舟車丸

Name

Pill for Relieving Ascites

Source

The book Jing Yue Quan Shu

Ingredients

• Qian Niu Zi (Semen Pharbitidis) 120 g,
• Gan Sui (Radix Kansui) 30 g,
• Yuan Hua (Flos Genkwa) 30 g,
• Da Ji (Radix Cirsii Japonici) 30 g,
• Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 60 g,
• Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) 15 g,
• Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 15 g,
• Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) 15 g,
• Bing Lang (Semen Arecae) 15 g,
• Qing Fen (Calomelas) 3 g.

Explanation

Yuan Hua, Gan Sui and Da Ji: The principal drugs, eliminating retained water in the thoracic and abdominal cavities and the channels.

Da Huang and Qian Niu Zi: Sweeping away retained water and heat in the stomach and intestines.

Qing Pi: Relieving the depressed liver to remove the stagnancy of Qi.

Chen Pi: Regulating the lung and spleen to free the flow of Qi along the diaphragm.

Bing Lang: Leading Qi to flow downwards, inducing diuresis to resolve masses.

Mu Xiang: Dredging the 3 Jiao to remove stagnancy, promoting the flow of Qi and the distribution of body fluids to relieve edema. .

Qing Fen: Eliminating retained water, relaxing the bowels, assisting the other ingredients in relieving edema and inducing laxation.

Effect

Eliminating retained water drastically, promoting the flow of Qi to resolve masses.

Indications

Syndrome due to stagnation of Qi resulting from accumulation of water and heat in the interior, marked by edema and distention due to it, thirst, rough breathing, hard feeling in the abdomen, dysuria, constipation, and deep rapid forceful pulse; including such disease with the above symptoms as ascites due to cirrhosis.

Contraindication

Because of its drastic purgation, this prescription is contraindicated for pregnant women as well as patients whose vital Qi is deficient.

Administration

Gan Sui is wrapped in flour paste and baked, Da Ji is parched with vinegar, and then they are ground into powder together with all the other ingredients. Finally, the powder is made into pills. 3-6 g of the pills is taken with warm boiled water on an empty stomach in the morning, 1 time daily.

Qing Fen, Yuan Hua, Gan Sui and Da Ji have strong toxicity, be sure not to take them in large dosage or for longer time for fear that poisoning result.