Translation:
It primarily treats difficulty in urination accompanied by dizziness and vertigo. It secondarily treats thirst.

Evidence
The syndrome of Zexie Tang (Alisma Decoction) is described as: "Fluid retention under the heart, causing severe dizziness and vertigo."
The syndrome of Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is described as: "Difficulty in urination, slight fever, and excessive thirst."
In the above two formulas, Alisma Rhizome (Zexie) serves as the Jun herb (chief ingredient). In Zexie Tang, the dosage of Alisma Rhizome is five liang; in Wuling San, the dosage is one liang and six zhu half.
The syndrome of Fuling Zexie Tang (Poria and Alisma Decoction) is described as: "Vomiting accompanied by a desire to drink water."
In the above formula, the dosage of Alisma Rhizome is four liang.
The syndrome of Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill, i.e., Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) is described as: "Difficulty in urination." It also states: "Excessive thirst, yet urination is frequent."
In the above formula, the dosage of Alisma Rhizome is three liang.
The syndrome of Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) is described as: "Desire to drink water, accompanied by difficulty in urination."
In the above formula, the dosage of Alisma Rhizome is one liang.
The syndrome of Muli Zexie San (Oyster and Alisma Powder) is described as: "Water qi accumulation below the waist."
In the above formula, Alisma Rhizome is used in equal proportion to the other herbs. From Fuling Zexie Tang onwards, in these four formulas, Alisma Rhizome serves as the Zuo herb (assistant ingredient).
Having reviewed all these formulas, the therapeutic indications of Alisma Rhizome are self-evident.

Cross-Reference
Alisma Rhizome (Zexie) and Schisandra Fruit (Wuweizi) both treat dizziness and vertigo, but they differ in their actions. Detailed explanations can be found in the entry for Wuweizi.

Correction of Errors
Tao Hongjing stated: "Long-term consumption of Alisma Rhizome results in no seeds." Chen Rihua stated: "Alisma Rhizome induces labor and enables conception." Li Shizhen refuted these claims, with detailed arguments presented in *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica). Pregnancy is a normal physiological state for women. Those who suffer from infertility due to illness cannot conceive simply because they take herbs. Therefore, those who conceive without illness are not necessarily influenced by drugs. The ignorance of these three physicians regarding this principle constitutes a fallacy.
I once treated a woman over thirty years old who had been infertile due to illness for many years. Previous physicians were unable to help her. Upon diagnosis, I found her suffering from chest and diaphragm irritability, rebellious qi causing thirst, and in severe cases, delirium. I prescribed Shigao Huanglian Gancao Tang (Gypsum, Coptis, and Licorice Decoction) along with Guntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill). After one year, all symptoms resolved completely. Her father was delighted and informed the previous physician. The previous physician remarked, "Treating the disease is acceptable, but it is unkind." When asked why, he replied, "Long-term use of Gypsum leads to infertility, cutting off the woman's reproductive capacity. Is this not unkind?" The father was astonished and summoned me to question my methods. I replied, "A physician's duty is to treat diseases. Conception involves both human effort and natural endowment; how can a physician predict fertility? Moreover, why did you not examine that physician's track record? He treated her for thirteen years without success; did he foresee her future pregnancy?" The father agreed. Shortly thereafter, the woman became pregnant. She delivered a healthy baby after full term.

Quality Assessment
Alisma Rhizome (Zexie): That produced in Sendai, our country, is of superior quality. It should be sliced before use.