Mercury and Shepherd’s Purse Pills,The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 21); the name appears in *Pu Ji Fang* (Vol. 191).,For edema, where the body is thick and fleshy and does not indent upon pressure; in severe cases, the arms are so thick that sleeves do not fit; and for the ten types of severe edema.
Mercury and Shepherd’s Purse Pills
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Formulas Name : Mercury and Shepherd’s Purse Pills
Chinese Name : 水银葶苈丸
Drug Formulation
Mercury 3 liang (simmered for 3 days and 3 nights), toon seeds 1 sheng, pepper seeds 1 sheng, silverfish 20 pieces, duckweed 1 liang, melon seeds 1 liang, talc 1 liang, sodium carbonate 3 liang.
Source
The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 21); the name appears in *Pu Ji Fang* (Vol. 191).
Processing
Pound the toon seeds until fine; add the mercury and continue pounding until the mercury is no longer visible. Separately, pound the pepper seeds until fine; pound the melon stems and duckweed, then sift them. Combine with the remaining ingredients, mix with refined honey, and form into pills the size of a paulownia seed.
Benefits
For edema, where the body is thick and fleshy and does not indent upon pressure; in severe cases, the arms are so thick that sleeves do not fit; and for the ten types of severe edema.
Instructions for Use
Begin with 1 pill, then take 2 pills, followed by 3, then 4, then 5, then 6. On the 7th day, start again with 1 pill, followed by 2 pills. Continue in this manner, resuming with 1 pill each time you reach 6 pills.Upon first taking the medicine, small swellings may appear on the throat, the jawline may become swollen and full, and the gums may swell, with small flecks of blood in the saliva; do not be alarmed. These symptoms will subside within 3–5 days, and all ailments will be cured; at that point, discontinue the medicine. If there is excessive diarrhea, stop the medicine to halt the diarrhea; treatment should cease after five episodes of diarrhea. If the illness has not yet been cured, continue taking the medicine; once cured, stop.
Copyright: Excerpt from The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 21); the name appears in *Pu Ji Fang* (Vol. 191)., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Mercury and Shepherd’s Purse Pills,For edema, where the body is thick and fleshy and does not indent upon pressure; in severe cases, the arms are so thick that sleeves do not fit; and for the ten types of severe edema.