An Empirical Formula for Lower-Limb Edema

Zeng Jinde, a TCM physician from Quanzhou, Fujian, has an empirical formula for treating lower-limb edema, as follows: Sheng Huangqi (raw Astragali Radix) 30 g, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 10 g, Yimucao (Leonuri Herba) 30 g.

This formula is concise and exquisite. According to traditional medicine, in the formula Sheng Huangqi boosts qi and promotes diuresis, Chuanxiong activates blood and resolves stasis, and Yimucao both activates blood and resolves stasis and has a strong diuretic and detumescent effect, so this formula is suitable for treating lower-limb edema caused by qi deficiency and blood stasis. Judging from its composition, this formula can treat lower-limb edema caused not only by nephritis but also by ascites, though it should only be effective for mild cases. But for lower-limb edema caused by obstructed lymphatic return, it is difficult to be effective, because in such patients the lymphatic tissue has mostly been destroyed by surgery and the lower-limb edema can no longer be restored by medication.

Yimucao in this formula is originally a commonly used herb for treating gynecological diseases, but modern pharmacological research shows that Yimucao has a good effect on kidney diseases: it can improve renal blood circulation, has a relatively good therapeutic effect on early renal tubular injury, and has a strong diuretic and detumescent effect. The author often uses Yimucao granules alone to treat edema caused by kidney disease; it is indeed effective, and can also lower uric acid and creatinine and restore renal function.

Sheng Huangqi in this formula is the foremost qi-tonifying herb in TCM. Modern pharmacological research shows that Sheng Huangqi can improve human immunity and raise hemoglobin; Sheng Huangqi can also promote diuresis and reduce swelling. The chuanxiongzine contained in the Chuanxiong of this formula has a good thrombolytic effect and can inhibit platelet aggregation. The disease of edema is usually accompanied by blood stasis, so using Chuanxiong to activate blood and resolve stasis, assisting the diuretic and detumescent herbs, can produce a better effect.

If 10 g of Dilong (Pheretima), 30 g of Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), and 30 g of Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) are added to this formula, it will also have a good effect on edema caused by lower-limb thrombosis; if Han Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Chao Baizhu (fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), and Zhuling (Polyporus) are added, its diuretic and detumescent strength will be even greater.