(即越婢汤加白术四两。方见下。) 治里水一身面目黄肿。其脉沉。小便不利。
病水。假令小便自利。此亡津液。故令渴。此汤主之。
歌曰 里水脉沉面目黄。水风相搏湿为殃。专需越婢平风水。四两术司去湿良。
男元犀按。水被热蓄。气为湿滞。致外不得通阳而作汗。内不能运气而利水。故令病水。
云
湿气。利其小便。此分消表里法也。或云。越婢散肌表之水。加白术止渴生津也。按。岂有
小便自利亡津液而作渴者仍用此汤。罔顾虑其重伤津液乎。
(见湿病。) 治风水脉浮身重。汗出恶风者。此汤主之。
男元犀按。恶风者风伤肌腠也。身重者湿伤经络也。脉浮者病在表也。何以不用桂枝、
麻黄
故用黄
而不守
治风水恶风。一身悉肿。脉浮不渴。续自汗出。无大热。此汤主之。
麻黄(六两。) 石膏(半斤。) 生姜(三两。) 甘草(二两。) 大枣(十二枚。)
上五味。以水六升。先煮麻黄。去上沫。内诸药。煮取三升。分温三服。恶风。加附子
一枚
歌曰 一身悉肿属风多。水为风翻涌巨波。二草三姜十二枣。石膏八两六麻和。
男元犀按。恶风者。风也。一身悉肿者。水也。脉浮者。风发也。风为阳邪。风动则水
火战
已酝
属猛
之水。一物而两握其要也。又以枣、草安中养正。不虑其过散伤液。所以图万全也。
(This is Yuebi Decoction (Yuebi Tang) with four liang of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, 白术). The formula details are seen below.) It treats Li Shui (Interior Water Retention), manifesting as yellowish edema of the whole body and face, a deep pulse, and dysuria.
In cases of water qi disease, if urination occurs spontaneously, this indicates the depletion of body fluids, leading to thirst; this decoction is indicated for such conditions.
The verse states: In interior water retention, the pulse is deep, and the face and eyes appear yellow and swollen; when water and wind contend, dampness brings disaster. One specifically needs Yuebi Decoction to calm wind and water, while four liang of Baizhu excels at removing dampness.
Chen Yuanxi's commentary: When water and heat accumulate together, Qi stagnates due to dampness. This prevents Yang Qi from reaching the exterior to induce sweating and hinders the transformation of fluids in the interior to promote urination, thus resulting in water qi disease.
Some argue that for dampness, one should promote urination, which is a method of dispersing pathogenic factors from both the exterior and interior. Others suggest that Yuebi Powder removes water from the muscle layer, and adding Baizhu stops thirst and generates fluids. I argue: How can one use this decoction for patients who have spontaneous urination, depleted fluids, and thirst, without worrying about further damaging their body fluids?
(See the chapter on Dampness diseases.) It treats Feng Shui (Wind-Water Edema) characterized by a floating pulse, heavy sensation in the body, sweating, and aversion to wind; this decoction is indicated.
Chen Yuanxi's commentary: Aversion to wind indicates that wind has injured the muscle clefts (Ji Cou); a heavy sensation in the body indicates that dampness has injured the meridians; a floating pulse indicates that the disease is at the exterior level. Why not use Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) or Mahuang (Ephedra)? Hence, Huangqi (Astragalus Root) is used instead of adhering strictly to conventional methods.
It treats Feng Shui characterized by aversion to wind, generalized edema throughout the body, a floating pulse without thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, and absence of high fever; this decoction is indicated.
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 麻黄) - six liang; Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 石膏) - half jin; Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 生姜) - three liang; Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 甘草) - two liang; Dazao (Jujubae Fructus, 大枣) - twelve pieces.
Take the above five herbs, add six sheng of water, first boil Mahuang, remove the foam on the surface, then add the remaining herbs, and boil until three sheng remain. Divide into three warm doses. If there is aversion to wind, add one piece of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 附子).
The verse states: Generalized edema often belongs to wind; water surges like giant waves stirred by wind. Two parts Gancao, three parts Shengjiang, twelve Dazao, combined with eight liang of Shigao and six liang of Mahuang harmonize the formula.
Chen Yuanxi's commentary: Aversion to wind is caused by wind; generalized edema is caused by water; a floating pulse indicates the manifestation of wind. Wind is a yang pathogen; when wind moves, water and fire clash. The medication here brews into a potent force, grasping two key aspects with one approach. Furthermore, Dazao and Gancao stabilize the Middle Jiao and nourish righteous Qi, ensuring that the excessive dispersion does not damage body fluids, thereby seeking a comprehensive and safe solution.