Poria, Atractylodes, ginger, white peony, roasted aconite.
Lu Jiu gathered these five herbs; this prescription is the classic prescription Zhenwu Decoction.
In fact, the naming of classic prescriptions is very particular.
Zhen also means quiet, while Wu represents Xuanwu, which is in the north, governing water.
Zhenwu Decoction is the best among classic prescriptions for pacifying water.
Here, Lu Jiu prescribed Zhenwu Decoction for Chang Qing, with a higher amount of Poria than Atractylodes, ensuring better water expulsion. Roasted aconite serves to warm Yang and transform water; after entering the body, it can raise the water temperature, ensuring the cold water can be vaporized, while white peony and ginger are used to tonify deficiency.
