Coix Seed, Poria, and Chicken Intestine Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Clears heat and dispels dampness. Suitable for nocturnal emissions caused by damp-heat descending, characterized by frequent episodes, difficult or cloudy urination, itching and pain in the penis, accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth and thirst, restlessness and insomnia, epigastric fullness and distension, a thick, greasy tongue coating, and a soft, rapid pulse.
given its cold nature, caution is warranted in the constitutionally deficient and cold with weak transportation; prolonged use of the diuretic action can deplete yin and fluids; those with inadequate yin should be cautious; the astringent action may seal pathogens inside; exercise caution while exterior pathogens or dampness-stagnation have not yet cleared
Commentary
Coix seeds occupies the sovereign position; with cool nature and sweet, bland flavor, having Spleen, Stomach, Lung tropism, it clears damp-heat, strengthens the spleen and relieves impediment and becomes the guiding principle of the whole formula. The ministerial support — poria (of neutral nature and sweet, bland flavor, entering the Heart, Lung, Spleen, Kidney, drains dampness, strengthens the spleen and calms the spirit), and chicken intestines (with neutral nature and sweet flavor, having Kidney, Bladder tropism, secures urination and astringes the lower jiao) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the damp-heat pattern.