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Original text from *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases): In Shaoyin disease (a syndrome caused by pathogenic invasion of the Shaoyin meridians), if it persists for two or three days and reaches four or five days, symptoms such as abdominal pain, difficult urination, heaviness and pain in the four limbs, and spontaneous diarrhea occur. This is due to the retention of water qi (fluid metabolism disorder). If the patient also experiences cough, clear urination, worsening diarrhea, or vomiting, Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) should be administered.

[Formula of Zhenwu Tang] Poria cocos (Fuling) 3 liang, Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao) 3 liang, Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang/Fresh Ginger) 3 liang sliced, Atractodes macrocephala (Baizhu) 2 liang, Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi/Aconite Root) 1 piece, prepared, peeled, broken into eight slices.
The above five herbs are boiled in 8 sheng of water until reduced to 3 sheng. The dregs are removed, and the decoction is taken warm, 7 ge per dose, three times a day. If coughing occurs, add Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi) half sheng, Asarum heterotropoides (Xixin) and Zingiber officinale (Ganjiang/Dried Ginger) one liang each; if urination is clear/profuse, remove Poria cocos; if diarrhea occurs, remove Paeonia lactiflora and add Zingiber officinale (Ganjiang/Dried Ginger) two liang; if vomiting occurs, remove Aconitum carmichaelii and increase the amount of Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang/Fresh Ginger) so that the total weight of ginger reaches half jin.

Luo Dongyi stated: In the human body, the Spleen controls water metabolism, while the Kidney governs water. The Kidney acts as the gatekeeper of the Stomach. Water accumulates and follows its kind. If there is no Yang energy in the Kidney, although the pivot mechanism of the Spleen may function, the gate of the Kidney will not open. Consequently, water attempts to flow but lacks control, leading to overflow and erratic movement, resulting in these syndromes. The use of Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) with its acrid-warm nature strengthens the primordial Yang of the Kidney, thereby providing a master for the water. The warm-drying nature of Atractodes macrocephala (Baizhu) establishes the Middle Jiao (Earth element), thereby providing restraint for the water. The acrid-dispersing nature of Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang/Fresh Ginger) assists Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) in tonifying Yang, embedding the intention of dispersing water within the process of replenishing water. The permeating-and-bland nature of Poria cocos (Fuling) assists Atractodes macrocephala (Baizhu) in building Earth, embedding the method of promoting diuresis within the process of restraining water. However, the most critical aspect lies in the bitter-descending nature of Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao), which holds profound significance. Human Yang is rooted in Yin. If one merely uses acrid-hot herbs to tonify Yang without slightly assisting with bitter-descending agents, there is a risk that the True Yang may fly away and dissipate. Paeonia lactiflora (Shaoyao) is the last flower of spring, withering upon entering summer; it is used to urgently gather scattered Yang energy and return it to its root. When diarrhea occurs, Shaoyao is reduced because its bitter-descending property causes upward surging and purging. Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is added because it warms the middle and overcomes cold. When cold-water injures the Lung causing cough, Xixin (Asarum) and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) are added to overcome cold-water. Wuweizi (Schisandra) is added to astringe Lung Qi. If urination is clear/profuse, Fuling (Poria) is removed to avoid excessive diuresis damaging the Kidney. In cases of vomiting, Fuzi (Aconite) is removed and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is doubled because the pathology is not in the Lower Jiao, but rather water stagnates in the Stomach. Therefore, warming the Kidney to move water is unnecessary; instead, one should warm the Stomach to disperse water. Moreover, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) has the function of stopping vomiting.