Shi Pi San实脾散
Bolster the Spleen Powder
Ingredients10 herbs
Indications
Yin-type oedema from Spleen and Kidney yang deficiency with water and qi stagnating: yang cannot steam and move fluids, and qi stagnation compounds the block, so water pools in the lower half of the body.
Clinical Manifestations
- Oedema worse below the waist
- Swelling with cold hands and feet
- Abdominal distension with loose stool
- Chronic oedema that pits deeply and refills slowly
- Swelling with no thirst and clear urine
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Marked qi deficiency — add Huang Qi 黄芪 and Dang Shen 党参
- Swelling is severe — add Ze Xie 泽泻 and Zhu Ling 猪苓
- Panting and chest fullness — add Ting Li Zi 葶苈子 and Sang Bai Pi 桑白皮
- Kidney yang is very weak with a cold sore back — add Rou Gui 肉桂 and Du Zhong 杜仲
- Stools are very loose — increase Bai Zhu 白术 and add Shan Yao 山药
Contraindications
Not for yang-type oedema — swelling that comes on quickly from the face down, with fever, thirst, dark urine and a yellow greasy coating. The formula contains prepared Aconite, which is toxic if raw or underdecocted and must be prepared, decocted first and dispensed by a qualified practitioner. Generalized oedema is a cardinal sign of heart, kidney and liver disease: it needs a medical diagnosis before it is treated as a pattern, and any sudden increase in swelling or breathlessness is an emergency.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy — it contains prepared Aconite. Oedema in pregnancy requires medical assessment, since it can be an early sign of pre-eclampsia.
References
Source 《重订严氏济生方》 · Southern Song
- Classical source of record (public domain).
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）— 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.