Chinese: 疏凿饮子
Pinyin: Shū Záo Yǐn Zi
Other names: Dredging and Cutting Drink
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that drive out excess water
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Nephritis with EdemaIncreased intracranial pressure
- Purges and drives out Water
- Clears Wind
- Releases from the Exterior
Contraindications: The formula is solely recommended for Yang Excess related Edema. Edema caused... The formula is solely recommended for Yang Excess related Edema. Edema caused by Spleen or Kidney Deficiency must be treated with warming and tonifying formulations. It is not recommended to use the formula during pregnancy or in the absence of obvious indicators of Excess and Damp-Heat. see more
Source date: 1253 AD
Source book: Formulas to Aid the Living
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Shu Zao Yin Zi is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Poke Roots (Shang Lu) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that drive out excess water. Its main actions are: 1) purges and drives out Water and 2) clears Wind.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as nephritis with edema or increased intracranial pressure for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eleven ingredients in Shu Zao Yin Zi, we review the patterns and conditions that Shu Zao Yin Zi helps treat.
The eleven ingredients in Shu Zao Yin Zi
Shang Lu is a king ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Poke Roots (Shang Lu)
Part used: Root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: BladderSpleenKidneyLung
Category: Cathartic herbs that drain downward
Shang Lu strongly moves the Qi downward, opening both the urinary passages and then bowels for driving out water. This herb is bitter, cold, and toxic.
Ze Xie is a deputy ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"
In the context of Shu Zao Yin Zi, it is used because it is a diuretic herb that promotes urination and dispels Dampness through the Bladder.
Chi Xiao Dou is a deputy ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Adzuki Beans (Chi Xiao Dou)
Part used: Dried ripe fruits
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Chi Xiao Dou is a diuretic herb that is specific for pathogens that have acquired form such as visible Edema instead of mere Dampness. It builds up the Spleen along with Red poria. This prevents damage normal Qi of body and supports the Qi dynamic. In combination with the key and deputy herbs, it guide out water from the Interior through the bowels.
Jiao Mu is a deputy ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Pricklyash Seeds (Jiao Mu)
In general Jiao Mu's main actions are as follows: "Promotes and regulates urination so as to reduce. Clears Phlegm and relieves dyspnea. "
In the context of Shu Zao Yin Zi, it is used because it is indicated for Abdominal distention in addition to its Diuretic effects.
Mu Tong is a deputy ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Akebia Stems (Mu Tong)
Part used: Dried stem
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Mu Tong drains pathogens from the Small Intestine. Comparing with the other diuretics Adzuki beans which targets pathogens that have visible forms such as edema, Akebia stem also invigorates the Blood. Due to the concerns regarding the potential nephrotoxic side effects of the variations of Akebia stem that is present in the marketplace, it is better to substitute another herb for it. Tetrapanax piths or Plantain seeds might be suitable.
Qiang Huo is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Qiang Huo clears the Channels and Exterior, opens the pores and interstices, as well as promotes sweating. This results in draining the water clogging the skin and muscles and facilitates the Qi dynamic.
Da Fu Pi is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Areca Peel (Da Fu Pi)
Part used: Dried pericarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestineSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Da Fu Pi's main actions are as follows: "Assists in the downward movement of Qi and relieves Food Stagnation. Removes Stagnation of Water by draining downward."
In the context of Shu Zao Yin Zi, it is used because it regulates the Qi by moving it downward.
Qin Jiao is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Gentian Roots (Qin Jiao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: GallbladderStomachLiver
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Qin Jiao clears the Channels and Exterior, opens the pores and interstices, as well as promotes sweating. This results in draining the water clogging the skin and muscles and facilitates the Qi dynamic.
Bing Lang is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Areca Nuts (Bing Lang)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Large intestineStomach
Category: Herbs that expel parasites
In general Bing Lang's main actions are as follows: "Destroys parasites. Regulates Qi circulation. Promotes urination."
In the context of Shu Zao Yin Zi, it is used because it regulates the Qi by moving it downward.
Fu Ling Pi is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Poria Skin (Fu Ling Pi)
Part used: Dry skin
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling Pi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness."
In the context of Shu Zao Yin Zi, it is used because it is a diuretic herb that promotes urination and dispels Dampness through the Bladder.
Sheng Jiang is an assistant ingredient in Shu Zao Yin Zi. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
Sheng Jiang clears the Channels and Exterior, opens the pores and interstices, as well as promotes sweating. This results in draining the water clogging the skin and muscles and facilitates the Qi dynamic.
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