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Treats *Li Shui* (Interior Water Retention) characterized by a deep pulse, yellowish edema of the face and eyes, and difficult urination.
Gancao (Licorice Root, two liang, honey-fried), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, four liang). Add five sheng of water. First boil Mahuang, remove the foam on the surface, then add Gancao. Boil until three sheng remain. Take one sheng warm.

Treats *Li Shui* with a deep and thin pulse, which belongs to *Shao Yin* (Lesser-Yin) syndrome.
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, three liang, nodes removed), Gancao (Licorice Root, two liang, honey-fried), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, one piece, processed). Add seven sheng of water. First boil Mahuang for one or two boils, remove the foam on the surface, then add all other herbs. Boil until three sheng remain, strain, and take one sheng warm. Administer three times daily.

Gancao Mahuang Tang (Licorice and Ephedra Decoction) treats *Li Shui*; allowing water to resolve through sweating makes this formula excellent. (*Jingui Yaolue · Water Qi Disease Chapter* states: "Water disease is cured by inducing sweating.") A deep and thin pulse indicates *Shao Yin* syndrome; warming and consolidating requires the addition of Fuzi. (This formula is named Mahuang Fuzi Tang.) Mahuang combined with Gancao moderates the middle jiao, ensuring that sweating does not damage yin fluids, which holds profound significance. (Wang Jinsan in *Gu Fang Xuan Zhu* stated: "Gancao moderates Mahuang in the middle jiao, utilizing the essence and fluids from food and drink to transform into sweat, thereby internally protecting yin fluids while dispersing pathogenic factors from the exterior." This deeply grasps the underlying principle.) The manifestations of water diseases are numerous and varied; the interior and exterior, yin and yang are not uniform. Edema above the waist should be treated by inducing sweating; edema below the waist should be treated by promoting diuresis. Simple abdominal distension is the most difficult to treat; if green veins protrude, there is no hope for survival. (Xu Gao's note: The former formula uses Gancao to internally assist the qi of Earth (Spleen); the latter formula uses prepared Fuzi to warm and consolidate Kidney essence while externally dispersing water qi. Both formulas use Mahuang as the sovereign herb. Because Mahuang has a light and clear aroma and penetrates everywhere, it can emerge from the skin pores and also penetrate deeply into accumulated phlegm and coagulated blood. Wherever other medicinal powers cannot reach, only Mahuang can arrive. Therefore, it is not only applicable to wind-water at the exterior but also to water retention in the interior and the Kidneys. *Jingui Yaolue · Water Qi Disease Chapter* states: "Water disease is cured by inducing sweating." However, methods of inducing sweating vary in depth and superficiality, which can be described as concise and comprehensive. Yet it also states: "For all water patients, if edema is below the waist, promote urination; if edema is above the waist, induce sweating for recovery." This shows that the method of promoting urination for water disease is originally indispensable. It is only when the upper half of the body represents Yang, or when the whole body is swollen indicating an exterior pattern, that inducing sweating is appropriate. If there is simple abdominal distension with protruding green veins, this is a sign of failing Earth (Spleen) and attacking Wood (Liver), which is difficult to treat.)