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Treats the condition of epigastric fullness and hardness, with persistent belching, occurring after treatment with sweating, vomiting, or purgation to release the exterior.
*Inula Flower* (Xuanfuhua) [3 liang] *Hematitum* (Daizheshi) [1 liang] *Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma* (Renshen) [2 liang] *Licorice Root* (Gancao), roasted [3 liang] *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens* (Shengjiang) [5 liang]
*Jujube Fruit* (Dazao) [12 pieces]
Take the above seven ingredients, add one dou of water, decoct until reduced by half, remove the dregs, decoct again to obtain three sheng of liquid, take warm, three times a day.

Luo Dongyi said: This prescription by Zhang Zhongjing is a sage formula for treating positive deficiency where Yuan Qi fails to return to its origin, thereby connecting the upper and lower aspects. Generally, after sweating, vomiting, or purgation to release the exterior, although the pathogenic factor has been removed, the healthy qi is damaged. The middle jiao (Spleen and Stomach) becomes weak, causing turbid qi to ascend and clear qi to sink, resulting in persistent belching. This formula aims to regulate the middle jiao, allowing the qi mechanism in the chest to circulate smoothly.

Indicated for chronic dysentery that does not cease, prolapse of the Large Intestine due to deficiency, and worsening diarrhea after taking Lizhong Wan.
*Lapidarum Rubrum* (Chishizhi) *Yuyuliang* (Yuyuliang) [each 1 jin, both crushed]
Take the above two ingredients, add six sheng of water, boil to obtain two sheng, remove the residue, divide into three warm doses.

Ke Yunbo said: Licorice, Zingiber, Ginseng, and Atractylodes Macrocephala can tonify the deficiency of primordial qi in the Middle Palace (Spleen/Stomach), but are insufficient to secure the slippage of the essence and fat in the Lower Jiao. For this diarrhea located in the Lower Jiao, the responsibility lies in the failure of the Lower Jiao to hold. Chishizhi (Red Stone Lipite) is red and enters Bing (Heart/Fire), assisting Fire to generate Earth; Yuyuliang (Magnetitum) is yellow and enters Wu (Spleen/Earth), solidifying the Stomach and astringing the intestines. Urgently treating the branch symptom in the Lower Jiao is actually to cultivate the root of the Middle Palace. One must know that in this syndrome, Earth is deficient but Fire is not, so Zingiber and Aconite are not suitable. Zhang Zhongjing said: "If diarrhea persists despite repeated episodes, one should promote urination." Thus, it is known that this formula differs from Taohua Tang (Peach Kernel Decoction).

Treats disorders caused by Water Qi in Shaoyin, presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea, heaviness and pain in the four limbs, and difficult urination. The patient may also have cough, vomiting, or clear urine with persistent diarrhea.
*Atractydis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu) [2 liang] *Poria* (Fuling) *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao) [each 3 liang] *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata* (Da Fuzi), processed [1 piece] *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens* (Shengjiang) [3 liang]
Take the above five ingredients, add eight sheng of water, boil to obtain three sheng, remove the dregs. Take 7 he of warm liquid, three times a day.

Zhao Yuhuang said: The human body consists of Yin and Yang. The Upper Jiao belongs to Yang and governs the Heart and Lung; the Lower Jiao belongs to Yin and governs the Liver and Kidney. The Liver stores Yin Blood, and the Kidney contains both True Yin and True Yang. Who is the master? Therefore, when the Spleen receives Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), the Fire of the Gate of Vitality generates Spleen Earth, and Water finds its source; when the Kidney receives Fuzi, Yang Qi is secured. Furthermore, with the sour nature of Baishao (White Peony Root), it constrains the Liver and gathers Yin Qi, achieving a state of balanced Yin and Yang. As for Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), it harmonizes the Stomach. Essentially, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) moves excess water, while Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) moves insufficient water; there is a world of difference between the two. In short, for conditions where Water Qi overflows and acts recklessly, without greatly tonifying the Yang within Kan (Kidney) and greatly strengthening the Qi of the Middle Palace, even using Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed) and Mutong (Akebia Caulis) would be ineffective.

Ke Yunbo said: The functional use of Fire in Kan Gong (Kidney) is not unblocked, so the Water system of the Kidney fails in its duty; this is due to deficiency-cold in the Lower Jiao failing to control Water. The method should be to strengthen Yuan Yang to dispel Yin shadows and eliminate stagnation to clear the water source, thus establishing this decoction. The modification methods listed after the formula are modifications for Zhenwu Tang, not the main symptoms. Although all involve Water Qi disorders, they do not belong to the main Shaoyin syndrome. It states that if there is cough, it is caused by Water Qi attacking the Lung; add Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry) for its sour-warm property to assist Baishao in collecting Kidney Water Qi; add Xixin (Asarum) for its pungent-warm property to assist Shengjiang in dispersing Lung Water Qi. If urination is spontaneous and accompanied by diarrhea, it indicates lack of Yang in the Stomach; thus abdominal pain does not belong to Ministerial Fire, and limb heaviness is due to Spleen dampness. Therefore, remove the sour-cold Baishao, add Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) for its pungent-hot property, and even remove the sweet-neutral Fuling. This becomes a warming-the-middle agent, not a diuretic. If there is vomiting, it is because Water Qi is in the Middle Jiao, so the Middle Jiao is not regulated, leading to limb discomfort. The disease does not involve Shaoyin but stems from the failure of Taiyin Dampness transformation to unblock. It does not require Fuzi to warm the Kidney; instead, double the amount of Shengjiang to disperse pathogens. This becomes a harmonizing-the-middle agent, not a Lower Jiao agent. Fuzi, Baishao, Fuling, and Baizhu are the four key ingredients of Zhenwu Tang; removing any one means it is no longer Zhenwu Tang. Zhang Zhongjing’s discussion of syndromes and treatments often involves analogical reasoning and does not confine itself to rigid boundaries.

Yu Jiayan said: When Yang collapse occurs and Zhenwu Tang is used for rescue, it is because Zhenwu is the deity governing Water in the North. The four ingredients in the formula act to move water, collect Yin, elevate Earth, and restore Yang...