Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang防己茯苓汤

Stephania and Poria Decoction

Expelling Dampness 祛湿剂Promote Urination and Leach Out Damp 利水渗湿

Ingredients5 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

防Fang Ji防己Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix9 g (3 liang)君 ChiefDrains water out of the flesh and reduces swelling — Stephania tetrandra only 茯Fu Ling茯苓Poria18 g (6 liang)君 ChiefDoubled here relative to the other herbs — leaches the retained water out through the urine 桂Gui Zhi桂枝Cinnamomi Ramulus9 g (3 liang)臣 DeputyThe addition that defines this formula — opens yang through the limbs so water is not stranded there 黄Huang Qi黄芪Astragali Radix9 g (3 liang)臣 DeputyAugments defensive qi so the surface can hold and move fluids properly 甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma6 g (2 liang)使 EnvoyHarmonizes the formula and supports the middle burner

Indications

Augments qi and opens the yang of the limbsPromotes urination and reduces swellingMoves water held in the skin and fleshRelieves the fluttering sensation of skin-water

Skin-water: water lodged in the skin and flesh of the four limbs where defensive yang cannot reach, so the limbs swell and the muscles quiver faintly of their own accord.

Clinical Manifestations

Swelling of all four limbs
Puffiness of the hands and feet with faint muscle twitching
Oedema with no aversion to cold and no thirst
Fluid retention in the limbs in a qi-deficient patient
Heavy swollen limbs that pit on pressure

TonguePale and swollen with a white slippery coating

PulseFloating

Health Categories

Heart & CirculationUrinary & Bladder Health

Modern Applications

Oedema Nephrotic syndrome Cardiac failure Lymphoedema Fluid retention

Common adjustments

Qi deficiency is marked — increase Huang Qi 黄芪
Swelling is severe — add Ze Xie 泽泻 and Zhu Ling 猪苓
Cold limbs with yang deficiency — add Fu Zi (Zhi) 制附子, decocted first
Chest oppression and shortness of breath — add Ting Li Zi 葶苈子

Contraindications

Not for oedema of the damp-heat kind with dark scanty urine, thirst and a yellow greasy coating. Fang Ji caution: only Han Fang Ji / Fen Fang Ji (Stephania tetrandra) may be used. Guang Fang Ji (Aristolochia fangchi) contains aristolochic acid, is a proven cause of irreversible kidney failure and urothelial cancer, and is banned — never accept it as a substitute, and refuse any product that does not state the botanical source. Generalized oedema always needs a medical work-up: heart, kidney and liver disease all present this way.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — swelling of the limbs in pregnancy must be assessed medically first, because it can be an early sign of pre-eclampsia. Prescribe only on a practitioner's judgment, and only with verified Stephania tetrandra.

References

Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han

「皮水为病，四肢肿，水气在皮肤中，四肢聂聂动者，防己茯苓汤主之。」
— 《金匮要略》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— 附方 note and pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.