Stephania, Pepper Seed, Tingli Seed, and Rhubarb Pill

金匱要略

Abdominal fullness and dry mouth and tongue; this indicates water Qi in the intestines, and Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan governs it. (Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet))

Fangji, Jiaomu, Tingli (roasted), Dahuang, each 1 liang. The above four ingredients: grind into powder, make honey pills the size of wutong seeds. Take one pill with drink before meals, three times daily, gradually increase; when there is Body Fluids in the mouth. If thirsty, add Mangxiao half a liang. (Shanghan Zabing Lun)

Grind the above into a fine powder, make pills with honey and rice paste. Take about 4 g each time, three times daily; it may also be changed to a decoction, with the dosage determined proportionally according to the original formula. Slightly increase. Mr. Odagiri said: It is suspected that above “slightly increase” the two characters “not knowing” are missing; this view is correct. When there is Body Fluids in the mouth. If thirsty, add half a liang of Mangxiao.

湯劑

Attack and expel water-rheum.

Water-rheum accumulates and moves into the intestinal tract, with gurgling sounds, abdominal fullness, constipation, dry mouth and tongue, and a deep, string-like pulse.

For those with Spleen-Stomach weakness and internal retention of water-rheum, use with caution; do not violate the warning of “making the deficient more deficient.” The method of attacking and purging to expel water may be used temporarily, not for a long time, lest the attack and expulsion be excessive and damage the upright Qi.