On the Difference Between Edema 浮腫 and Floating Qi浮氣

 

Student: What is the difference between edema and floating qi?

Zhishan Teacher: Edema is a water-related disease. When the area under the eyes swells, it is considered a water disease. In this case, we use Wu ling San or Wei ling Tang (五苓散 or 胃苓湯). However, if there is swelling without the area under the eyes swelling, it is floating qi caused by a qi disease. For floating qi due to a qi disease, we use Liuqi Yinzi 流氣飮子.