Zeqi Root Decoction，From *Wai Tai*, Volume 20, citing *Shen Shi Fang*.，Water retention in the five viscera causes coughing, retching, wheezing, and shortness of breath; a distended abdomen with rumbling sounds; swelling of both legs; “sleeping silkworm” swelling under the eyes; mild thirst; inability to sleep soundly; rapid, shallow breathing that subsides after a short while; difficult urination with scant, frequent output; chest fullness and radiating pain due to lung disease; water retention compressing the lungs, causing gasping and alternating chills and fever.
Zeqi Root Decoction
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Formulas Name : Zeqi Root Decoction
Chinese Name : 泽漆根汤
Drug Formulation
1 fresh carp (weighing 5 jin, coarsely chopped), 2 liang Ophiopogon tuber (core removed), 2 liang licorice (roasted), 2 liang ginseng, 2 liang Poria, 8 liang Zeqi root (raw).
Source
From *Wai Tai*, Volume 20, citing *Shen Shi Fang*.
Processing
Cut the ingredients as directed.
Benefits
Water retention in the five viscera causes coughing, retching, wheezing, and shortness of breath; a distended abdomen with rumbling sounds; swelling of both legs; “sleeping silkworm” swelling under the eyes; mild thirst; inability to sleep soundly; rapid, shallow breathing that subsides after a short while; difficult urination with scant, frequent output; chest fullness and radiating pain due to lung disease; water retention compressing the lungs, causing gasping and alternating chills and fever.
Instructions for Use
Boil the fish in 1 dou 7 sheng of water until reduced to 1 dou; remove the fish and use the liquid to boil the herbs until reduced to 4 sheng. Divide the decoction into three doses to be taken daily. Continue until urination becomes unimpeded; if urination remains difficult, increase the dosage. If bowel movements are normal but urination remains difficult, increase the dosage to 4 he. After one day of treatment, the fluid will be expelled, and the patient will be able to sleep soundly.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *Wai Tai*, Volume 20, citing *Shen Shi Fang*., 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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Zeqi Root Decoction,Water retention in the five viscera causes coughing, retching, wheezing, and shortness of breath; a distended abdomen with rumbling sounds; swelling of both legs; “sleeping silkworm” swelling under the eyes; mild thirst; inability to sleep soundly; rapid, shallow breathing that subsides after a short while; difficult urination with scant, frequent output; chest fullness and radiating pain due to lung disease; water retention compressing the lungs, causing gasping and alternating chills and fever.