Chixiaodou Tang (Red Bean Decoction) for Promoting Diuresis and Relieving Edema

The Shengji Zonglu (Imperial Encyclopedias on Medicine) contains a formula named Chixiaodou Tang. Its composition is: Chixiaodou (Phaseoli Radiati Semen, red bean) 500 g, Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex, mulberry bark) 30 g, Zequi Jingye (Euphorbiae Helioscopiae Herba, sun spurge stems and leaves) 22.5 g. Wrap the latter two herbs in a cotton cloth bag, and boil together with the red beans in 5 L of water until the beans are cooked. Then remove the cotton bag with the Sangbaipi and Zequi residues, leaving only the red beans. When hungry, eat the red beans; when thirsty, drink the bean broth. Continue until urination becomes smooth, then stop.

This formula promotes diuresis and relieves edema. It is indicated for generalized edema, abdominal distension and fullness, and scanty, difficult urination. These symptoms resemble modern ascites and nephritic edema. The Chixiaodou, Sangbaipi, and Zequi in this formula all have diuretic and anti-edema actions. This is a diuretic that combines food and medicine: while promoting urination, Chixiaodou also supplies protein the body needs. Even from a modern scientific standpoint, this is a very sound approach.

Ascites or nephritic edema are caused by serious underlying diseases (such as cancer, liver cirrhosis, renal failure, etc.). This formula is only a symptomatic supportive treatment; its effect on edema caused by major disease is difficult to sustain for long, so it can only serve as an adjunct. While using this formula, the patient must also be treated for the primary disease.