Formula Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness

Wu Ling San

五苓散

Also known as:

Poria Five Herbs Formula

Formula Composition

Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Promotes urination,
  2. Warms the Yang
  3. Strengthens the Spleen
  4. Promotes Qi transformation function
  5. Drains Dampness
  6. Clears edema

Patterns Treated

Yin Excess, Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing, Greater Yang Accumulation of Water, Phlegm-Fluids, Phlegm, Oedema, Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness, Phlegm in the Lower Burner

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Ling San

Main Actions

Promotes urination,
Warms the Yang
Strengthens the Spleen
Promotes Qi transformation function
Drains Dampness
Clears edema

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Ling San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Water Plantain (Ze Xie) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness. Its main actions are: 1) promotes urination, and 2) warms the Yang.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Wu Ling San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Yin Excess, Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing or Greater Yang Accumulation of Water. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as lupus, edema or glomerulonephritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Yin Excess
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
  • Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
  • Phlegm-Fluids
  • Phlegm
  • Oedema
  • Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
  • Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
  • Phlegm in the Lower Burner

Common Applications

Lupus Edema Glomerulonephritis Pyelonephritis Nephrotic syndrome Cystitis Hydrocele Migraine Trigeminal neuralgia Motion sickness Meniere's disease Hepatitis Gastrectasis Acute enteritis Ascites Congestive heart failure Conjunctivitis Pericardial and pleural effusions Hydrocephalus Polyhydramnios Acute nephritis Chronic nephritis Ascites by Liver cirrhosis Cardiac edema

Ingredients in Wu Ling San

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Ling San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Wu Ling San
Ze Xie leaches out Dampness and promotes urination. Its cold nature also enables it to eliminate the Stagnant Heat caused by water buildup.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Wu Ling San
Fu Ling is particularly effective in leaching out Dampness by promoting urination, strengthening the Spleen and assisting the Yang.
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Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling

Polyporus

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Wu Ling San
In general Zhu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and encourages urination"

In the context of Wu Ling San, it is used because it eliminates Dampness and promotes urination.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Wu Ling San
Gui Zhi serves as both an assistant and envoy in this formula. When the retention of Dampness obstructs the circulation of Fluids, the Kidneys and Bladder may be unable to transform them. Cinnamon twigs are used to warm the Fire at the gate of vitality, which is like adding firewood under the cauldron. Not only does this assist the Bladder in transforming and discharging urine, it also helps the Spleen Qi to raise the clear, thus facilitating the movement and 'steaming' of the Fluids by the Kidneys. In this respect, it serves as an envoy to the Kidneys and Bladder. As an assistant, it also helps to dispel pathogenic influences from the Exterior and thereby release the exterior aspects of the greater Yang-warp disorder.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Wu Ling San
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen Qi, thereby helping it transform and transport Fluids (one of its key roles) and thus helping resolve Dampness.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Ling San

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

In patients with Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, the dosage and duration of use of this formula must be carefully limited. It is not indicated for thirst due to Heat Excess or from Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wu Ling San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.