Wu Pi San

Five Peel Powder

Drain Damp • Reduce Edema • Regulate Water Metabolism • Support the Spleen

Wu Pi San is a classical formula designed for edema and fluid retention caused by impaired transformation and transportation in the Spleen system. Traditionally used for “Pi Shui” (skin-level water retention), it is especially valued when Dampness accumulates beneath the surface, creating swelling, heaviness, puffiness, and difficulty moving fluids.

Unlike formulas that strongly promote urination, Wu Pi San works through a more balanced approach by regulating Qi, supporting fluid metabolism, and addressing the underlying Spleen weakness that allows Dampness to accumulate.

When patients present with generalized puffiness, swollen limbs, abdominal fullness, sluggish digestion, or difficulty urinating alongside signs of Damp accumulation, Wu Pi San is often one of the formulas practitioners consider.

Beyond traditional edema patterns, this formula has become increasingly relevant in modern practice for fluid retention associated with metabolic sluggishness, pregnancy-related swelling, and post-illness recovery patterns.

Traditional Indications

• Edema
• Generalized puffiness
• Difficult urination
• Skin-level Dampness (“Pi Shui”)
• Heavy body sensation
• Swollen limbs
• Abdominal fullness
• Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp
• Fluid metabolism imbalance
• Water retention patterns

TCM Pattern

Spleen Qi Deficiency with Damp Accumulation and Impaired Fluid Transformation

Wu Pi San regulates Qi, promotes fluid movement, transforms Damp, reduces swelling, and supports the Spleen’s ability to manage water metabolism.

Modern Clinical Applications

Many practitioners reach for Wu Pi San when supporting patients experiencing:

• Generalized edema
• Puffy hands and feet
• Pregnancy-related swelling
• Fluid retention with digestive weakness
• Post-viral puffiness and fatigue
• Heavy body sensation
• Sluggish metabolism patterns
• Bloating with water accumulation
• Dampness affecting the tissues
• Swelling with weak digestion

Its unique ability to address both fluid retention and the underlying digestive weakness makes it a valuable formula for Damp patterns that are not purely excess.

Ingredients

Sang Bai Pi — 25%
Sheng Jiang Pi — 20%
Fu Ling Pi — 20%
Chen Pi — 20%
Da Fu Pi — 15%

Based on classical ratios and standard modifications

Crafted using our signature Two-Cured Decoction™ process—combining a traditional hot water decoction with a secondary high-proof alcohol extraction—to capture both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble herbal constituents for a full-spectrum tincture.

Practitioner Favorites

Damp Edema with Loose Stool

60% Wu Pi San + 40% Shen Ling Bai Zhu San

Excellent when edema is accompanied by Spleen deficiency signs such as loose stools, fatigue, poor digestion, and weak fluid transformation.

Phlegm-Damp with Fluid Retention

50% Wu Pi San + 50% Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang

A favorite combination when fluid accumulation presents with Phlegm-Damp, chest fullness, dizziness, heaviness, or signs of impaired fluid movement.

Single Herb Pairings

For further customization, consider adding:

Ze Xie — when stronger urinary support and fluid drainage are needed.

Yi Yi Ren — when Damp-Heat contributes to swelling, heaviness, or inflammatory fluid accumulation.

Urban Herbs Practitioner Advantage

Every 16 oz amber bottle is designed for fast, customized dispensing in clinical practice. Blend Wu Pi San with complementary formulas to create individualized prescriptions in minutes—giving your patients the convenience of a liquid tincture while providing your practice with a flexible, space-saving herbal pharmacy.

Double-extracted. Ready to dispense. Built for practitioners.

Why Practitioners Keep Wu Pi San on the Shelf

Every practitioner eventually encounters the patient who says,

"I feel swollen, heavy, and like my body is holding onto water."

That patient often reflects the classic Wu Pi San presentation.

Its strength comes from recognizing that edema is not always simply an excess fluid problem. In many cases, the body lacks the ability to properly transform and move fluids. Wu Pi San addresses this by regulating Qi, supporting fluid pathways, and gently reducing accumulation.

Practitioners frequently reach for Wu Pi San when supporting:

• Puffy limbs
• Generalized swelling
• Pregnancy-related edema
• Fluid retention with fatigue
• Post-viral heaviness
• Dampness affecting the body surface
• Bloating with water retention
• Spleen deficiency with edema
• Sluggish fluid metabolism
• Heavy body sensations

Because Urban Herbs tinctures are designed for blending, Wu Pi San becomes even more versatile when combined with formulas that strengthen the Spleen, promote urination, resolve Phlegm, or address deeper deficiency patterns.

For many practitioners, it is the formula they consider when the body is holding onto what it should be moving.

One bottle. A timeless solution for transforming Damp and restoring healthy fluid circulation.

Practitioner Snapshot

Category

Damp-Draining & Fluid Regulation Formulas

Primary Actions

• Regulates Water Metabolism
• Drains Damp
• Reduces Edema
• Regulates Qi
• Supports Spleen Function
• Promotes Fluid Movement

Best For

• Edema
• Puffy limbs
• Fluid retention
• Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp
• Pregnancy swelling
• Post-viral puffiness
• Heavy body sensation
• Damp accumulation

Pairs Well With

• Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
• Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
• Wu Ling San
• Zhen Wu Tang
• Ping Wei San

Clinical Personality

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Damp Drainage
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fluid Regulation
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Edema Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Spleen Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Qi Movement

Clinical Pearl

Wu Pi San is one of the classic formulas every practitioner associates with the phrase “skin-level water.” Its hallmark indication is a patient whose body feels swollen, heavy, and waterlogged due to impaired fluid transformation.

Its brilliance lies in its gentle but comprehensive approach. Each “peel” addresses a different aspect of fluid regulation—Sang Bai Pi supports Lung water pathways, Fu Ling Pi drains Damp, Chen Pi regulates Qi, Sheng Jiang Pi harmonizes fluids, and Da Fu Pi moves abdominal accumulation.

For practitioners, Wu Pi San remains an essential formula for patients whose swelling reflects not just excess fluid, but a deeper inability to properly move and transform that fluid.