Wǔ Líng Sǎn

Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria

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Category: Dispel Dampness by Urination ⌕ 
Source: Shang Han Lun  
Actions: Promotes urination, drains dampness, strengthens the Sp, warms the yang, and promotes the transforming functions of Qi. [Song]
Diagnosis
Tongue: white coat      Pulse: floating, slow    Other: 
Patterns:  
Indications: Urinary difficulty, white tongue coating, floating or slow pulse. Water retention due to Bladder lost function of qi transforming; Leftover exterior pathogen: headache, slight fever; Water retention in bladder: dysfunction of urination; Dysfunction of qi transforming: thirst desire for drinking water but vomiting just after drinking water; Water retention: edema, diarrhea, throbbing pulsation just below the umbilicus, dizzy, short of breath, cough, large amount of saliva [Song]
Contraindications: 
Description
Name Variations:Wu Ling San, 五苓散, Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria,
Herb List: Ze Xie(K) • Zhu Ling(M) • Fu Ling(M) • Bai Zhu(A) • Gui Zhi(A)
Commentary: Thirsty, want to drink water, but then immediately vomits the water. This is a symptomatic formula to guide out water retention. Fu Ling and Ze Xie are to leach out water. Fu Ling also strengthens Spleen. In terms of promoting urination Ze Xie > Zhu Ling > Fu Ling. They act like diuretics. Gui Zhi for the exterior pathogen aspect. [Song]. Both Wu Ling San and Zhu Ling San have Ze Xie, Zhu Ling, and Fu Ling. Wu Ling San is more for Tai Yang Fu syndrome - strong thirst but vomiting immediately after drinking, urinary difficulty. Tan-Yin syndrome: throbbing pulsation just below the umbilicus, vomiting frothy saliva, coughing, vertigo. Water damp retention/edema. For Tai Yang Fu Blood accumulation, you should use Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.[Kim].
Related Formulas: Wei Ling Tang (Wu Ling San + Ping Wei San, Su Zi, Wu Mei) for dispel dampness, regulate stomach and move Qi
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Ze XieAlisma • 泽泻  Drain Dampness Drain Kidney fire, Drain dampness, Promote urination
Zhu LingPolyporus • 猪苓  Drain Dampness Drain dampness • Promote urination • Clear damp heat Diuretic
Fu LingPoria Mushroom • 茯苓  Drain Dampness Dry dampness • Tonify spleen • Calm spirit • Relief edema • Detox food poisoning • Promote urination Dao Di: Yun Nan Diuretic • Antibacterial • Anti-inflammatory • Anti-allergic • Hypoglycemic • Antacid • Sedative • Immunity booster
Bai ZhuWhite Atractylodes Root • 白术 Tonify Qi Tonify Spleen Qi • Stop sweating • Calms fetus • Dry dampness • Stabilize exterior • Stop sweating Dao Di: Zhe Jiang Anti-inflammatory • Hepatoprotective • Immunity Booster • Hypoglycemic • Antibaterial
Gui ZhiCinnamon Twig • 桂枝 Release Exterior Wind Cold Activate yang qi, warm yang, open channels, expel Wind Cold from muscle layer • warm Middle Jiao • regulate Wei Qi • improve circulation • relieve pain • thin mucus • treat chest BiPAIRS with Shao Yao and Fu Ling diuretic, anticoagulant, vasodilation, diaphoretic, antipyretic, emmenagogue, antiparasitic, cardiotonic, antibiotic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions: 
Modifications For
+ Yue Bi Tang Edema with exterior syndrome 31
+ Wu Pi San Excessive water retention 31
 - Gui Zhi + Che Qian Zi + Mu Tong Diarrhea due to heat 31
 - Gui Zhi (Si Ling San) Urinary difficulty 35
 + Yin Chen (Yin Chen Wu Ling San) Jaundice 35
 + Ping Wei San (Wei Ling Tang) Diarrhea and edema 35

Caution

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:

Ze Xie: Spermatorrhea, Vaginal secretion, Kidney yang deficiency, Kidney dysfunction, Damp cold
Zhu Ling: Not for long term use • Yin deficiency
Fu Ling: Foods: Vinegar, pickled food
Bai Zhu: Autoimmune disorder • Yin deficiency with heat • Dehydration • Foods: black carp, Chinese cabbage, peach, plum and coriander
Gui Zhi: Pregnancy, Liver Wind, hyperactive Yang from Yin xu, Wind Heat, blood heat, heavy menses, measles, open skin sores

Notes

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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