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Trichosanthes and Dianthus Pill

瓜蒌瞿麦丸 〔瓜蔞瞿麥丸〕 guā lóu qú mài wán

Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients

Actions: Warms yáng and transforms qì; moves water and distributes liquid; engenders liquid and allays thirst.

Indications: Dispersion-thirst (xiāo kě) arising when the kidney fails in its qì transformation function, liquid is not distributed, and damp turbidity causes obstruction characterized by signs of lower body cold and upper body dryness such as throat and mouth, vexation and thirst and large intake of fluid, and inhibited urination. Tongue fur: Dry. Pulse: Sunken and moderate.

Rationale: Tiān huā fěn engenders liquid and moistens dryness, addressing the cough. Qú mài is a percolating and draining agent that moves water and disinhibits urine. However, the pattern addressed by this formula is one of vexation and thirst and inhibited urination due to impairment of the transformative action of the kidney preventing liquid from rising to the upper body. For this reason, Fù zǐ is used to warm yáng and may the fluids steam upward, and allow water qì to descend. Shān yào enriches spleen yīn and helps the Tiān huā fěn to engender liquid and relieve cough. It also promotes the absorption of essence of grain and water, preventing it from flowing downward. It enables Fú líng to disinhibit turbid water without damaging yīn.

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