防己茯苓湯 (Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang), often translated as Stephania and Poria Decoction, is a favored classical formula for understanding how Chinese medicine approaches fluid metabolism. It comes all the way from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (《金匱要略》, Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber), written by Zhang Zhongjing nearly 2,000 years ago.

Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula traditionally used to strengthen Qi, warm Yang, promote healthy fluid metabolism, and support occasional muscle twitching or quivering associated with fluid imbalance.

Original Ingredients

• 防己 (Fang Ji) – Stephania root

• 茯苓 (Fu Ling) – Poria mushroom

• 黃耆 (Huang Qi) – Astragalus root

• 桂枝 (Gui Zhi) – Cinnamon twig

• 甘草 (Gan Cao) – Licorice root

What does it do according to TCM?

• Warm Yang

• Strengthen Spleen Qi

• Promote urination

• Drain dampness

• Reduce edema and swelling

• Reduce and prevent involuntary twitching

• Puffy swelling, especially in the arms and legs

• Water retention

• Heavy limbs

• Weak digestion

• Fatigue

• Spontaneous sweating from Qi deficiency

• A tendency to accumulate dampness

• Edema that improves after urination

四肢聶聶動 "When there is skin edema with swelling of the limbs, and the water within the skin causes the muscles to quiver, Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang governs." This ancient teaching describes a subtle trembling, quivering, or fluttering sensation beneath swollen tissues, thought to occur because fluids have accumulated in the superficial layers of the body.

Unlike many diuretic formulas that simply force water out, Fang Ji Fu Ling Tang addresses why the water accumulated in the first place— usually due to the Spleen and Yang Qi are too weak to transform and move fluids properly.

This is not the formula for hot, inflamed swelling. It is for Qi deficiency with dampness and impaired fluid metabolism.

My moxa rolls are made from 100% pure mugwort (Ai Ye, 艾葉) and are of the highest quality. Mugwort has been treasured in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for thousands of years for its ability to warm the meridians, strengthen Yang, promote the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, dispel Cold, and support the body's natural healing process.

Moxibustion is one of the oldest and most respected therapies in Chinese medicine. In fact, one of the most famous passages from the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), the foundational text of Traditional Chinese Medicine, states:

"If a disease cannot be treated successfully with acupuncture, it should be treated with moxibustion."

This speaks to the incredible healing power of warmth. Many people today are living in a state of internal cold from stress, overwork, air conditioning, iced drinks, and poor digestion. Moxibustion helps restore the body's internal fire by gently warming the channels and nourishing Yang energy.

It is one of my favorite therapies because it brings deep, penetrating warmth into the body without needles and can easily be incorporated into your wellness routine at home.

Directions

• Use your moxa roll outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, as burning mugwort creates a natural, aromatic smoke.

• Before your first use, unwrap approximately 2-3 inches of paper from one end of the roll.

• Light the exposed end using a lighter until it develops a bright red ember. Gently blow on the ember until it glows evenly.

• Hold the glowing end approximately 1–2 inches above the skin over the acupuncture point or area you wish to warm. Never allow the lit moxa to touch your skin.

• Slowly move the moxa in small circles or hold it over one area until you feel a pleasant, penetrating warmth. If the heat becomes too intense, simply move the roll farther away for a few moments before continuing. If it feels too hot, stop.

• Continue treatment for 5–10 minutes per area, with a maximum of 15 minutes. For best results, use daily or every other day.

Extinguishing Your Moxa Roll

This is the most important step.

Moxa continues to smolder long after the flame is gone and becomes extremely hot during use. Please handle it carefully to avoid burns.

After each treatment, firmly press the lit end into a bowl filled with sand or soil until the ember is completely extinguished and no smoke remains. You may also extinguish the roll with water if preferred. If using water, allow the roll to dry completely before your next treatment.

Always double-check that your moxa roll is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended or storing it. Even a small ember can continue burning unnoticed.

With proper care, each moxa roll can be relit and used for many treatments.

Function: promoting the movement of Qi and relieving fullness, epigastric fullness or bloating, drying dampness and resolving phlegm, and calm wheezing, reduce gas in stomach, reduce farting, symptoms such as chest and abdominal distension, food stagnation with Qi blockage, vomiting abdominal pain and constipation, and cough or wheezing. caused by phlegm retention. strengthen the spleen and stomach, replenish Qi, and restore the pulse. 

 • Replenishes Qi and nourishes Yin, restores Yang and regulates the pulse: Improve Qi and blood deficiency, palpitations, anxiety, and irregular pulse rhythms (such as arrhythmias).
• Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach: Helps improve symptoms such as spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, and poor appetite.
• Moistens the lungs and relieves cough:
• Relieves spasms and alleviates pain: Can help reduce cramping abdominal pain. 

Rose has long been revered for its ability to soothe the Liver and gently move Qi, helping to ease emotional tension, soften anxiety, and relieve that feeling of tightness in the chest that builds from prolonged stress. It supports the natural flow of Blood and menstruation, making it especially beneficial for irregular cycles, menstrual discomfort, and premenstrual breast tenderness. Rich in vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and natural antioxidants, rose also nourishes the skin from within— enhancing radiance, softening texture, and promoting a healthy, luminous glow. Its nature is warm and gentle, offering support to the Stomach and digestion, easing bloating, belching, and poor appetite while restoring harmony to the gut. At the same time, rose encourages circulation and metabolism, helping the body release stagnation, reduce fatigue, and maintain a sense of lightness and ease throughout the system.

Adding rose to your routine is wonderful for those with Liver Qi stagnation, insomnia and dreaminess, irregular menstruation, and dull skin.