Library

Translation of the main indications: It governs stiffness and tension in the neck and back. As a secondary indication, it treats wheezing accompanied by sweating.

Textual Verification (Kao Zheng)
The syndrome of Gegen Lianlian Huangqin Tang (Coptis and Scutellaria Decoction with Kudzu Root) is characterized by: wheezing accompanied by sweating. (See Mutual Examination below).
In the above-mentioned one formula, the dosage of Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) is half a jin (approx. 250g or 500g depending on historical standard, kept as 'half a jin').
The syndrome of Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) is characterized by: stiffness and tension in the neck and back.
The syndrome of Gegen Jia Banxia Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction with Pinellia) is not fully specified. (See Mutual Examination below).
The syndrome of Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Kudzu Root) is characterized by: stiffness and tension in the neck and back.
In the above three formulas, the dosage of Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) is four liang (approx. 60g or 120g depending on historical standard, kept as 'four liang') in each.
Yoshimasu Todo stated: Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) primarily governs stiffness and tension in the neck and back. Both Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) and Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Kudzu Root) serve as sufficient evidence for this.

Mutual Examination (Hu Kao)
In Gegen Lianlian Huangqin Tang (Coptis and Scutellaria Decoction with Kudzu Root), the dosage of Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) is the highest, yet there is no symptom of stiffness and tension in the neck and back; this is likely due to missing text in the original source. When applied to patients with diarrhea, wheezing, and sweating, [it is effective].
Regarding the clause for Gegen Jia Banxia Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction with Pinellia): "Taiyang and Yangming combined disease" is a phrase requiring medical judgment, so it is not adopted here. If the Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) syndrome presents with vomiting, this formula is indicated.

Product Examination (Pin Kao)
Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix): There are no different species between China and Japan. The "raw dried" Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) sold in herbal shops is of good quality. It should be sliced before use.

It governs water retention (Shui Yin).

Textual Verification (Kao Zheng)
The syndrome of Mufangji Tang (Stephania Tetrandra Decoction) is characterized by: Zhi Yin (fluid retention in the chest and diaphragm).
The syndrome of Fangji Fuling Tang (Stephania Tetrandra and Poria Decoction) is characterized by: edema of the four limbs.
The syndrome of Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania Tetrandra and Astragalus Decoction) is characterized by: heaviness of the body. It also states: edema extending to the genital area.
In the above three formulas, the dosage of Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) is four liang (approx. 60g or 120g depending on historical standard, kept as 'four liang') in each.
The syndrome of Jingjiao Li Huang Wan (Alisma, Cistanche, and Catharanthus Pill) is characterized by: water qi in the intestines.
In the above-mentioned one formula, the dosage of Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) is one liang (approx. 15g or 30g depending on historical standard, kept as 'one liang').
Having observed these various formulas, their function in treating water retention is clear; they have not been seen used for other syndromes.

Mutual Examination (Hu Kao)
In Mufangji Tang (Stephania Tetrandra Decoction), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) is the sovereign herb, thus it treats epigastric fullness and hardness with fluid retention. In Fangji Fuling Tang (Stephania Tetrandra and Poria Decoction), Fu Ling (Poria) is the sovereign herb, thus it treats slight tremors in the four limbs with edema. In Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania Tetrandra and Astragalus Decoction), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) is the sovereign herb, thus it treats heaviness of the body, sweating, and edema. Zhang Zhongjing used Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), but it was never used as the sovereign herb; however, its efficacy in treating water retention is unequivocally clear.

Product Examination (Pin Kao)
Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) has two types: Han Fang Ji (Chinese Stephania) and Mu Fang Ji (Woody Stephania). My family uses what is called Han Fang Ji (Chinese Stephania). Yoshimasu Todo commented: Woody Stephania originating from Hanzhong is called Han Fang Ji (Chinese Stephania), just as Atractylodes Macrocephala is called Han Zhu (Chinese Atractylodes) and Schisandra Chinensis is called Liao Wuweizi (Liaoning Schisandra). Later generations erroneously divided them into two, calling the stem "Mu Fang Ji" (Woody Stephania). I tested the so-called Mu Fang Ji (Woody Stephania) and found it completely ineffective. However, the so-called Han Fang Ji (Chinese Stephania) can treat water retention, so I firmly decided to use it. Tao Hongjing said: Those that are large, bluish-white, and spongy/soft are good; those with black spots and woody/hard texture are poor. Li Dangzhi said: Its stems creep like Kudzu; its root is white outside and yellow inside, resembling Platycodon Grandiflorus, with black veins inside resembling the spokes of a wheel; such roots are of good quality. Su Song said: Those from Hanzhong, when broken, show patterns resembling wheel spokes, are yellow and fragrant, have tender stems, and small leaves resembling Ipomoea Batatas. If you break the stem and blow into one end, air passes through as if it were Thunbergia Laurifolia. Those from other places are bluish-white, spongy/soft, have a fishy odor, wrinkled skin, and bumps named "Ding Zu Zi," called Mu Fang Ji (Woody Stephania). Su Gong said: Mu Fang Ji (Woody Stephania) should not be used.