Coix Seed and Crucian Carp Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,This soup strengthens the spleen and kidneys, promotes urination, and reduces swelling. It is suitable for edema associated with various acute and chronic forms of nephritis, and is particularly effective for edema caused by acute glomerulonephritis.
the cool-cold character of the formula suggests restraint in those with yang deficiency or habitual loose stools; prolonged use of the diuretic action can deplete yin and fluids; those with inadequate yin should be cautious
Commentary
The sovereign is coix seeds, with cool nature and sweet, bland flavor, having Spleen, Stomach, Lung tropism; it clears damp-heat, strengthens the spleen and relieves impediment, anchoring the central strategy of the formula. The ministerial support — winter melon peel (cool in nature and sweet, bland in flavor, with Lung, Large Intestine, Small Intestine tropism, clears heat and promotes urination), and crucian carp (neutral in nature and sweet in flavor, with Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine tropism, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and harmonizes the stomach) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the spleen-kidney yang deficiency pattern.