Water's Way is used for patterns of imbalance in which Dampness has over-accumulated, interfering with proper circulation and the regulation of fluid metabolism. Internal Dampness is caused by spleen vacuity and, occasionally, the Kidney. If the Spleen is unable to properly transform and transport body fluids, these fluids will stagnate and develop into a condition of Dampness. The accumulated water will flow into corollary channels, causing edema and a feeling of heaviness. This formulation is designed to strengthen the Spleen as well as drain and dry Dampness. It is a modified version of the classical formula wu ling san, and is one of the key formulas taken from the Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold. In Japanese herbal medicine, the use of wu ling san has been expanded to include the treatment of all Water disease, for which it remains the primary formula. It was originally designed by Dr. Zhang Zhong-Jing to relieve water build-up disorder (xu shui), a condition caused by surface Wind Cold patterns in the tai yang that have penetrated to the greater interior Yang organ (Urinary Bladder). The disruption of Bladder Qi leads to retention of fluids, urinary frequency or difficulty, diarrhea, and/or edema. Water's Way also promotes the transforming functions of Qi, enabling the regulation of water metabolism in all Three Burners. Obesity from stagnant water is responsive to this formula, as well as damage from the use of steroid drugs. In terms of the Five Phases (wu xing), this formulation is used to treat disharmonies of Earth and Water that manifest as a lessening of transformation and transportation of water; the ramifications of this can be seen throughout the Triple Burner. The stuckness and fullness of the Earth phase (Spleen) leads to a suppression of the Water phase (Kidney), causing a buildup of fluid in the tissues and a disruption of the urinary and bowel rhythms. The Spleen\\\\'s inability to perform its transforming actions may cause a person to become stuck and unable to initiate change. He or she might worry obsessively over options and decisions, and lack the fluidity necessary to transform ideas into action. At the same time, such as person might be rigid and overbearing, trying to control, envelope and interfere, being unable to open up and receive or interact with others. This can lead to obesity, along with an inability to cope with change and transformation in life.*

zi xie (Asian water plantain rhizome) fu ling kuai (poria cocos fruiting body) zhu ling (zhu ling sclerotium) bai zhu (white atractylodes rhizome) gui zhi (Chinese cinnamon twig)