Wu Lin San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
五淋散 · Wǔ Lín Sǎn
A damp-heat lin formula. Entered as Wu Lin San; the Hanli name 五林散 is treated as this formula, not Wu Ling San.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Dampness-Draining Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear heat, drain dampness, free strangury
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear heat, drain dampness, free strangury
- Classical Source
- He Ji Ju Fang (Song dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- —
Formula Overview
A damp-heat lin formula. Entered as Wu Lin San; the Hanli name 五林散 is treated as this formula, not Wu Ling San.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for damp-heat strangury rather than water retention. Not Wu Ling San.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Poria Rubra (Chi Fu Ling)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gan Cao)
- Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chi Shao)
- Gardeniae Fructus (Zhi Zi). From He Ji Ju Fang. Entered as Wu Lin San; Hanli lists 五林散
- treated here as 五淋散
- not Wu Ling San.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat
- drains dampness
- and frees the five stranguries. Hanli lists this as 五林散.
Indications
- Damp-heat strangury.
Tongue & pulsePainful or frequent urination, turbid urine, red tongue, rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Damp-heat settles in the bladder.
- The five stranguries appear.
Clinical presentation
- Painful or frequent urination, turbid urine, lower abdominal discomfort, red tongue, rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Clear heat, drain dampness, free strangury.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Wu Lin San, Ba Zheng San and Dao Chi San address lower heat. Ba Zheng San is stronger for damp-heat. Dao Chi San clears heart fire into the small intestine. This formula is a milder five-strangury formula.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for damp-heat lin.
- Distinct from Wu Ling San which drains water without clearing heat toxin.
Tongue & pulseKey points: painful urination, red tongue.
Safety notes: Not Wu Ling San. Not appropriate for cold or yang-deficiency urinary patterns.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wu Lin San? Are Ba Zheng San and Shi Wei San the same?
Wu Lin San (五淋散) is a classic formula from the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, centered on clearing heat, promoting urination, unblocking strangury and harmonizing blood for damp-heat pouring downward with the five stranguries and painful difficult urination. Ba Zheng San clears heat, drains fire, promotes urination and unblocks strangury, leaning to severe damp-heat. Shi Wei San promotes urination and unblocks strangury, leaning to stone strangury. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Wu Lin San. Use caution in Spleen deficiency and cold strangury.
What is the composition and traditional use of Wu Lin San?
Classic composition: Chi Fu Ling, Zhi Zi, Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Gan Cao. It acts to clear heat, promote urination, unblock strangury and harmonize blood. It is used for damp-heat pouring downward with painful difficult urination, dribbling and incomplete voiding, or blood strangury and stone strangury among the five stranguries. Chi Fu Ling promotes urination; Zhi Zi clears heat; Chi Shao and Dang Gui harmonize blood; Gan Cao relaxes urgency.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Ba Zheng San replace it?
Chi Fu Ling is used; Zhi Zi is raw. Ba Zheng San leans to heavy fire-draining; it cannot replace harmonizing blood by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
Wu Lin San: Clearing Heat, Resolving Dampness, and Relieving Urinary Discomfort
Wu Ling San: Classic TCM Formula for Water Retention, Edema & Urinary Difficulty
Ba Zheng San: Classic TCM Formula for Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner, Painful Urination & Lin Syndrome
Dao Chi San: Classic TCM Formula for Heart Fire, Mouth Sores, Irritability & Painful Urination
Browse all classical formulas →
Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.