Wu Ling San

(Five Ingredient Powder with Poria)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Promote Urination and Leach out Dampness

Pattern:

• Water Accumulation

Actions:

• Promotes urination, drains damp, and strengthens the Spleen
• Warms the Yang and promotes transformation of Bladder Qi.

Indications:

• Accumulation of cold water in the Lower Jiao, possibly with external Wind Cold: Difficult urination, fever, irritability, strong thirst with vomiting after drinking, and headache
• Spleen Qi deficiency causing internal accumulation of water and dampness: General muscle and skin edema with a sensation of heaviness, difficult urination, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Accumulation of fluids in the Lower Jiao (Tai Yin Syndrome): A pulsing or throbbing sensation below the umbilicus, frothy saliva, dizziness, vertigo, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Thick white greasy tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Floating and rapid pulse

Western Uses:

• Chronic Nephritic Edema
• Acute Gastritis
• Cardiac Edema
• Gastrectasis
• Ascites due to Liver Cirrhosis
• Urine Retention
• Scrotal Hydrocele
• Acute Enteritis
• Meniere's Disease
• Neurogenic Bladder Syndrome

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• This formula is warming and drying and should be used with caution in cases of difficult urination presenting with Yin and fluids deficiency
• Do not use long term with Kidney Qi or Spleen Qi deficiency. Possible side effects may include: Loss of appetite, dizziness, vertigo, and a bland taste in the mouth.

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction. Modern formulations usually have a 4 fold increase in dosages. Do not cook for more than 20 minutes.

Originally Appeared In:

• On Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen, Heart, Bladder, Stomach

Substances in this Formula (5 Total):

	Ze Xie (Water Plantain Rhizome, Alisma) Qty: 4 grams Chan: KI, BL Prop: Sweet, Bland, Cold Latin: Rhizoma Alismatis Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Fu Ling (Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, China Root, Poria, Hoelen) Qty: 2.3 grams Chan: HT, SP, LU Prop: Sweet, Bland, Neutral Latin: Scierotium Poriae Cocos Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Zhu Ling (Polyporus Sclerotium) Qty: 2.3 grams Chan: SP, KI, BL Prop: Sweet, Bland, Cool (or Neutral) Latin: Sclerotium Polypori Umbellati Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome) Qty: 2.3 grams Chan: SP, ST Prop: Bitter, Sweet, Warm Latin: Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, Cassia Twig) Qty: 1.5 grams Chan: HT, LU, BL Prop: Spicy, Sweet, Warm Latin: Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.