Source: Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Diseases).

Ingredients:
No.1  Maziren (Fructus Cannabis) 500 g
No.2  Shaoyao (Radix Paeoniae) 250 g
No.3  Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 250 g
No.4  Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 500 g
No.5  Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 250 g
No.6  Xingren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 250 g

Administration:
Grind the above drugs into fine powder and then make them into boluses by mixing them with honey; take 9 g with warm boiled water, twice daily. Or decoct them in water for oral use with an appropriate dosage in proportion to that of the original recipe.
   
Actions:
Moistening the intestine to purge heat and promoting the flow of qi to relieve constipation.
     
Clinical Application:
This recipe is used to treat syndrome of constipation due to intestinal dryness, marked by dry stool, frequent urination, dry mouth and tongue, slight yellowish fur. It is applicable to habitual constipation, senile constipation, postpartum constipation and postoperative constipation from hemorrhoid, which pertain to gastrointestinal dryness and heat syndrome. Presently, Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) is often used as ingredient No. 2 in clinical practice. In the absence of excessive dryness and heat, subtract ingredients No. 3 and No. 5 and lessen the dosage of ingredient No. 4.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is due to gastrointestinal dryness and heat, deficiency of body fluid, and lack of lubrication in the intestine. It should be treated by means of moistening the bowels to purge heat and promoting the flow of qi to relieve constipation. Ingredient No. 1, mild in nature and abundant in lipid, functions as monarch drug to moisten the large intestine for relieving constipation. Ingredient No. 4 bears the function of purging heat and dryness from the stomach and intestine, No. 6 descending qi and relaxing the bowels, and No. 2 nourishing yin and helping the monarch drug carry out its action. The above three are minister drugs. Ingredients No. 3 and No. 5 promote the flow of qi and dissolve mass, and enhance the effect of No. 4 as well, serving as adjuvant drugs. Honey is meant to further strengthen the effect of moistening dryness and relaxing the bowels.
 
Cautions:
It is contraindicated in constipation due to exhaustion of body fluid and blood and lack of nutrients in the large intestine without dryness and heat internally.