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Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients:

• Fáng jǐ (防己 Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, fangji [root]) 10g
• Jiāo mù (椒目 Zanthoxyli Semen, zanthoxylum seed) 10g
• Tíng lì zǐ (葶苈子 Lepidii/Descurainiae Semen, lepidium/descurainia) 10g
• Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) 6g

Action: Attacks water and rheum; disinhibits water; frees the stool.

Indication: Phlegm-rheum with signs such as abdominal fullness, thin sloppy stool diarrhea with ungratifying defecation, and dry mouth. Tongue: Dry. Pulse: Sunken and stringlike.

Category: Draining-precipitation formulas / Water-expelling formulas

Method: Grind ingredients to a powder and formul into pills the size of firmiana seeds.

Dosage: Start with 1 pill three times a day and gradually increase.

Rationale: Gān suì, Yuán huā, and 大戟 are drastic precipitating agents that expel water. Dà huáng and Qiān niú zǐ seed are heat-draining precipitants. These five agents carry the repletion heat out through the stool and urine. Bīng láng, Qīng pí, and Mù xiāng move qì and disinhibit water. Qīng fěn is a cold acrid agent disinhibits water and frees the stool, and therefore enhances the water expelling action. The formula is so named because its draining action is like boats floating down a fast-flowing river or carts rolling down a steep hill.

Variations: If worse thirst returns after taking, add Máng xiāo (芒硝 Natrii Sulfas , mirabilite) 6g.

Similar: Shū záo yǐn zǐ (疏凿饮子 Coursing and Piercing Drink)

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