Edema

Wu Ling San
Chen treated 27 cases of simple edema in the lower limbs with modification of Wu Ling San. The modified formula consisted of Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twigs), Fu Ling (Poria), Ze Xie (Alisma), Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), Bai Zhu (white Atractylodes), Fu Zi (processed Aconite), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), and Huang Qi (Astragalus). Modifications were added to suit individuals' symptoms. The results: all 27 cases reported that swelling subsided completely in 14 days (19 of the cases did so in just 7 days).(1)

Sen Ling Bai Zhu San
Li et al. treated 50 cases of functional edema with Sen Ling Bai Zhu San. The formula consisted of the following herbs: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Bian Dou (Dolichos), Yi Yi Ren (Coix), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), and Jie Geng (Platycodon Root). The formula was taken orally three times daily, with 14 days constituting one course of treatment. The results showed that after 1-2 courses of treatment, 42 cases significantly improved, 5 cases had improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment.(2)

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Ming treated 98 cases of idiopathic edema with modified Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. The modified formula consisted of the following single herbs: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Ze Xie (Alisma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Chen Pi (Citrus), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Chi Shao (Peony Red), Chuan Lian Zi (Melia), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga), and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan). The formula was further modified to suit individual patients' symptoms. One dose of the formula in decoction was administered daily, and the course of treatment lasted two weeks. The results showed that: 80 cases greatly improved, 15 cases had improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment, with the total effectiveness rate being 96.9%.(3)

Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang
Lin Hai Fei treated 30 cases of cardiogenic edema with a modified Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang formula. The modified formula consisted of Fang Ji (Stephania), Fu Ling (Poria), Ze Xie (Alisma), Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twigs), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), and Gan Cao (Licorice). The formula was further modified to suit individual patients' symptoms. One dose of the formula in decoction was administered daily. The results: after 1~3 weeks of treatment, 18 cases had their swelling subsided, their urine volume increased, and other symptoms improved, 8 cases had swelling reduced, and other symptoms improved, and the remaining 4 cases did not respond to the treatment, showing a total effectiveness rate as 86.7%.(4)

Wang's Edema Formula
Wang et al. treated 70 cases of edema by tonifing the kidney and invigorating qi. Among the patients were those suffering from glomerular nephritis, idiopathic edema, hypothyroidism, and chronic cardiac insufficiency. The basic formula of the treatment included the following herbs: Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twigs), Xian Mao (Curculigo), Fu Ling (Poria), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Ze Xie (Alisma), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), and Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus). This formula was modified to suit individual patients' symptoms. The herbs were decocted in water for oral administration, one dose per day taken at three separate times. The study results were: 24 cases greatly improved, 28 cases showed much improvement, 14 cases improved, and the remaining 4 cases did not respond to the treatment, with the total effectiveness rate being 94%.(5)

Han treated 58 cases of edema during menstruation with acupuncture. For edema with insufficiency of both the spleen and the kidney, suspended moxibustion was applied on acupoints Pi Shu (B20), Tong Tian (UB7), Guan Yuan (Ren4), and Ming Men (Du4) for 50 minutes, and 10 sessions constituted one course of treatment. For edema due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, acupuncture was applied on acupoints Qi Hai (Ren6), Xue Hai (Sp10), San Yin Jiao (Sp6), and Yao Yang Huan (Du3) daily for 30 minutes, and seven sessions constituted one course of treatment. The results from this treatment were as follows: 38 patients significantly improved, 17 improved, and the remaining 3 did not respond to the treatment.(7)

Zhao treated 36 cases of edema during pregnancy with acupuncture. The following acupoints were chosen: Yin Ling Quan (Sp9), Zu San Li (S36), Pi Shu (B20), and Shen Shu (B23). If there was excessive water, acupoints Shui Fen (Ren9), Fu Liu (K7), and San Yin Jiao (Sp6) were added. If there was significant stagnation of qi, acupoints Qi Hai (Ren6), San Jiao Shu (B22), and Tai Chong (Liv3) were added. This treatment was applied once a day. 5 times comprised one course of treatment. The main Chinese herbal formula used was Quan Sheng Bai Zhu San. If the skin in the affected area was hardened, Tian Xian Teng San (Powder of Caulis Aristolochiae) was added. The results showed that among the 36 cases, 8 cases had a marked improvement, 20 cases had improved and 8 cases had no effect. Among the treated cases, 3 cases were treated simply with acupuncture (1 case had significantly improved and 2 had improved slightly), 17 were treated with acupuncture combined with Chinese drugs (3 cases improved significantly 12 had improved slightly, and 2 cases showed no effects). Ordinarily, treatment effects are obtained after 5 applications of acupuncture.(8)