Shizaotang is contained in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases.It is composed of four medicinal materials of Genkwa Fols(boiled)

Kansui Radix

Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Jujubae Fructus and is a classic prescription for treatment of water knot suspending fluid syndrome by ZHANG Zhong-jing.Although Shizaotang has significant effect in removing water retention by purgation

but toxicity of toxic drugs in the prescriptions restricts its clinical application

the doctors use carefully or do not use them.This review summarizes the research progress of Shizaotang from the aspects of famous doctor theory

usage and dosage

chemical composition

pharmacology and toxicology

clinical application and so on through reviewing the relevant literatures at home and abroad in past 30 years.In order to effectively develop and use Shizaotang

we should be comprehensive use of modern scientific research methods to study on its toxic material basis

amount-time-toxicity-effect relationship

scope of safe drug etc;and to explore the effect of processing on its pharmacological and toxicological effects

to reveal its scientific connotation of Yougu Wuyun in clinical practice.