Four Ling San and Wu Ling San are different in composition, efficacy and indications.
1. Different ingredients: Four Ling San is composed of four kinds of drugs: Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria, Poria and Zelia; Five Ling San has added cinnamon on the basis of the formula of Four Ling San.
2. Different efficacy: Four Ling San has the efficacy of strengthening the spleen to stop diarrhea, diuresis and dehumidification; Five Ling San has the efficacy of warming yang and transforming qi (warming yang qi in the body), and diuresis and water.
3. Different indications: Four Ling San is mainly used for treating spleen deficiency and dampness, loose stools, dysuria (unsmooth urination), and can also be used for treating children’s scrotal swelling and pain, etc. Five Ling San is suitable for edema caused by Yang’s failure to transform qi (the body’s qi is blocked), and water-dampness stopping inside the body (water-dampness stays inside the body), which is specifically manifested as dysuria, oedema, abdominal distension, thirst and thirst for water, vomiting and diarrhea.
Four Ling San and Wu Ling San are two different medicines, it is recommended that patients should consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner in a timely manner after discomfort occurs, and choose appropriate and effective medicines for treatment, rather than blindly self-medicating to avoid delaying the condition.