Weilingxian, Papaya, and Pork Trotter Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Dispels wind and cold, transforms dampness, and unblocks the meridians. Suitable for rheumatoid arthritis of the wind-cold-damp bi type.
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; those who are robust with internal accumulated heat are not suited to this formula
Commentary
With clematis root as the sovereign, with warm nature and pungent, salty flavor, having Bladder tropism, it dispels wind-damp, unblocks the channels and relieves pain, and this opening sets the main therapeutic direction. These are joined ministerially by papaya (with warm nature and sour flavor, having Liver, Spleen tropism, soothes the sinews, activates the collaterals and resolves dampness), and pork shank (neutral in nature and sweet, salty in flavor, with Stomach, Kidney tropism, replenishes blood, promotes lactation, and strengthens the sinews), reinforcing the sovereign’s main effect. Finished with scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, the formula attains a regulated, neither-excess nor-deficient balance. The combined effect is tailored to the wind-cold pattern.