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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients

• Mǔ lì (牡蛎 Ostreae Concha, oyster shell) (predecocted) 30g
• Zé xiè (泽泻 Alismatis Rhizoma, alisma [tuber]) 10g
• Tíng lì zǐ (葶苈子 Lepidii/Descurainiae Semen, lepidium/descurainia) (simmered) 10g
• Tiān huā fěn (天花粉 Trichosanthis Radix, trichosanthes root) 10g
• Shǔ qī (蜀漆 Dichroae Folium, dichroa leaf) (with the fishy smell removed by washing in warm water)6g
• Shāng lù (商陆 Phytolaccae Radix, phytolacca [root]) 6g
• Hǎi zǎo (海藻 Sargassum , sargassum) (with saltiness removed) 6g

Actions: Softens hardness and transforms phlegm; expels water and disperses swelling.

Indications: Congealing phlegm-damp and impaired transformative action of qì manifesting in swelling from the lumbus down, hydrothorax and ascites, hard glomus in the rib-side, fullness in the chest and panting, and inhibited urination and defecation. Pulse: Sunken, replete, and forceful.

Rationale: Mǔ lì is salty and slightly cold; it not only softens hardness and disperses binds but also transforms phlegm and disperses nodes. It therefore addresses the phlegm-damp binding in the rib-side. Cold sweet Zé xiè disinhibits water and abates swelling. These two are the sovereign agents. Shǔ qī when washed to remove the fishy smell and tendency to cause vomiting, dispels phlegm, and with Mǔ lì and Hǎi zǎo, helps to transform phlegm and soften the rib-side hardness. Shāng lù disinhibits water and frees the stool. Tíng lì zǐ dispels phlegm and stabilizes panting, as well as draining the lung and disinhibiting water. Guā lóu clears the lung and transforms phlegm while preventing damage to yīn.

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