Expelling water

A method of treatment used to eliminate by precipitation yáng water repletion patterns such as severe hydrothorax and ascites, characterized by urinary and fecal stoppage, distension and fullness in the chest and abdomen inhibiting respiration, and a forceful replete pulse. This method may be used where the evil is strong, yet right qì is still resilient enough to withstand attack. In modern clinical practice, it is mainly used to treat what Western medicine identifies as ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver. Commonly used water-expelling medicinals are kansui (Kansui Radix, 甘遂 gān suì), genkwa (Genkwa Flos, 芫花 yuán huā), euphorbia/knoxia (Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae Radix, 大戟 dà jǐ), and morning glory (Pharbitidis Semen, 牵牛子 qiān niú zǐ). Ten Jujubes Decoction (十枣汤 shí zǎo tāng) and Boats and Carts Pill (舟车丸 zhōu chē (jū) wán) drain abdominal water, whereas Drool-Controlling Elixir (控涎丹 kòng xián dān) is used to drain hydrothorax.

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on CV and back transport points. Select CV-9 (Water Divide, 水分 shuǐ fēn), BL-22 (Triple Burner Transport, 三焦俞 sān jiāo shù), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LU-7 (Broken Sequence, 列缺 liè quē), LI-6 (Veering Passageway, 偏历 piān lì), and SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán); needle with drainage.