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

Ingredients:
No. 1 Fangji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae) 12 g;
No. 2 Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari) 15 g;
No. 3 Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparatae) 6 g;
No. 4 Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocphalae) 9 g.

Administration:
Add to the above drugs 4 slices of fresh ginger and 2 pieces of Dazao (Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae) and decoct them in water for oral application.

Actions:
Invigorating qi and dispelling wind, reinforcing the spleen and inducing diuresis

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for wind-edema or wind-dampness syndrome (rheumatism), marked by perspiration with aversion to wind, heaviness of the body, edema of limbs, dysuria, pale tongue with whitish fur, superficial pulse. It is applicable to chronic glomerulonephritis, cardiac edema, rheumatic arthritis and others, which pertain to exterior-deficiency and excessive dampness. In case of severe edema, add Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) to strengthen the effect of inducing diuresis and relieving edema. In case of chest fullness and abdominal flatulence, add Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Zhike (Fructus Aurantii) to promote the flow of qi and relieve fullness.
 
Elucidation:
The syndrome results from attack by exogenous wind due to exterior-deficiency, retention of dampness in the muscular striae, meridians and collaterals. It should be treated by invigorating qi, dispelling wind, reinforcing the spleen and inducing diuresis. No. 1 has the function of dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, while No. 2 possesses the effect of invigorating qi to strengthen the superficial resistance and inducing diuresis to relieve edema. The two together can dispel wind and promote diuresis without impairing the superficial resistance as well as strengthen body resistance without" retaining pathogenic wind, playing the part of monarch drugs.

Used as minister drug, No. 4 is capable of invigorating qi, reinforcing the spleen and inducing diuresis and further enhances the effect of the monarch drugs. No. 3 has the function of invigorating qi and reinforcing the middle-energizer as well as mediating drug properties and functions as adjuvant drug. The fresh ginger and Chinese dates can not only regulate and nourish the spleen and stomach so as to build up body resistance, but also regulate ying and wei to promote the effect of relieving exterior syndrome and eliminating pathogenic wind.

Cautions:
This recipe is contraindicated for excessive fluid retention and dampness without exterior-deficiency.