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Shu Zao Yin Zi疏凿饮子

Dredging Drink

Releasing Exterior and Interior Together 表里双解剂Release the Exterior and Purge the Interior 解表攻里

Ingredients11 herbs

商Shang Lu商陆6 g君 ChiefDrives water out through both stool and urine — the harsh, toxic core of the formula槟Bing Lang槟榔9 g臣 DeputyMoves qi downward so the water is carried with it大Da Fu Pi大腹皮15 g臣 DeputyMoves qi and relieves the abdominal fullness of water swelling茯Fu Ling Pi茯苓皮30 g臣 DeputyLeaches water out of the skin and flesh — the largest dose in the formula木Mu Tong木通12 g臣 DeputyOpens the water passages and promotes urination泽Ze Xie泽泻12 g臣 DeputyDrains damp downward through the Bladder椒Jiao Mu椒目9 g臣 DeputyDrives water out of the abdomen and calms the panting it causes赤Chi Xiao Dou赤小豆15 g臣 DeputyDrains damp and reduces swelling without harshness羌Qiang Huo羌活9 g佐 AssistantTravels to the skin and disperses the water held at the surface秦Qin Jiao秦艽9 g佐 AssistantWorks with Qiang Huo through the skin and moves wind-damp生Sheng Jiang生姜5 slices使 EnvoyAdded at decoction time to assist the outward dispersal and protect the Stomach

Indications

Drives out water through stool and urineDisperses wind and releases surface water as sweatMoves qi so that water followsDrains dampness by every route at once

Water and damp banked up in excess— swelling that fills both the surface and the interior, with both the stool and the urine blocked, so that draining alone cannot move it.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Generalized swelling of the whole body, inside and out
  • Panting and rapid breathing from water pressing on the Lung
  • Abdominal fullness and distension with swelling
  • Thirst and restlessness with swelling
  • Difficult urination and constipation together
TongueThick, greasy coating
PulseDeep and forceful

Health Categories

Heart & CirculationLiver Health & DetoxUrinary & Bladder Health

Modern Applications

Generalized edemaAnasarcaAscitesNephrotic edemaOliguria

Common adjustments

  • Swelling mainly above the waist with wind signs — increase Qiang Huo 羌活 and Qin Jiao 秦艽
  • Swelling mainly below the waist — increase Ze Xie 泽泻 and Chi Xiao Dou 赤小豆
  • Strength already failing after the water begins to move — stop the harsh water-expelling herbs and switch to a Spleen-strengthening, damp-transforming approach

Contraindications

Strictly for excess-pattern water swelling in a patient with reserves. Not for the swelling of Spleen or Kidney yang deficiency, and not for the frail, the elderly, or anyone recovering from illness. Shang Lu is toxic and Jiao Mu is harsh: the formula is given for a short course, stopped as soon as the water shifts, and never self-prescribed. Mu Tong must be the Akebia species — the Aristolochia-containing is banned for kidney toxicity and must never be substituted.

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

Pregnancy

Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. Shang Lu is a toxic, harsh water-expelling herb and Bing Lang with Jiao Mu drive downward — this formula must not be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding.

References

Source Ji Sheng Fang 《济生方》 · Southern Song

  1. 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.