Source: Jingui Yaolue (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet).

Ingredients:
No. 1 Fuling (Poria) 12 g;
No. 2 Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamoni) 9 g;
No.3 Baihu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9 g;
No. 4 Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 6 g.

Administration:
Decoct the above drugs in water for oral application.
 
Actions:
Warming yang and relieving phlegm retention, reinforcing the spleen and inducing diuresis.
  
Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for syndrome of phlegm retention, marked by chest and hypochondriac fullness, vertigo, palpitation, short breath with cough, whitish glossy fur, taut and smooth pulse. It is applicable to such cases associated with edema as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cardiogenic glomerulonephritis or chronic glomerulonephritis, and others, which pertains to retention of water-dampness due to yang deficiency. In case of cough with much sputum, add Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) and Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) to eliminate dampness and phlegm. In case of flatulence or borborygmus, add Zhishi (Furctus Aurantii Immaturus) to promote the flow of qi and diuresis. In case of marked deficiency of the spleen with poor appetite and loose stool, add Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysati) to invigorate qi and reinforce the spleen.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is caused by yang deficiency of the middle-energizer, leading to dysfunction of the spleen, and failure of qi to dissolve fluid-retention retaining in the heart. It should be treated by warming yang and activating the spleen. No. 1 is the monarch drug with the function of reinforcing the spleen and inducing diuresis. Acting as minister drug, No. 2 is capable of warming Yang and can remove phlegm when in combination with No. 1. Ingredient No. 3 functions as adjuvant drug, which can invigorate the spleen, eliminate dampness and prevent generation of phlegm. No. 4 plays the role of guiding drug with the effect of reinforcing the spleen and mediating drug properties. All ingredients together form a recipe to warm yang without generating heat and induce diuresis without causing drastic purgation. It is a mild recipe of warming yang and dissolving phlegm-fluid.