Wu Ling San
Star五苓散 (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhongjing (Han, 220)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is the primary formula for water accumulation and urinary dysfunction in TCM. It treats impaired transformation of water by the Bladder and Kidney, causing retention of water in the interior. The formula warms and promotes the Bladder's transforming function while draining accumulated dampness, making it applicable for a wide range of water metabolism disorders.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ze Xie | 15g | 31.25% | Jun (Chief) | Promotes urination, drains dampness, clears heat from Bladder. |
| Zhu Ling | 9g | 18.75% | Chen (Deputy) | Drains dampness and promotes urination. |
| Fu Ling | 9g | 18.75% | Chen (Deputy) | Drains dampness, strengthens Spleen. |
| Bai Zhu | 9g | 18.75% | Zuo (Assistant) | Tonifies Spleen, transforms water and dampness. |
| Gui Zhi | 6g | 12.5% | Shi (Envoy) | Warms Yang, promotes Qi transformation in Bladder, releases exterior. |
Total weight: 45g
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly cool (-0.31)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 31%, neutral 38%, warm 31%.
Pairs warm and cool. 31% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 31% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 6%
- sweet 50%
- bitter 9%
- bland 34%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 69%
- Spleen 38%
- Lung 31%
- Heart 31%
- Stomach 19%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Traditional: grind to powder and take with warm water, then drink more water. As decoction: simmer 20 minutes and take warm.
Dosage
Powder: 3g 3x/day with warm water. Decoction: 1 dose/day. Drink plenty of warm water after taking.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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