Let's talk about swelling. If your face is swollen, don't panic just yet; the real concern is when the feet start to swell. Why? Because foot swelling is mostly due to Yang deficiency of the Heart and Kidney, which leaves the body unable to warm and transform water-dampness. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dampness tends to move downward, so water-dampness easily flows to the lower limbs, manifesting as foot swelling.

In TCM, Yang deficiency of the Heart and Kidney is known as Shaoyin disease, which is the final stage of the Six Meridians' disease progression. If this stage remains untreated for a long time, the outlook is not very optimistic. When I was a child in the countryside, if some elderly people had persistent foot swelling, their families would start preparing for their funeral arrangements. Of course, I am not saying this to scare you; I just want everyone to understand the gravity of this condition and how it relates to the improvement strategies we are going to discuss today.

For general edema of the head and face or muscle swelling, especially when accompanied by a slight twitching sensation in the skin and muscles, one may refer to Fangji Fuling Decoction. This formula contains Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuling (Poria), which primarily enter the Upper Jiao to treat dampness in that region.

If the edema occurs in the lower limbs and feet and is accompanied by difficulty in urination, Zhenwu Decoction is typically used. This formula primarily treats the overflow of water-dampness caused by Kidney Yang deficiency. However, it is important to remember that after promoting diuresis, one must tonify the body. Sijunzi Decoction can be used as a foundation; since the Spleen and Stomach serve as the body's central axis, healthy transport by these organs makes it easier to transform water throughout the upper and lower body. If the Lower Yuan (Lower Jiao) is depleted, herbs such as Rougui (Cassia Bark), Buguzhi (Psoralea Fruit), and Duzhong (Eucommia Bark) can be considered.

The Kidneys are like the body's "engine"—you must refuel them by nourishing essence and blood, rather than letting them work continuously without rest. People with edema are inherently deficient; therefore, it is crucial to balance diuresis with restorative tonification. If you experience swelling in your body, it is best to consult a professional practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine rather than attempting to treat it yourself.