Grind the medicinals into powder and form into pills using jiang zhi (ginger juice). Take 6g each time with ginger soup or warm boiled water. It could also be taken as a decoction, mix the first 3 medicinals with ginger juice and then boil them together. Decoct normally, and then add air-slaked po xiao in until it dissolves.
Action
Dries dampness and moves qi, softens hard masses and dissolves phlegm.
Indication
Fu Ling Wan is applicable to patterns of phlegm hidden in the middle jiao or lingering along the channels and collaterals. Clinical symptoms may involve aching pain or spasm of the arms, being unable to lift the arms, moving pain in the arms, numbness of the hands, and edema of the four limbs. The tongue coating is white and greasy, and the pulse is deep and thin or wiry and slippery.
Pathogenesis
When the spleen gets deficient, it can’t transport and transform food into nutrients. Instead it becomes pathogenic products, namely, phlegm-dampness. When phlegm-dampness stays in the stomach and then spreads to the four limbs, disorders involving local numbness, aching or limited movement, spasms or edema are noticed. The tongue and pulse qualities indicate the presence of phlegm-dampness. The treatment is to dry dampness and move qi, soften hard masses, and dissolve phlegm.
Application
1. Essential pattern differentiation Fu Ling Wan is indicated for patterns of phlegm accumulation in the middle jiao, channels and collaterals. This clinical pattern is marked by aching pain of both arms, white, greasy tongue coating, deep, thready pulse or wiry, slippery pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of accumulation of obstinate phlegm: angioedema of upper limbs, chronic bronchitis, cervical spondylosis, and hyperplasia of prostate. 3. Cautions and contraindications This formula has a strong ability to dissolve phlegm through bowel laxation, so it’s not appropriate to prescribe for weak patients for long periods of time. It is not suitable to treat aching arms due to wind-damp accumulation.
Source
《Selected Formulas from the Praiseworthy Studio》Shi Zhai Bai Yi Xuan Fang《是齋百—選方》recorded in《Life-Saving Formulas of Showing the Right Pathway》Quan Sheng Zhi Mi Fang《全生指迷方》
