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Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Ingredients:

• Gān suì (甘遂 Kansui Radix, kansui [root]) 1g
• Dà jǐ (大戟 Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae Radix, euphorbia/knoxia [root]) 1g
• Yuán huā (芫花 Genkwa Flos, genkwa [flower]) 1g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 4g

Action: Expels water-rheum.

Indication: (a) Suspended rheum with water qì in the rib-side with cough that causes local pain, hard glomus in below the heart, and pain in the chest and back making breathing difficult; (b) repletion-type water swelling and abdominal distension.

Category: Draining-precipitation formulas / Water-expelling formulas

Method: Decoct the jujubes and grind the other agents to a powder.

Dosage: 1–2g once a day. Take in the morning on an empty stomach. Swallow the powder with the jujube decoction.

Warnings: Do not use in pregnancy or for prolonged periods.

Rationale: Yuán huā rectifies water in the upper burner, chest and rib-side; 大戟 moves water in the middle and lower burners. Gān suì drains all three burners (especially the chest and abdomen). This triple combination is strong and quick acting. The Dà zǎo helps to counteract the toxin of the other agents, as well as banking up earth to dam water. Note that Gān cǎo could not be used for this since it causes water to stagnate. Thus, the formula disinhibits water and provides protection for right qì. However, it is a potent water-expelling formula. The initial dosage should be small and increased until the water-expelling effect has been achieved. Then a different formula should be used to treat the root of the disorder.

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