【Source】

“Treatise on Cold Damage” and “Synopsis of the Golden Chamber”.

 【Composition】

Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus), Fu Ling (Poria cocos), Ze Xie (Alisma orientale), Hua Shi (Talc), E Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin)
(5)

 【Category】

<Blood Tonic>: E Jiao

<Tonify Spleen and Promote Urination>: Fu Ling

<Promote Urination and Drain Dampness>: Hua Shi, Ze Xie, Zhu Ling

【Formula Explanation】

“Shan Bu” states: Zhao Yu Huang said: Zhongjing formulated Zhu Ling Tang to clear water and heat from the Yangming and Shaoyin meridians. However, its main purpose is to nourish Yin, not solely to promote urination. This is because deficiency in the exterior is most afraid of the loss of Yang, and interior heat is troubled by the loss of Yin. The loss of Yin refers to the loss of Kidney Yin and Stomach fluid. Therefore, for individuals with Yin deficiency, not only should bowel movements not be induced lightly, but urination should also not be promoted excessively. Excessive promotion of urination in Yin deficiency can further deplete bodily fluids. In this formula, E Jiao is viscous and nourishes Yin, moistening dryness. Hua Shi is slippery and clears heat while promoting urination. Combined with the draining effect of the two Ling herbs, it disperses turbid heat without leaving stagnation and moistens true Yin without causing dryness. Thus, it is an excellent agent for promoting urination without harming Yin. Therefore, for promoting urination in the Taiyang channel, Wu Ling San is used. Since Taiyang governs water, Gui Zhi is added to warm it, which warms the Kidney to promote water circulation. For Yangming and Shaoyin, Zhu Ling Tang is used because these meridians govern fluids. E Jiao and Hua Shi are specifically added to moisten. This is to nourish the invisible (Yin) to facilitate the movement of the visible (water). While both promote urination, the temperature of the herbs is vastly different; only the wise will understand. “Cheng Fang Bian Du” states: The two Ling herbs and Ze Xie disperse water from the Bladder, guiding the heat downward. Hua Shi, sweet and cold, clears heat from the Six Fu organs internally and expels external pathogenic factors from the skin and muscles, promoting the circulation of dampness in the upper, lower, exterior, and interior. Fearing that treating only dampness would further deplete Yin and exacerbate heat, E Jiao is added to nourish Yin and extinguish wind, preserving bodily fluids, and is also a method for treating Yin deficiency with damp-heat. “Han Dian” states: This prescription removes Gui Zhi and Bai Zhu from Wu Ling San and adds Hua Shi and E Jiao. Zhu Ling, Fu Ling, and Ze Xie have diuretic effects and a calming effect. Hua Shi can soothe urinary tract irritation, making urination smooth. E Jiao assists in this and also has hemostatic, strengthening, and calming effects.

 【Functions】

Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat, Promotes Urination.

 【Indications】

Fever due to the interaction of water and heat, internal heat damaging Yin, leading to thirst with desire to drink, scanty urination, dribbling, painful urination, vexation, and insomnia, or hematuria and blood in urine, belonging to Yin deficiency with heat. “Shan Bu”: Yangming disease, floating pulse, fever, thirst with desire to drink; Shaoyin disease, diarrhea for six or seven days, cough and vomiting, thirst, vexation, and insomnia.

 【Symptoms】

Nephritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, urinary tract stones, chyluria, gonorrhea, hematuria.

 【Contraindications】

Yangming disease with excessive sweating and thirst should not be treated with 豬苓湯/’>Zhu Ling Tang; avoid vinegar; even if thirsty, if there is no interior heat, it should not be used.

 【Mnemonics】

(1) Zhu Ling and Fu Ling, sticky gelatin are by the water and stone (Zhu Fu Jiao Ze Shi). (2) Two Lings slip by the water and marsh (Zhu Ling, Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Hua Shi, E Jiao).

 【Modifications】

(1) For hot stranguria, add Bian Xu and Qu Mai to clear heat and promote urination. (2) For hematuria, add Bai Mao Gen and Da Xiao Ji to cool blood and stop bleeding.

 【Pharmacology】

It has diuretic, regulatory effects on the body’s water and electrolyte metabolism, and litholytic properties.