Coix Seed, Dried Tangerine Peel, and Duck Meat Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the spleen and dispels dampness. Suitable for acute viral hepatitis.
prolonged use of the diuretic action can deplete yin and fluids; those with inadequate yin should be cautious; as astringent herbs are present, they should not be used early while external pathogens, damp-heat, or food stagnation remain
Commentary
At the head stands Coix seeds, the sovereign, nature cool, flavor sweet, bland, channeled into the Spleen, Stomach, Lung; it clears damp-heat, strengthens the spleen and relieves impediment, underpinning the principal thrust of the decoction. These are joined ministerially by lotus seeds (with neutral nature and sweet, astringent flavor, having Spleen, Kidney, Heart tropism, tonifies the spleen, astringes the kidney and calms the spirit), and dried tangerine peel (nature warm, flavor pungent, bitter, channeled into the Spleen, Lung, regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness and dissolves phlegm), reinforcing the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by duck meat, rich in blood-and-flesh essence, nourishing the righteous qi, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. The combined effect is tailored to the damp-heat pattern.