differs vastly from Wu Ling San. Wu Ling San treats Taiyang channel disorders... [text implies contrast in mechanism]. The use of E Jiao aims to nourish Yin while promoting diuresis, embodying the principle of "nourishing the formless (Qi/Yin) to move the formed (Water/Dampness)." Thus, Zhang Zhongjing stated: "If there is excessive sweating leading to Stomach dryness, and although there is thirst, there is no internal heat, this formula should not be used."
Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flos, processed), Gan Sui (Kansui Root), Da Ji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) in equal parts, Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) ten pieces (split open).
The above three herbs are divided equally and each crushed separately into powder [method]. Boil ten large Da Zao pieces in one and a half sheng of water until eight he remains, strain off the dregs [method]. Add the herbal powder. Strong individuals take one qian bi; frail individuals take half a qian [method]. Take warm [method] on an empty stomach at dawn [method]. If bowel movement is scant and the disease persists, administer another dose the next day, increasing by half a qian [method]. After achieving rapid purgation, nourish oneself with millet porridge [method].
In formulas for attacking fluid retention, Da Zao is often used to moderate the harsh nature of Gan Sui and Da Ji, intending for the medicinal force to circulate through the meridians and collaterals rather than directly assaulting the intestines and stomach. Hence, it is not merely named as a purgative formula, but serves as an assistant... [text incomplete].